hallasm

3 hours ago, mlbcruiser said:

I read this thread with interest because I have noticed on some of the tours and excursions available online through certain tour providers mention the cost of the actual tour, plus any taxes or entrance fees, yet still state tips are not included in the price. This, to me, sounds like they are basically telling you to tip.  No mention at all of service fees as part of the tour cost.

Norway does not have the same tradition of tipping as in the USA - salary for the guide and tip are always included in the advertised price.
Mentions that entrance is not included but since tips are not mentioned they are included. It will be fine with an appreciation in the form of a smaller amount, but not at all at the level of the US.
Completely different cultures regarding payment in service professions. In Norway, service employees receive a good salary.

9 hours ago, Florida snowbirds said:

Hurtigruten cruise line is also very interesting but they do not have any balcony cabins...

Some cabins have balcony - but you’ll not be in your cabin much and it might also be cold - also check Havila Voyages - same schedule as Hurtigruten.

Nothe that Hurtigruten has two different offerings - the Original Coastal voyage which is the daily ferry service with 34 ports from Bergen to Kirkenes and also Signature Voyages which is more ‘cruise like’ with long stop each day.

12 minutes ago, Florida snowbirds said:

I found an interesting one with Sky Princess but I don't see anywhere that they do Scenic cruising in the fjords

If sailing into fjords to Geiranger, Flåm, skjolden or Olden it will be scenic cruising when sailing in and out from those ports.-

I am not a doctor, and this is my subjective assessment.

In Norway, the risk of TBE is relatively low, but cases do occur, especially in coastal regions in southern Norway

To avoid being attacked by ticks while hiking in Norway, follow these precautions:

Stick to the trails and avoid tall grass, brush, and wooded areas. Wear long sleeves and long pants.

Vaccination against TBE is recommended if you plan to spend a lot of time in outdoor activities in areas where it is mostly likely to encounter ticks. In general taking preventive measures as described above might be sufficient. 

For short-term visitors or those hiking in areas with lower TBE risk, taking preventive measures as described above might be sufficient

Consult with a healthcare provider to assess your specific risk and determine if the TBE vaccination is advisable for your travel plans.

Guides in Europe generally receive an acceptable salary that is already included in the price of excursions - tips are not required, nor expected.
A small amount as appreciation for a good experience is fine - however, I would think that a 10% tip is over the top.

Here is a suggestion if you choose Viking from Bergen.
Fly into Oslo and spend a few days in Oslo - take the train from Oslo to Flåm or Myrdal where you can spend the night.
Cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord (UNESCO World Heritage List) before taking the train (or bus) to Bergen where you spend a few nights - a suggestion is The Hanseatic Hotel at Bryggen.
The alternative to the train is of course to rent a car in Bergen, but the train journey from Oslo to Bergen is fantastic.

In addition Lofoten and Tromsø. Midnight Sun is an experience.

Ålesund is not a must.

1 hour ago, cruisinsince75 said:

Is it easy to board if you are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter? 

Yes. You can easily take your wheelchair or electric scooter with you on the harbor buses, which have level-free access. It is the staff on board who assess whether there is room. Choose a time in the middle of the day or evening when the weather is good.

The harbor buses are part of the public transport in Copenhagen and the same tickets as bus and metro including Copenhagen Card.

The buses can accommodate 80 passengers and if it is outside rush hour there can be 8 bicycles and four prams or wheelchairs on board.

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40 minutes ago, Thejuggler said:

If the priority is seeing Norway the Viking trip would be my choice.

Don't quite agree.

Viking is also an Arctic Circle and Midnight Sun Cruise with 5 Norwegian ports of call including one deep fjord - however including Bergen and the Lofoten Islands.
Oceania has 7 Norwegian port of call including two deep fjords and Oslo. 

These are two good but different itineraries.

Oceania has two deep fjords to Geiranger and Flåm, while Viking only has one to Geiranger.
Viking is an Arctic Circle cruise with midnight sun from Lofoten to Honningsvåg (North Cape) in June/July.
For the Oceania cruise, Ålesund and Stavanger are nice DIY cities. Stavanger is less interesting and Nordfjordeid a small village without many activities.

For Viking cruise, Bergen and Tromsø are interesting cities and Lofoten are scenic islands. And as I said, Honningsvåg is the North Cape.

A bit irrelevant to indicate "Sail Norwegian Sea and the North Sea" - in my view just sea days.

The other port calls in Ireland, UK, Denmark or Norway look interesting for both cruises.

I always fly to the destination at the latest the day before - put tags on the luggage when I leave the hotel - it is always possible to borrow a stapler at reception.

26 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Take the water taxi its fun .

There is no actual water taxi in Copenhagen - there is the harbor bus and various tour boats.

1 minute ago, Rusty100 said:

So in my particular case, embarkation and disembarkation are in Southampton - and the cruise visits various (Schengen) EU ports during the trip.  Do you know how that would that be affected?

