selma

Your cruise is on September, it is now July. That is two months away. Hal can't seriously call this an early booking. To me, this is almost a last minute booking. I totally believe what you are saying but the fact they say this is laughable.

Not september 2014 but 2015, typo in previous post sorry. So 14 months out. Which is around when I ideally book or even earlier to have proper choice of access. stateroom and never before until last week the obc. Actually changed it from 3 to 2 weeks to accomodate family thatll come along, same ship but just shortened time aboard from 21 to 14 days. Didnt even show when I made the 14 night booking, which was around half to end june. Either it is very new or not too consistent

I think you are talking about the obc offered if you book a cruise within x days of returning from a HAL cruise?

 

Only available to those that have cuised.

 

I guess I don't consider that an EBS - it's an initiative to those who have cruised

 

if it is an EBS, it's not a significant one;).

Nop, I wish! [emoji6] (had to cancel planned cruise for aug due to illness). It is a pure early-booking-obc, got it right away after putting a hold on a stateroom online. Later after applying fcd also got that obc but there is a $100 pp in there purely early genral booking. Funny about it; no mentioning online but hold on room triggered the confirmation and notification of the early-book-obc and sure enough was on the confirmation.

Copy from the notification; your reservation includes early booking bonus;

Neptune suite guests; admiral's choice wine package, pinnacle grill diner for 2 and $100 pp obc for first 2 guests.

Guests booked stateroom with oveanview, balcony, vista or signature suite; $100 pp obc for first 2 guests.

Inside stateroom; $50 pp obc for first 2 guests.

Actually HAL does offer specific early booking perk now, aside from the mentioned sale. Last week booked my sept 2014 cruise and surprise; extra notification in my mailbox explaining they applied early booking obc to my account; $100,- pp for a lanai on a 14 day cruise. Not that much or likely to remain on my booking given the price fluctuation for these itineraries over the years (if anything to go by price will drop at least 20% compared to current price) but its more than any early bokking general offer Ive seen over the years.

I-Cruiser, what road tour would you recommend in our situation? Looked at the ones mentioned on the previous page but we've got a bit of poor timing at Alesund this itinerary. We'll be docked from 11pm until 3pm next day. If all goes well, I'll be able to get going somewhere round 9-9.30 am. Given my health 3, perhaps 4 hours is plenty. I'm the problematic one so to say ;) , being bedridden and thus will be lying down in the car. Obviously can -and boy will I- look out the window and enjoy, but this trip is focussed on "seeing from a set location" and not exploring insides of buildings etc.

Any tips about routes that are a bit shorter in time to suit this would be greatly appreciated.

Fingers crossed someone on her is a local or did pay attention on a previous visit, unlike myself. ;)

For an upcoming cruise to Norway, we're renting a car in Kristiansand to get out. Just trying to work out what we should expect more or less to work with. Dad will be the one picking up the car, so far so good. He'll be coming back afterwards to pick us up. I'm just wondering how close by or far of one can get with a car at the dock in Kristiansand. If it makes a difference; there will be EU handicapped parking permits at hand for both myself and dad.

Reason for trying to work out what we're working with; I'm pretty much fully bedridden. Not stopping me from travel, but does require some planning. Esp. since my new powerchair that provides me what I need to be mobile while flat is taking for ever to get and will definately not be here in time. Car rental and adapting the car so I can lie down, is a good way to still get out and about some and see something. Just working out what will be most practicle for my transfer from stateroom to car. Will have both my current powerchair and manual chair with me. Very long shot from suitable, but it'll have to do. Manual will probably be best fitting in this scenario. For me every minute I do need to sit counts badly, so trying to get a bit of an image of the distance/time involved we will be looking at to transfer from stateroom to car and vice versa.

The car rental we're looking at has a location in the center of Kristiansand, pretty close to the dock, the dronningens gate.

I can remember there being a theatre with a terras right on the dock, almost literally across from were we docked previously. So suspect cars can get pretty close to the area, but wondering if anybody might have any factual knowledge and/or specific details.

I like lemonade. I tried making my own with lemons, sugar and water, but it did not do the job. I discovered that the mock-tails section of the drinks menu had fresh lemonade at $4.25 a glass. I would buy one and take it to lunch.

Thats what I noticed too and will definately get a few. Was just wondering if it was the only option or if there also is a "lido option".

Ill gladly refrain from making my own. The direct acidity of the lemons will probably be asking a bit too much for accidents waiting to happen. Know your flaws :-)

Spunk, no glasses? Yeiks! No dispensers other than coffee or tea as far as I can remember on the Rotterdam but at least there were glasses (most of the time still dishwash soaked) besides the mugs.

