hallasm

Yes. I’ll update this topic by end of October next year.

Thank you for the inputs. I have now booked Hotel Porto di Roma for my pre-cruise stay in Civitavecchia.

Yes, currently 4 months. You need to check frequently.

Thank you - I can find many on various booking platforms but also very mixed reviews - hence I’m interested in specific recommendations.

Thanks for your suggestions - you are correct in your assumption - have had some less fortunate experiences with B&B.

Based on my own research and your comment, it seems that I will have to consider overnight stays in Rome

I admit that it is significantly more interesting in Rome, but since I am in Rome quite often, I would like to avoid the extra travel time and have a relaxed start to the day before our long cruise.

I plan to spend a single in Civitavecchia pre-cruise. On various booking sites I have seen very mixed reviews - Is there anyone who can recommend a hotel in Civiveccia. I have not been able to find recommendations in this forum either:

It is my experience that Hilton Honors gives higher status than Marriott Bonvoy.

I have no experience with the Norled ferry, but it definitely sounds like a good option from Bergen to Flåm. On the other hand, I think it will be too much with both Cruise on the Nærøyfjorden and Stegastein viewpoint - I also think it will be difficult to get the times to fit in the afternoon, but maybe the cruise from Gudevangen to Flåm in the evening. There is a shuttle bus from Flåm to Gudevangen.

SAS booking Class J is Business Class from LAX to CPH and Economy Plus ( Premium) within Europe (VCE and AMS). SAS does not have Business Class on European flights. I myself mainly use SAS when I fly.

SAS Booking Class J depends on whether it is within Scandinavia, Europe or overseas. which website are you looking at and which legs are you talking about - I assume you are flying via an airport in Scandinavia to VCE / from AMS. More details are needed to answer your question.

The coastal ships arrive in Bergen at 14:45 - disembarking can easily take an hour. A Train/bus at 15:30 is too optimistic.

Yes, I would think it is worth the trip to Flåm. It is easy to order the individual elements in Norway in a Nutshell. Transportation in Norway is very reliable. May is a fine time - still a lot of snow in the mountains and water in the rivers. And May is still considered winter in Norway and the coastal route does not sail to Geiranger. I suppose it will be possible to visit the viewpoints in Geiranger on the excursion from Ålesund if they are not closed due to snow.

Are you flying out from Oslo or Bergen? Even after a trip with Havila, I would recommend a two-day trip to Flåm. Actually the coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes only sails into one deep fjord to Geiranger (not in winter) - After a day in Bergen it will be fine going to Flåm. highlights in Flåm are the Flåm railway to Myrdal, the Stegastein Viewpoint and the boat trip from Flåm to Gudevangen through the deep fjords. Find a hotel in Flåm, Myrdal or Gudevangen. Transport to/from Bergen to Flåm/Gudevangen by train or bus. Possible via Voss. if flying out of Oslo Train from Flåm to Oslo.

The main attraktions in Aarhus are: ARoS Aarhus Art Museum Den Gamle By (The Old Town Museum) Moesgaard Museum The Latin Quarter in Aarhus (cobblestoned historic streets) There will also be HoHo bus available Here is a link to topic with more details

Thank you for the update. Yes, at this time of year you can expect canceled ports, and moved dining times. If the weather gets very bad I usually stay in my bed. Remember to check if there are things in the cabin or in the bathroom that could fall down and break - I put my toiletries in the sink. Safety comes first. Fortunately, for some of the route the sailing is sheltered by islands and islets. Good continued journey.

I would definitely prefer June - more water in the rivers and snow in the mountains. This video is June 10.

My last cruise was March 2020 just before the whole world shut down with Covid - I have been a little reluctant until now but have now booked three cruises in 2024.

Not deck 6 on all ships - on most ships it is actually deck 5. I admit it is a problem when others can see through the windows, but on Northern Lights Voyages I prefer deck 5 to be able to get out quickly On Open deck when the Northern Lights are announced.

Yes, very identical itineraries - two very good itineraries - since Arctic Circle cruising included time will also be important (midnight sun). Deep fjords are (prioritized order): Geiranger, Flåm and Olden Hellesylt is only a technical stop for start of excursions ending in Geiranger. No additional scenic cruising. Interesting coastal cities (prioritized order): Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø Honningsvåg is the port for North Cape - assuming cruise in June/July for midnight sun Les interesting ports: Haugesund and Molde. in general I do not understand why Bruges is included in a Norwegian fjord cruise - hence I would chose option 1 - but will depend on time. Note: Cruising to Flåm and Geiranger will be very limited from 2026 due to regulations on emission in the UNESCO heritage fjords.

Many cruise ships stop in Honningsvåg over night to experience the midnight sun at North Cape. But it makes no sense in August. - immediately one of the highlights of a cruise north of the Arctic Circle is experiencing the midnight sun, but August is too late - the midnight sun is over. Hope the cruise is not marketed as a midnight sun cruise.

What are highlights and what can be skipped is subjective, but here is my assessment. Highlights are: Deep fjords (prioritized): Geiranger Flåm Olden From 2026 majority of cruise ships cannot sail to Geiranger and Flåm Coastal cities (prioritized): Bergen Stavanger Ålesund Can be skipped: Haugesund Kristainsand Molde Nordfjordeid

Where do you board the ship? Immediately there is no Schengen 'immigration problem' in that you stay ashore and meet your ship in the following port two days later - you are already 'legally' in the Schengen area - but that is something NCL decides or perhaps the ship's captain. Since it is not possible in the US, it is not certain that your local NCL rep knows the correct answer when it comes to Germany/Schengen. My immediate expectation is that it is possible.

I think the primary drive is to bring down emissions in shipping. Norway has been signaling for some time that they plan to take a proactive role not only in the electrification of urban transport and traffic, but also to drastically reduce pollution in a maritime context. The ferry operator Fjord1 already has several electrified ferries in their fleet, and the Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes operated by Hurtigruten and Havila has also a high focus on reducing emissions from their ships.