gaelsail

We've experienced hot weather with people sunbathing & in TShirts right through to cold temperatures & heavy sleet. Best to wear layers, as the others have said, taking waterproof/windproof outer clothes & boots. Remember your sunglasses too :)

We regularly use a private transfer, London Euston to/from Tilbury cruise terminal or a nearby hotel-Adelphi Executive Hire. They've never let us down whether we book long in advance or the day before travel.

The tourism office is located in an historic bank building

The tourist office (Visit Bergen), is upstairs (with a lift) in a purpose built building on the corner of the harbour. It has been here for some time.

near the Fish Market.

The fish market is on the lower floor of the same building as the tourist office. As you can see from this photo, taken outside the fish market, it is on the opposite side of the street from the 'old bank'.

The current Hurtigruten schedule (varies with season and year)

Northbound and Southbound

Some excursions leave the ship in one port and meet up again in another port.

Strangely enough, the only place we've had a real problem was Bergen, Norway when one of our party had their wallet stolen. The only time this could have happened was when were jostled returning to the ship- by passengers going to another 2 large cruise ships :mad:

Fortunately, we've never had problems at any other time in Bergen or Norway :)

What time would I reasonably be expected to disembark Magellan on last day in Tilbury? I need to book train tickets and will need to catch a connecting train. Earlier the better for me but just a rough guide would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Disembarkation is by colour coded labels, deck/cabins. You might get an answer with an email to CMV? On any cruise ship/line I usually leave several hours between estimated arrival and train reservation times because often weather or other factors mean an later arrival than expected.

Time and cost of travelling to port mean we like cruises of 14 days or more. Also, not flying, 14 days or more mean reaching new and different destinations.

There are road signs to the cruise terminal where cars can collect passengers from near the door. A shuttle bus brings passengers from the ship to the terminal.

If I were given the option, I'd be doing both cruises. They cover a lot of southern Norway and, knowing the area well, I'd not be able to choose between them.

Lots to do in Tromsø. The cruise pier in town and the shuttle bus stop are both near to the tourist office. I suggest this as a first stop if you've not visited before.

The point is, markanddonna, that if you use the same wipe on several surfaces, you may be transferring a bug from a surface where it would have done no harm onto a surface where it may do harm. You should either, not reuse a wipe on more than one surface, or ensure that you have a detailed system where you go from high risk surfaces to low risk in the correct order.

 

This opinion may, of course, be irrelevant.

I think it's very relevant if people think they need to use wipes.

:eek: As an added reminder- put the used wipes in the bin, not down the toilet where they'd block the system.

It's in the itinerary. Often day 1 is an overnight in a hotel somewhere. I put the itineraries into a spreadsheet and can then see what's happening.

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 :)

I wouldn't mind paying in Euros for the cruise. But my main concern is.... being an American.

Firstly, Fred Olsen works in GBP, not euros, so cruise (unless booked through a travel agent charging in euros) and onboard extras would all be charged in British pounds.

I would think you'll be accepted just fine if you mix and participate with other passengers. We often meet Americans on various ex.UK cruise ships.

Don't discount also spending a couple of days in Dover, there's a lot of very interesting places to visit there too.

Not impossible, last couple of years there have been occasional sightings late August.

See these photos from 2014. Though you might have to sit up all night, every night, to see them, if they appear.

I eat in the buffet at a time that seems suitable to our journey out of the fjords. Usually miss something but can choose what.

1. Gulf of Bothnia.

2. Northern Lights/Winter Norway from Scottish or N.England port.

3. Baffin Island via Norway, Svalbard, Greenland.

Sheltered side and aft decks, open forward viewing deck, forward observatory lounge.

We were surprised to catch short auroras 2 nights in a row on this timelapse in Shetland last week (May 2015). 2nd night is better.

Sailed with Northlink from Aberdeen & a few days ashore.

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If you're visiting with a cruise ship, check what other ships are in port and their arrival times. The numbers/timing of other cruise passengers visiting can make a difference.

I'm also wondering which ship will be replacing Midnatsol in Norway during that time? Maybe the return of Nordstjernen? ;)

I had wondered that too, there were some rumours of a different ship, on another forum we both frequent.

I agree as far as bugs and bacteria go but when it comes to viruses there is no such thing as building up immunity.

Agree. Norovirus changes fast, that's why they can't develop a vaccine and why you can catch it more than once.

Maybe if you opened your immune system up to a few bugs every now and then you wouldn't have to go through the rigmarole that you describe. I blame it all on the nanny state we all now live in. I bet norovirus was unheard of when most fred olsen cruisers were growing up and don't get me going on central heating.

I recall outbreaks that weren't labelled as any particular disease, in communities, when at primary school. No-one thought anything of it back then.

However, if there is a bug around a few simple precautions, basic hygiene really, don't go amiss and have certainly worked for me. OK, the napkin thing does go slightly beyond but does no harm !

Just wondering, do you use a new napkin for every set of tongs and what do you do with them after you have used them?

No, just one napkin and put it in a bin. Only do this first couple of days or if there is a bug around though.

Not sure how it will work but they seem to have different itineraries?