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Our cruise ship will be departing ports at 5pm. I would love to sit on the balcony and watch. Question is, what time do I make reservations for dinner?

 

if you are sailing along the fiords there will be scenery all the way and doesn't get dark till really late so whatever time you have dinner ask for a window seat.

otherwise if you cant drag yourself from your balcony order room service:D

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The problem is deciding where on the ship to watch from! I prefer standing at the front or the back as we leave some ports- especially fjords - as I want to see both sides at once which is obviously not possible from most balconies.

 

My favourite spot is at the back of the ship when we are escorted out of ports by tugboats. I love to watch them say goodbye to us and go back and like to wait to see them safely back in their own harbour ( Sad, I know) so am usually then racing back to get changed or into dinner!

 

We are usually first sitting for dinner, so am usually in a bit of a rush.

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The problem is deciding where on the ship to watch from! I prefer standing at the front or the back as we leave some ports- especially fjords - as I want to see both sides at once which is obviously not possible from most balconies.

 

Agree strongly on the above post/point for needing to see BOTH sides as you are sailing through the great fjords in scenic Norway. Why? Just viewing some of these sights from your balcony will cause you, at some times, to miss half of the action.

 

Below are a few of my pictures to illustrate and provide "evidence" as to why being flexible for both sides is so very important. From my live/blog connected below, you can see many other details and visuals from scenic Norway. Yes, we like the back of the ship to be able to see both sides. On the back, you could be nice and comfortable, not having to battle any winds and/or cold as you are sailing along.

 

For the original poster, what specific ports will you be visiting? Tell us more!!

 

Also, many of these fjords in Norway are fairly long, allowing lots of time to see and experience many of these different areas. Depending on your specific locations visiting, it might be several hours of sailing in and then several hours more to sail out from certain fjords. Lots of time. And, as noted earlier, sunset tends to be later during most of the summer there. In these fjords, there might be others boats or ships that you see. There are many interesting farms, buildings, etc., to see as you sail as illustrated below.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 178,459 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

After being tendered from Geiranger, we sailed out and passed by two super famous waterfalls. YES, yes, we saw lots and lots of waterfalls on this trip, but these two were among the “best of the best”. First is the “Seven Sisters”. Next shown is directly opposite in this narrow fjord and is called several names, including “The Suitor”. The majesty for these feats of nature is pretty amazing. Since they are opposite each other, you need to be flexible to see BOTH sides at the same time.:

 

FjordWaterfallSevenSisters-1.jpg

 

 

FjordWaterfallSuitor-1.jpg

 

 

After doing Flam and sailing away from nearby Gudvangen in the Sognerfjord, here was a view of a small church, farms, green fields, towering mountains, etc. along these beautiful internal coast lines of the fjords.

 

Fjord2CoastalChurchFarmsMtns.jpg

 

 

Here are two more Sognerfjord visual samples, including seeing another boat with passengers, a closer view of this small church, etc. along these beautiful internal coast lines of the fjords. Seeing these examples of "life" along the fjords gives a good sampling for the people and living here in these scenic areas.

 

Spring2015A8_zpsqbbi3o8p.jpg

 

 

Spring2015A9_zpse2xyf1zf.jpg

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At risk of giving a silly answer to an incomplete question, it depends on the ports. Taking a guess that Geiranger might be one of your ports, it takes about 4 hours to sail out of the fjord. Other ports are nearer the sea.

 

Again taking a guess that your ship has a buffet with external windows, you could eat there on nights where you're still in the fjord.

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Our cruise ship will be departing ports at 5pm. I would love to sit on the balcony and watch. Question is, what time do I make reservations for dinner?

 

As some has said before. It depends on the fjord.

Sailing out the entire Geiranger/Storfjord will take approx. 5 hrs.

I would presume the same for Sognefjord (Flåm..).

 

If you make your reservations for dinner 2-3 hrs after departure I think you would be "safe".

 

The best place to watch sailing out the fjords - at least for me - is all the way forward.

We have done that on a few occasions.

We also had dinner on our balcony sailing out one fjord.