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If this already would be an issue, thete would be a huge decrease in number of cruisers. This is not "blink worthy" so to say, so please dont worry.

Practicle;

- have own back up in case cath comes loose (understanding he wears them 24/7?). Bit more difficult in men but can be learned to do yourself. This gives best quality of back up care since it can be personalized teaching and literally anywhere in the world can be done if need be when bringing along back up supplies.

- another option could be considering other types of catheters, since there are so many options also for men. Perhaps as back op or even the travel standard. Try out at home first!!!!! To know what works and doesnt

- never expect any medical item or medication to be available onboard and always bring your own if any rral chance of needing it. This includes pads. Supplies onboard in medical facility will be very limited, if any. Not having plenty of what works for "you" constitutes feeling bad mote than anything else.

- carry more supplies than normal. After all no quick back up delivery on sea. Also keep in mind influences like weather (warm equals more drinking, more sweating, increase of some risks like skin issues), travellling (changing on different times and perhaps more often at home to suit times of excursions), different food influences on bowel and bladder etc.

Employees dont blink an eye. Obviously nobodies favorite part of a job, but comes with it and all tend to be professional. Depending on wishes, products used, amount of waist etc you can "personalise" to suit. Specific disposal needs are best taken care of before cruising but much can also be arranged with stateroom host. I for instance have my trash emptied at least twice a day ( combining multiple medical wastes with all own issues) and use own waste bags for that.

As far as the uti risk; discus it with his urologist. Cultures arent a must have in many situations. Combining personal medical situation with medical history will tend to give a good route for AB choice. Which if risk valids it, can be prescribed as "if need be" by urologist. In more touchy situations it has been known 2 different ab's have been prescribed to have a back ups back up. Heck, real specific culturing takes to long anyway not to start any treatment anyway. If not already aware; know what type of tests work properly and which might give false results in husbands case. For instance my urinostomy results in dipstick and certain cultures always being false positive. Prevents a lot of wrong diagnoses by knowing.

Have urologist contact info on you, so if need be things can be checked. Own specialists are always more knowledgable in that case and cathing etc is not something done all that routinely onboard.

But honestly? Have both a bladder and bowel that have serious damage. Having said that, it is one of the easiest low key - no issue as long as I got my head up and take my stuff along healt issue I can name on my list. If any, its people themselves or better put; misplaced shame or worry that interfere with travel incl cruising. Not the industry or employees dealing with.

Enjoy!

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I don't recall whether or not there was lemonade on the Rotterdam. But since I love it and don't want to go without, I usually take some instant lemonade and a pitcher with me to make my own.

As an addict Ive got my instant supply ;-) but wondering if I can leave it at home and safe. Somehow my supply always reduces faster than reckoned. With no more trips to the US and thus having to make due with ebay soon, stretching supplies always is welcome. Hardly a big thing, but nice to be focussing on something smaller like this

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Wondering if it was just me being half blind or perhaps of because the ms Rotterdam was on an extended stay in Europe, but what about lemonade onboard the ms Rotterdam?

It's safe to say I've become addicted to it eversince my first stay in the US. Yet somehow didn't gave it a second when on the ms Rotterdam last year and can't remember seeing it during my 14 days onboard nor it ever being mentioned as a drink option. Have to say though, haven't been at any of the bars and since learned that some (yummy sounding) flavoured lemonades are on the bar menu.

What about the availability of lemonade onboard the ms Rotterdam? Is it freely available eventhough she's on an extended stay here in Europe or have they perhaps made changes to suit the larger Dutch crowds? Using the search function gives me some postings mentioning getting it in the lido buffet, but never seen it nor ever offered. Was this an off experience and can I just ask for it (like I soon learned one has to do for juices at the lido when any time other than breakfast) or is the bar my only option on the ms Rotterdam? And if so; does HAL classify the lemonade as a "soda" for which one can use the soda card or not? Seeing the $4.25 price on the barmenu I found, I doubt it, but just want to know what to expect considering right beverage cards etc.

And if anyone happens to know; do they serve regular or diet lemonade or both? I need to stick to some dietary requirements which aren't always easy, so knowing upfront if a full cal option is available and thus no needing to lug along my own full cal softdrink makes packing easier. Obviously I'll contact hal if need be, but reckoned caloric info is something so many people are watching anyway this might be something known already on the board.

Hmmm, You could be right, of course, but I take that to mean the first two people on the booking for each cabin.

 

I don't think it would apply to a group of multiple cabins. The days are credited to the first two people in cabin A, the first two in cabin B etc

 

Thats how I read it too, but can see how it can be interpreted different ways.

