janetcbl

56 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Guest Services - as soon as you can after boarding.

They may also offer behind the scenes of the kitchen and laundry, both very interesting. I think it depends how many sea days your cruise has; the more sea days, the more “Behind the Scene Tours.” We also got a “tour” of the engine room via a talk with photos in the Theater. 

12 hours ago, Twitchly said:

These days we just take carryons. If you don’t mind wearing the same few outfits for a couple weeks, it’s not that hard to do. On our last cruise I didn’t bother to bring jeans — just a couple pairs of black pants I could wear on excursions and in the no-jeans dining venues. Our carryons were adequate for our 3-week trip (we spent an extra week onshore beforehand).
 

The biggest tradeoff is having to do laundry more often when you have fewer clothes. We packed enough to go a week between laundering, which meant washing underthings in the sink or shower in between times. 
 

Or you could pay a bit extra and have Viking do your laundry. 

Exactly how we handle it! No lost luggage and black pants go with anything.

5 hours ago, kaisatsu said:

There are nearly a dozen countries with ports in this area, and they all have their own alcohol laws. it could be good to narrow the scope a bit if you’re looking at specific locations.
 

If you’re asking specifically about drinking on the ship while it’s in port, I can’t recall any restrictions mentioned here. Norway has laws that limit alcohol serving before noon, but I’ve never tested this while I was on a cruise. I’m usually off the ship while it’s in port and not much of a morning drinker.

Not sure how accurate my info is now ( it was a few years ago), but cruise ships docked in Norwegian ports had to abide by the country’s hours for serving liquor. 

26 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Hi Clay - good to know.  We will be on Mars tomorrow in Barcelona headed to Bergen, then staying on Mars for Bergen to Iceland.  Will hopefully get to meet the two Leo's!

Kent

And we are looking forward to meeting you in Bergen. Safe travels…..and take good care of the ship for all of us who will be boarding in Norway.😁

5 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I fully understand your concerns with this, but for an excursion like this we have breakfast late and then lunch when we return.  We work around the times.  

 

I understand the concern of food going ashore but for us, in a case like this we will grab a banana or piece of fruit at breakfast and take it with us.  We have been known to grab a couple of croissants or muffins.  We always travel with many extra ziplock bags - our travel saving grace - and the food goes in those and in our backpack.

 

We did get quite sternly reprimanded in one country - don't remember which one - by the bus driver for eating on the bus.

Be careful taking fruit into some countries. It is often not allowed and penalties can be severe. Discovered this the hard way when, as a tour guide, one of the people on my tour didn’t listen and the results were unpleasant.

Thank you Clay for your beautiful updates…your posts were often a highlight of my day. Enjoy London and safe journey home.

May I add  my thanks to all of you WC travelers for “taking us along”. If we couldn’t be onboard in person, we could enjoy the trip vicariously. We join the Mars in Bergen in 19 days; wonder if there will be any remaining WC passengers going on to NYC?

31 minutes ago, wrldtrvllr said:

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered but would like opinions on cruising southern Norway fjords end of September/early October vs May/June?  Would love to see northern lights. (Have cruised Alaska in May, July, and September and thought May was the best due to the most snow coverage, long days, less rain but am anxious to hurry up and see Norway and decision is between fall 2024 and early summer 2025). Looking at MSC and furthest north it goes is Alesund.

Kiel Germany | Copenhagen Denmark | Hellesylt Norway | Alesund Norway | Flaam Norway | Kiel Germany 

 

Thank you.

That far south in Norway, the answer is no Northern lights…you get sunlight many hours during the day. The only time to see Northern lights is midwinter, preferably far North. 

27 minutes ago, kahuna21 said:

What the heck is a “slider”?

A large window-like door that slides open to,the balcony instead of a “normal” door. Some people like them, some people don’t. Always provides a lovely argument on CC which one is “better”. My opinion, it is a matter of choice.

Has anyone visited the Norwegian Fjord Center in Geiranger? It is a World Heritage Site dealing with the geological formation of the area and  biological diversity. A bit of a walk from the center, but looks fascinating! We have been to Geiranger a few times and this seems like something new to explore. Anyone?

