Norwegian Fjord Cruise or N Europe Cruise??

[kath00]

HI there,

 

I am starting to plan a trip for us and my elderly parents for 2014 summer. We would like to take a very scenic cruise that they can enjoy from the ship if they don't get off the ship. Which itiniary would you recommend?

 

I have read some wonderful reviews of the Norwegian Fjord cruises but the weather seems quite cold.

 

Would a Northern Europe (to St P's) be as scenic? Would they enjoy it if they stayed on the ship? Is the weather a little better perhaps?

 

Thanks for any and all advice. We have not picked a company yet either but are looking at a larger ship (like Celebrity) as we will have a number of kids with us among the family...

 

Thank you! Katherine

[kaisatsu]

If they're not planning to get off the ship at all, they probably won't get much out of the Baltics. The port areas aren't usually very scenic, even though they're close to the city centers, so your parents would at least need to take a coach tour to see anything. With a few exceptions (notably the sail-in/sail-out for Oslo and Stockholm) most of the ship's sailing time is in open waters.

 

Most Norwegian coastal sailings have a lot more scenic cruising with views from the ship. If you want to maximize from-the-ship views, you might consider the Hurtigruten coastal voyage, which hugs the shoreline all the way up the coast. The ships aren't as lavish as the larger cruise ships, but the larger Hurtigruten ships are pretty nice and the views certainly can't be beat. (The longest port stops are just a few hours, so the draw really is the scenery.)

 

Weather-wise, it's a gamble in either place. Both will be a bit cool in the summer, but neither will be terribly cold. If you sail only the southern coast of Norway, you won't see too much temperature difference from the rest of the Baltics, though the Norwegian coast typically gets less sun (more rain/fog). The temperatures will drop a bit if you go all the way up to North Cape, where summer averages are lows in the mid 40s and highs in the upper 50s. In the Baltics, the average summer highs get into the upper 60s.

[TLCOhio]

HI there, I am starting to plan a trip for us and my elderly parents for 2014 summer. We would like to take a very scenic cruise that they can enjoy from the ship if they don't get off the ship. Which itiniary would you recommend? I have read some wonderful reviews of the Norwegian Fjord cruises but the weather seems quite cold. Would a Northern Europe (to St P's) be as scenic? Would they enjoy it if they stayed on the ship? Is the weather a little better perhaps? Thanks for any and all advice. We have not picked a company yet either but are looking at a larger ship (like Celebrity) as we will have a number of kids with us among the family... Thank you! Katherine

 

Hi, to Katherine from San Diego! On your key question of "Which itiniary would you recommend, Northern Europe or Norwegian Fjords?", the quick answer is that both are great, but very different in the focus and what you will see/experience. Agree with the good and smart comments from Meg in Oslo.

 

As somebody who loves history, architecture, culture, etc., the Baltics/Russia were wonderful for us and our interests. BUT, your scenic views from the ship are fairly limited in the Baltics. In that northern Europe region, it is about the cities, museums, palaces, etc., in each of the various capitals and ports. Can't see much in most cases from the ship. The Baltics will be a little warmer, but still somewhat cool and comfortable, generally. Unlike San Diego, things do change and vary more in this part of Europe, whether it is the Baltics or Norway coast. You can see from my pictures that our July weather was overall very good.

 

There are many other cruise options to consider. Part of the "bottom line" is that no one cruise will be totally "perfect" in hitting just the best ports you want, timing fitting exactly, having ideal pricing and ship size/offerings, etc. You will have to weigh various trade-offs and factors to find what best fits the biggest range of your needs and interests. Keep researching and planning. You've got time given your 2014 target date.

 

Glad to know that your "parents are not wheelchair bound". That helps!!! In Norway, you will find the land costs high and some tour options more limited. BUT, as our trip demonstrates and is detailed on my live/blog below, it can be put together, etc. Rental cars are possible, plus some smaller tour options. The first challenge, however, is to focus on which cruise, ports and line works best for you. Then, you can work later on the various options and potentials for what you do and how in these various ports. Below are a few of the visuals to get you and others excited about these many great options.

 

Added questions and needs??

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 95,376 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

Don’t be shy and feel free to comment and/or ask any questions of interest.

 

 

Arriving at Flam, our Captain is right there directing this docking process. You can see here some of the fjord mountains, waterfalls in the background. This town is fairly small with the rail trip being the main attraction and activity here. Below is another picture and highlight from this day in the Sognerfjord that is rated as the best in all of Norway for these views.:

 

 

 

 

 

After being tendered from Geiranger, we sailed out and passed by two super famous waterfalls. YES, yes, we saw lots and lots of waterfalls on this trip, but these two were among the “best of the best”. First is the “Seven Sisters”. Next shown is directly opposite in this narrow fjord and is called several names, including “The Suitor”. The majesty for these feats of nature is pretty amazing.: