hallasm

26 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

 

Early check in is always going to be am issue of available rooms. If they were full last night, early check in is not going to happen. Sometimes you get lucky...

 

Have never had a hotel refuse to hold bags for guests who are going to be staying there tonight. Drop your bags off and go for a stroll. Grab lunch. Stay enjoying Rome.

I can just imagine how tired I will be after a 15 to 20 hours flight - landing in Rome at 7 am. Personally I would arrange for hotel  😴   - but we are all different. 

The fewer stops the better. Only problem I have with morning arrival is a late check-in at hotel - try to find a hotel where you can get early check-in - alternatively book from the night before.

12 hours ago, maggieq said:

Same here but right now we are not able to take longer than a 7/8 night cruise. Leaves us with HA and celebrity (has a few for 2019). 

Also P&O, Princess, RCCL, Cunard, MSC, and Costa are offering 7/8 days Norwegian Fjords cruises - primarily from Southampton and Copenhagen

4 hours ago, babysteps said:

My best guess is that Buggins0402 may be referring to Hurtigruten which is based in Norway and privately held. 

Hurtigruten is not privately owned - based in Norway - 80% owned by the UK based TDR Capital - 20% by Norwegian investors.

 Z is right above A. You will only have to clear passport control before changing levels.

I do not believe 1 H 10 min is enough time for emigration, getting you luggage, customs and transfer in JFK,  while 1H 25 should be enough at CDG despite Schengen passport departure control. As long as you have both flight at same PNR -  in CDG airline will take care of you luggage.

13 hours ago, buggins0402 said:

Perhaps the writer of the Forbes article read something different into the Danske statement....or something was lost in the translation.  But, a payment default would be very serious. 

This is the statement from Analyst Martin Stenshall at Danske Bank: Norwegian will violate the terms of its loans by New Year, if it fails to sell off many of its new aircraft. That in turn can cause suppliers to demand cash to pay for fuel of aircraft landing fees. If the company has to report a violation of the conditions surrounding its debt, it can land in an evil spiral and the crisis will escalate.

13 hours ago, buggins0402 said:

It it makes me wonder what is behind the financial curtain of the privately held Norwegian cruise line (and I don’t mean NCL).  Leverage is a bi*** when operations slow down and cash flow doesn’t meet projections or interest rates rise. 

Do not quite understand "I don’t mean NCL" -  Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

However only the name Norwegian in common with the NAS airline  - and the owner structure very different - Many NAS co-owners are related to the company.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd i s a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with major shareholders including Apollo Global Management (15.8%), Genting Group (11.1%), and TPG Capital (2.3%).

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (NAS) is headed by CEO and largest shareholder Bjørn Kjos (26.8%). The ten largest shareholders are accounted for 75.6% of the shares. The Airline is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

1 hour ago, runnerswife said:

Also, has anyone ever taken a 6:00 am flight from Copenhagen?  Already booked it because we got

an unbelievable price for business class........  Mary

I have quite often taken a 6:00 am flight out of CPH - my advise is to stay at the Airport Clarion hotel - just walking distance.

Price for taxi is DKK 300 to 380 - depending of week day and time of day - Credit card accepted and no tips.

Bus and train will be a bit cumbersome with luggage.

Thank you for the link. I personally would not book a flight with Norwegian today. Make sure that your have an insurance to cover cost and a backup plan in case of ‘full crisis’.

Flying the day before your cruise might not be sufficient - will be difficult to find alternative flights. The best plan is to book a flight with a legacy carrier.

- saving on cost of flight can be expensive.

Yes, taxi’s will be available at the pier. You can also download a taxi app and order a taxi through the app. I’m normally using Oslo Taxi. 

Ny preferencer in Miami is Hotel Beaux Arts Autograph Collection.

21 hours ago, fordpickup said:

What about early May (specifically May 3)? Is that too early? We're scheduled for an August sailing now, but I'm curious about what we'd see if we did May.

Might depend on Itinerary and what you are planning in ports.

May is in general a bit colder than August - low 50 F in May while 70 F in August - but can vary and be the opposite.

In May you’ll still have a lot of sne on the mountains - and some mountain roads will be closed. Limited excursions in mountains.

I think  20th March 2020 must have been a mistake - Jewel is sailing 7 night Emirates cruises from Dubai each week during December, January and February. I’m actually sailing Jewel From Rome to Dubai in December 2019 - this will be my third Suez Canal Cruise.

Enjoy the Cruise. 

I have done this cruise  - my review at https://newenglandcruise.blogspot.com/ with pictures and videos from each day.

1. Boston:  HoHo bus and walked the Freedom Trail
2. Portland: Visit to Kennebunkport
3. Bar Harbor: Acadia Nature Park and  walked to Bar Island (low tide)
4. Halifax: Peggy's Cove - very charming little fishing village
5. St John - A must to visit the Reversing Falls (need to go twice in order to see the phenomenon  - low and high tide). Also visit to St. Martins, a small fishing village.

I have also made a short video from the full cruise:

I am hoping to start an on-going conversation about Norway Fjord itineraries. This is not meant to be a roll call, but a never ending Q&A thread focusing on the details of the Norway Fjords, ports, sights, and excursions.

Please post your questions! - CC Members having sailed the Norway Fjords will add their experiences, thoughts and answers.

Norway's west coast is one of the most spectacular regions of the world, with som incredible destinations, and scenic views. Various cruise line do offer differen itineraries and different ports of call - it can therefor be hard to decide which itinerary to choose.

The main attraction is sailing the scenic fjords - the main fjords in Norway are Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, Nordfjord, Nærøyfjord (a branch of Sognefjord), Lysefjord and Trollfjord. In addition also to enjoy the fantastic Fjord views from the top of the mountains.

Both Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are Unesco World heritage Natural Sites.
Unesco World heritage Sites along the West Coast are: Bryggen in Bergen, Rock Art of Alta and Struve Geodetic Arc in Alta, Urnes Stave Church (Skjolden) and Vegaøyan (Brønnøysund). Tentative Unesco sites are: Svalbard Archipelago, and Lofoten islands.

Below a list (by no means complete) of the most common ports and some of the sights along the West Coast of Norway, served by various cruise lines - where the port is located in a fjord, I have listed the fjords you must sail trough in order to reach the port.

I have marked the Polar Circle - North of the Polar Circle you will have days with Midnight Sun in June and July and Polar Night in December and January. From October through March you can also experience Northern Lights.
Some Norway Fjord cruises do also include Longyearbyen on Svalbard Archipelago.

Norway West Coast Ports from South to North:

1. Stavanger  (Port in centre of city) - The Pulpit Rock, Old Stavanger and Lysefjord Cruise excursions.
2. Hardangerfjord (scenic sail-in) to Eidfjord or Ulvik (Ports - both Small towns) - Vøringsfossen Waterfall.
3. Bergen (Port - larger city) - Old Bergen , Bryggen Wharf, Fishmarket, and Mount Fløyen (Fløybanen funicular).
4. Sognefjord and Aurlandsfjord (Scenic sail-in) to Flåm (Port - small town)  - scenic Flåm Railway and biking. Excursion to Nærøyfjord.
5. Nordfjord (Scenic sail-in) to Olden (Port - little village) - scenic area - Jostedalsbreen glacier.
6. Storfjord and Geirangerfjord (Scenic - known as the most beautiful fjord in Norway) to Geiranger or Hellesylt (Ports - small towns) - Seven Sisters waterfall - panoramic and marvellous  views from  Eagles road and Flydalsjuvet (HoHo bus).
7. Ålesund (Port in centre of town) Picturesque - Fjellstus and Byrampen Viewpoint.
8. Romsdalsfjord  (Scenic) to Åndalsnes  (Port - City) scenic region. Trollstigvegen, and Rauma railway.
9. Molde (Port - Town) - scenic and panoramic views.
10. Trodheim (Port close to city centre). Historical and cultural city.
11. Brønnøysund (Port - City) - Vegaøyan.
12. ---- Polar Circle -----
13. Bodø (Port - City).
14. Lofoten Islands / Trollfjord  (small ports: Gravdal/Leknes, Stamsund, Svolvær ) scenic area.
15. Harstad - Situated on the largest island in Norway, Hinnøya.
16. Ofotfjord to Narvik (Town)- Scenic area - cable car to Narvikfjellet.
17. Tromsø (Port - larger city).
18. Alta (Port - City) - The Rock art of Alta.
19. Hammerfest (Port - City) scenic - the northernmost town in Norway.
20. Honningsvåg (Port - City) - visit to North Cape.
21. Kirkenes (Port - City) 10 km from Russian Border.

Note: upcoming restrictions.
Be aware that restrictions soon will be applied to the current cruises ship fleet so they cannot cruise the Norwegian Fjords.
The Norwegian Parliament calls on the Government to implement requirements and regulations for emissions from cruise ships and other vessels in tourist fjords, ..., including a requirement for zero emissions from tourist ships and ferries in the world heritage fjords as soon as feasible and no later than 2026.

