Report on Aurora Northern lights cruise Nov 2023

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, pete14 said:

Sorry for no update yesterday, the internet was down again. As it was sold to us as new improved internet, I feel somewhat underwhelmed by it although most of the time it has been just about OK. For days when it isn’t working, and this was the second, so 20%, it seems as though you have to report it to reception in order to get the day refunded.

 

Not a great deal to report from yesterday. Haugesund was quite nice although the shopping streets seemed a bit run down. Made me a bit homesick really. About 3/4 of a mile walk into town. It transpired as though there were shuttle buses but not advertised in Horizon, and judging by the number walking into town, including those with mobility issues, not widely known about. Although the temperature was about 5 degrees, there were icy patches on the pavement so we didn’t see all the town has to offer for fear of breaking an ankle or something. 
 

We ate in the Glasshouse again in preference to the MDR which we have lost some faith in. Menu choices are very limited, the ability to tweak dishes to meet dietary requirements known about in advance is still lacking (why the need for a low fat diet means Christmas dinner came without stuffing and cranberry sauce defeats me) and only partially cooking potato products of various types is not really acceptable. Pheasant breast was on the menu again last night. I only hope it was more easily edible than a few nights ago. 
 

To end on some good and surprising news, even though we sailing between the South of Norwayish and the North of Scotladish, we were able to see patches of the Northern Lights, accentuated with the camera on my phone. Not as impressive as further North but a bit of a surprise. 
 

Anyway, next stop is Southampton tomorrow morning and the ship has that sort of feel about it. At least Pete junior’s watch is keeping good time.

P&O no longer provide a shuttle in Haugesund (they used to). What you saw is a privately operated service. It’s an easy walk for the able bodied (if there’s no snow) but a ruddy nightmare with a wheelchair, as the bridge is quite steep and the pavements are narrow when you meet another wheelchair coming the other way. On our last two visits my wife has stayed on board. Thankfully she saw the town before the P&O free shuttle was withdrawn. 

[Educator69]

4 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

P&O no longer provide a shuttle in Haugesund (they used to). What you saw is a privately operated service. It’s an easy walk for the able bodied (if there’s no snow) but a ruddy nightmare with a wheelchair, as the bridge is quite steep and the pavements are narrow when you meet another wheelchair coming the other way. On our last two visits my wife has stayed on board. Thankfully she saw the town before the P&O free shuttle was withdrawn. 

Thanks Selbourne. It’s useful to know what the transport options are. 

[Selbourne]

17 minutes ago, Educator69 said:

Thanks Selbourne. It’s useful to know what the transport options are. 

You’re welcome. There’s also a land train and a sightseeing bus (both extra cost) but I can’t comment on them as we haven’t used them (I don’t think that they are wheelchair accessible). 

[Winifred 22]

52 minutes ago, Educator69 said:

Thanks Selbourne. It’s useful to know what the transport options are. 

The paid for private  shuttle was very efficient I think it was about £5 return. I felt it was worth it as it drops you off right in the town centre. No complaints. 

[Selbourne]

3 hours ago, Winifred 22 said:

The paid for private  shuttle was very efficient I think it was about £5 return. I felt it was worth it as it drops you off right in the town centre. No complaints. 

Did you happen to notice if there was an option for wheelchair users to be wheeled on and off?

[Winifred 22]

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

Did you happen to notice if there was an option for wheelchair users to be wheeled on and off?

Sorry Selbourne I just don’t remember. It was a proper coach not a bus.  They were running very frequently with very little wait time. They may have had an accessible coach alternating. It’s a shame if they don’t as I personally think  it was a good option as I remember the train and  the hop on hop off bus were quite expensive. I have a very poor sense of direction so if there is a shuttle bus option I take it. I am OK wandering around shopping areas as I remember the shop windows but random streets are a bit of a no no. 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Winifred 22

[Presto2]

This thread has inspired us Pete and Mrs Pete and Peter Junior. Been looking at the one for 2025 for 1st Dec for 2 weeks 2025. Have to say we are tempted and the ship looks lovely - reminds us of one we used to love. (NO MENTION OF TIN CANS PLEASE).

Would you recommend pre Christmas? Have a look at the cruise on P&O re the port stops etc.

