pinkpanther52

Lol I looked up the date I was going and saw they were available online ☺️

But they did have more choice of time than the Visit Flam Website.

I just did the up and back on the train but spoke to folks who biked back down and they said it was fabulous.

Jackie

Hi,

I think you can also buy them on the Norwegian railways site. 

http://nsb.no

But I have never done this.

Are you planning to get the train up and straight back down again ?

You may be able to get further info if you post it on the Northern Europe ports of call board I have always had very helpful info from local Norwegians and other experts when I have done so.

Hi Wolf,

Yes you can buy them on the day but sometimes they are sold out.

You can also buy them on the http://Visitflam.com website, it also shows what availability there is at present. They might hold some back for day sale but not 100% confidant on that.

Port of Flam link here http://Aurlandhavn.no

Yes Flybe are in rather a precarious position just now. 

I was considering booking them myself as if using a credit card in the UK you can get your money back if the airline goes in to administration  (not sure if that is a thing in the US) but ultimately have not because of their highly restrictive hand luggage policy. 

When is your flight nyfeds? Can you wait till afternoon the 4th March to see what happens.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful replies.

Jackie

On 2/9/2019 at 11:02 AM, Host Hattie said:

This was the disembarkation schedule in March last year after a 7am arrival on Queen Victoria.

From memory we got off a little ahead of time.

 

Hi Hattie,

By any chance do you know the rough prices for the transfer to St. Pancras station.

I am now starting to think a Cunard transfer would be simpler.

Also do you pick up your luggage and take it to the bus yourself - I am considering using The Baggage Handling Company for my larger suitcase so wondered if the combination would work.

Gosh I am sounding like a newbie but on all my other cruises I have just driven so not had to think about it 🙂

Thanks

 Hmmm it sounds “unusual” but hey I am Scottish and eat Haggis so I might give it a try 🤣

16 minutes ago, Clemmers said:

I assume not, but I thought I'd ask - do any of the bars on board stock Clamato juice? Bloody Marys are fine, but I love my Ceasars.

16 minutes ago, Clemmers said:

I assume not, but I thought I'd ask - do any of the bars on board stock Clamato juice? Bloody Marys are fine, but I love my Ceasars.

What on earth is Clamato 😱

Ooooh you canny beat a square sausage on a nice bap with Sauce of course 🤣

I read somewhere that you are allowed to bring a bottle of spirts (in this case whisky) on board when you embark the ship. Is this still the case?

If not I know you can buy a bottle to enjoy in your stateroom and, on the old website I could find this information but on the new website I cannot find this information nor can I find the food or drink menus 🙄

Does anyone know if they are on the new website or if not have any links.

Many Thanks 

Jackie

Right off to start making my gown for the black and white ball 😁

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Are you able to self disembark? If so, you should be off the ship by 8, often earlier.

Hi exlondoner, Yes that was going to be my intention 

Jackie

Great info Hattie Thank You

Jackie 

I am still planning that bit but It’s to London so I think they are every hour (it’s a Sunday) around 09:25, 10:25 etc.

Thanks

Jackie

Hi 

I thought I would ask all the Cunard regulars what time they think would be the earliest I could catch the train after disembarking the Queen Victoria. The website estimates an arrival in Southampton at 07:00.

Thanks

Jackie

Just watching TV program on food (amongst some other stuff) in Edinburgh and the East Coast

And horrors of horrors they put Vinger 😱on their Chips 🤮 Well everyone in the Edinburgh area knows it should be “SAUCE” 😉

What other local Foodie gems to folks have to share for our visitors 😀

17 minutes ago, kaisatsu said:

- Dress sloppily. Typical dress when out and about on 17 mai is Sunday best. Men are often in suits, and women wear dresses or slacks and sweaters. While that may not necessarily be expected of visitors, dressing ultra casual may ruffle some feathers as not being respectful of the holiday.

- Wear a bunad that isn’t part of your heritage. This is a major point of contention for some people. Many people don’t care, but those who do are often quite vocal about it. If you don’t have a family history tying you to a specific bunad, stick to festdrakt or regular clothing.

- Carry a flag from another country. It’s the Norwegian national day, and many people find it rude or insensitive to carry another flag, since it’s essentially a celebration of Norway, whether it’s your home country or your host country.

- Expect public transit to run normally. Not only is it a holiday schedule, but parade routes often impact the transit routes.