If Im getting things correct it is of importance to make it one booking? Hmm that could be intersting! Ive been booked for a while already given the need for sn accessible stateroom. Second stateroom Im planning on bookung somewhere round just after pay in full date (plenty roims left, not picky and expect price drop aroynd that time). Third stateroom could be anywhere from "now" to last minute depending on job situation. Possible forth will book asap when getting a green light on that part. Guess I never do anything simple, sigh. ;-)

Expecting most of the expenses will be hotel charges, spa, perhaps odd excursion when splitting up (most will either be private or winging it due to my needs) and some onboard shopping or onboard tour. None are real drinkers, so 6 glasses of wine in total for a week will be much already. And with a comp specialty dining for all, not sure if we end up doing a second which would actually show up as charged.

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Perfect and how easy that it can be done online beforehand!

AQ; no, sorry. Talk about us Dutchies being direct, right? ;-) It's something I'm trying to put together to basically create memories. So the "who" 's are very important and the financial...... oh well, it'll just have to fit around that. ;-)

Toying with the idea of inviting along some friends and family on (a part of) an upcoming cruise has left me wondering about onboard charges.

Is there any way to have charges of their stateroom put onto my account, so I not only get willingly stuck with footing the bill but also get the points for them towards my mariner level? Or will they still be attached the the specific individuals and their (basically all new) mariner accounts?

Was afraid I have to be watching it myself.

Wish I could be flexible with stateroom but with my needs very few of the accessible ones we can make work. Itll either be the current accessible inside Ive got booked or one of the 2 accessible lanai if luck happens.

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For those that have waitlisted starerooms before; what are your experiences? How "proof" is the system, i.e. if the small wonder does happen wil the system automatically pick it up and put my waitlist through or should I still keep an active eye out on the website?

I'm booked on a 14 night cruise on the Rotterdam to Spain and Portugal, at the moment in an inside accessible stateroom. I'm also booked on a 14 night Norway cruise on the Rotterdam right before in a lanai accessible stateroom. I'm planning to make it a consequetive 28 nights onboard.

The combination of a recent price drop and confirmation that indeed my much needed new powerchair will not be available for this cruise (bureaucracy or should one say bureaucrazy....) resulting in me being stuck onboard and in the stateroom much much more as a result, made me decide it would be very much worth it not to move to an inside but do 28 days lanai. As could be expected at this point in time, all accessible staterooms are currently booked on that sailing. Took me some asking round to get an agent to look into things but sure enough; they do waitlist. So he put me on it. Got a confirmation form of it indeed being done.

We're still more than 90 days out, keeping my fingers crossed perhaps a switch could still be made by someone freeing up. With only 2 of these staterooms onboard I know odds aren't huge, but it beats not trying. Just wondering if indeed a cancellation does happen, the waitlist goes through automatically or if there is a chance the stateroom might end up open for "grabs" and needing to keep an eye open for it.

If it makes any difference; these days are offered in multiple itineraries. Simply put these four weeks are offered in the following options;

- week one and 2 are bookable per seperate week

- weeks 1 and 2 are bookable as collectors voyage

- week 3 and 4 is one itinerary

- weeks 2, 3 and 4 are bookable as a collectors voyage

All 4 weeks are not bookable as one itinerary, nor are there any itineraries after week 4 that combine with week 4.

Also does it have any influence that I am fine with (and am) waitlisting for both lanai accessible staterooms onboard instead of just one specific one number? I've already got 3333 for the first 2 weeks and decided if 3331 opens up for weeks 3+4 moving one door down is still better than one deck down and loosing the window and option to get right out on deck.

Depends on your nationality (different booking/cancellation policies). In general, citizens of the USA can rebook with 0 costs outside of final payment (usually 90 day window, but not always) so will take advantage of price drops.

 

Due to consumer protection, most cruisers from the UK, EU, AUS etc. can't. I have booked with a flexible booking policy (was part of the sale going on at the time) so I can. So far, my cruise has gone up in price, so the point is moot.

Actually, its not an explore4 perk but rather hal putting the lught on the fact they altered general policy for eu bookings. Any booking you can alter (sail date, itineray, cat. stateroom etc) until 90 days out without penalty. Have changed my 2014 reservations loads of time incl (too, unfortunately) many itinerary switches. Officially eavh and all have been "cancelling an rebooking". No issue at all. Penalty we do stil have is the 20% cancellation fee that kicks in at day of putting deposit down if you flat out cancel instead of switch to later date (on same or different itinerary etc).

