Capt Dag's Homecoming Voyage 2009

[vaitape]

We are seriously considering this cruise in June. Would appreciate any past-passenger feedback.

 

How many "Coat Nights" can we expect? (one of us has issues re coats....guess which).

 

Cat G forward cabins on Deck 7......vibration free and with unobstructed views? Starboard vs port?

 

Sorry if these questions have been answered previously......think I've done my research before asking though.

[mrlevin]

I see that the dress codes are missing from the cruises with the software upgrade. I know that are Med and Baltic cruises next summer have no formal and only a couple of informals each week. Between informal and Signatures nights and desire to look nice, I plan on sports coat for around half of the nights.

 

I prefer Cat H on back of Deck 6. Most people, however, prefer Cat G mid-ship deck 6. I have been up front on Deck 7 before but really prefer mid-ships or back. I really like location of Cat H cabins at stern since there is easy access to Horizon Lounge.

 

Don't care starboard versus port; especially on this itinerary.

 

We had a pleasant stop in Nevlunghaven. The Captain and his wife were gracious hosts and it was a relaxing morning. Then, you have a wonderful afternoon sail into Oslo.

 

I preferred our itinerary two years ago as we went to Spitzbergen which is missing from the 2009 itinerary.

[vaitape]

Hi Linda....not sure what you mean about peddling the hometown. We are relatively new to Regent and have only cruised on the Paul Gauguin.

 

Thank you for responding though......is this not a good intinerary? Have you done this cruise? Please give us your input....

[vaitape]

Linda and MrLevin: I am grateful for your replies...thank you very much!

 

MrLevin: Understand about looking nice and have just now talked the immovable into moving so that is a relief as well as your news re: no formal nights. Formal just wouldn't work for us for several reasons......most importantly because husband and I own no such gear.

 

We didn't think that starboard vs port was of particular issue on this cruise but figured we'd ask anyway. We hesitated re deck 6 aft Cat H vs deck 7 forward Cat G because of previous posters complaining about vibration. There is about a $1300 price difference between the 2 cabins so we appreciate opinions from veterans.

 

Linda: Didn't realize there was a production........just figured that the cruise had a name and the homecoming was part of it..........which home is he coming to? Excited to think that perhaps we will be on this sailing as my grandparents were born in Norway.......a big wow for me also because it is over my birthday.

 

Thank you both for your thoughts and for taking the time to respond.

 

I do have another question for you experienced passengers: prepare for rain and cooler temps there in Norway? Also, long days, correct?

[mrlevin]

I would confirm with Regent (or your TA) that there are no formal nights; there still might be on this cruise.

 

Yes, there is a vibration, but it doesn't bother us at all. Others, it is a major concern. We just don't think it is worth moving forward given the cost.

 

At Nevlunghaven, they will bus you (or you can walk) to the Captain's house. It is a picturesque village on the water. You will be served cake and champagne in his front yard; no access inside the house. On the way back, we stopped into a bakery for a few minutes. It was an enjoyable morning.

 

We had a little rain and temps in the 70s; there were a couple of cooler days. As you are not going to Spitzbergen, I think you will have only a couple days of 24 hours sun with the rest of the time having very short nights.

[old3]

I think this is a GREAT itinerary with or without the Captain's home visit. We were on a 7-day Voyager sailing of the fjords several years ago and we woud love to return to those ports AND head to the North Cape.

[RachelG]

Hi, Vaitape, we are booked on this cruise deck 7 forward cat G.

According to the itinerary which I printed off from the OLD site, there are 2 formal nights. But if you don't want to dress up, you can always eat in La Veranda. It actually is very nice at dinner.

We did Copenhagen to Stockholm last summer in a cat H on deck 6. There definitely was vibration. Didn't bother me. My husband was a bit irritated and asked me not to book us that far back again. We have also done a cat F midship on 7 on the Voyager, and it was totally fine.

One thing I like about deck 6 is that there are fewer cabins on this deck, so it is easy to do laundry. Also close to most of the dining venues.

 

Hope to see you aboard!

[vaitape]

Yahoo! Great information.....Thanks Mrlevin, old3, and RachelG!

 

We are all but booked....a bit difficult to justify the expense at this point in time. BUT, you never know what's around the corner so carpe diem (well, that's me talking, not my best friend who is way more cautious....and has the issue with jackets). Final decision to be made Friday. Saw on another website that excursions are included which is a positive point toward justifying the cost of cruise...as well as the opportunty for included air. Checked the cost of flights and the least expensive was around $1600 per person cattle-class so Regent air sounds like quite a deal. Not enough miles saved to go that route.

 

Probably will go with the Cat G forward deck 7. I have "Princess and the Pea Syndrome" so if there is any vibration, it will be irritating for both of us, one way or another. Would hate to get there and have to ask to move...

 

Sounds like jeans and perhaps a polar fleece jacket are in order for shore gear? The Immovable perked up at the jacket-less dining option but I'd like to try Signatures and also Prime 7 so he isn't out of the woods with that one... He grudginly (sp?) relented but it's not written in stone yet.

 

Any suggestions on hotels in Copenhagen?

 

RachelG, maybe we'll be neighbors....!

[OrpingtonT]

But if you don't want to dress up, you can always eat in La Veranda.

 

There have been many threads on this. I believe the requirement for dress on formal nights extend to all public areas, including La Veranda and the lounges. The only escape is to eat in your suite!

