bobbisailsolo

yes farmer.  i agree about acl being pricey. and probably boring, from what i’ve seen.  i was really thinking european waterways.  

Does anyone know of the best river cruises for solo travelers?  where the single supplement isn’t 100%?

One my last day here on the Midnatsol. We saw the lights 3 nights. But just so you are not misled, to the human eye the lights are just a cloudy gray color. The colors only show up on your photos. We were discussing last night whether we would have gone, knowing they were not green, as you see in the photos. I enjoyed the cruise very much, and Im glad I came, but not sure I would have booked it if not for all the photos showing beautiful green lights..

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So glad your trip is going so well already! Which of the Hurtigruten voyages is it that you're doing? I've just starting doing my research on taking a trip with them so still in the early stages of investigating so I'm hoping to learn some useful information from reading your comments.

Stay warm!

I'm doing the classic 12 day. It's very special I think going in the winter months. No tourists, seeing towns and people is a more natural setting. Very peaceful. The first few days went slowly, then everything excellerated... Excursions, north cape, lights!

Dog sledding in Tromso was one of the best excursions I've ever been on! So much fun! And the Viking feast was very well done. Today, the north cape!

I think going to Kirkenes and getting off would probably have been a good option. If I were to go again, I think I might arrive in Oslo. Spend a night... Then do Norway in a nutshell to Bergen, spend a couple of nights.. Cruise to Kirkenes... Stay at snow hotel. Then fly home. But we'll see. I'm only half way thru! Feel free to ask any question.

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So happy for you Bobbi! I hope it continues to be as good!

When you pass MS Finnmarken on your way back (I think it is before you arrive back in Tromso), wave in her direction, I will be on board!

Did you see NL yet?

Will do! Yes! A good showing last night out of Tromso! Amazing.

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Awesome trip! Awesome people, new friends, new experiences. I am really enjoying this voyage!

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Trondheim today! Mild weather. About 36 degrees. So glad I took my down vest. I was able to wear it with a base layer and sweater and was very comfortable! My parka would have been to warm! The sidewalks were icy in spot, but they have gravel over it, so you can manage without clamp-ons. But you do need to be careful.. As the temps rose, the ice became more slippery.

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Just an update..Temps today are mild in Bergen. I have to shed some layers. No gloves, hat or boots required. But still need a warm coat.

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Oh! Also glad I brought heavy ski/snow pants. Though they are not attractive, I absolutely do plan on putting them on if I'm going out on deck for any period of time . I'd rather be warm and comfortable than stylish.

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So, I'm here in Bergen. It is cold and windy. My thin gloves are not warm enough. Tomorrow I will wear heavier ones. My feet are staying warm in my boots. I will be wearing a heavy weight thermal base layer under my sweater and pants.. My parka is keeping me warm, though I think I stand out a bit because it is bright red. I didn't wear a hat today, and I needed it. I assume it will be even colder on the deck of the ship, so I am glad for all the layers I took. Hope rhapsody sees my post! Also though the town is free of snow, up on top of Mt Floyen it was all ice. I didn't venture out on it much for fear of slipping. I am glad I brought clamp-ons for my boots. I will probably wear them when in port further north.

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No!!! I appreciate the advice! I'm going to try and eliminate some stuff. I still will take the snow pants tho incase of wet snow. I wore them earlier shoveling snow and they kept me so nice and warm and dry! I'm going to eliminate a pair of black pants cause I can just use my heavy base layer like leggings. And I know which sweater I'll leave out too! That's a start! I always over pack!

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Yes, I think you're good. I know that you will be given ski suits for the dog sledging and I think (but not completely sure) you will be given shoes, so maybe you will not use the second pair so much, but it is sensible to take 2 pairs of shoes I think. It's a pity though that you can't take one pair on your feet on the plane because they will add a lot of bulk and weight to your suitcase... Can't you just take your shoes off in the plane? But we each manage the best we can, so do what you feel is right for you.

Actually I'm reading your message again and maybe that is what you are planning to do? Wear the boots on boarding and get the slippers on in the plane?

Either way. I'm afraid my feet will swell up and I won't get the boots back on.. Lol. So I'm going to wear the boots to board, then switch to the others. The slipper/boots can be worn outdoors if the streets are reasonably dry..

So I'm packing 4 sweaters.. 3 hoodies which I'll wear on board. 5 pair of pants to get me thru 14 days including flights. One hat, one balaclava , wool glove liners, heavy gloves, and a "turtle" scarf for my neck. I have 3 sets of base layers, different weights. Which I can layer depending on the cold. My pants will fit over 2 layers. I have a pair of real snow pants if it's really really cold or sleeting. I looked at soft shell pants to take, but really don't want to spend any more money. I have Yaktraks for my boots, trekking poles( as im prone to fall) and a pair of goggles, just in case that will fit over my glasses. Luckily I'm very "natural" so no need for hair dryers and make up and that kind of stuff. Lol.

And I have a waterproof down parka. Hopefully it won't be too warm. I guess I should bring a raincoat if it's not so cold that I can just wear over a hoodie or sweater...??? I will leave the umbrella at home as the wind would probably just break it. Think I'll leave the binoculars at home as I'm not expecting to see much wild life. I will try to fit my camera into my carry on without a case... To save space. I have one carry on spinner, and one medium spinner. I think I can manage both since the weight is split up.., rather than one huge bag I can't lift.