Not sure if they'll also allow cancel + rebook with other ta but given the fact our ta's only are a negative and I only deal with hal any way given my very specific special needs, I dont really are that interested in that to pay much attention ;-)

Before this bettering of policy somewhere in 2013, we could already benefit from price drops before 90 days out. Within 90 days depended on agent if yould got nothing or would be upgrade for "free" to a higher cat. stateroom with a new price at or below the fare yould have on your reservation. This would also both trigger a "cancellation" and new booking incl new confirmation number but without penalties. Also done that plenty of times last year. Move to higher cat stateroom only fell through since no accessible ones were available anymore but otgerwise wouldve gotten the move when price dropped within the 90 days.

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I actually thought that you were asking this tongue in cheek, but now believe you were serious..

 

My question is: why would you ever think that compensation is due? :confused:

 

 

 

Have not heard of this before.. Do all insurance companies cover the per diem or only certain ones?

 

Both DH & I were quarantined for two days because of something we had on our last long cruise.. Don't know if it was Noro, or not but had to go to the Medical office for pills..

 

I even forgot to submit the Medical bill.. If & when it happens again I'll be sure to submit the bill..

 

Cheers..

Depends what polucy you pick. Ranges from nothing to per diem (can be fixed amount or days part of total fare+travel. Also there can be a max.) upto getting all expensis for full cruise fare and travel reimbursed (with criteria ranging from needing to be sick at least a min. amount of days upto one day out is enough).

On policies this getting full fare etc. back can be standard or an extra premium.

Be aware of the terms and conditions though! It can require a doctors note for instance to get coverage (after all, any fool can say theyve been sick when reality is something else).

Im lucky I guess on that departement. Im Dutch and our travel insurance options tend to be much better coverage for much more affordable rates and no rate increase or excluding of any pre exiting issues as ling as at time of booking you are fit to travel. I pay less than €1 more on my monthly rate (totalling €11 per month for yearlong coverage for all trips less than 120 days per trip, including all medical, travel, evac, cancellation, you name it,,all possible costs if something happens during a trip) to not get a per diem for sick days but a full refund. Having a syndrome that has caused many vacations to have resulted in hospitalisation or roombound, its a godssend. Have been able to repeat many trips this way.

Unfortunatly for those in for instance the US it cant be done this cheap but plenty of statebound friends have dealtvwith this at affordable (statewise) rates. Worth being aware of ALL of the details of a policy, rates and possible add ons or upgrades.

With regards to the original question? Nuts. This is one of those risks of life. You cant jyst always expect others to be responsible to smooth tgings over or compensate when life happens. Get insurance if you want to cover financial risks and get realistic. And debilitating???? Its no picknick but imho debilitating is a whole other level.

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Wondering if you guys can help me out here. I'm wondering if I were to go to front desk for cash foreign currency, it will get charged to my obc and if types of obc might make a difference?

Reason of asking; I've got a lot of obc on my next itinerary as a result of some issues previously. An amount I would normally never be able to charge on my own. However, that would totally be altered if I could use that obc towards cash foreign currency. I know, 3% and not best exchange rate but don't really care that much about that. That cash could be put to very good usage in paying for tour options. Options HAL wont be able to offer through shorex given my special needs.

Can I do this, or will this not be allowed? "Worst" case scenario I have the option to split the obc up on multiple cruises (I know, not standard but put those ducks in order when realising the amount offered would never be realistic for my style of spending or cruising), but if possible it would be so much easier to just apply it all in once and get some tour options in place that are very costly and not constantly keep track of obc's over time.

My experience is not the standard 200%, but it all depends on what itinerary one is looking at and can even come down to category stateroom etc.

For my 2 upcoming bookings I'm at 154% and 155% (fare+tax), the one last year was about 160% and some others I've looked at for this year and/or was booked on before my current bookings were all between 155% and 170%.

How you know? Not beforehand, you'll have to put in some energy. You wont know the solo price until pricing out. My personal pov? I don't care what percentage it is, I have a max. amount I am willing to pay per day for certain itinerary, category stateroom etc. If that fits; perfect. If not, not the itinerary for me. If that means not booking a 110% but booking a 200%, wouldn't be a deciding factor. Total price is much more important to me than theoretical percentages.

Pluto, after having seen the '12, '13 and '14 itineraries for the Rotterdam, I'ld expect odds to be very high itineraries for '15 to Norway and/or Northcape will be very simular to the current ones. They've moved around some ports on itineraries (so for instance port X moved from day 3 to 4 and vice versa for port Y), altered one port on a 7 night, and compared to '12 on the '14 itineraries they did a bit of a chair dance. The 2 7-night itineraries, let's say they were resp. ports A, B and C on itinerary 1 and D, E and F on itinerary 2 in '12. They altered it to A, B, D in '14 and C, E and F.