I can comment on Skagen and Copenhagen - I have added two links to other useful threads.

Both ports are easy for DIY - in Copenhagen you can visit Royal Palace, Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens and ‘my must’ is the Canal tour - Link to Things to do in Copenhagen

Skagen is a small fishing town - main attraction is the art museum and the Northern tip of Denmark named Grenen - link to thread Skagen Denmark question

Yes, you can book your Flights on dates significantly different from the start/finish dates of your cruise.

I partly replied to your question in  this thread where you also posted the questions

Olden is in a Fjord - Molde partly and from Stavanger you will have the possibility of Fjord excursion. so yes when Svalbard and North Cape also has your priority.

Unlike the other cruises, this cruise goes to Svalbard (Longyearbyen). If Svalbard is of your interest, it does compensate for Flåm and Geiranger.

I have updated my list of West Coast ports - list is not complete - I have marked the fjords with 'senoc sailings only' with bold.

Ports from South to North:

Stavanger  (Port - larger city) - The Pulpit Rock and Old Stavanger
Hardangerfjord (scenic) to Eidfjord (Port - Small town)
Bergen (Port - larger city) - Old Bergen , Bryggen, Mount Fløyen (Fløybanen funicular)
Sognefjord and Aurlandsfjord (Scenic) to Flåm (Port - small town) with scenic train
Innervikfjord to Olden (Port - little village) - scenic area
Storfjorden (Scenic) to Geiranger or Hellesylt (Port - small towns) - Seven Sisters waterfall - Scenic and panoramic views.

Ålesund (Port - City) Picturesque city
Molde (Port - Town) - scenic and panoramic views
Romsdalsfjord  (Scenic) to Åndalsnes  (Port - City) scenic region / Trollstigvegen
Trodheim (Port - larger city)
Brønnøysund (Port - City)
Bodø (Port - City)
Lofoten Islands /Trollfjord  (small ports: Gravdal/Leknes, Stamsund, Svolvær Harstad,) scenic area
Narvik (Town) Scenic
Tromsø (Port - larger city)
Alta (Port - City) - The Rock art of Alta
Hammerfest (Port - City) scenic
Honningsvåg (Port - City)  visit to North cape
Kirkenes (Port - City) 10 km from Russian Border

1 hour ago, kaisatsu said:

Wherever you end up going, be sure to find at least one chance to get up to a higher overlook to see the fjord view from above. I find that it's dramatically different to be looking down through the steep valleys compared to looking up at the hills from sea level. And both perspectives are lovely!

11 hours ago, Coral said:

I am surprised Princess is not going to Geringerfjord. I wonder if you are seeing that area through a different port? Maybe Hallasm would know.

Geiranger is not easy accessible from any other ports - Hellesylt is the only port close to Geiranger and sometimes used as an alternative to Geiranger.

Not a problem. When your cruise has reached the final destination you can stay as long as passport/visa does allow. You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist "visa free" stays of up to 90 days in Japan for U.S. Citizens.

I have tried to make a list and marked the if scenic sailing or port (City / larger city)

All the fjords aer Scenic sailings and you have to sail through the fjord to enter the city -  examples are: you are sailing through

Sognefjord (Scenic) to Flåm and through Hardangerfjord (scenic) to Eldfjord.

In general the scenic fjord sailings are magnificent. But you have to be at the upper deck early when entering the fjords.

My preferences are Bergen, Flåm, Olden. Ålesund, Lofoten Islands and Honningsvåg

Ports from South to North:

Stavanger  (Port - larger city)
Hardangerfjord (scenic) to Eldfjord (Port -City)
Bergen (Port - larger city)
Sognefjord (Scenic) to Flåm (Port - City) with scenic train
Innervikfjord to Olden (Port - City)
Ålesund (Port -City)
Molde (Port -City)
Romsdalsfjord  (Scenic) to Åndalsnes  (Port - City)
Trodheim (Port - larger city)
Lofoten Islands  (small port)
Hammerfest (Port -City)
Tromsø (Port - larger city)
Honningsvåg (Port - City)  visit to North cape

Several factors - earliest disembarkation time, week day, airline and destination.

Assuming Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino  it will take an hour by taxi (traffic dependent). You need to be at airport two hours before departure  (Airline and destination dependent) . I would recommend no earlier than 10 am.