daliflor

Has anyone received a specialty dining credit (dinner for 2) from TA and used it towards the combined dining option (3 restaurant) and paid the difference?

 

Not sure how the dining credit is actually applied (does it state dinner for 2 only) or just dining or just plain on-board credit?

As the previous post mentioned and per the paper voucher that you should have received from your TA (see copy attached for reference), it's ONLY for dining in the specialty restaurant aboard the specific ship/ sailing (2 ppl, cover fee and gratuities included) and reservations CAN'T be made online or prior to actually boarding that ship.

IF you do not use it, you loose it - no substitutes are available and typically can't be transferred because the specialty restaurant (i.e. Portofino or Chops) has a MEMO with ALL cabins entitled to this complimentary dinner for 2 people.

It's always recommended (and helpful) to read the SMALL print on the voucher for terms and conditions.

2013 New Dinner Voucher.pdf

Really enjoyed your posts!!! Can't wait to visit NO in April!!!

 

Cresent City looks great...will put it on my "for sure" list.

Thank you kindly for the positive feedback!

I am confident tat you'll create wonderful memories in this fantastic city!

We've seen this particular video before our recent Fjords cruise aboard the "Vision of the Seas."

Today, we came across another inspiring VIDEO of our own Fjords cruise (from Copenhagen, 7 nights to Norway)

staring a wonderful Canadian couple... and with more emphasis on the ports of call visited

(5 of them: Kristiansand, Stavanger, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen)

than on the cruise ship itself.

We remember this beautiful couple from the Gym : - ))

If you took the Pulpit Rock cruise in Stavanger... or rented a car in Alesund...

or took the morning (9:30am) bus to Mt. Dalsnibba in Geiranger... or the funicular in Bergen...

or simply been on a Fjords cruise aboard the "Vision of the Seas" (or any other cruise sip for this matter)-- you will enjoy this review:

The Zoo @ Kristiansand is a popular attraction and can be EASILY done on your own!

Kristiansand Dyrepark/ Zoo, Certificate of Excellence 2013 - www.dyreparken.no

During the SUMMER season, one will need to get into the 01 or M1 bus at the Bus Terminal close to the Pier

(those buses are running every 15 min) and get off at the Quality Inn stop (20-30 min ride).

Bus ticket price is 38 NOK each way.

However, on our day in this port of call - a Sunday in September 2013 -

those options are OUT as none of the two buses will be operating that day.

Do not give up!

There IS a bus that can take you directly to the Zoo - TIMEkspressen operates on weekends –

please see link below for details/ schedule:

http://www.nettbuss.no/rutetilbud/ekspressbuss/timekspressen/linje-5-arendal--kristiansand#close

Note that the starting point for this bus is Kristiansand –

TIMEkspressen bus departs from Rutebilstasjonen (which is the bus station).

Entrance cost to Dyrepark (zoo only, NOT including the Water park) is 299 NOK/adult during the summer season.

However, starting September 2nd 2013, the admission fee will be only 189 NOK/adult

(Zoo only rather than the "combo package" with the water park that's more expensive):

http://www.dyreparken.no/tiderogpriser/

An interesting place to visit for foreign visitors is the Nordisk villmark (Nordic wildlife) where you walk on

elevated walkways around the moose, wolves, lynx and wolverines.

The zoo has presentations done daily in the different sections

(lions at 12:15 and the Nordic wildlife at 1:00 p.m. to name a few).

It is worth checking the timings of the presentations to make the most of your day there.

The presentations may only be in Norwegian, so you might want to check that directly at the zoo.

If you are planning more than 2 bus trips while in this port of call, please consider buying the 24 hour ticket (http://www.akt.no/english) –

for 100 NOK the ticket allows you to travel unlimited ONLY around the Kristiansand region

within a 24 hour range from when the ticket is validated.

The ticket may be purchased on the bus, at the customer service center or in the online shop.

However, this "day pass" can NOT be used to get you to Lillesand by bus!

Domkirka - http://kristiansanddomkirke.no/

The cathedral in Kristiansand is not open for guided tours on Sundays (because there are services performed inside).

However, the Oddernes Church may possibly receive visitors if scheduled first.

So feel free to contact them directly and check - if interested:

oddernes.menighet@kristiansand.kommune.no

Kristiansand is a neat little town in a beautiful area along the southern coast of Norway. When we were there last summer we took a bus to Hollen and a one hour boat trip through some of the most scenic stretch of islands. We were back in Kristiansand by about noon where we spent some time shopping and sight seeing. Indeed there is a small beach, but keep in mind it is not like Hawaii.

For details you might have a look at http://www.********.com/Norway2.html

 

Any way you do it, you will enjoy this port. If you want more information you can contact the tourist office there. Let me know if you want details.

Agreed!

Per your post and the local Tourism Info Bureau, this is the OPTION that we choose as the "core" of our day in this port of call

(outside the obvious - exploring the town of Kristiansand by foot):

Lillesand and Høllen are both lovely places to visit for the day.

And they are both very representative of the region - as you will see the importance of the sea.

*** Visiting Høllen on your own (from Kristiansand) ***

Høllen is just under 20 kilometers west of Kristiansand.

