Pre cruise Oslo stay/train to Bergen worth the money?

[grimsbybud]

We have done all of our bookings, including t3 Rivers and the Bergen-Oslo and all Air with Viking. Not a great deal of difference in costs when considering the carefree relief of no hassles or surprises. 
 

 

Have read/heard of too many problems with outside tours and such on here, and with people we've cruised with in the past. One is never rewarded to have that ruin an expenive and long awaited holiday no matter one's age!!.

Only Non-Viking was a spectacular 5 sys in a BnB in the Red-zone in Amsterdam.

[Twitchly]

We did Viking’s Oslo extension (train from Bergen to Oslo with one night at a hotel), but we contacted the hotel ahead of time and extended our stay by another day. If you just do the Viking extension, you won’t see much of Oslo. We arrived in Oslo after dark, had a late dinner (included), and then headed right to the hotel. Most people left for the airport the next morning. We enjoyed a leisurely day wandering around Oslo on our own and left the following morning. No problem getting your own taxi to the airport. 
 

We did enjoy the Viking extension. Viking rents a couple of cars on the train. They take your luggage in a separate van so you don’t have to mess with it, and the Viking tour guide who traveled with us was informative and entertaining. Another guide met us in Oslo, and they drove us past a few sights en route to a nice restaurant on the water. The hotel was lovely. 

[Cienfuegos]

My wife and I did the pre-extension to Oslo before our Trade Routes 2019 cruise.  The flight (Miami to Frankfurt to Oslo) was about two hours delayed, but we still arrived in late afternoon.

 

No included dinner, one half day bus tour with entrance to museums.  We dropped off and did our own ferry and walking tour.  Munch museum was not yet open.  Took several tram rides, just to see neighborhoods, walk along interesting roads, etc.

[Squawkman]

11 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

We did Viking’s Oslo extension (train from Bergen to Oslo with one night at a hotel), but we contacted the hotel ahead of time and extended our stay by another day. If you just do the Viking extension, you won’t see much of Oslo. 

All Viking extensions include at least 2 hotel nights - Oslo is no different. We met someone in our Madrid extension who contacted the hotel like you did - but it was to get a third night. 
 

[Twitchly]

6 hours ago, Squawkman said:

All Viking extensions include at least 2 hotel nights - Oslo is no different. We met someone in our Madrid extension who contacted the hotel like you did - but it was to get a third night. 
 

The first night of the extension was in Bergen, the second in Oslo, with a train ride in between. One night in each place. The cruise itself included a couple nights docked in Bergen beforehand. It’s a nice extension if you want to spend lots of time in Bergen. 

[Squawkman]

It was evidently different when you went - here's the itinerary now:

ALL THIS IS INCLUDED:

• 2 nights in Oslo: Thon Hotel Opera (or similar)
• 3 meals: 2 breakfasts & 1 lunch
• Oslo City Tour
• Services of a Viking host
• Scenic train journey from Oslo to Bergen
• All transfers

 

[Twitchly]

11 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

It was evidently different when you went - here's the itinerary now:

ALL THIS IS INCLUDED:

• 2 nights in Oslo: Thon Hotel Opera (or similar)
• 3 meals: 2 breakfasts & 1 lunch
• Oslo City Tour
• Services of a Viking host
• Scenic train journey from Oslo to Bergen
• All transfers

 

That’s Oslo to Bergen. We went from Bergen to Oslo. Looks like the OP is taking the itinerary you’ve posted. Looks lovely. 

Edited March 29, 2021 by Twitchly

[Squawkman]

Nope - it’s the same mow if the cruise starts in Bergen or the other port (in my case, Stockholm). In other words, pre or post cruise. From the Viking website:

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/viking-homelands/index.html#noscroll

 

[Twitchly]

44 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

Nope - it’s the same mow if the cruise starts in Bergen or the other port (in my case, Stockholm). In other words, pre or post cruise. From the Viking website:

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/viking-homelands/index.html#noscroll

 

It looks like Viking has extended the time in Oslo, which is great. The extra night in Bergen was overkill. 
 

 

[Squawkman]

1 minute ago, Twitchly said:

It looks like Viking has extended the time in Oslo, which is great. The extra night in Bergen was overkill. 

I agree. For those who want extra time in Bergen, they offer a 4 night extension (2 Bergen; 2 Oslo). 3 of our booked cruises start or end in Bergen - each with a port day - so we figure we would do some additional excursions if anything interested us. It should be noted that not all cruises starting or ending in Bergen offer the 2 night extension. For our 3 bookings, 2 offer the 2 night while all 3 offer the 4 night.

[Cienfuegos]

Four nights in Bergen would be two too many for me.  But, a scholar of Viking history or stave church construction etc could easily spend days in the museums and still want a great deal more.

