Smbruner

Today we went to the Snow Hotel. It was very cold 9 degrees in Kirkenes but with wind etc my phone said it was like -5! The worse thing was I had to take off my gloves to take pictures with my iPhone. Not fun.

The “tour” was of the reindeer the dog sled dogs and then the Snow Hotel. Very nice tour and very informative. I’ve seen hotels like this on the Travel Channel so it was fun to see for myself. We got to see the “ice bar” which is very cool as well as the empty guest rooms. Each guest room has a theme that is carved in the wall.

After a bit we could use the facilities and then go upstairs for a sausage snack and warm drink.

My husband and I went back downstairs and went back through the rooms to take photos of each one before exiting with no crowds. The rest of the group walked in the outside from the snack area so they didn’t have the same opportunity as us.

If you have no other plans in Kirkenes do this tour, my husband wasn’t keen on it at first but really enjoyed it. We didn’t sign up for this one until on board and the just yesterday.

By the way, the beds on board are very comfortable. And the internet is fantastic. Being dark at 3:00 it’s hard to not take a nap every afternoon.

On our return now, let me know if you have any questions.

I’m not sure, but I believe that Hurtigruten sells plastic type crampons. I think the ones that have small spikes or with the spring type grabbers would be fine. You just need something that will grab the ice.

We just retuned from the North Cape, I highly recommend this excursion. Beautiful scenery on the way there and back 45 minute bus ride each way, but amazing.

Tips:

Sit on the same side of the bus going and coming to see everything. English speaking bus made it a delight. Great driver and although they don’t expect tips we tipped the driver and guide at the end and it was definitely appreciated (only $5 each)

Tour the visitor center and don’t miss the free movie. Only 15 minutes long but absolutely beautiful and so worth seeing.

If you will be up here in the winter or maybe even early spring bring crampons to go around your boots so you won’t slip on the ice. Get them from Amazon and bring with you - the shop on board sells the $13 crampons for over $25 which I would’ve bought but they sold out of all sizes but men’s large the first day! There is lots of ice in the parking lot that surround the ship at each port which is hard to avoid.

We saw the light last night about 11 pm! You must leave your phone in the Northern Lights Info ON so you can hear the announcements in your room. It was a very clear night (finally).

“They” day we should have even better lights tonight.

Off soon to go to the Cape.

It is cold! 27 degrees but with wind feels like 15 so my phone says.

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Thanks so much for an "on the spot" report.

I hope that the seas give you a break soon!

 

One suggestion, in case it is relevant... we understand that there is a dinner menu posted somewhere around mid-day, and if you don't like the selection, they'll work with you about an alternate choice. (No idea if it's a "fixed" alternate, or if one gets any choice.) But if you don't quite care for something, you might try to find out where that is posted, and who you should speak with.

Have you tried the specialty restaurant at all?

 

I think you're on one of their newest ships, perhaps "the newest"?

 

And we very much appreciate the info about the warm indoor temps. We'll be on a dfferent ship next month, but just in case, we'll now bring along a few warmer-weather tops than we had planned. I doubt those would have been high on the priority packing list!

 

If you take any excursions, reports would be wonderful.

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of the cruise!

 

Thanks again!

 

GC

We don’t have a speciality restaurant but a cafe we can order a sandwich or burger from at additional charges. The food is not critical but I did want others to know how it works.

Some of the other guests agree that they keep the public interior areas too warm.

We’re in Tromsø now and just returned from the dog sled. It was very fun and well organized. The scenery was beautiful- I highly recommend it.

I forgot to add. Beer or a glass of not so fancy wine is about $13 USD each.

And the bar doesn’t open until 11:00 AM and to get ice in your room you take the bucket to any bartender.

We are on our cruise now (Spitsbergen) and so far here are my thoughts and advice of those coming after me. For packing and expectations.

Don’t get me wrong it’s a beautiful cruise, no lights yet -but we’re hopeful.

They keep the ship VERY warm. I wish I would’ve packed more short sleeve shirts to wear when inside the ship as well as slip on shoes to so I don’t have to tie up my safari shoes each time we go for a meal or a lecture and not going outside. I did see one girl in a short casual dress and flip flops at dinner once. I’m from Southern California and I don’t do cold but it’s down right hot everywhere on the ship. You can control your own room temperature though.