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Sorry ... first time sailing, so pretty clueless about everything. We're heading to Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen. We don't have a balcony to our room ... I meant the "balcony" of the ship:). But, my vague question elicited a response I wouldn't have thought to ask:). Thanks so much for the tips!! Ugh ... hard to decide if Ishould change our 5:30 dinner reservations or not:S. Fam will be hungry, but I'll desperately want to stay outside! Don't want to miss anything:/

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Sorry ... first time sailing, so pretty clueless about everything. We're heading to Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen. We don't have a balcony to our room ... I meant the "balcony" of the ship:). But, my vague question elicited a response I wouldn't have thought to ask:). Thanks so much for the tips!! Ugh ... hard to decide if Ishould change our 5:30 dinner reservations or not:S. Fam will be hungry, but I'll desperately want to stay outside! Don't want to miss anything:/

 

Geiranger and Flåm are the two ports with a long and the most amazing sailout.

To cruise out the Geirangerfjord to the mouth of the fjord (where the arm merges with the Synnylsvfjord/Storfjord will take 1-1,5 hrs. The entire stretch of fjord will take 5 hrs.

Ålesund - The sailout will take you no more then 1 hr.

Bergen - probably less then 1 hr.

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Sorry ... first time sailing, so pretty clueless about everything. We're heading to Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen. We don't have a balcony to our room ... I meant the "balcony" of the ship. Ugh ... hard to decide if Ishould change our 5:30 dinner reservations or not:S. Fam will be hungry, but I'll desperately want to stay outside! Don't want to miss anything

 

Don't worry!! Your priorities are 100% correct about not want to missing the important sights and experiences that are going to be outside in these scenic fjords. You are not "clueless"! To be frank and honest, if you miss a cruise meal and/or need to do a "secondary" meal for one or two evenings during your cruise, you will be fine. Nobody will starve to death on a cruise. Nor, will the cruise line penalize you for not being at your table at a set time. Lots of ship options to get food through room service and/or a buffet, etc. On most ships, the personnel can arrange late afternoon snacks, etc., to keep the family happy. Just ask when you get on the ship. They like to accommodate and provide varied options.

 

BUT, however, you will be very, very disappointed to miss some of the breath-taking scenery that I shared earlier by being too focused on being inside for an unreasonable 5:30 pm set dining time.

 

Since your ports are Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen, you will be sailing two of the "best of the best" fjords. Both Geiranger and Flam will offer hours and hours of great options and spectacular sights. You do not need to be outside there every minute for all of that fjord sailing times, but I would make worries about making an artificial main dining room time as "secondary".

 

Both Alesund and Bergen are very wonderful and scenic, too. Below are two of my visual samples.

 

Keep research and planning. All will work out well for you.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 108,668 views for this posting.

 

 

In Bergen, this was our great vista on this sunny day from the top of the Floibanen funicular railway station and its scenic overview.:

 

BergenHarborView.jpg

 

 

This is the dramatic overview of Alesund from the Aksla vantage point along the western coast of Norway. This spot allows a nearly 360-degree view of this setting for this island city and the surrounding mountains and islands. It is at a 597’ height overlooking the five islands making up the scenic town. The canal or waterway in the middle of the town is called "Brosundet" (or the Bridge sound). That means Ale sund (sloping sound). Or, reflecting that the sound slopes through town. This is how Alesund got its name.:

 

AlesundHarbor.jpg

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Sorry ... first time sailing, so pretty clueless about everything. We're heading to Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen. We don't have a balcony to our room ... I meant the "balcony" of the ship:). But, my vague question elicited a response I wouldn't have thought to ask:). Thanks so much for the tips!! Ugh ... hard to decide if Ishould change our 5:30 dinner reservations or not:S. Fam will be hungry, but I'll desperately want to stay outside! Don't want to miss anything:/

 

Bergen, depending on which way you exit, may have a couple of hours sailing between islands. More likely not, because captains tend to avoid twiddly bits of sailing in favour of the open sea; but it's possible. Hurtigruten does it. (If you can' get enough of the scenery, bear Hurtigruten in mind for next time. It's not a 'traditioal' cruise in that there are few or no entertainment staf, but it gets very close to the shore.)

 

If the family is less keen than you, and you can bear to be parted, it is possible for them to go to the main dining room while you stay up top and watch. You can grab something from the buffet. You won't go hungry. (My brother once stayed up all night near Greenland watching icebergs and the island, with half a dozen like-minded souls; a crew member made them all sandwiches about three o'clock in the morning.) I don't think you've mentioned the ship or the line yet, but it's perfectly possible that it will have a buffet with bug picture windows. All large ships have large dining rooms, and consequently most of the tables aren't by windows; but at the buffet, you choose your own table, and the evening meals are not a full house like lunch usually is.