So a lot of consistency, even more so when looking at 14 nights when you come up with basically same ports but altered days. Be aware of some schedules having Geiranger, others having Skjolden. Both will be named the same, but depending on departure date that 7-nighter (or 14 night collector) will have one or the other. Something to be looking for if you have a big preference. For instance I had Skjolden on my june/july last year, this year it will be Geiranger and all other ports will be exactly the same (times in port are bit different for some).

For both '13 and '14 HAL have made some port alterations for some of the ms Rotterdam sailings, substituting one port for another. It happened on my booking, about month or 2 out? Know it happened to this years july sailing. My sailing has an alteration as in we now arrive into Alesund a day early at 23pm, overnight there and depart there at 3 pm, instead of earlier scheduled 8am-4pm. Always received a notice in the mail informing me of the alteration and a new schedule.

Loved the '13 itinerary I did. Only downside; we were in Oslo with too many ships imho. Wasn't scheduled, AIDA altered things while already on their way. Made for a too busy experience at for instance the Hoho bus. We were the first in port, so had a good headstart on the other ships passengers, though.

I'm also awaiting the '15 Rotterdam release, but don't expect it for a while. Shame, but on the other hand I wont be making more reservations until at least being on board so I can get me some more future cruise credits.

HAL will come with much more itineraries than just the Prinsendam. Pricewise; Prinsendam is one of the most expensive ships when looking for this area.

The Ms Rotterdam will be doing Norway again from Rotterdam (Netherlands), one can put money on that one. As known, 7 day itineraries, 14 day (combining 2 7 nights, but with different ports!!), a 14 night Northcape itinerary and the option of combining these with Baltics itinerary and likely something along the line of Ireland. Bonus of them alternating itineraries, so you can combine into longer cruises but with different ports.

When talking about the MS Rotterdam, Norway has been on schedule the last years from may to mid september, so very likely 2015 will turn out the same.

Looking at recent years, good odds are Ms Eurodam will also be doing some itineraries, departing from Copenhagen.

Can't help you out at ALL with general pricing, since HAL does apply regional pricing. To give you an idea;

- my 14 night collectors voyage last june/july ended up being around €2500,- for a cat HH solo

- had a 14 night northcape for this june booked, unfortunately had to reschedule but it was doing around €2550,- for a cat L solo

- moved to the aug/sept 14 night collectors voyage, at the moment scheduled at around €2800,- for a cat DD, solo. Havent seen real price drops here yet (the june and may ones have dropped already), so still hoping.

All of these are on the Ms Rotterdam. By far easiest option for me being Dutch and very limited in my mobility, but in comparing prices also lowest prices of all of the Norway itineraries on HAL when comparing just cruise fare and same type of category.

Celebrity; not out yet. Have kept an eye on their prices for 2013 and see things coming by in my mail for this year again. Significants drops seen lets say about this time of year for 2014, same time last year for 2013 etc. Pricing I did worked out cheaper for solo in a same type of category as on HAL. Only looked at the itineraries departing from Amsterdam. They also offer Norway departing from England, perhaps even more ports? Schedule simply isn't out yet but Norway is a 'set' option to be in there in some options. Downside I found; base price lower but hours in port more restricted compared to the Ms Rotterdam and itineraries were less attractive IMHO and when doing the math to a per day price, Celebrity turned out more expensive for me. Less itinerary options than HAL, but likes are very personal and one only needs 1 itinerary to fit their boxes to be the right line and ship.

Other options; MSC, from Amsterdam and perhaps other ports. Also AIDA offers Norway from Germany, being a German cruiseline. Both did not tickle my fancy, so no real insight into when tend to release, prices etc. Schedules were too negative for my personal likes.

For Norway I ended up going with HAL, as mentioned above. That was a combination of price, itinerary (both ports and times in ports). Touching wood not to jinx myself and to assure the issues I did have were a one off, but HAL and specifically ms Rotterdam are basically my "go to" now. Cruisewise, itinerarywise very very fitting my likes and tastes, but deciding factor in sticking and not venturing out? They can work with my special needs in a way that is above and beyond and makes a huge difference. Something that can't be expected as "the norm" when it comes to what they made/make work and I need, so jumping ship will come with leaving behind some features that have a huge positive influence on my cruise. Having said that, yes they tend to be more expensive but not too much for me. Also part of it I can sell to myself given the differences between the options departing within the Netherlands. Prinsendam however? WAY to expensive, result of demand and supply. Would love to do the Iceland itinerary but find the price mark up just because it is the Prinsendam not justified. Oh well. Norway aint a punishment by far. :-)

Did one last summer, will be repeating this august. On HAL they alternate itineraries, so you can easily add them up yet go to different ports. Genius! Many of these are offered as a combined itinerary, so for instance you can book a 7 day, or a 14 day which consists of two 7 days. Those combined itineraries are called collectors voyage. And here comes the good news; they are priced lower than you will pay if booking 2 seperate reservations for the 2 itineraries seperate. Some folks decide to book a collectors voyage for the price, some decide to book 2 seperate itineraries instead when not sure yet for instance if able to make it on both of them.