The schedules aren’t usually out this early, but closer to the date you can search for “haugesund 17 mai program.” Here is the link for last year, which seems to Google Translate adequately:

https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&nv=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=no&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=https://www.haugesund.kommune.no/aktuelt/nyhetsarkiv/5207-17-mai-programmet-2018&xid=17259,15700021,15700186,15700190,15700248&usg=ALkJrhjCOF9ao-qb2chNKmeYfcggEemjDg

The barnetog (children’s parade) is typically the main event in most towns. It’s not an extravagant parade but rather a simple classic tradition. There are also usually some concerts after the parade as well as various other commemorations taking place around the cities (though they’re perhaps not terribly interesting of your Norwegian isn’t quite good).

Perfect and yes google translate is working fine in your link

2 hours ago, gnome12 said:

I did qualify my original statement.

I appreciate you did and I thought it would work as well but Google translate just does not like it at all ☺️

Hmmm Chocolate or trains I know which would win for me as well 🍫 🍫🍫🍫

Thanks fabnforty

I was thinking of sending my luggage as I travelling on my own and it is also the schelping it up to the train station in Edinburgh, minding on the train and schelping to the hotel in Southampton etc etc.

A taxi in London May be cheaper but I think the extra cost is worth not having to haul my luggage about 🙂

2 hours ago, gnome12 said:

There is always Google translate which (sometimes) does a reasonable job. In addition, many websites will have a place to select the language; if there is a choice English will always be one of them.

And so you might think but I did try that and I think it broke Google Translate 😥

26 minutes ago, Globaliser said:

 

Good luck with the Bakerloo Line for that!

 

On the Tube, I think I'd suggest the Victoria Line from Kings Cross to Green Park, and then the Jubilee Line to Waterloo. KX is now step-free, and there's at least one easy step-free route when changing at Green Park (take the escalator up to ticket hall level, do not go through the gates, but take the correct escalator back down to the other line). At Waterloo, getting from the Jubilee Line to the National Rail concourse is probably the easiest of all the Tube lines.

 

I could easily do that with my usual cruise luggage (one suitcase weighing about 20 kg), but if "cruise luggage" means much more than that, then a taxi is probably easier.

 

Aren't there one-change train itineraries that involve Cross-Country to Southampton? That might be easier than the two-change cross-London shuffle, even though there are fewer alternatives.

Thanks Globaliser

That sounds ideal Luggage should not be a problem I think I will ship it ahead.

Yes you would think a one change using cross country would work but scoping it out it is a 8 hour journey and leaves me 4 minutes to change trains in Wolverhampton 🤔 I think that is because it is a weekend!!

1 hour ago, Bob++ said:

The choices are coach, train or flight, and each has pros and cons.

 

The simplest (and possibly cheapest) is to use Cruise Connect - http://www.intercruises.com/cruiseconnect/index.php/home as there are no changes en route. Unfortunately, they do not connect to all cruise lines.

 

The train is fairly straightforward, but there is that bit in the middle getting across London with cruise luggage. The Bakerloo line takes you straight there, or you could opt for a taxi.

 

Flybe have frequent flights to Southampton Airport and it is a fairly short taxi-ride from there to the dock. If you look at prices, you need to beware of added charges for luggage. The only way is to run a dummy booking right through.

Thanks Bob

I did look at Flybe but there highly restrictive hand luggage policy and dire financial stability made me think twice 

A coach journey from Edinburgh using intercruise is not an option for me and the option from London is about 1000% more than public transport.

I think I will send my luggage on so only a wee suitcase to worry about 

Ok I will be letting the train take the strain 😉 when I come down from Edinburgh to join my cruise at Southampton.

I will be arriving at Kings Cross and time wise I think the Train from Waterloo to Southampton would work better as it is at the weekend -Saturday coming down and Sunday on the way back. I had looked at National Express but they do not appear to have as many coaches on at the weekend.

A private car is not an option but for all the locals in the know would this appear a reasonable plan.

Thanks

Oh it wil be May this year 2019 if that makes a difference.

I am lucky enough to be in Norway on the 17th May. In Haugesund to be exact. I am very much looking forward to watching the celebrations and definitely do not want to do a tour but stay and watch the event.

I have two questions ?

1) Is there anything I should NOT do? 

And 

2) Is there anywhere I can find out what will be happening in Haugesund - In English 😌 because my Norwegian reading skills are appalling, many apologies.

Thanks