mef_57

Thanks for this and the other notes. I did know Oslo taxis were crazy prices with a high minimum fare...which was part of my reason to ask about port experiences. I find the locals on TripAdvisor forums can help with those types of questions. Sunset is about 730 p.m. but I did plan for an 8-830 a.m. train. Thanks for the toiletries details. How did you visit ports? Just walk off and wander? We're there any more appealing than others..or any sites that were worth recommending? (I have some ideas but hard to imagine what you can see in 3-5 hours or less).

Glad you had a wonderful trip, Nancy. I am booked for BKB late September. 3 days in Oslo first and an overnight in Bergen before and after. I do have a few questions if you would be willing to answer... 1. I just learned there is a library of sorts on board (leave one, take one sort of thing) do you know where it is located? 2. What train route did you do? I struggle to embrace a 12 or 14hr NIN trip and thought to just train Oslo to Bergen. Still ~6 hrs. 3. I also won't be buying excursions. Did you use taxis in any of the longer ports to get slightly out of town? Foe example the Arctic Alpine Botanical garden is a little out of Tromso. I expect to have sim card for Norway to call for pickup, but I am concerned about adequate time to get picked up and returned to ship...also costs. Thanks for any insights.

Looking at videos for Havila cabins, it's hard to see exactly what is available for putting your stuff when needed. Is the mirror a bathroom vanity type that opens to shelves? It doesn't look like there is a shower shelf to put personal shampoo, soap, etc. Is there one? If not, how did you juggle the extra items so they weren't always on the shower floor?

I did consider that it isn't hurricane season, but was hoping to avoid those east coast Atlantic gales. Thanks for the reassurance. I do review the deck plans for connecting cabins, potential staff spaces and noises above and below. But I also always have several pair of earplugs in my makeup bag. I'll ensure I also have SeaBands and Gravol...just in case.

Yes I do know, and that the RC I am also considering is twice the capacity of Majestic. I will want to do shows, and activities, knowing they may be noisy; but also find places that are more quiet when I want it. But thanks for the reality check.

Thanks. Again, helpful particularly as you did a trans ocean. My agent is saying repositioning are fairly full these days, so have to keep that in mind.

Thank you for an answer understanding my concern. I really appreciate that. My alternative is RC Allure. Twice the size, but for much cheaper I can get a Central Park Balcony. I know it would be overlooking a public space but can get daylight and fresh air with wind protection, and with an inside seating area, then I could just relax there. None of the Princess Plus perks, but for the cost savings, can spring for the extras I may wish. Thanks again.

One blog mentions it gets underused during the daytime. Any window with daylight works. On a transatlantic, views will all be the same 😉

Thanks for the thoughts. I was on Coral Princess in 2010 and pretty easy to find quiet places, so was surprised to hear it could be noisy on Majestic. I am working with an agent and her clients haven't complained; nor am I reading it as an issue....but then I may like more quiet time. Thanks for the reminder about loosing sleep. An hour a day may be okay. My last flight was from Korea to Ontario....so jet lag, I know about. The benefits of an inside cabin is total darkness....so also good for naps

Looking at Majestic with Princess Plus...inside cabin. (As a solo, it's what suits the budget). As it is February, I expect protected comfortable spaces are reduce. YouTube walkthrus and comments mention a loud Piazza area most of the daytime. They included sound from the seafood restaurant 2 decks in, and it was loud. Also the fact they play movies or videos at a high volume through the day on the Lido. Comments here mention chlorine smells in the Hollywood pool club. Is there anywhere I can hangout and see daylight without a lot of noise or smells. I'd like to make it work, but maybe it's just not a good fit🤷‍♀️ Any words of encouragement?

I realize they both have something to offer, but I am stalled at deciding whether to do a Florida to Barcelona February crossing on RC or Princess. RC would be a Central Park Balcony at a bare bones rate vs inside on Majesty, but a Princess Plus deal. I've only cruised on smaller ships (Princess, NCL or Cunard) so RC seems daunting, but it also offers a lot to do on sea days. The balcony cabin would allow comfortable quiet time for this introvert....if not outside, on the couch with daylight. As a seasoned solo senior traveler, I don't need frequent company or a temporary companion, but it would nice if either offers some solo programs. Do they? Also, how do they seat solos if I choose a traditional dining time? If you have done either as a solo on Transatlantic, any tips or comments? Thanks for any insights.