Why?

Very simple! For me 7 days is not worth all of the troubles. I got some medical issues that result in a almost literal moving house in stuff needing to be schlept along, loads of arrangements to be made ahead. I only cruise from ports in my own country, which results in more 7 day options than longer. When you combine my personal likes and dislikes, medical issues I need to take into consideration etc. many times you end up with 7 days. That's why I love the type of scheduling of HAL. They tick all my boxes, yet I can turn that 7 day into a 14 day with different ports or even 21, 28 etc days with different ports. Yes, it does mean one day spent back in embarkation port, but that is a bonus for me to. It's the hometown of my best friend, who in normal life I might easily not see irl for longer than a year due to the distances, health etc. Because of these itineraries I now have a day in her town, she blocks her agenda for me and HAL offers me the option to spend the day with her onboard. Perfect!!!!!

For this year I had planned on a 14 day itinerary to the Northcape (specific 14 day, so no collectors voyage). Unfort. some issues came up leading me to reschedule. For this trip Norway was a priority, as was at least 14 days, so ended up booking the 14 day collectors voyage. Almost the same as last year, but plenty still to do and see in port, but also less 'must see this' because I've been there and thus time to relax. These collectors voyages have so much benefits for my likes, wants and needs in cruising it was a nobrainer to do it again.

Do You Have to Do the Same Ship?

Same Cabin?

Yes and yes. Obviously, when remembering that huge schlepping of medical stuff. Even more obvious when you realise they have to change so much around in the stateroom it is almost literally remodelling. Changing ship or stateroom is too much of a pain.

What are the Benefits?

Discounts from Cruise Lines to Do It?

Depends per line and sometimes even per itinerary. With HAL when being able to book a B2B as a collectors voyage there are some benefits. Lower price is one of them. Getting a tote bag in a different style than normally handed out. Getting a free dinner at pinnacle grill (one of the premium restaurants), specialty lunch at turn around day, invitation to captains mingle etc. Reports have varied, some of those onboard perks seem to vary, personally had them all as did everybody I talked to about this that sailed the same ship.

Being able to reserve premium dining, entertainment, spa stuff, you name it for that 2nd itinerary onboard during that 1st itinerary long before your fellow sailers (or most anyway) are even onboard.

Other benefits; ship empty to 'myself' on turnaround day with no need to deal with reboarding, customs or alike (obviously depends on port authority)

Hi all!

Knowing there is some amazing knowledge on here, I'm hoping to get some more info and ideas on here. I'm booked for a 14-night Norwegian cruise in aug/sept. Have done almost the exact same route last june.

Odds are skyhigh that by then my new much needed powerchair will not be ready yet. One can always hope, but have learned to plan based on safety and make things enjoyable regardless. I'm pretty much bedridden nowadays. New chair wont be a magic cure-it-all but will eventually give me a range of mobility but simply put where on general you would see someone using such an aid while sitting, you'ld see me driving around while in a lying position (yet having the option to 'fold' to sit so still able to navigate tighter spots of ships). Would make for amazing mobility in ports, but as stated odds are not in my favor. Amazing pieces of equipment, but not something you can rent for instance.

Already pushed back from june to this cruise and from a new itinerary to a known one so I can also easily take off days without feeling I'm in a new port I haven't seen yet and 'must' get out. Pushing back to next 2015 season has been decided not an option given my healthsituation being progressive, having no clue if cruising will be an option by then and travel being a huge part for me of quality of life. So cruising we will go, come new powerchair or not. :p

I will be taking a long a caregiver, which does provide me with new options as opposed to the solo cruising I've been doing so far. For instance the option to rent a car in a port and get out on our own with her driving and me creating a make-shift lie down facility in the back. And that's where CC comes into the picture! I'ld love to hear your experiences with the different ports and making your own tours through car rental. Tips, tricks etc. as to car rental in ports are very welcome. Same as with must do, must see etc. And for those who love a creative challenge; any views or even experiences about doing the ports in a way that facilitates lying down with proper support is also welcome.