The *bus number 40* will take us to Høllen Brygge (Høllen pier).

Bus ticket cost, one way = 50 NOK/pax

The bus to Høllen departs from Kristiansand that Sunday at: 10:10, 11:10, 12:10, 14:10, and 15:10

And back to Kristiansand from Høllen at: 12:51, 14:51, and 15:51

(more buses after that... but you do not need those times IF you want to make the VOS ship, right?!)

We will BE on the bus leaving Kristiansand at 10:10AM (approx. 25 min ride) to catch the 10:30AM ferry.

On Sunday, September 8th 2013 this is the only boat ride/ ferry that we can take advantage of

(next and last one leaves at 16:35PM and we do NOT want to miss the ship, ok?!)

Note that the POC at the ferry company M/B Høllen confirmed, as per their website too, that

the ferry will NOT leave until the passengers from the 10:10 bus from Kristiansand get off in Høllen:

"To your information we always await for this bus from Kristiansand before departure, so you will make it.

The bus stop is on the quay, and you will see the ferry boat from the bus."

http://www.xn--hllenbtruter-ycb4x.no/index.php/bat-ruter

The ferry ride = 75 minutes trip; cost: 100 NOK/pax (only 50 NOK for senior citizens)

Recommendation (received from few experienced locals):

"My personal opinion is that the best option for you would be to go to Høllen by bus and

then catch the ferry before returning by bus.

The ferry ride in Høllen is lovely regardless of what day of the week it is.

As I mentioned, there are seating indoor as well if the weather is not cooperating.

There are lovely things to do in Høllen... don't miss a walk down Høllegata -

a quaint street with picturesque white timber houses a stroll from the pier.

There is also a gentleman selling fresh crabs from his boat at the dock -

and again, a stroll with an ice cream in hand is always good.

(It does seem strange I know, but Norwegians are actually one of the biggest consumers of ice cream in the world,

only beaten by the Kiwis I think)"

***** Other times of the year, one can go to Lillesand by bus -- from Kristiansand (DIY)

The bus runs approximately every hour, 5 minutes after the hour - from the Bus Terminal in Kristiansand

(similar schedule for the return trip to Kristiansand).

One bus ticket, one way, costs around 50 NOK/pax.

The bus trip to Lillesand is around 35 minutes.

However, please note that for the final destination Lillesand, you may need to change buses

and take the connecting bus from the main road, E18 - kind of a Highway -

down to the centre of Lillesand town) .

Word of advice (received from an experienced local person):

"Going to Lillesand on a Sunday in September is not the same as a Saturday in July,

the shops will be closed and the Marina will not be bustling with people...

Lillesand is a lovely, lovely town but best enjoyed at the height of summer on a day

when the shops and galleries are open (in my opinion) ."

I wonder if it is only HAL that goes to this little town.

Frankly, I agree with you that to take a ship's tour here (especially a tour of the city) is a waste of time and money.

One more note of caution: if the weather is nice it is pleasant to sit at one of the outdoor cafe/restaurants, but be ware of the food prices! Even a glass of beer was more than $15. We had lunch for, what came to about, $125.

That's the first "warning" or "con" when visiting Norway: "it is expensive!"

Check out this photo showing the MENU at a local, popular restaurant @ Kristiansand -

to have a general idea about the local food & beverages PRICES:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierham/7341052818/in/set-72157630056795854

Thanks for the wonderful photos of NOLA. It brings back the fantastic memories of our first trip there in March this year.

 

Despite the relatively high hotel costs, we will make our next cruise a departure from New Orleans...it is a simply amazing city. It so different to anything else we have seen in the USA. And, oh the food!

Indeed! The cuisine, the music, the Mississippi River, the ambiance... charming city, NOLA!

Wonderful pictures. Great job. We go to NO in less than four months. Will look at the swamp tour you did.

You'll have a great time! Thanks for the positive feedback too!

VIP Richard photos of a Haven suite aboard this ship (the bathroom) as an add on to

this wonderful, informative report posted by the OP:

(RANT OVER!)

More of VIP Richard's pictures of a Haven suite aboard this ship:

(an alternative stateroom to the studio and the balcony already presented by the OP)

The OP mentioned the VIPs earlier on the live report -

below are some images from the Pre-inaugural sailing taken by one VIP guest (Richard) who stayed @ Haven suites:

...

 

Time to pack and disembark o/

Have a SAFE return home and a relaxing afternoon!

Thank you for an excellent report while aboard this great ship!

(hoping for more follow-ups as internet shouldn't be an issue once you get home)

Live on the Norwegian Breakaway, Northwest Atlantic, Eastern Time

 

...

 

Met up with the solos at the regular gathering at 5 pm and headed for an outing to the Svedka Ice Bar hosted by Meaghanne.

 

Was a hoot at $20 for two vodka cocktails, donned our gloves and parkas and braved the chill. Cocktails were smoooooooooooth and yummy!

 

...

Enjoying your adventures very much - thanks for posting promptly! And continue to HAVE FUN !!!