[syahrulmam]

Why not? If there is an opportunity to see something new, you should never refuse. A couple of years ago, before the coronavirus, my wife and I were on a trip to Europe. We were going to go to Paris, but decided to go to Berlin for a couple of days. Went to dbfahrplan.com and barely made it to the next departing train. It was just amazing. Germany is a very beautiful country. Germany has a rich history that will be interesting to study in any of its cities. I dream that the quarantine is over and we can travel around the world again, that trip was just amazing. I dream of going to Europe again.

Edited November 22, 2021 by syahrulmam

[frickwg]

I won't comment on your choice of pre by Viking in Oslo.

 

BUT, the train trip (Oslo-Bergen) is worth the price of admission.  Some schedules would allow a stop to take the Flam line to Flam and return to continue by regular train.

 

Spectacular !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[janetcbl]

6 minutes ago, frickwg said:

I won't comment on your choice of pre by Viking in Oslo.

 

BUT, the train trip (Oslo-Bergen) is worth the price of admission.  Some schedules would allow a stop to take the Flam line to Flam and return to continue by regular train.

 

Spectacular !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or, easy to do on your own…check out “Norway in a Nutshell”, the nsb.no website (you can find it in English). Whatever you do, don’t miss the trip…have done it in all four seasons….unforgettable!

[Frenchberet]

On 3/11/2021 at 11:04 AM, diane9 said:

I've tried to get train tickets for the train in early August but there are no tickets available.  Any suggestions.  We have booked the Viking Iceland-Norway adventure July 22-August 3 ending in Bergen.  I also bought the train package.  Now I would like to book the train and hotel on my own.

We did the Midnight Sun cruise in 2019 and booked our own post cruise train trip and stay in Oslo.  Very easy.  I think it’s too early to book the train.  When you do, suggest you reserve Comfort+.  You get more legroom, free coffee, tea & hot chocolate for the duration of the 7 hour trip.  There is also a small snack bar on board where you can grab a sandwich.  When you pick you seats, reserve forward facing ones to get the best views.  We had a 4 seat grouping with a table in the middle to ourselves.  
 

In Oslo we stayed at the Thon Opera right outside of the train station (same hotel Viking used for their extension).  We stayed 3 extra nights in Oslo, lots to do.  Have a great trip!

[TrulyBlonde]

15 hours ago, janetcbl said:

Or, easy to do on your own…check out “Norway in a Nutshell”, the nsb.no website (you can find it in English). Whatever you do, don’t miss the trip…have done it in all four seasons….unforgettable!

We did it on our own too after disembarking in Bergen. We left the ship early and dropped off our luggage at the Radisson hotel, bought tickets for a fjord cruise that day, and left early next morning for our trip back to Oslo on the train. We also purchased 1st class tickets for this journey which made it more comfortable. I highly recommend doing it on your own, either direction. Norway in a Nutshell.

[janetcbl]

2 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

We did the Midnight Sun cruise in 2019 and booked our own post cruise train trip and stay in Oslo.  Very easy.  I think it’s too early to book the train.  When you do, suggest you reserve Comfort+.  You get more legroom, free coffee, tea & hot chocolate for the duration of the 7 hour trip.  There is also a small snack bar on board where you can grab a sandwich.  When you pick you seats, reserve forward facing ones to get the best views.  We had a 4 seat grouping with a table in the middle to ourselves.  
 

In Oslo we stayed at the Thon Opera right outside of the train station (same hotel Viking used for their extension).  We stayed 3 extra nights in Oslo, lots to do.  Have a great trip!

It is too early to book tickets…I think it is either 60 or 90 days before that they go on sale. Sometimes a Travel Agent seems to be able to book them earlier, but I don’t know if this is actually true or just what they tell their client. Check how far out they go on sale and book the day they open. Pretend to book one that would be available just to get use to how it’s done; it use to be a real hassle! You may be able to book a “Norway in a Nutshell” (Bergen -Oslo or Oslo - Bergen) tour this far ahead…it includes part of the train trip. Check with your TA.

[les37b]

I'd normally always chose to DIY rather than CL extensions, but at this moment in time, I'd not take the chance. Sure, if your cruise all goes to plan, it is still the best option. But if it doesn't, you will have flights to match up and hotels and train fares (maybe even flight) costs you may lose. At least leaving it with the CL, you are saved on that nightmare.

 

In early Jan, I have a cruise booked from FLL to Lima. I dont have any extensions booked. Peru still hasnt opened up for cruise ships, so the cruise is being cut short and terminate in Ecuador. Luckily thats the cruise lines problems to solve. Until things get back to some sort of normality, I'd simply not take the gamble.

[donaldsc]

Unless you need a lot of hand holding, a few minutes on the internet will show you that pre or post cruise tours are almost never worth it.  Almost all of them have to be the biggest profit rip offs that the cruise companies sell.  Just do the math and look at the itinerary and what you get for your money..