They do provide tap water at dinner but they can be very stingy with it so I’ve resorted to bringing a bottle I refill from our bathroom each night. The tap water is fine.

Food is a bit salty to my liking and definitely not as hot as I like it (I don’t like cool food when it’s supposed to be served hot). I’m sure I won’t starve by any means.

Breakfast and lunch is buffet, dinner is assigned sitting at either (6:30 or 8:15) with lots of tables for 2. Whatever is being served for dinner you get, no substitutes (I don’t know about prior arrangements like food allergies).

Some seas are very rough, we got sea sick when the north and south Norway seas met. And could hardly walk in our room or dining room. We’re in the very back of the ship so I’m sure that contributed to it. We bought the wristbands which helps but didn’t bring enough sea sick medicine and they don’t sell it onboard.

Now I look to see when we’re at sea the shortest each day or when in port so I can shower then and not be tossed around.

They don’t provide laundry service but have a laundromat on board (only 3 sets of machines) but they are free and soap is dispensed automatically.

They do not scan your luggage or hand luggage if you get my suggestion.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will post a complete trip report upon our return but wanted to help out those packing now.

We are sailing September 2018 - London to Barcelona. I asked about flying from Madrid about a week after our cruise and the most direct flights.

The deviation was $1300 for both of us to fly home from Madrid 7 days after the end of the cruise - we'll take the train from Barcelona to Madrid on our own.

They charged us the $175 (i think) pp and the difference in the air fare.

Tennis shoes should be fine the hubbie will want collar on shirt

 

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Thank you!

I forgot to add - we're on the Spitsbergen - sailing on Feb. 6 - thanks again!

We're good on the cold weather stuff but wondering what does everyone wear to dinner?

Do I need to bring anything "nicer" and does my husband need polo shirts or shirts with a collar?

And, can I wear my brown tennis shoes to dinner?

Thanks so much - we leave TOMORROW!

So, am I to understand we can't get free water even with our meals?

That is too bad. Why did they cancel and why couldn’t they notify people? I can understand why you were so disappointed.

They said that they were refitting the screw on the Midnatsol (the ship we were to be on) for a future cruise to Antartica for that summer. And it wasn't fitting correctly. We were supposed to sail in January. It was a big mess.

They had 3 women in the basement of the hotel trying to rearrange people to other ships and you had absolutely no say in the category you would end up in. And they said that you would join a cruise that had already began with no compensation for the loss days. I guess they were flying people to the ships or by train.

The 3 women were just writing information on paper and the lines were horrendous. No computers and one lady had no way if the other 2 had already given up the rooms on a different ship or not. Very unorganized. So, I called the airline and arranged to change our flight home myself. Then once home I had to go through all of the paperwork to request my refund for my miles, change fees, taxi's to airport etc. They wouldn't pay for loss wages of the days gone since we didn't get our vacation and wouldn't reimburse for the winter clothing we purchased even though we live in Southern California.

We had paid for a full suite so we weren't going to then go into a room where we were in bunks.

When we got home there was a message from Hurtigruten saying "please return our call" - it was left on the day we were to board the ship! We obviously had to be there way before that.

So, we're giving them another chance Fingers crossed they don't mess up this one!

If whatever’s you are charging is 110/220 compatible, you won’t need a converter but you will need an adapter. It would be the 2 round prong one.

 

Hopefully you make it this time because it was a wonderful trip. When your cruise was canceled, we’re you still able to make a vacation of it?

Thank you for the information on adaptors.

Unfortunately we had packed to be on the ship for a week so we weren’t prepared to then travel someplace else. We basically traveled to Bergen were there 3 nights and then flew to London Airport Hilton for one night and then flew back to Los Angeles. I just cried and cried from the disappointment!

One couple had flown from Australia for their honeymoon cruise only to have to go back home. I felt so bad for them, a honeymoon is a one time thing.

It was very disappointing. Hurtigruten did pay our travel expenses (I had used all my miles for first class flights -they gave me $$ to buy the miles back) and 25% off this upcoming cruise.

I’m not leaving the US this time until I call and verify that the ship will be a “go”!

My husband and I will be sailing on Feb 6, 2018 on the Spitsbergen (from the USA) - do we need electric converters for the cabin? I'm just hoping THIS cruise goes off. In 2016 we flew to Bergen only to be told that our entire cruise was cancelled. I'm hoping this one won't be the bust we had before. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Our cruise begins in Southampton, UK and I'm wondering if we fly into Southampton or if we fly into Heathrow?