The schedule is as follows;

Monday; Oslo 8am-5pm

Thuesday; Kristiansand 8am-5pm

wednesday; Stavanger 8am-4pm

Thursday; Flam 7am-4pm

Monday; Bergen 8am-4pm

Thuesday; Geiranger 8am-5pm

Thusday arrive at Alesund at 11 pm

Wednesday; Alesund until 3 pm

Thursday; Eidfjord 10am-6pm

Last summer still had a bit more mobility options (read; could sit a bit longer) and did most ports on my own by rolling around, using HOHO busses etc. Flam ended up indeed being tendered, so planned sea day. Ended up missing Eidfjord due to a small accident the day before. Did a waterfalls&waffles tour through HAL shorex in Stavanger, which I ended up able to due lying down expect for the quick dash from the ms Rotterdam to the tour boat docked right in front of her. Was rather impressed with the options HAL Shorex ended up being able to offer. Obviously "no options" as official answer before the cruise, but once onboard shorex managed to put together quite a list of things they could tweak or make due after calling each and every tour operator about it. Which for instance resulted in the tour in Stavanger.

I will drop by them again on this cruise, you never know what they might be able to come up with. I know they'll be offering private tour options in multiple ports, but for just the 2 of us those prices are too steep. For now I'm planning on having to make due with what I can research and/or arrange online prior to departure and see any possible shorex option as a bonus choice.

Combining the fact I've seen about almost all of the ports itself on the previous cruise, my altered abilities and having a caregiver along who can drive, I reckon this might be a perfect timing to get out of the port and go explore some surrounding nature, parks, fjords and/or plateaus through car rental in some of the ports.

Which are not to be missed? What might be great options to explore where you can get in much of the experience by car. Obviously I will be missing certain views etc. that one can enjoy when able to walk up to location X. So be it. But having seen a bit of Norway, I suspect there will be some amazing things out there to enjoy while driving already. If need be, let's say for the once in a lifetime, depending on type of day, I might be able to through in another transfer from car to manual chair for a few minutes to get where the car wont be able to go or for instance make the move from car to another location where I can lie down and enjoy a must-see. The day itself will dictate those, but it would be great to know when to keep in mind it might be worthwhile to do when having the stamina and ability to do so.

Long story short; let's here all about your experiences with exploring these ports through car rental.

Thanks. :) Not a huge deal for me. Mine is only peanuts and only if I directly ingest them (and so far just itching and wheezing as a result, so I can thus far get by with only Benadryl - the blood test was negative, but I know what I've experienced), so those are pretty easily avoided. I'm just spoiled to Disney (cruiseline AND parks) being hyper wonderful about allergies, so it was kind of surprising. :)

Very used to what we in the family call 'the Disney way'. Let's just suffice to say that they saved more than one trip, literally were part of saving my life and made some amazing friends for life. I get the being spoiled and I was beyond spoiled rotten within their normal level of customer care.

Can only speak of experience on the ms Rotterdam with HAL, but when it comes to diets for health reasons in one word? Perfect. My diet is restricting in both timing, type of food, preparation but even more so it's unpredictability (what I can consume can and does change per day or even hour) and get more restriction through other medical stuff and some allergies and intolerances.

On a recent 14 night ate at the main dining room as little as twice, once a collectors voyage rijsttafel lunch and a diner. Rest all ended up being the Lido buffet, ended up fitting my needs and want best. All dining facilities could deal with my diet, no biggie.

Did take me being communicative about it but that's just common sense imho. Loads of curb balls along the way as part of my diet issues, but nothing that even made anyone blink. Instead it was taken as a positive challenge. In altering menu actually the Lido ended up being more flexible, but suspect that highly having to do with them having to be more flexible to begin with. Where known I would let main dining room know about alterations needed within 24 min 12 hours out (apart from them having the general info already) for that days menu, which you confirm again when dining. Lido; no such thing and yet food would be done much faster at Lido. Some moments did end up in chefs making something up off menu, which was no problem as long as supplies were available in one of the kitchens.

I did eat around peak moments though, where possible. Simply common sense for my diet and other needs.

The constant curb balls in my diet/health is a constant challenge for even medical professionals, to such an extent many have gone "just give up that last part of consuming you still do and go on 100% tube feeding". No thank you, if not needed. I obviously have my back up supplies with me on a cruise so I can up my tube feedings where need be, but no curb ball was too challenging for the chefs. As all crew servers and chefs out in the Lido very quickly get to know the routines, likes etc of their guests and they seem to be a bit more on top of it even when it comes to a nice change to their daily work. Within no time I would have chefs and 2 particular servers on the look out for me, already armed with the knowledge what my options where that moment on menu, knowing what they could fall back on off menu and soon being able to identify small signs which would tell them what type of day I had before even speaking. The more the cruise went on, the more they started coming up with options based upon earlier things I loved. I ended up gaining weight that cruise, a whole pound. Any vacation resulting in a leveled weight is already big, so you can imagine how this one went over. :D Or to put it in WDW terms; I usually loose a couple of pounds there.

