hallasm

Northern lights can be seen from September to March north of the Polar Circle along the Norwegian west coast. . in 2023/2024 solar activity is high and therefore stronger northern lights. The route must include ports above the Arctic Circle - often Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Lofoten, Alta, and Narvik. Hurtigruten, Viking, P&O, Fred Olsen and others. You’ll find more details here:

Correct - zero emission zones are being introduced in the World Heritage fjord in Norway from 2026. In the context of a cruise, it concerns Geiranger and Flåm. Already today many cruise itineraries doesn’t include Geiranger and Flåm. An amendment is being considered that will allow ships that sail on Bio-LNG until 2030. But this will reduce the available cruises to those destinations drastically. No doubt that sailing through the deep heritage fjords is iconic, as well as Geiranger with the viewpoints and the railway in Flåm are good destinations, but Skjolden and Olden will be good alternatives and I suspect that there will be the possibility of an excursion to Geiranger from Hellesylt. The Norwegian shipping companies Havila and Hurtigruten have hybrid ships that can sail with electric propulsion - I would suspect that Hurtigruten will offer cruises to Flåm and Geiranger, but they are smaller and more expedition ships.

Strange and regrettable with such a change at such short notice. It’s scheduled for arrival in Ålesund May 30 at 10 am - departure 7 pm. Not the best connections, but possible with bus 3 and 32 (bus shuttle) - it takes about an hour depending on the time and day of the week.

Bus 25 shuttles between Orientkaj Metro and Oceankaj - stops at Lavantkaj Parking - close to Copenhagen International School. Same tickets as metro. Alternative to bus 25 is bus 164 - stop at Comwell Copenhagen Portside.

If you ship dock you should be able to make 10:45. I think Norways Bests is only selling return tickets. Be careful if you need to cancel a return ticket and purchase a single at short notice - might be sold out. OK if you can cancel just the return part at Vy. Solution might then be two single tickets.

A general comments about your cruise. August is too late for the midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle. I’ll answer some of your question - I do not have all the answers. I’ll suggest Lysefjord cruise. Yes, you can do both - transfer buses available. Suggest you book in advance. Olden is the only port in the deep fjords on your itinerary - you should be early on the upper decks to enjoy the sailing - be ready just before sunrise. Both impressive - very long tours. Sailing to Geiranger might be less strenuous. Is it to Trollfjord? Check if you ship is cruising Trollfjord. Assume Arctic Circle crossing and tour to North Cape from Honningsvåg - No experience with local bus in Honningsvåg. In general you can purchase tickets using credit card - if you have a smartphone and data roaming I’ll suggest using the App. I can never tire of the view of the fjord - suggest visiting both. Credit cards widely accepted - also In busses. As said previously I’ll suggest the App if possible. All ports on your route are sheltered by islands and fjords. Cancellations are not that common for Norwegian ports, but can still happen. More likely in the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland All your berths are suitable for DIY but it is advisable to order in advance. Supply is limited and there are no tours available on the day. Of course, this does not apply to public buses.

Many excellent restaurants in the Old Town Slingerbulten, Stora Nygatan 24 Djuret, Lilla Nygatan 5 Skeppsbron 10, Skeppsbron 10 Movitz, Tyska brinken 34 Tre Valv, Tyska brinken 34 Den Gyldene Freden, Österlånggatan 51

There are several HoHo operators in Copenhagen. Is it a special provider you are looking at? They have all route maps on their website. I assume your cruise ship arrives at Oceankaj - the buses do not call out to this terminal, (only Langelinie terminal) but there is a shuttle bus from Oceankaj to the HoHo route. Personally, I would veneer it impractical with luggage but of course possible. If you provide the hotel and operator, I can advise on the nearest stop.

I suppose it will work. My Visa debit card works.

From Keflavík Airport web: ”We kindly request that you arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before your scheduled departure time for a smooth check-in process.” I would take the 2 pm bus for a 5:10 pm departure - however, since all flights to US depart almost at the same time check-in and security will be busy. For sure with arrival at 1:15 very few people at the airport bur also 4 hours at the airport - not that much to do - maybe a lunch.