 

DON

Edited November 24, 2021 by donaldsc

[Homerody]

6 hours ago, donaldsc said:

Unless you need a lot of hand holding, a few minutes on the internet will show you that pre or post cruise tours are almost never worth it.  Almost all of them have to be the biggest profit rip offs that the cruise companies sell.  Just do the math and look at the itinerary and what you get for your money..

 

DON

@donaldsc I agree with you 100% as DIY traveler myself.  However,  there is a certain level comfort (lack of stress, that is), and ease associated with someone else handling the arrangements.  For those folks who want a pre arranged pre and post with minimal fuss, stress and  planning (research, bookings, etc...) the premium is worth it.

[uktog]

23 minutes ago, Homerody said:

@donaldsc I agree with you 100% as DIY traveler myself.  However,  there is a certain level comfort (lack of stress, that is), and ease associated with someone else handling the arrangements.  For those folks who want a pre arranged pre and post with minimal fuss, stress and  planning (research, bookings, etc...) the premium is worth it.

Thank you and well said.  We also need to recognise that comfort levels have changed in the last two years.  The hassle of unpicking and chasing over a dozen individual reservations and tickets for something I put together and the issues of having to resort to credit card complaints processes to get some money back has changed my perception on what is acceptable risks/comfort.  I know many others are the same and it is not right to classify someone who feels this way as needing a lot of hand holding - they just have different levels of acceptance of risks and challenges.

[CILCIANRQTS]

27 minutes ago, uktog said:

Thank you and well said.  We also need to recognise that comfort levels have changed in the last two years.  The hassle of unpicking and chasing over a dozen individual reservations and tickets for something I put together and the issues of having to resort to credit card complaints processes to get some money back has changed my perception on what is acceptable risks/comfort.  I know many others are the same and it is not right to classify someone who feels this way as needing a lot of hand holding - they just have different levels of acceptance of risks and challenges.

This also applies to the Great Travel Agent Debate.

Ours has saved us hours on the phone and significant aggravation over the past two years of re-scheduling.

[Homerody]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

Thank you and well said.  We also need to recognise that comfort levels have changed in the last two years.  The hassle of unpicking and chasing over a dozen individual reservations and tickets for something I put together and the issues of having to resort to credit card complaints processes to get some money back has changed my perception on what is acceptable risks/comfort.  I know many others are the same and it is not right to classify someone who feels this way as needing a lot of hand holding - they just have different levels of acceptance of risks and challenges.

I hear that!  I've had a few cruises (two booked with TA, others not), pre and post arrangements and land based trips - all self arranged -  cancelled due to pandemic.  The related refund processes rebooking etc has been a major hassle.  But I never learn.  Or maybe a bit (or much) of a control freak.  I enjoy the process of planning a trip and have had a mix of good and bad TA's for cruises.  Currently stuck with a bad one.

 

Bottom line is it is a preference and works for me.  It may not work for another.  Not right or wrong just different ways to travel.  And oh, peace of mind and comfort level with travel arrangements  - vs. money saved - that is a trade off in favor of ease of mind that is well worth the extra cost even for this DIY'er.  (That's why refundable arrangements and/or travel insurance are in my pandemic travel planning, but that is a different story....).  

Edited November 24, 2021 by Homerody

[Peregrina651]

7 hours ago, uktog said:

Thank you and well said.  We also need to recognise that comfort levels have changed in the last two years.  The hassle of unpicking and chasing over a dozen individual reservations and tickets for something I put together and the issues of having to resort to credit card complaints processes to get some money back has changed my perception on what is acceptable risks/comfort.  I know many others are the same and it is not right to classify someone who feels this way as needing a lot of hand holding - they just have different levels of acceptance of risks and challenges.

 

We have our eye on Viking's Nile River cruise with the post-cruise extension to Jordan. There is absolutely no doubt in our minds that we want Viking to take care of all the details for the extension and to provide us with an escort whose responsibility it will be to get us from place to place, to translate for us where necessary and to deal with any problems that might arise. Yes, I could plan my own post cruise extension-- and have done so many times in the past -- but this is one of those times where I want the comfort and security of letting Viking take care of the details and all we have to do is follow the leader.

 

 

[donaldsc]

6 hours ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

This also applies to the Great Travel Agent Debate.

Ours has saved us hours on the phone and significant aggravation over the past two years of re-scheduling.

 

Totally agree w you on the TA issue with regard to booking cruises. Once you find a good TA, they are worth their weight in gold.  We have a wonderful TA.  

 

With regard to booking tours or setting up pre or post cruise tours, a TA is less useful and we don't use one.  While it can be a bit of work to set up DYI tours, it is not that hard.  It is also satisfying and you get exactly what you want.  

 

DON