maureenk

Thought I'd re-raise this question since the port seems to be changes on several of the HAL cruises.  Is there any shuttle service from Sandnes to Skavenger.  Disappointing if not since there doesn't appear to be much to see or do in Sandnes, and since they are still calling it a Skavenger stop.  Thanks in advance!

6 hours ago, PATRLR said:

Thanks but that is what I was saying above, I thought I'd booked it direct but somehow I screwed up and hadn't booked it.  It's sold out now.

Perhaps Get Your Guide has spots available on the same excursion?  Worth looking....

Hello, looking into booking our first river cruise, likely for Fall 2025.  After a lot of reading here, I'm thinking AMA is a good fit for us.  Does this line typically offer any promotions or specials at certain times of the year?  I don't see anything right now.  Also it looks like a balcony cabin is about 50% more expensive than one with just windows.  Is there anyway around the large increase?  I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips.  Thanks in advance - Maureen

It’s always advised to book a cabin between 2 decks of cabins rather than above or below a common area. Typically under the pool deck there will be a lot noise from chairs being dragged out in the morning and put away on the evening. Don’t have personal experience on Edge. 

Thanks for all the restaurant details!  I have 2 kinds of onboard credit. One that I have access to now, which I used for a discounted excursion, discounted laundry, and $6.99 beverage package upgrade promo for my hub and me. They were all on sale for Black Friday. The remaining credit becomes available once we are on board. I plan to book Eden and possibly Fine Cut as soon as we board, however, the pricing seems totally ridiculous to me. 

You will love the Galapagos!  We did Flora in Oct of 2022. So awesome!!  Is Red Ginger on Oceania?

1 minute ago, calicakes said:

I just looked at these last week since I was given a "sale" offer.  I think the savings was 10 percent.  We're on Edge in February and both my wife and I are not big dinner eaters.  We eat smaller portions at dinner.  I can't justify the cost. 

It’s 8% off now. I’m waiting to buy on board  to use my shipboard credit. 

10 minutes ago, keesar said:

Last year on Beyond and this year on Ascent, we paid $50 for Eden.    But we booked early. Eden was outstanding.  We paid $55 for Fine Cut and were disappointed with the quality of the steaks and a couple of the side dishes.  However, with the increase in prices, we will have to think more than twice. Probably not worth it for the new pricing.

Wow Eden is $85 plus 20% now. That’s a big difference. 

I’ve been on a few HAL cruises recently and agree their pricing seems better. I’m expecting good things from celebrity!  Just not good red wine with the premium pkg lol. 

Am I being naive or are the prices for Eden and Fine Cut on Edge excessive?!  Im thinking we already are entitled to a nice meal in the dining room. While I’d love to try them both, not sure I’ll spend for them if my shipboard credit ends up being refundable. The fees seem high then they tack on another 20% for gratuity. I’m all about different and new experiences so I get that AND it’s vacation so why not live it up?!  Do you feel these are worth the surcharge?  Seriously interested in opinions. Thank you!

Do they open more dining times so that people with packages actually have some times to chose from?  Most times are booked for our Feb 2024 cruise.

Thanks for your input everyone!! I really appreciate it!

10 hours ago, hallasm said:

Only the first cruise can be characterized as a Norway cruise. In my opinion, one deep fjord to Geiranger - four good coastal cities: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Ålesund and three less interesting ports: Skjolden, Eidfjord and Kristiansand - but overall a nice itinerary.

The second cruise has three interesting Norwegian ports to the Arctic  but no deep fjords. Honningsvåg is at the North Cape and Leknes on the Lofoten Islands as well as Tromsø.
Ålesund is a nice coastal town. Also an interesting itinerary but would be more interesting in June/July with midnight sun on the arctic part of the cruise.

Hellasm - I really appreciate your reply and your input!  You certain seem to the cruise critic resident expert on the area!  Not knowing the area, do any of the ports offer excursions into other deep fjords?  We are particularly interested in scenery and outdoors. We are active so are thinking that the large ship, which we have experienced quite a bit, would provide for more activity than the very small hurtigruten ships. 

Is there a way to secure a reservation prior to boarding and pay for it later with OBC that becomes available once on board?