This is not the forum tour sharing - you must make your post in the roll call for your cruise - find cruise line, ship and sail date in the roll call forum. If Viking Ocean link to the Roll Call Forum

No , you need to book tours in advance. Yes, you can use credit cards everywhere. Norway is cashless, no need for cash. If you want to use credit card in vending machines or with small business a ‘chip and pin’ card might be required. While Stavanger is a bigger city there might be taxi available at the pier, Haugesund is a small town taxi should be pre-booked. Just note the taxi in Norway can be expensive.If a longer trip ask for price in advance.

You’re welcome. Yes, this is a reputable taxi company. Remember that all prices in Denmark include tips - only if the driver makes an extra effort, you can give a small amount as an appreciation.

Limit are different by country and might change - and only if using the physical card. No limit when using ApplePay.

GoBoats is a relatively new offer - but a very popular and fun offer. Rental is from ‘Islands Brygge’ - 20 minutes by taxi and 40 minutes by public transport from Oceankaj terminal.

Might be a problem with your credit card. The limit for contactless payments is ISK 7,500 (USD 53) per transaction.

They have both two deep fjord cruising - actually Olden is a quite good substitute for Geiranger. May versus July might make a difference as mentioned by gnome12. More snow in the mountains and water in rivers in May. In addition you’ll get North Cape and the midnight sun in the 12 night cruise. Stavanger and Tromsø are also two good ports. Personally I’ll chose the 12 nights.

CruiseBruce is right. In general your card will work in shops, restaurants, and hotels. But it might not work in ticket vending machines, and self-service terminals and maybe some small businesses like street food. I have not used cash for the last 5 years - only credit card, but if you do not have ‘chip and pin’ there might be situations where cash is needed.

Many terminals are “tap and go" but not all - contactless transactions above DKK 350 or if the sum of transactions exceed DKK1.000 in a day a pin or signature is required Those “tap and go" terminals will also accept ApplePay and no need for pin. However, Chip and PIN is the standard payment method in Denmark, and many small businesses as well as automated machines and self-service terminals, may not accept magnetic stripe cards or signature-based transactions. Many restaurants and shops will be able to handle magnetic stripe cards or signature but if you want totally to avoid cash a card with pin will be required.

By train, it will require quite a few changes. The obvious answer is flights from Amsterdam to Bergen. An alternative could be a flight (perhaps train) to Copenhagen - DFDS ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo and from their train to Bergen - but that will also require some changes. Also the option mentioned above - from Kristiansand to Bergen by train via Stavanger. How much time do you have?

The ship doesn’t dock in Olden - tendering to Loen. The tender quay is located below the reception area of Loen Skylift.

Do not totally agree. Viggo is a taxi service in line with other taxis in Copenhagen. Viggo taxis differ by being 100% electric, which means they do not emit harmful emissions while driving. Viggo operates with a fixed price structure based on time and distance. The price is calculated in advance in their App so you know the price in advance. Other taxi companies also have apps and fixed prices. An example is dantaxi - they have an App and also a fixed price Viggo taxis can only be ordered via their mobile app only. Traditional taxis can be ordered by phone or caught on the street. Payment for Viggo tours takes place exclusively via the associated app and requires an account to be created and a credit card linked. Regular taxis also accept cash and credit cards in the car. The price level for Viggo taxies is the same as for other taxis. Can be a bit less but can also be more. Use of app requires you to have a mobile phone - probably data roaming is also necessary.

There are local bus services - skyss 115 and Vy 430 You’ll find both in Vy time table

In Scandinavia, it is not a common practice to tip tour guides, and it is not expected. Gratuity is already included in the price, and waiters, cab drivers, and tour guides are all paid a fair wage. No need for tipping. However, if you feel that your waiter, taxi driver or tour guide went above and beyond their duties and provided exceptional service, you may choose to tip them as a gesture of appreciation. Ultimately, tipping is a personal choice, and it is up to you whether or not you want to tip.

Question not fully understood. Is it because you want to spend part of the day in Olden? There is not much to see in Olden - a small village with less than 500 inhabitants. Loen is located about 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) North of Olden.