 

Anyway, many thanks for taking us all along with you. You have sold Aurora to us and even a cold cruise - as long as it snows we are happy! The Northern Lights will be a bonus .....

[pete14]

1 hour ago, Winifred 22 said:

Sorry Selbourne I just don’t remember. It was a proper coach not a bus.  They were running very frequently with very little wait time. They may have had an accessible coach alternating. It’s a shame if they don’t as I personally think  it was a good option as I remember the train and  the hop on hop off bus were quite expensive. I have a very poor sense of direction so if there is a shuttle bus option I take it. I am OK wandering around shopping areas as I remember the shop windows but random streets are a bit of a no no. 

I’m sorry, I can’t really help with disabled access to the shuttle bus. I don’t recall seeing one waiting as we left but there was one there when we got back. It appeared to be an ordinary coach. There were a couple of people on mobility scooters and one being pushed in a wheelchair that we passed on out walk back. Whether the one pushing the wheelchair actually reached the higher part of the bridge, I don’t know, I certainly would not have been happy to have swapped with him because it was quite a pull up to the top. 
 

I always find the final day a little depressing. Gervase Phinn lifted the mood with an excellent 45 minute presentation over wide ranging topics, not just school. Sadly for some on this forum, he is not booked onto any more P&O cruises, just a couple on Saga. Whilst mentally he is still very sharp, physically he struggles a little, especially in heavier seas. There was a moment this morning when he was interrupted by an announcement in the theatre through the tannoy, for exercise a first aid team was needed………in the recycling area. Of course, nobody laughed…not. 
 

Wine tasting in the glass house followed lunch in the buffet and a few hours later, we returned there for our evening meal. 
 

We seem to have missed the bad weather that Arcadia is experiencing on her way North. I wish her, and all those sailing on her, well as they continue their Arctic adventure. We have been very lucky with the weather, I hope it clears up for them as well. 
 

We are now approaching the Straits of Dover so I guess my final update will be from home in sunny Stoke on Trent.

[Presto2]

Or sunny Wales 😉

[pete14]

30 minutes ago, Presto2 said:

Or sunny Wales 😉

Not tomorrow please. There is a lot of clothes washing to do. 

[Presto2]

11 minutes ago, pete14 said:

Not tomorrow please. There is a lot of clothes washing to do. 

Perhaps Pete Jr cld volunteer ... then again a reunion with a special fur baby is calling ;-)

[Eddie99]

Thank you for your blog Pete.  I enjoyed it very much.  I don’t think I’ll be inspired to take a serious cold weather cruise - but who knows?

Again, thanks for taking the time

[jh1809]

1 hour ago, Presto2 said:

This thread has inspired us Pete and Mrs Pete and Peter Junior. Been looking at the one for 2025 for 1st Dec for 2 weeks 2025. Have to say we are tempted and the ship looks lovely - reminds us of one we used to love. (NO MENTION OF TIN CANS PLEASE).

Would you recommend pre Christmas? Have a look at the cruise on P&O re the port stops etc.

 

Anyway, many thanks for taking us all along with you. You have sold Aurora to us and even a cold cruise - as long as it snows we are happy! The Northern Lights will be a bonus .....

Of course there are never any guarantees, but I believe the chances of clear skies are greater in February/March than in November/December. The hours of daylight are also longer, which would be an advantage for day-time activities though of course means that the hours during which the aurora might be visible are reduced - though there will still be at least 12 hours of darkness.

[Presto2]

13 minutes ago, jh1809 said:

Of course there are never any guarantees, but I believe the chances of clear skies are greater in February/March than in November/December. The hours of daylight are also longer, which would be an advantage for day-time activities though of course means that the hours during which the aurora might be visible are reduced - though there will still be at least 12 hours of darkness.

We are planning in a week in Lapland Feb 2025 so we may see them then. This would be our 8th visit and still have yet to see them. Stood on frozen lakes for 90 minutes at minus 30 and clear skies and not a flicker. Am guessing they turn up when they please.. and avoid us.

Quite like the idea of the Christmas.vibe on the ship and have to say Pete Aurora seems to suit us. Looks like a small beauty 

[Selbourne]

57 minutes ago, jh1809 said:

Of course there are never any guarantees, but I believe the chances of clear skies are greater in February/March than in November/December. The hours of daylight are also longer, which would be an advantage for day-time activities though of course means that the hours during which the aurora might be visible are reduced - though there will still be at least 12 hours of darkness.

