NORTH CAPE CRUISE - any tips?

[sansterre]

Wondering if anyone has tips for clothes, excursions, etc. on the North Cape Cruise. (Trondheim, Skolden, Allesund, Bergen,Molde, Honnigsvag, Murmansk). Appreciate all thoughts and suggestions.

[catl331]

Did you check on the ports of call board? I seem to remember that they do the layered look like Alaska cruisers.

[RuthC]

I've sailed this area more times than I can count (and am going back in June, too. Yippee! :D). I've worn light-weight dresses, and sweatshirts w/slacks, both of these with and without a windbreaker. That's what I'll be bringing this time, too.
The last time I was in Honnigsvag it was drizzly, but quite humid. I left the ship wearing a sweatshirt and plastic poncho, and returned immediately to change into a sundress with the same poncho. I was still too hot.

I suggest you bring warm-weather clothes, some things that are a tad heavier, a jacket, and rain protection. Gloves are also a good idea. Stick them in the jacket pocket before you pack, so you have them when you need them.

[Charles4515]

I've sailed this area more times than I can count (and am going back in June, too. Yippee! :D). I've worn light-weight dresses, and sweatshirts w/slacks, both of these with and without a windbreaker. That's what I'll be bringing this time, too.
The last time I was in Honnigsvag it was drizzly, but quite humid. I left the ship wearing a sweatshirt and plastic poncho, and returned immediately to change into a sundress with the same poncho. I was still too hot.

I suggest you bring warm-weather clothes, some things that are a tad heavier, a jacket, and rain protection. Gloves are also a good idea. Stick them in the jacket pocket before you pack, so you have them when you need them.

It seems odd but the North Cape was the warmest day on my North Cape cruise. It was in the upper 70's sunny. Even went swimming in the pool on the ship. The rest of the ports to the south were cool, fleece type weather and some were very rainy.

[RuthC]

It seems odd but the North Cape was the warmest day on my North Cape cruise. It was in the upper 70's sunny. Even went swimming in the pool on the ship. The rest of the ports to the south were cool, fleece type weather and some were very rainy.
In other words: It varies greatly. I've seen it snowing (wet flakes) in the mountains above Flam. Last trip there, it was quite warm and sunny. Be prepared for cool/warm/hot, and sunny/drizzly/rainy---and many combinations!

[SabreSailor]

In other words: It varies greatly. I've seen it snowing (wet flakes) in the mountains above Flam. Last trip there, it was quite warm and sunny. Be prepared for cool/warm/hot, and sunny/drizzly/rainy---and many combinations!

On our cruise a few years back, it seemed to be a steady 48 degrees F! We had little sun, mostly cloudy and a fair amount of rain. We had snow on top of Mt. Dalsnibba (above Geiranger) with fog. I'd bring layers, forget the shorts, and good raingear! But even with the weather, the scenery was spectacular!

[SabreSailor]

In other words: It varies greatly. I've seen it snowing (wet flakes) in the mountains above Flam. Last trip there, it was quite warm and sunny. Be prepared for cool/warm/hot, and sunny/drizzly/rainy---and many combinations!

On our cruise a few years back, it seemed to be a steady 48 degrees F! We had little sun, mostly cloudy and a fair amount of rain. We had snow on top of Mt. Dalsnibba (above Geiranger) with fog. I'd bring layers, forget the shorts, and good raingear! But even with the weather, the scenery was spectacular!

[Hlitner]

We did this cruise last year on the Prinsendam and are repeating the experience this May. When it comes to clothes you need to be prepared for anything from sunny days in the 70s to cold dreary days in the 40s (and it can feel colder). Most would say the best way to pack is to bring layers so you can handle any weather condition. We also like to have two coats, a light weight waterproof jacket and a heavier (medium weight) coat that can keep us comfy in the 40s. Its also important to being a pair of gloves (or mittens) which we found quite handy when we were out walking on the cold days.

Hank

[sansterre]

Thanks for clothing tips. Any suggestions for excursion to take or skip? Do you see enough of the fiords on the Prisendam, or should we take an additional fiord tour offered in Skolden I think and maybe other places too. What is there that we should not miss. This is our first, and very possibly our only trip up the Norway coast.

[RuthC]

It's very difficult to recommend tours, as everyone is different in what they like to do, mobility and energy levels, amount they want to spend, and whether or not they like to go off on their own vs take HAL tours.
I will say that there should be enough scenic cruising just getting to the various ports that additional water tours may not be necessary. Which does not mean I won't be on some myself! It's all a matter of individual interests.

[Bippie]

It seems odd but the North Cape was the warmest day on my North Cape cruise. It was in the upper 70's sunny. Even went swimming in the pool on the ship. The rest of the ports to the south were cool, fleece type weather and some were very rainy.

Same here - were we on the same cruise in 2009?

[Charles4515]

Same here - were we on the same cruise in 2009?

Maybe. It was in 2009. But it was on Princess......

[bet410]

We've been to the North Cape twice. The first time it was cold, windy, and wet (not raining, just high humidity). Last summer it was quite warm by comparison, and sunny in the morning, but cloudy and foggy by afternoon. So the weather really can change quickly.

In Honningsvag, we took the bus from town to North Cape rather than the HAL tour, which we had taken the first time. There was only one bus, so we had to be there early to get in line. The price was pretty good, and we had plenty of time to see what we wanted at North Cape before returning to Honningsvag.