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When I cruised Norway with HAL, they often had special finger foods during sail aways on the Aft. Check your daily program. This would help if we were hungry but not yet ready to break away for a full meal.

 

Don't know which line you're on, but HAL's Crow's Nest has appetizers upon request during cocktail hours. The panoramic views are great from there, although it's indoors.

 

On HAL, the tables along the back window of the Main Dining Room will give the best (panoramic) views.

 

Enjoy Norway . . . it's truly amazing!

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NCL ... Star something or other is the ship:D

 

While we have not sailed with NCL, they are known for their "Norwegian's Freestyle Dining". Also, this past March, this ship came out of a two-week dry dock.

 

Here is an update on an added, new dining option: "Norwegian Star has also been retrofitted with the popular O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill, a 24-hour complimentary restaurant that serves up local traditional pub fare in a friendly neighborhood-pub setting." Per a Cruise Critic review they noted many different dining options, including: "The Garden Cafe, the ship's buffet/cafeteria restaurant, is located on the Lido Deck aft, serving the usual breakfast and lunch fare, casual dinners, and light snacks the rest of the day and night."

 

Looks like you will have many different ways BOTH to get your food AND have plenty of timing options/flexibility.

 

Keep rolling with your good questions. Don't be shy!! Here below is a little more background on Bergen, plus three added pictures from there.

 

As the seat of Norway’s medieval kingdom of Norway for six centuries, Bergen is a former Viking stronghold encircled by deep fjords, towering mountains, and sweeping glaciers. Today's Bergen has much of the medieval flavor remaining around Bergen's harbor. We explored the cobblestone streets, saw its pastel-color wooden houses, bargained in some of the many artisans' workshops and visited the famous and always-entertaining Fish Market. You can watch the locals haggling over today's catch and enjoy a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips.

 

Rated by Frommers as more scenic than Oslo, Bergen was the base of the medieval Hanseatic merchants. Those historic timbered houses are set around Bryggen or The Wharf, a center for crafts and workshops. Its prime row is mostly reconstructed 14th-century structures, some of which were originally destroyed by fire. Det Hansseatiske Museum depicts commercial life on the wharf in the early 18th century and is highly rates with well-preserved wooden structure. Its art museums are highly-rated with religious icons, local art, etc.

 

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen. Here is the link to this rail option:

http://www.floibanen.com

 

Their good and helpful Tourism Office can be accessed on the web at: http://www.visitbergen.com/en

 

We docked at the fairly handy Skoltegrunskaien Pier. This put us within about a 10-15 minute walk of the main attractions at the market and warehouse area.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 199,527 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

 

BergenRailCarUpHill.jpg

 

 

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

 

BergenCloseHistBldgPixs.jpg

 

 

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

 

BergenFishMktCloseUp.jpg

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Another Idea that my wife and I have opted for is getting up early and watching the last hour or two of the Fjord from the deck as we head into port and then eating an early dinner by a window on the way out as we will have seen that part of the Fjord in the morning.

 

We are struggling with how much sleep we are really going to need as we will certainly be tempted to stay up late at night as well. The last sea day after Bergen will certainly be a sleeper....

 

-Sean

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Another Idea that my wife and I have opted for is getting up early and watching the last hour or two of the Fjord from the deck as we head into port

I really agree with you. The light and calm water as you sail into the fjords can be so special :)

 

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Edited by gaelsail
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NCL ... Star something or other is the ship:D

 

we just did that itinery on NCL Star 20 May-I've done a review on the main NCL boards or access via the link at bottom of my post.

 

Enjoy the photos on this thread-in fact I have suggested that people come over to this thread to view TLCOhios pictures

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we just did that itinery on NCL Star 20 May-I've done a review on the main NCL boards or access via the link at bottom of my post. Enjoy the photos on this thread-in fact I have suggested that people come over to this thread to view TLCOhios pictures

 

Appreciate very much your kind comments and suggestion!! Very kind and nice. Will check out your posting. Glad that things worked well with your travels in these super scenic areas.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 178,553 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

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