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I agree with MeHeartCruising - when I went, I hadn’t expected the crowds, and I didn’t have a very good seat. So I didn’t get the full experience, I didn’t see what everyone else saw. I’d probably try again, if the opportunity presented itself. This was just one blip on an otherwise awesome Norway experience. Just go into it prepared (which you will be, since you posed the question and you’re gathering data.)

AIG Travelguard I’d prefer not to go into the specifics of the rejection, other than to say it’s quite clear that there is a need for additional training of some of their claims personnel, so that they understand the forms that they are evaluating. I have consistently used Travelguard for over a decade, but this is the first time I’ve ever made a claim. I read terms and conditions, I don’t go into these matters blind.

HardestyHouse, I’m just writing to express sympathy about the “appy” and then subsequent travel insurance issues. I’m really sorry. My emergency appy occurred last summer, 4 days before departure on a river cruise - and ironically I just received denial of my trip cancellation claim today, by a third party insurer - professional incompetence, I believe - so I’m pretty steamed, and started looking for travel insurance threads on CC for ideas for alternative companies for the future - which is how I found this conversation . Sounds like consultation with an insurance broker might be the way to go. I am appealing this truly stupid claims decision, and will take it to the state insurance commission if necessary - not giving up. In any event, I hope all goes more smoothly for you from here.

You might also wish to look at the Air Greenland website (I don’t think its fleet is only small planes). A decade ago I added on (separately) a brief trip to Illulissat after completing a land tour in Iceland. The Air Greenland website has information about Disko Bay tour options that can be arranged through them. So you could break up this tour planning into two separate parts - an Iceland cruise of whatever type that appeals, and then afterwards fly to Illulissat and pursue a Disko Bay experience of whatever length you wish. A TA can help with this. I really enjoyed Illulissat, especially the all-day cruise to Eqi Glacier - and all of the “structure” around that experience was provided through Air Greenland, I was happy with how all this worked out, it was seamless.

Thanks, SemiO - I hope SH provides you with the info you’re seeking about excursions in ports. Their ships sound great, and they do have some very interesting offerings. I’ve visited Greenland before, but only for a couple of days, and independently. Have been eager to return for a more intensive experience. Was looking at Hurtigruten, which also has deep expertise in this region , but then learned about SH, and the cruise dates fit my schedule better - so, trying something new! Especially since the professional and Antarctic reviews were so positive. I hope others who’ve experienced SH will respond to your thread, with additional info or perspectives - thanks for starting it -

Christie Malry, you might wish to check the terms and conditions for these offers - I took a quick look at Havila’s website, and it looks like it may only be good for departures prior to Dec 31, 2023. Haven’t looked at the Hurtigruten website - but I think you should check the fine print before “planning” to wait until 100 days out -

Yes, that’s what they said, too much of the same. I completely agree with your suggestion. I spent a week getting myself from Oslo to Bergen, including the railroad and a couple of nights in Flåm, with a side excursion to Balestrand that my TA suggested. All of this was great, and Bergen is worth a full day, even two. Each day there was one stop on the coastal express that was long enough to get off the ship and do something (minimum 3 hours, but sometimes longer). Some of these lent themselves well to DIY exploring (Trondheim and Tromsø come to mind), but the two organized excursions that I thought were really worthwhile were the ones for North Cape and Geirangerfjord. I enjoy thinking back on this trip! Maybe things have changed - but I don’t remember talks on culture on the coastal express. On Hurtigruten’s expedition cruises, yes - but not on the 7-day - ? Or maybe I just don’t remember -

I’ve previously sailed on the Vesterålen as a solo also (but in a cabin with a window), and agree that you would likely spend very little time in your cabin. The lounges were comfortable, and if the weather suits, there are several deck options from which to watch the ferry comings-and-goings (which are interesting in itself). Whether you choose Hurtigruten or Havila, there will be a lot to see and experience. I only did the northbound sailing, had an excellent time. Some of the friends I met along the way did the round-trip, and for them, the one-way would have been enough. I’m just mentioning that, in the event that you care to consider trade-offs between length of trip and paying more to get a window in your cabin (or a slightly bigger cabin). But a lounge is a good place to hang out, regardless of whether you’re looking for company or quiet -

I too am interested in Swan Hellenic - am about to book a cruise on the Vega, to Greenland. I think the very positive reviews so far, even though these are for a different destination, reflect the potential for the cruise line to deliver a high quality and enjoyable experience. I look forward to hearing more from anyone who has experienced one of their cruises firsthand. Have you contacted the company to ask for more specifics about excursions, relative to a more port-intensive itinerary such as the Mediterranean?

Well … mine was “present” throughout the sailing, asking me once or twice a day (whenever I ran into him) if I needed anything. All well-intentioned, and he was very nice, but after a while it started to feel like pressure. .And yes, I had indicated to him upfront that I would not have any/many requests. As I said, I did enjoy the cruise. But the assignment of a butler is a difference between the usual Uniworld river cruise experience (except in their suites) and Silversea, so I’d wanted to mention it, since Caligirl58 was looking at Silversea as a potential option and was interested in comparisons.

Another element of “formality” is the inclusion of butler service, which many people enjoy and appreciate, but some of us prefer not to have this. I greatly enjoyed my Uniworld river cruise (2017 vintage), it ticked all the boxes for food, service, excellent guides, “like a local” opportunities, comfortable ship, and fun and companionable fellow travelers. I’ve also sailed with Oceania and Silversea, the latter was one of their expedition cruises. I enjoyed Oceania a lot more than I thought I would, I’d worried that the ship (1200 pax) might be too big. But it wasn’t, I never felt crowded, and that cruise also ticked all the boxes. I really enjoyed the people I met on that cruise (Baltic). While I enjoyed the Silversea expedition cruise (the itinerary was the Russian Far East and the Aleutian Islands), the mandatory assignment of the butler made me nuts. I didn’t really have anything for him to do, and this made me feel guilty, to the point where I would try to avoid running into him, because he was always asking , “what can I do for you?”, and I never had an answer. Then he started looking for things to do for me, like shining shoes and “straightening my room”. When I finally did have something to ask him about (a camera issue), although he tried very hard to be helpful, he wasn’t able to address the situation, and a fellow traveler provided assistance instead. Honestly, this “hovering” is what has kept me from rebooking with Silversea, because otherwise I really like their product! (And I thought that Silver Explorer was a sweet ship, just right in size.). So if you think the butler service feature would be “too much” for you, you might wish to keep that in mind, when looking at alternatives. But if butler service sounds good to you, then Silversea has some really nice itineraries. Perhaps because it was an expedition cruise, the Silversea “dress code” was not strictly abided by. People wore what they were comfortable with, and many did dress “a little better” for the Captains Dinner.

Jazzbeau, are you traveling with Odysseys International to Patagonia? I did that same tour with them last month, in December. It’s not a river cruise, but would be interested to hear your impressions “somehow”. Torres del Paine is absolutely wonderful, truly special - you are in for a treat, enjoy!

A couple of additional links - for bike-barge cruises: https://www.boatbiketours.com/ https://www.tripsite.com/bike-boat/