16 hours ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Thanks for this info. Might hand wash a bunch. 
BTW, I read a Viking article “what not to pack”.  It said don’t bring umbrella. Said they are supplied in the cabin. Is that so? Or is a small travel umbrella recommended. 

Suggest you bring a small foldable umbrella. The ones that Viking supplies are huge.

28 minutes ago, nunuc2000 said:

Hello... Not having been to Norway before, I'm really hoping that those of you more experienced with some of these ports would be able to give me a little guidance.  We don't want to do scheduled excursions for all of the ports, but maybe just a couple of them.  We typically enjoy walking around ports that have interesting culture, a nice pub or coffee shop, museums or scenic walkability. 

 

Of the ports on our upcoming cruise (only the Norway ones - we're familiar with the Scottish ones) which of these would you say are great for walking around the port area, and which ones are a "must do" for booking an actual excursion?  Any particular ports that you felt were the highlight of your itinerary, and which types of excursions you might recommend for those?  We are both healthy and fit, enjoy scenic views, food, beer, wine, animals, interesting history, etc. Wouldn't want to take a strenuous hike up a mountain, but can definitely handle stairs and a good amount of walking. 

 

 

Thanks for any helpful advice, including tips to make the most of this cruise that might not necessarily be totally focused on what to do in those ports. 🙂

 

 

Trondheim: the Cathedral. Honningsvag:The North Cape. Tromso: an excursion that focuses on the Arctic Cathedral, Polar Museum, Polaria, and Fjellheisen (cable car for a great view). Leknes: an excursion that takes in the various areas, as far north as Svolvaer (in Svolvaer there is a fjord excursion that goes to the Trollfjord with its tiny entrance. So much to see, so little time! Have fun!

2 hours ago, yoolykeme said:

Hey there.  I'n trying to put together a 23hr itinerary for Iceland with my elderly mom.  She down to do stuff, just walks a little slow.  Would like to get as much experience in as possible.  What do you think about this itinerary?

 

We arrive at 2pm on Thursday and leave 1pm on Friday, so we maybe have 21 hours of usable time.  I'm thinking that I rent a car from Blue or whatever is local to the port, check in at a hotel downtown, spend a couple of hours at Sky Lagoon, drive around in whatever route makes sense to see stuff, have dinner and maaayyyyybe try to search for the northern lights that night, sleep.  Then the next morning just have coffee and do some shopping and get back to the boat around 11a.

 

Does this sound feasible?  Would you add or change anything?  Please and thanks.

Unless you plan to be there in the winter, forget searching for the Northern Lights. Summer time is pretty much light 24hours/day.

17 hours ago, zalusky said:

Any thoughts on time of year for the train ride?  Spring vs summer vs fall vs winter.

I have done it in all four seasons.Big crowds in the summer, smaller in the fall and winter. I was there in February, only 2 other people in Flam, one large store open, no cruise to Gudvagen. The scenery was even more spectacular, although it was only light for a couple hours, due to mountains and winter. Go any season, all have their special charm.

6 hours ago, hutch1994 said:

Got hit with a false charge from the Intercontinental Madrid post extension stay.  Be careful when checking out of hotels.  Protesting it now.  Very disappointed in this.  Thought it was a better caliber of hotel than this.

This is the usual way it is done. If you have no charges, it will disappear in a few days. Hotels do this to cover themselves in case you charge something that shows up later. No big deal, but the first time it happens to you, it is scary.

14 minutes ago, ruralmomof2 said:

HAL changed the ports on our itinerary from Alesund, Nordjfjord, eidfjord and Bergen to Alesund, eidfjord, olden and Sardnes which they claim is a port for Stavenger.   Is Sardnes a good port?   How far is the trip to Stavenger?

 

we could switch to celebrity apex and see Bergen, Flam, Geirenger, and Haugesund but not sure if it is worth the extra money.  Would have loved to go to Flam, but…

 

thank you

I’d vote for the Celebrity trip. IMO, and only IMO, the ports of Bergen, Flam and Geiranger are more interesting than Olden and Sardnes. Eidfjord is a beautiful fjord, but the sail in to Geiranger is spectacular. The Flam railroad is a special experience, a steep climb up to the top and back. Alesund is an interesting city, but Bergen is much more interesting, with many more diverse experiences. Remember, this is just my opinion.