Hello, which cruise lines offer these itineraries?  I'm especially interested in the first.

Hello all, I've read through a lot of fjord itinerary questions and answers and am still searching for a good itinerary for Sept. '24.  Interested in seeing fjords and interesting cities.  It's unfortunate that the first one goes back to Rotterdam mid-way effectively creating a 14 day itinerary from two 7 day itineraries as well as making more sea days.  Is the second half of option one a good overview of Norway?  The second option visits Scotland with fewer sea days.  Does option two have good Norway stops? (sorry for the bolded words  - I'm unable to unbold.  There's no significance to the bold.)  Thanks in advance for your help! - Maureen

One

Rotterdam

Sea

Oslo

Kristiansand

Stavanger

Skjolden

Sea

Rotterdam

Sea

Eidfjord  

Alesand

Geiranger

Bergen

Sea

Rotterdam

Two

Amsterdam

Sea

Alesand

Honningsvag

Tromso

Leknes

Sea

Lerwick

Portree

Invergorden

South Queensferry

Sea

Amsterstam

Trondheim

That's good news.  It's the cruise fares that seem really high.  Haven't yet looked into air.

Europe fares seem high to me for 2024 compared to what I paid in 2023.  No wonder bookings are down!  Does anyone know if the air promo is $500 per person or $500 per cabin?  

On 5/21/2023 at 7:40 AM, drron29 said:

The last from the bus from Taormina.

 

And now from the ship.

 

Hello, how was it to find the bus to Taormina?  Should I have directions in advance or is there help available after you get off the tender?  I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have.  Thanks!

I've searched and see a lot of questions about getting from the port to the airport, but this is a different question.  I'd like to book a tour for the day we arrive in Barcelona.  Arrival is at 8:20 am. One option is a 10:45 a.m. tour.  Is this enough time to get through immigration and customs and to catch a taxi?  The taxi ride is only 20 min.  I'm trying to book a tour since my hotel isn't allowing check-in until 2 p.m.  After an overnight flight, I'm thinking I'd rather be escorted on a tour instead of wandering around being most likely exhausted.  My track record for sleeping on overnight flights isn't very good.  Thanks in advance - Maureen

On 3/8/2023 at 1:57 AM, Kiwi Dreamer said:

I would visit Hobbiton from Mt Maunganui.  You could do a road trip north of Auckland taking in the Bay of Islands - plenty to see and do up that way.

Were you intending to come back to Auckland or fly out of Wellington?

A road trip to Auckland to Wellington could take in Rotorua, Taupo, National Park, Napier (art deco city).

if you are flying out of Auckland consider Rotorua, Taupo, National Park, Hamilton and back to Auckland.

Something for you to ponder over

Thank you so much!  - I noticed that we both joined cruise critic on the same day - Oct. 28, 2001.  Strange!

Thank you so much for the wonderful and detailed suggestions!  I really appreciate the guidance.  Thanks - Maureen

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!  I have some great direction to get starting plotting out our driving trip!  Thanks - Maureen

Hi all, I understand that it's preferable to do a land trip rather than a driving trip of New Zealand.  Since we've wanted to do it via cruise, we are hoping to add on a 5- to 7-day driving tour of the north island after our cruise, which ends in Aukland.  I've done a bunch of reading on self-driving tours and interestingly, the majority of driving tours suggest going to where the cruise ship will have already stopped.  For the north island, the ship goes to Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, and Bay of Islands, granted for just a part of one day.  Is there a driving experience that people recommend for post cruise?  From Tauranga we will plan to do Hobbiton so we will miss the cultural and natural things in Rotorua.  Just trying to make the best use of our precious travel days.  We love the outdoors and cultural activities.  Thanks in advance for suggestions - Maureen

I've cross posted this in the "Ports of Call" section of the board.

Edited just now by maureenk

8 hours ago, JeffroK said:

Rotorua, Taupo, The Desert Road, New Plymouth.

 

But I'd change your excursion from Tauranga to visit Rotorua.

Thanks JeffroK!  So if we changed the excursion from Tauranga to Rotorua, what would you suggest for driving?