Yes, I recall doing some research before our Northern Light cruises and I’m sure I also read that the best time to go is around March.

[Stokiegolfer]

Hi Selbourne and Presto2 seeing the Northern Lights is hit and miss all dependent on the weather and solar activity.  This year has so far been good - hence views in the UK, and the eleven cycle of sun activity I believe is due up to end 2025.  Will be off on Aurora soon for Christmas to Norway so planning to get to see them.  Last saw them in March 2019.

[Stokiegolfer]

Pete it is raining here today Monday and snow forecast for for Tuesday 

[pete14]

4 hours ago, Stokiegolfer said:

Pete it is raining here today Monday and snow forecast for for Tuesday 

It was raining practically all the way back from Southampton to Stoke but we managed to get back in good time.

[killaypirate]

Leisurely Haugesund exursion Saturday. Another coach got stuck on the hill approaching look-out point. Our driver tried to reverse on black ice & nearside rear wheels left the road. Coach at slight angle. Had to evacuate coach and waited for replacement coach. Bl***dy freezing. Slipped on ice and some waited for fire service to ferry down the icy road. Could have been really nasty, large gap between trees on steep embankment. Poor risk assessment in my view.

[pete14]

1 hour ago, killaypirate said:

Leisurely Haugesund exursion Saturday. Another coach got stuck on the hill approaching look-out point. Our driver tried to reverse on black ice & nearside rear wheels left the road. Coach at slight angle. Had to evacuate coach and waited for replacement coach. Bl***dy freezing. Slipped on ice and some waited for fire service to ferry down the icy road. Could have been really nasty, large gap between trees on steep embankment. Poor risk assessment in my view.

Thanks for letting us know about this unfortunate incident. I was not aware of this although I have mentioned black ice on the pavement so it is not surprising it was also on the roads as well. I hope everybody came out of it unscathed. I am sure there will be questions asked and answers sought from P&O but I presume, mainly the local tour provider. Quite clearly, it should not have happened

[elmsliebev]

On 11/24/2023 at 9:03 PM, Selbourne said:

I wish that I’d agreed a commission deal with Peller wines for the number of people I’ve persuaded to try their Ice Cuvée 😂 I hope that you enjoyed it?
 

Earlier today I stumbled cross a small travel sized can of WD40 in the cupboard. That’s going in the case for our long cruise on Aurora 😂 

we tried the Peller Ice Cuvee and the rose on our recent Azura cruise. Very nice, thanks for the recomendation. 

[pete14]

Just now, elmsliebev said:

we tried the Peller Ice Cuvee and the rose on our recent Azura cruise. Very nice, thanks for the recomendation. 

It was also included in the Glasshouse wine talk / tasting the other day and seemed to be appreciated widely.

[pete14]

So, after about 30 hours since we got back home, it is probably a good time to do an end of cruise review. I am not going to repeat what you have already read but to pick some highlights and a few drawbacks from what, all considered was an excellent holiday.

 

The first highlight is the ship, creaks and all. I stood at the dockside beside her in Haugesund and thought to myself what a huge, but sleek, beautiful and streamlined ship. Then I thought of others in the fleet that accommodate around three times as many people and I couldn’t comprehend a ship so huge. I seem to forget sometimes that a ‘small ship’ can seem so huge. 
 

Internally, she is attractive and homely. Public areas were welcoming, not one chair I sat in was uncomfortable, even in the theatre or cinema. Everything seemed clean and cared for. A great place to be. I didn’t ever feel that anywhere was crowded.

 

The suite that the three of us shared was large and well appointed. The balcony was a bit shallow but big enough for all of to use to watch and photograph the highlights that Norway has to offer. The main television was a reasonable size, with a smaller one in the sleeping area. Picture quality was quite poor on some channels but quite honestly we didn’t watch it often. We tended to leave it on the ship’s navigation page. Dedicating a separate channel to inform us of sightings of the Northern Lights from the bridge rather broadcasting it through the cabins was a very good idea. Although it was generally clean, there were a few areas where a duster would have been appreciated.
 