Thanks for the further details. I am still not exactly on the dates, but won't sway too much away from the dark nights for better NL chances. Also still deciding on the Flam train inclusion but your plan was becoming my plan. Thanks for sharing the photos. I am surprised on the lack of snow foe February, but learning I can't compare it to inland Canada. Thankfully, I do have time flexibility, so we will see what the final plan and dates are. I tend to pack carry on size only, regardless of trip, but good to know there is an option. Thanks again.

September/October are supposed to be good times in Norway foe the lights, and will time it with darkest moon phases,so fingers crossed. I only started to think about this, so will have to look at what to do in the cities and Norway in a Nutshell. Thanks.

Have a great time. I know you are excited about it. I watched that route on a Great Train Journeys PBS show. I have Swedish roots, but never been to Scandinavia.

Thanks for the extra details, and suggestion for an upgrade. That could be more comfortable. Otherwise deck or windows would be great. I am from Ontario, Canada. I will have adequate clothing. I also thought to take the train from Oslo to Bergen for more chance of Autumn colours.

Thanks for these details.yes, I will engage the notifications. They are offering a free 7 day trip if you don't see Northern Lights on the 12 day trip...but, it requires the announcement engaged...understandably. I am scheduling the trip for new moon phase for bast chances, and the app is a good tip. Thanks.

I am looking at a late September, 12 night return cruise for Northern Lights. For budget (and this is budget....I'll be in the dinkiest inside cabin) I am trying to determine if there are daily gratuities, like mainstream cruise lines. If so, what's the cost? And is the self serve laundry free? I know about the drinks packages, and the excursion costs. It looks like water and some beverages are free with meals. Any other costs I need to consider I haven't thought about yet? Thank you.

Yes, it seems quite discrimatory. I haven't been paying much attention in past weeks but I did catch some article that says they are being strongly criticized for this statement. Maybe they will have to retract their plan. However, cruising is so popular at the moment, many ridiculous implemented and increased fees are being accepted, so cruise lines have the current upper hand.

I watch cruise News today YouTube and Celebrity has officially stated they will be charging more than twice double occupancy for solo bookings...to make up for lost revenue generated by a second person.

What you do to repair depends on what you want to do with it in the future. Do you want to maintain it for other generations or use it and love it to death yourself. Fabric that fragile will continue to fray and shred in use. Your choices are as you mentioned, but I prefer the 3 stitch mending stitch to regular zip zag. You may prefer looking for a similar fabric. I am not a quilt restorer or preservation expert, but have seen some approaches and fixed a 30 year old quilt I made. I want to mention the importance of quilting on these quilts. My old quilt was made at a time we said quilting 8 inches apart was sufficient. When repairing, I realized that was not close enough. As batting compresses over time, it allows the fabric to shift. That frequent shifting means fibres bend, fray and break. So quilting it 4 inches apart could increase the life of the fabrics. Another thought is the use of fine wedding veil tulle as an overall cover on the quilt top. It is used in art quilts to keep lots of bits and thread on the surface, and in restoration to stabilize fabrics, but it wouldn't have the same feel on a bed quilt. There will be YouTube videos to help you prepare new fabric to look a little older. Tea dyes are easy.

I wonder if it catches the bulge when a soft sided bag is overpacked? Also check what measurements a suitcase manufacturer is using when saying it is carry on compliant. US airline requirements are slightly larger than Canadian allowances. Some even state a 21 inch suitcase, but don't include the wheels or handle. Take a measuring tape with you when luggage shopping.

Thanks. I can see that location on a few floors. A balcony that size would make salt spray rather irrelevant if you sit by the door (though I see it is by stairs and lifts with all the noise factors.)

I am thinking to book April 2024 repositioning Durban to Rome in a balcony. It is mostly days at sea, so I am wondering if there is too much sea spray and wind to actually use the balcony every day. I recall one cruise that happened (different ship and itinerary), and I have never had this long a cruise before. If your experience was more positive, what deck were you on? Thanks.

Thanks for the pattern details. I often fly Air Canada, but our new Canadian budget airlines are only cost-saving if you fly with under seat luggage only. I am taking that as a personal challenge to sew something to get the most out of the measurements allowed. I figure I could manage a summer week-long wardrobe in it. I have sewn forever, quilted maybe half the time, and have a few bags under my belt. I now have a semi-industrial Juki sewing machine which makes them a bit easier.

Great job. I have been deliberating making an underseat bag to maximize the allowed measurements. I like the side phlanges to help keep shape and things from slipping out. Did you design it as well?