Personal taste results in me liking DCL's buffet and dining rooms (incl. rotation, only dislike no free dining) a bit more than HAL's, but that really is based on taste. Both have been excellent in not only dealing with my dietary and health requirements but going beyond that.

Thanks for the reply. Heads up, categories are changed per may. Quite a lot of the non suite access. staterooms have had a cat. change. Some H to G, E to G etc. The inside K is then a J. Is my favorite given it's square lay out and when booking >year out always go for it. Got it for my holiday cruise. Norway is another subject all together. A "care" tour operator booked all access. insides on ALL sailings to Norway on the Rotterdam. Got some kind of deal where they get first dibbs and now closer to sailings, those not booked are released back into inventory. So you'ld have to pay a gambling game to either get those or luck out since going through operator is stupid imho (price skyrockets, worse conditions etc)

I am/was in a not too great position to begin with having to switch dates at this time, so it's taking whatever is left. Sure enough, the J's are booked for except for one week of the 2 one of those is left. Not a real great option to move halfway through given the amount of medical stuff I need and needing some time to set up.

I know E is about same size as regular E, DD, C etc. Also learned from agent that deckplans can be a bit giving not fully correct image. Had an agent yesterday who actually got the sqaure ft for me per accessible stateroom left in the oceanviews. For instance on the map 2704 looks the same size, right? Turns out it is smaller. Having the actual sizes does help a lot to paint a picture.

Also look at 1806/07, they are drawn in as a square, but actually have the bathroom stick "out" into the 04/05 (which is properly portrayed in the lay out of the stateroom itself).

I know if need be we can make it work where need be, did so last year with an HH. Did take a big remodel of the room (read remove items, move etc), but that made the difference from needing to get into and out of bed at the feet of the bed or being able to set my powerchair right next to the bed.

I can understand the friends having difficulty. Obviously just me, I wouldn't be surprised getting into the situation there would be difficulty combining 2 scooters into one stateroom. The turning radius and size will make it an issue many times with even just one in there if wanting/needing to use it to move about the stateroom. It's a nice bonus to find it not being so every once in a while, but wouldn't expect that given the caracteristics of scooters and sizes of staterooms.

By the way there are bigger than 2554/55, but the price was also according to it, as to be expected with Disney. Their staterooms are bigger to begin with on the whole. Some access. staterooms are within that .... let's say norm, but their are those the size of a party hall. To add to that we had a wrap around balcony, literally half the aft deck and deep. You could seriously loose people out there. Downside; no automatic opener, so does require lot of strength to get out there unassisted.

Back to this sailing, am in the process of having a lanai assigned. Has to go through Seattle again, all acc. staterooms are standard assigned to the 7 day sailings, not the 14 day. No biggie. One was still available for both. Unfortunately not the one with automated door opener, but with care provider with me on this sailing guess that'll have to be her job than. We'll have to do some serious math to make the price work, but figured the added space for care and aids, full outside view and easy access to promenade deck might be worth it. Odds are such that I might very well still be without my new chair on that sailing. Being almost fully bedridden and risking still being without my mobility aid that works within those limitations, the bigger view and direct access to the promenade deck might make a huge difference in cruise enjoyment. Guess I'ld rather bite a financial painfull bullit and have more options to fall back on to still enjoy the gorgious place that is Norway.

Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger do have accessible hoho busses. Found all 3 very easy to navigate. Same with Alesund (church's accessible through side door).

Flam deoends in tendering or not and personal (un)abilities in tendering since celebrity doesnt offer fully accessible tendering. Train itself is accessible, more details search via my name.

Cant comment on shorex options through celebrity as I did these ports with HAL. While officially no options, were able to get quite a load of options in excursions once aboard, eventhough at that moment looking at fully powerchair dependant and max. sitting time of 30 minutes. There are accessible busses, boats etc but it all depends on the tour operators contracted and them and shorex willing or not to go the extra mile or not (for instance shorex calling round to arrange bus etc). All of the options hal came up with were pure going the extra mile, incl switching round boats etc to fit my desired tour times. Did most on my own, but lots of options.

With regards to hoho: the get crowded!!! Oslo for instance can have too many ships to fit comfy. Not all busses are accessible or all equipement always works so allow extra traveltime!!! Having said that, very easy option to mive about and see a lot.

Out and about and think you are "stuck"? Look around for a sec. Many times you arent stuck but need to take another path to avoid stairs or use streets with less steep angles to get to your destination.

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