Am I missing anything? Can't imagine !!!!!

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I'm taking these to wear indoors and walking about town. They are waterproof and wool lined

http://www.uggaustralia.com/women-cold-weather-boots/simmens/1005269.html?dwvar_1005269_color=BLK#start=8&cgid=women-boots

And I'm taking these for north cape and dog sledding.

http://www.uggaustralia.com/women-cold-weather-boots/ostrander/1008125.html?dwvar_1008125_color=STT#prefn1=material&prefv1=Waterproof&start=12&cgid=women-boots

And I'll take a pair of ugg slipper/shoes for the plane. I can't sit in boots for 7 hours.

Sound about right?

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Re-evaluating my packing. Lol. Thanks Rhapsody for starting this thread. I've been on here over a year planning. You'd think I'd have it all sorted out by now... Lol

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Did you all need to wear boots while on deck???

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Thank you all for the details!

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You can have a look at the other discussions here because it is a question that comes up often.

Basically, mid-march is still winter, particularly in the North. So you need warm clothes, but not necessarily ski outfits (you will be given a ski suit for the dogsled excursion so you don't need to pack for this in particular).

I have been 6 times with Hurtigruten (4 in winter) and I like to spend a lot of time outside on the deck. The key is to bring clothes you can layer (thermal underwear, fleece shirt/jacket...) and an outer layer that need to be windproof (very important) and waterproof. And then you can layer accordingly to the daily conditions. For the bottom I have just thermal long underwear, and a regular trouser (blue jeans, usually), and for the top thermal underwear, fleece jacket (sometimes a lighter fleece in between) and my jacket on top, which has been a sailing jacket at some point (works well) and a windproof winter coat at some other point. If you have a ski jacket it can work also, but I'm not sure ski pants are necessary.

For the shoes I have most of the time waterproof hiking shoes. I bring along a pair of snow boots as a spare but I seldom use them. Ice-gripping soles (which you can slip on top of your shoes) can be handy in towns where the sidewalk can be icy.

 

Here is a link to the trip I have done in March 2012 to give you an idea of the conditions (the text is in French and English) : http://voyageterremer.blogspot.fr/2012/03/oslo-bergen-en-train-pour-changer.html

Sarnia... What did you wear to visit the north cape? Was it really cold there? I tend to get cold easily so two layers may not be enough for me. Someone else had suggested ski pants. Should I leave them at home? I hate packing!!!! Lol

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Totally concur with what has been said. I am just recently back from my trip on the Nordnorge (my review with some pictures has just been posted). My friend and I took too many warm clothes. You do need to layer up as stated. the Norwegians swear by wool within their layers, but the ship itself is very warm and comfortable. Hand and feet warmers can be useful as if the Northern Lights show you may be stood agog for a long time when you can get cold. We did the dog sledding in Tromso and enjoyed it so much - I am sure you will love it. We came off at Kirkenes but would have loved to stay on for the return. We saw the lights as we left the Lofeten Islands (Northbound) - they can appear any time but the clouds are a very big factor. Leave your intercom on so you will hear when the lights are visible - the best showing for us was at 2.30 in the morning.

 

We found out by chance that if another Hurtigruten ship is in the same port for any length of time you are welcome to visit.

 

Have a wonderful time.

Hi! I leave in about a week. You say you took too many warm clothes? Are you saying you were too warm on the ship? Or too warm outside? Can you elaborate a bit. I do feel like I'm packing too much!!!

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I haven't seen any answers on this thread for a while now. Perhaps you should post some of these questions on trip advisor.

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I assume you are sailing out of Bergen? We plan to walk to the ship from our hotel.

Not sure how practical that would be for me walking alone... Looks to be about a 10 minute walk from my hotel. Rather than taking one very large bag, I decided to take one medium and 1 carry on, both on wheels. I think it would be a difficult walk with the two bags...

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Hi All!!

2 more weeks and I'm on my way! Everyone has been so helpful in planning this trip. Now, I'm just wondering what the boarding process is like. As a solo traveler, I always find things go smoother if I know what to expect. I Assume my check out time at the hotel is around 11am, and I can leave my luggage there till I'm ready to take it to the terminal. Even with mild weather I it's too far to walk?

Also, i think I recall someone saying (but I can't find it now) they no longer do the free mug with the coffee package. So that means you just use a fresh on cup every time? I can't even find anything on the website a coffee package is even offered!!! Wonder if I be able to sneak my shot of bailey's into my coffee... Lol

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Great info Carol! Meant to respond and thank you sooner, but I see I didn't send my reply. It was still sitting here... Lol. My dogs sledding is in Tromso. I don't see the Kirkenes offered so it may be sold out. Two weeks to go for me! Can't wait!

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Good point!!! I think mine is in the afternoon... Daylight.. Tromso going northbound.. Looks like we dock at 230 and depart at 630.., sunset looks to be around 5:15pm.

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i have to have my glasses on at all times if i want to see anything at all. too late to get new prescription sunglasses.. should have thought about this earlier. Maybe Ill just pick up a pair OTG goggles and if i don't need them, I can return them. Ive noticed my glasses do fog up with the balaclava on, so it might be a good idea. Thanks for the tip about the yellow snow.... would have never thought about that...lol

thinking i may look like I'm an alien when dressed in full gear..!!! but at least ill be warm.

I know this is an old thread, but just wondering, do I need goggles for the dog sledding?????

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