Also, have friends aboard that met you : - ))

Trying to help on the visual arena by adding few images taken by a VIP (Richard) during the Pre-inaugural sailing of this lovely ship:

HOME, sweet home!

"Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm."

"... anything so delightful as Washington I have never seen elsewhere.

There were a mingled simplicity and grandeur, a mingled state and quiet intimacy, a brilliancy of conversation--

the proud prominence of intellect over material prosperity which does not exist in any other city of the Union."

Thank you kindly for following along!

Until next time: Fair Winds and Following Seas, fellow CruiseCritic members and other loyal viewers!

~ The END! ~

" The dove took me all the way to Chigago - the windy city

Men I must tell you that it was very windy in the sky in Chicago

But we landed safe in Chicago "

" Sing the Chicago

Blues

Sing the Chicago

Blues

Chicago is the windy city "

On Wednesday morning, the airport shuttle picked some of us at the Country Inn & Suites Hotel on Magazine Street

and off we went to the Airport!

"The sweet smell of praulines cooking

With coffee and chicory"

Daily exercise - taking long walks inside the airport on Wednesday early morning!

g]

Should I mention the sanitary toilets @ NOLA's Airport? : - )) See one for yourself!

“A cruise itinerary which begins and ends in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip,"

said Gary LaGrange, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans .

"Most passengers will spend a couple of days in New Orleans either before or after their cruises."

“A cruise itinerary which begins and ends in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip,"

said Gary LaGrange, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans .

"Most passengers will spend a couple of days in New Orleans either before or after their cruises."

The Country Inn &Suites hotel is convenient located in the heart of Downtown New Orleans, on Magazine Street.

This historic hotel is comprised of seven 19th-century buildings, giving it a charming,

boutique feel that "artfully blends old world charm with modern comforts."

Our 2012 CruiseMiles Party cruise ended on the same joyful note as it started: chatting with friends over drinks...

This time not aboard Carnival's Conquest cruise ship to the Western Caribbean but rather

by the fireplace at French Quarter's cozy hotel Country Inn & Suites (by Carlson).

"The Mississippi is always the same

When I watch it from the rocks

Of the bank,

A little more pollution

Each time I visit...

French Quarter,

New Orleans,

Ages past, while ghosts

Of my ancestors still walk

The cracking streets.

New faces constantly

And graffiti that begs

"Stop the killing!"

In a city where the murders

Top the nation in their numbers.

The sadness of the river,

If she could carry the pain away;

The relentless flowing

Shifting and moving

Barges, ships

And gambling boats

From place to place;

New Orleans, I love you!"

Cheers, Good night & Good luck !!!

The Country Inn &Suites hotel is convenient located in the heart of Downtown New Orleans, on Magazine Street.

This historic hotel is comprised of seven 19th-century buildings, giving it a charming,

boutique feel that "artfully blends old world charm with modern comforts."

Our 2012 CruiseMiles Party cruise ended on the same joyful note as it started: chatting with friends over drinks...

This time not aboard Carnival's Conquest cruise ship to the Western Caribbean but rather

by the fireplace at French Quarter's cozy hotel Country Inn and Suites (by Carlson).

"The Mississippi is always the same

When I watch it from the rocks

Of the bank,

A little more pollution

Each time I visit...

French Quarter,

New Orleans,

Ages past, while ghosts

Of my ancestors still walk

The cracking streets.

New faces constantly

And graffiti that begs

"Stop the killing!"

In a city where the murders

Top the nation in their numbers.

The sadness of the river,

If she could carry the pain away;

The relentless flowing

Shifting and moving

Barges, ships

And gambling boats

From place to place;

New Orleans, I love you!"

Cheers, Good night & Good luck !!!

Once we arrived at NOLA'S Palace Cafe,

we were immediately taken back to an era of hospitality and Southern food.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, good service, beautiful building and interior decor,

and stellar location on Canal Steet will have me coming back one day!

Once we arrived at NOLA'S Palace Cafe,

we were immediately taken back to an era of hospitality and Southern food.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, good service, beautiful building and interior decor,

and stellar location on Canal Steet will have me coming back one day!

Dessert time!!! Had the Bananas Foster - a Palace Cafe favorite!

Fresh bananas sautéed tableside in brown sugar and cinnamon,

then flambéed with banana liqueur and rum, served over vanilla bean ice cream 7-

VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA):

VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA):

Voila! The final product is now ready:

With the dessert, at Jennifer's recommendation, I decided to try one of the specialty coffees: Palace Cafe Coffee -

Nocello, Chambord, Community Coffee and whipped cream, topped with dark chocolate bits

Dessert time!!! Had the Bananas Foster - a Palace Cafe favorite!

Fresh bananas sautéed tableside in brown sugar and cinnamon,

then flambéed with banana liqueur and rum, served over vanilla bean ice cream 7-

VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA):

VIDEO (the making of the Bananas Foster @ Palace Cafe in NOLA):

Voila! The final product is now ready:

With the dessert, at Jennifer's recommendation, I decided to try one of the specialty coffees: Palace Cafe Coffee -

Nocello, Chambord, Community Coffee and whipped cream, topped with dark chocolate bits