I currently do not know the exact EES procedures that will be implemented but I would assume that passports are scanned in Southampton or it happens on board before the first Schengen port.
If it only concerns visits to Schengen ports, I don't think that biometric data is necessarily collected.
I am sure that the cruise guests will not notice the big difference from today.
Time will show - we know once implemented but there might be a transition period for cruise ships.

The necessity of EES depends on whether it is disembarkation in a final port or it is a port visit.
Cruise ship will handle this as for most visits in a foreign port today as for example a port visit in Turkey at a Mediterranean cruise.

Also many cruises are within Schengen area - cruises from Southampton visiting Schengen area will be affected.

You might get more answers in the cruise line forum or Iceland forum.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2705-iceland-and-greenland/
 

1 hour ago, cruisinsince75 said:

How navigable for people on mobility scooters?  We plan on staying 3-4 days pre-cruise in August and we are looking for a good central place to stay, that we can get to on our scooters.  Thanks!

I have no experience with a scooter, but I assume that it is easy to navigate the area between Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square) and Kongens Nytorv - the streets that connect the two squares are pedestrian streets and several streets in the center are also pedestrian streets.

Possible hotels in this area are: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Scandic Copenhagen or The Square (just few examples).

7 hours ago, travelgal777 said:

I ended up cutting out the train to Voss and set up the following through Norway's Best: 9:30-11:30 boat from Flam to Gudvangen, then 11:45-12:05 bus back to Flam, then 1:30-3:56 train to Myrdal and back.

Your schedule is perfectly fine. You can expect the boat, bus and train to sail/run according to schedule.

51 minutes ago, babs135 said:

We have an overnight stay in August but don't know where we will be docked (Queen Anne).  Whilst we have the days sorted, I'm not sure what to do in the evening.

Queen Anne docks at Oceankaj terminal 1 - it's a good distance from the city.

It is quite pleasant to visit Tivoli - especially in the evening - even if you are not interested in rides. Some good restaurants.

Transport to the centre is bus/Metro or taxi. Alternative is HoHo bus.

In Copenhagen, I can recommend a canal trip from Nyhavn - changing of the guard at noon at Amalienborg (royal castle) as well as Rosenborg Castle, also Kastellet and The Little Mermaid. Copenhagen is very walkable.

Prices are often much lower on the Hurtigruten .no page - but read the terms & conditions regarding advance payment and especially cancellation.

There is a separate Forum for Iceland and Greenland

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2705-iceland-and-greenland/

I don't think it is necessary to use insect repellent in Copenhagen and Oslo as well as a cruise along the coast of Norway in June.

I have sailed several times along the coast of Norway in June including Honningsvåg and have never experienced that insects were a problem.

Mosquitoes can occur but not in large numbers in June along the coast and in the cities.

Depending on what you’re booking. Coastal, expedition or port-to-port you might be more specific.

if you book a coastal voyage Bergen to Kirkenes voyage all meals as well as coffe/ tea included. No excursions or wine. 
Expedition cruises Hurtigruten HX) are different.
 

As a Dane, I would naturally highlight Copenhagen, but in the same situation I would go to Amsterdam - primarily because it is not advisable to fly from Copenhagen to Amsterdam on the same day as you are going to sail. So if you want to stay overnight in only one hotel, it must be Amsterdam.
Enjoy Amsterdam and your day in Copenhagen on the subsequent cruise.

1 hour ago, rdt10 said:

Is the train pretty much it to do in Flam or are there other things? Is the sail into Flam the main reason to book it.

Mainly The fjord. 

The Aurlandsfjord into Flåm (as well as Nærøyfjord) are two of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic fjords.  

Together with Geirangerfjord they are UNESCO’s World Heritage.

The train is one of several attractions in Flåm.

From January 2026, 'Zero Emission zones' will be introduced in the Norwegian UNESCO Heritage fjords and the possibility of visiting these fjords on a cruise will be severely limited.

Yes, it is possible to walk from Geiranger to Flydalsjuvet - it is a 4 km quite steep road - it will take just over an hour.

It is possible to walk along the road but there should also be a footpath, The climb is very steep, slippery and overgrown with plants, caution is advised.

Both itineraries have two deep fjords - 10 May has the best fjords to Flåm and Geiranger, but Olden is a really good substitute for Flåm.
Flåm has the railway and Olden has Loen Skylift. Almost same fjords - Aurland fjord into Flåm is a UNESCO heritage fjord.
That said, 17 May has a better itinerary as it also includes Bergen and Ålesund - two very nice and interesting coastal cities -  the extra night allows for one more port.

Nordfjordeid is a small and less interesting port.

Personally I would chose May 17.

Weather-wise, there aren't that many differences from May 10 to 17 - roads to viewpoints in Geiranger are probably closed throughout May.