It also includes one night accommodation - would that be in Southampton or London? Thanks for any information on this.

On the PG now and there is a small clock in the room.

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I've been on 2 Oceania cruises, both times in a penthouse suite. But the main observation we had was: smaller ship 660 passengers as opposed to 3,000+. No additional charge for speciality restaurant. When you get off in port they hand you bottled water (no charge). When in port you can bring back on board any alcohol you would consume in your room, no problem. We brought back local beers as well as Vodka. Just a very nice atmosphere. I'd book with Oceania again in a heartbeat!

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Yes bring your clock. The only place that I have seen the time was on the cabin phone.

Thank you for replying so quickly - I'll bring my small travel clock.

Can anyone please tell me if there are any clocks in the staterooms?

I know I can use my phone but sometimes I like to just look across the room at a lighted clock in the middle of the night.

Do I need to bring my travel clock?

Thanks so much - flying out in 3 days and trying to figure out what to take.

Great! Thanks so much for the speedy and perfect response, we were thinking probably Tommy Bahamas :-)

 

 

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What about pants for the men? My husband likes to wear his nice black jeans but I think he'd be too hot. Any suggestions?

Thanks

There is no PG motu on Moorea...just one in Tahaa and one in Bora Bora. On Moorea i would suggest a visit to Temae Beach but arrange a pick up with a taxi or you will be left without transport.

Thank you so much - this is very helpful. I did read that on Bora Bora the beach that PG will tender to each house has no bathroom facilities - which shouldn't be a problem (hopefully). Do you know if there are bathroom facilities on the Tahaa beach?

Thanks again - this gives me a lot to think about the plan further.

Susan

So am I to understand that PG has a free Motu beach on both Bora Bora and Moorea that we can visit on either of the 2 days we are there?

And, isn't there also a PG private island on Taha that we can go to for free?

Thanks again for your information - I did go to the vendor's site but it never allowed me to the "contact" page.

Bora Bora

Woke up to the perfect day in Bora Bora and happy to embark on my first Raanui excursion a half day excursion of sharks and rays, snorkelling, circumnavigation and a visit to a motu.

The excursion started with the search for manta and all were exhilarated to watch their graceful glide. I don't snorkel but from what i understand it was a wonderful experience. There followed the shark and ray feeding with frenzied sharks churning up the water and rays flapping around. Quite an experience.Next was snorkelling in a coral garden including the sighting of a very large and slippery moray eel which was once more much enjoyed by all followed by the circumnavigation of the island. This is a great tour as you the see wonderful colours of the lagoon and get to view the luxury resorts in the lagoon. It is also great to see the ever changing Mount Otemanu in all its majesty. We finally visited the Motu Tapu where the Conrad brings its guests as well it is the Motu used by Windstar. Its a very nice and large motu with a shallow side but no view to speak of.

The afternoon was spent wallowing in the Crystal clear water of the Bora Bora Motu. The water temperature was perfect and the view wonderful as usual. Efren was on duty dispensing drinks.

We had a full evening as well with a private cocktail party, dinner at Le Grill and the White night Party. For the last, the ship brought a wonderful band from Tahiti. Unfortunately the deck party got rained on but i heard the party shifted to La Palette and lasted until 2 am.

Can you please explain what was the Bora Bora "Raanui excursion"? And if we don't book the excursion "A Day at the Beach" for $138/pp then is there any other beach option that PG offers at no charge? Thanks for explaining - having never been on PG I'm not understanding what beach activities are included with PG and which we need to book before. The "Motu beach terms have my head spinning"!

Thanks again - Susan

Day 2 at Motu Mahana

The second day had fabulous weather, sunny with a lovely breeze, great food and all in all a wonderful day. Those who had enjoyed the dancing the night before trickled in but we were on the first tender. The water was perfect.

Bought some great vanilla powder and paste from the motu but didn't fancy anything else.

A number of people did the coral garden snorkelling and enjoyed it.

Cannot remember what the show was that evening....i think it was a Magic Show . We were tired and went to bed early.

Thank you again for your detailed trip report. Can you please tell me if we should get XPF - Tahiti $$ or if the locals will take USD for buying small things like vanilla etc? Thanks again!