Heimaey is easy to walk around and has an excellent museum that relates the story of the volcano eruption in 1973. 

12 hours ago, ddeprez said:

Ok, then… Suggestions if your bank no longer provides foreign currency, and you prefer to not use an ATM there?

Our last trip was entirely in Scandinavia where we never used kronor, only our credit cards. Some merchants refused to take cash.

2 hours ago, janetcbl said:

The Viking Ship Museum is currently closed, but the nearby Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums are worth a visit. The inside of the Oslo City Hall is worth a visit and a tour of that building will highlight where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Akershus Fortress is interesting and the view from there is excellent. Many enjoy the Norse Folk Museum where you can see a stage church. There is a large Botanical Garden, complete with cafe.

“Stave”….( I hate autocorrect)>

2 hours ago, deec said:

We leave for the a British Isle Cruise ( May 1) and the Pre-extension late April.  If any of you has done the pre- extesnsion would you please share the day to day itinerary so that I can do some planning for any free time and meals.  Viking was unable to provide anything other than the basic description.  What time did you get to the ship?

 

We are taking the train and Oslo post but are extending an extra 2 days in Oslo. Anyone have great suggestions for day trip away and who did you use?  A fjord cruise?  It looks like we will only have one  Viking tour.  Although we visited previously we will revisit e sculpture garden and opera house ( maybe a back of the house tour this time).  Probably will pass on Munch Musuem ( not a huge fan) and have visited the amazing library.  Did you find a great botanical garden?

The Viking Ship Museum is currently closed, but the nearby Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums are worth a visit. The inside of the Oslo City Hall is worth a visit and a tour of that building will highlight where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded. Akershus Fortress is interesting and the view from there is excellent. Many enjoy the Norse Folk Museum where you can see a stage church. There is a large Botanical Garden, complete with cafe.

1 hour ago, Insanityx4 said:

On the Octantis, as much grilled lobster and steak as you want from the WC grill in the evenings, also the sushi and seafood buffet in the WC. Much larger than on ocean ships.

The Explorer WC “spoiled” us! Next time we were on an Ocean cruise we felt “deprived”.

2 hours ago, Insanityx4 said:

We bought the SSP for the first time on our last cruise which was on an Expedition Ship and had a $1,000 on board credit so used it for that. We really liked the package and the convenience but we also had a Nordic Suite so the mini bar went untouched. We just booked another cruise on an Ocean ship in a Penthouse Veranda category and will not get the SSP since we will have the mini bar in our room. We can always get a drink at any bar on the ship if we want and pay for it for far less. I do think we drank way more with the SSP because we wanted to get our $25 pp per days worth!

You can ask for wine to be added to the minibar in PV and above. I don’t know if you can get the wine in addition to the liquor or if you have to trade it for the liquor. Anyone?

2 hours ago, DinnyClaire said:

Thanks for your response sharkster77. 

No, it is not available in the Amazon App store.  I was hoping someone found a way to load it through a 'backdoor' app.  Guess I will just have to use my phone!

I found it in the Amazon app site. It is called Viking Voyager. There isn’t anything you can do with it, except download it to your iPad or whatever, until you get on the ship and sign in. 

47 minutes ago, sarar said:

How close to Stradsgarden is the place to get a ferry to go to the ABBA museum?

 

It looks close, but you are dealing with different levels. To walk you go out, turn right and walk to stairs, up the stairs, walk over the bridge which leads to Gamla Stan. Walk to your right, turn left when you reach the shore and the ferry building is there a short distance away. (This is my memory from two years ago, if I am mistaken, please someone correct this). Cabs have to drive up the hill to drive over the bridge.

IMO: The Celebrity. Flam (take the Flambana excursion if able), Geiranger (magnificent scenery) and Bergen (fascinating city in itself) would make it an easy choice for me. Been to Norway many times, have never been to Olden or Skjolden…perhaps I am missing something?