[vaitape]

Well, if there aren't any formal nights, the question is moot. Will find out when I speak with our TA on Friday so won't belabor the jacket issue any longer. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Hey, what happened to Linda's 2 posts? I know I didn't imagine them.....

[Charsie]

I'm reading this thread, and I'm thinking "is McLevin's name Linda?" "What's peddling the home town"? "I'm not getting this??" Obviously, once again, things being deleted for u/k reasons!!

[RachelG]

Vaitape, can't wait to meet you at the block party. I'll be the petite short haired brunette with the very tall teenage son and the very outgoing husband!

La Veranda is always country club casual--even on formal nights, but all other venues are formal. So you can't go to one of the lounges before or after if you aren't dressed appropriately.

But you are going to have to have a jacket if you dine in Signatures any night.

So--my husband and son take dark suits with ties that they wear on formal and informal nights.

I am something of a dress-up girl, so formal nights are no problem with me. I always take way too much stuff on a cruise anyway.

For ports on this cruise, jeans or hiking pants (we plan to do a LOT of hiking) with fleece jackets and rain jackets.

[cruiseluv]

We did a similar cruise on 2005 but on Navigator. It was slightly different as it left from Iceland and ended in Copenhagen, we did go to Spitsbergen . To date this has been my favorite cruise! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

Vaitape, in Copenhagen I recommend you go the Priceline route . Hotels in Copenhagen are very expensive. This past August we got the Copenhagen Marriott ,which is very nice, for $120. Some other people I know got it for even less!

[Island Cruiser]

I want to join the amen chorus regarding the Captain Dag cruise. We did it in 2004. It was marvelous in every respect. The visit to Dag's village was our last stop before Copenhagen. I boarded the Voyager a real skeptic about this stop. Anticipated it would be hokey big time. I couldn't have been more wrong. As we approached Dag's quaint little village at least three dozen local small boats sailed out to escort us in. All smiles and cheers and flags. The crew tenders went ashore first to set up a champagne and pastry service at Dag's home which overlooks the tiny village. The local high school band turned out in uniform to play and welcome each tender. The local villagers had set up tables at the foot of the pier where they offered each visitor a nice bowl of the special local fish soup for which they are famous and justly proud. Then it was up to Dag's in busses. You could walk it but they urged busses so they could control numbers. When everyone landed, the high school band was taken to the ship for a tour and a special lunch. Must have been quite a thrill for them. It was simply delightful watching those wide eyed kids having a blast. We were then escorted out to sea with the three dozen small local boats circling the Voyager smiling, cheering and energetically waving flags. It was for this skeptic a truly enjoyable and memorable experience. A perfect end to an incredibly beautiful itinerary.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, if there aren't any formal nights, the question is moot. Will find out when I speak with our TA on Friday so won't belabor the jacket issue any longer. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Hey, what happened to Linda's 2 posts? I know I didn't imagine them.....

 

Vaitape, we've had the best luck with G class cabins, midship on Voyager. No vibration. Although I admit we're booked in a PHB forward next time. Best of luck with this, a big change from the Paul Gauguin.

 

I would love to do the Norwegian fjords (been to Norway, on land), but will probably do the Hurtigruten at some point. Some day.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Sorry Vaitape, I see you're thinking a G already. I'm sure that will be great, anything but the very rear I've heard.

[Charsie]

Island Cruiser, your post makes me want to immediately book this special cruise!! What a treat, what a special day! I wish the dates weren't in conflict with my life!!!!

[cruzndiz]

Linda's post was obviously deleted by the "powers that be"..... and it wasn't for u/k (unknown) reasons. I'm sure it was deleted because it was a mainly SNARKY comment -- unnecessary to the spirit of the board. Too bad they didn't delete her other snarky comments to me on another thread :p

[vaitape]

Thanks to all....the Capt Dag village/house day sounds special indeed.

 

Cruiseluv, Grateful for the Priceline suggestion. How far in advance did you book with them? Have been rather awed by the hotel prices!!!

 

We would like to deviate and stay in Copenhagen for 2 nights, then go further afield for a week, and then return for an additional night before heading out on the cruise.......and would like to leave our cruise clothes while we travel. Hope we will be able to find a hotel that is willing to store a bag.

[cruiseluv]

Vaitape,

 

I think we did the hotel reservation a couple of months prior. We thought it was a terrific deal.

 

My suggestion would be that if you need to know if the hotel will agree to keep your lugagge, you e-mail the hotel prior to doing the Priceline bid. Also, you will need to do two separate bids for your two dates.

[vaitape]

Cruiseluv: Yes indeed, you scored big time! Thanks for the suggestion re emailing the hotel prior to booking through Priceline regarding the storage issue. Have never done a Priceline booking before. Have a little trepidation but sounds like you had a good experience.

[cruiseluv]

Vaitape,

 

I felt the same trepidation. We had never used Priceline! But after reading about the good experience of one of our fellow cruisers (and the outrageous hotel prices in Copenhagen!), I knew I had to try it!

 

Good luck!

[vaitape]

Cruiseluv: will let you know how it all turns out for us...and many thanks!

[JaneBP]

We were in 716 on the Voyager last week ad it was lovely. No vibration problems.

Your itinerary will be delightful, I am sure.

[old3]

We have twice stayed pre- and post-cruise at the Copenhagen Marriott .... we love the club floor with lounge, breakfast, snacks, beverages, and internet. Rooms are large and comfortable and the water view is great. There are mixed reviews because it can get overloaded with cruise folks and sometimes the congestion is a burden on the staff. We would certainly stay there again.