We did a very nice tour in Alesund that we really enjoyed called The Islands of Gisky and Godoy. We made three major stops, one at a small church on one island, a picturesque lighthouse at a second island, and then we went up to a beautiful overlook of Alesund.

However, we only did that one because Romsdal and the Troll Path was unavailable on our cruise. We had done that (on a land tour) several years ago in heavy fog and wanted to try again for better weather. We were sorry it wasn't available to us. We recommended this shore excursion to friends a few years ago, and they told us it was one of the best excursions of their Norway trip. This is not for you, though, if you are squeamish about heights - it involves many hairpin turns as you climb the mountain!

No matter what you choose, though, I'm sure you'll enjoy the fjords. They're spectacular! FWIW, we booked shore excursions at all but one port on both of our Norway cruises, and every single one of them was very rewarding.

Be sure to have clothes that you can layer. We had pretty cold weather at some of the ports on both trips. I wore a fleece-lined spring jacket (stuck stretchy gloves & a knit cap in the pockets before I left home), a wool sweater, and a turtleneck and was quite comfortable. They especially helped while doing scenic cruising in some of the more northern ports. You just can't predict how warm or cold it will be.

[Bippie]

Maybe. It was in 2009. But it was on Princess......

Same again - it was a Princess cruise of Norway roundtrip from Southhampton in July if I remember correctly. I suspect we were on the same cruise because the folks at the north cape said they almost never have 70 degree weather. We were incredibly lucky and the day there was quite memorable.

Now, back to helping the original question....

You have already been give the great advice about layering - you really never know how the weather will be for a full day.

The fjords are the true star of the cruise but you might consider taking one or two excursions that get you into the countryside. The Flam railroad trip was also outstanding - very easy to organize your own group to save money and to have a more comfortable ride. Don't be too disappointed when you run into drizzly or foggy weather along the way - there will be better weather ahead. That's just Norway!

Someone else mentioned taking the public bus to the North Cape. If you are an independent person, this will save you some money. The ship's excursions simply took you to/from the North Cape via bus but at a much higher price. You already have been told that you need to disembark early since the queues for the public busses do get long. Watch for all the reindeer on your way to/from the North Cape.

In some ports, we simply stayed on the ship and enjoyed the scenerey from there. This was one of the few trips where I didn't buy anything to take home. The prices in Norway are incredibly high but you might find a sweather or small trinket that interests you. Otherwise, a lot of the items in the stores were available at home or elsewhere for less money.

The north cape cruise was one of the best I've ever taken. Be prepared for unpredictable weather and you'll have a memorable vacation.

[Charles4515]

Same again - it was a Princess cruise of Norway roundtrip from Southhampton in July if I remember correctly. I suspect we were on the same cruise because the folks at the north cape said they almost never have 70 degree weather. We were incredibly lucky and the day there was quite memorable.

Now, back to helping the original question....

You have already been give the great advice about layering - you really never know how the weather will be for a full day.

The fjords are the true star of the cruise but you might consider taking one or two excursions that get you into the countryside. The Flam railroad trip was also outstanding - very easy to organize your own group to save money and to have a more comfortable ride. Don't be too disappointed when you run into drizzly or foggy weather along the way - there will be better weather ahead. That's just Norway!

Someone else mentioned taking the public bus to the North Cape. If you are an independent person, this will save you some money. The ship's excursions simply took you to/from the North Cape via bus but at a much higher price. You already have been told that you need to disembark early since the queues for the public busses do get long. Watch for all the reindeer on your way to/from the North Cape.

In some ports, we simply stayed on the ship and enjoyed the scenerey from there. This was one of the few trips where I didn't buy anything to take home. The prices in Norway are incredibly high but you might find a sweather or small trinket that interests you. Otherwise, a lot of the items in the stores were available at home or elsewhere for less money.

The north cape cruise was one of the best I've ever taken. Be prepared for unpredictable weather and you'll have a memorable vacation.

We were on the same cruise.

We did not book any of the expensive ships excursions at any of the ports. Booked all our own. Some places took a cab. At North Cape we planned to rent cars for our group but the car rental said they could provide us with a bus and driver for our group. Because of the size of our group we ended up with a small bus and car. Saved a lot over the ships excursion and I got to go in the Mercedes. This was pre arranged by our travel agent in advance at North Cape. I don't know who he called but there can't be a lot of car rental places there. It is a small town.

[Bippie]

May or may not be of interest to you but the Princess ship did not have Internet access when at the North Cape. They said the angle of the satellite prevented a good connection so we had to wait until we departed this port before the Internet service resumed.

[RuthC]

May or may not be of interest to you but the Princess ship did not have Internet access when at the North Cape.
This is a consideration throughout Norway, and all the northern latitudes. Even when you are south far enough for a connection, you lose service when in the fjords, as the sides are so high and steep.
Sometimes, when you ask the Internet Manager about this, they are surprised to learn of the problem!

[Charles4515]

This is a consideration throughout Norway, and all the northern latitudes. Even when you are south far enough for a connection, you lose service when in the fjords, as the sides are so high and steep.
Sometimes, when you ask the Internet Manager about this, they are surprised to learn of the problem!


The reason is the satellites they use are geostationary over the equator and so there is difficulty at high latitudes, the farther north, the weaker the signal. The internet managers are usually surprised because of turnover in managers and turnover of itineraries, and the short season for North Cape cruises, the internet manager likely is doing their first North Cape cruise.

[sansterre]

Thank you all ! Great advice and suggestions here.
I'm feeling the need to go to North Cape now. Hmmmmm, what else?
No internet is a frightening thought though!