We did not encounter a single member of staff, from Captain Simon Love right through to those continually wiping down the banister rails on the stairs, who I would say was not a credit to P&O. They were hard working yet continually helpful, cheerful, friendly and polite. The crew can make or break a cruise, those on Aurora certainly helped make it what it was.

 

I am not fond of the evening entertainment so did not go along to any performances. We had a couple of singers, comedians including Eric and Ern and of course Headliners. For nearly half the cruise, they were competing against the possibility of the Northern Lights making an appearance which was certainly our priority. Daytime entertainment consisted of different quizzes, choir, different varieties of dance, bingo, craft sessions and guest speakers and classical guitar recitals. Certainly something for every taste, including a team from Southampton putting on a professional Pantomime. There was no problem looking for things to include in the Horizon magazine. 
 

We pre purchased the deluxe drinks package and, even though we did not drink a large amount, it was probably worth it. I had Costa coffee with my breakfast every day and at other times, soft drinks or bottled water when thirsty and if I wanted a glass of wine in the Crow’s nest, adding more debits to our account did not enter into consideration. Whether it is worth it depends upon what you like to drink. For a beer drinker at £5 a pint you need to drink more than I could manage. For somebody who likes a good wine that is included in the package it is likely to cost in excess of £10. A large Brandy or Malt Whisky is around £8 so it can easily cover the cost of the package over the period of a day. Some will no doubt win, others will lose. I think we won.

 

The day when we spent over an hour in ‘whale infested’ waters and then a display of the elusive Lights at night was the most magical day. Other nights when the Lights appeared were a bonus and makes you appreciative of the wonders that nature produces. 
 

Breakfast in Sindhu was consistently excellent in every respect. At lunchtimes we mainly used the buffet and on a couple of occasions, room service. The buffet had an excellent selection of food, well laid out and of good quality. It would have been better had trays been provided but this is something most of us on here have agreed with for some time. The select dining in Sindhu, the Beach House and Glasshouse were all excellent as you would expect. Unfortunately, they are quite small so it can be difficult to get a booking because, not surprisingly they are fully booked. Best to book in advance.
 

The main area that needs some attention is the MDR. We chose to eat at 6:30 on club dining and were allocated a table for four next to a large window for the three of us. Work certainly needs to be done on improving the menus. In order to do this, I think they need to drop the fine dining pretence and serve wholesome and more simple food. The absence of the Great British Classic in an error. Simple dishes such as pies, curry’s, pasta, sausages, braised steak and onions etc with chips, mash and simple but well cooked vegetables would be a welcome addition (not replacement) to widen choice. The requirement to include a fish dish, a vegetarian one and a vegan one, although necessary and desirable, seems to have adversely affected choice for the majority. In addition, the vegetarian and vegan dishes often seemed to have little or no protein. Vegetables, including potatoes were usually undercooked. 
 

Those who have been following the blog will know that Mrs Pete encountered serious issues with the special dietary needs she notified them about. Although this doesn’t affect a large number of people, it is of great importance and needs to be more specialised. However, I suspect that some who should notify P&O of their dietary needs, choose not to do so in order to make their own choices like they do at home. In order to prevent any further issues, we ate in the Glasshouse on the last three nights. 
 

Sorry to finish on a negative but hopefully somebody at P&O will read it and take notice.

 

Many thanks to those of you who have been following and contributing your thoughts. It was an excellent first cruise since you know what and hopefully there will be many more. I will keep checking in case any of you want more information but if not, ta-ra,  thanks for reading and may you have many more excellent cruises. 
 

 

[Selbourne]

Thanks for an excellent blog and summary @pete14  It was an enjoyable read and I’m sure that we are all very envious of your mass whale sighting. I’ve seen Pilot and Beluga whales but they are quite small. We saw the distant water spouts from two much larger whales once but couldn’t see the actual whales (other than a tiny flash of their backs).

 

I’d like to do another Northern Lights cruise. As previously mentioned, we’ve done it twice already, the first time having spectacular displays of the phenomenon (including red lights - all seen clearly with the naked eye) and the second time they didn’t appear for a single second the entire cruise, such is the nature of these cruises! However, Northern Lights aside, the scenery is spectacular and it’s a truly magical experience, being so different from other cruises. 

[Dorset cruise fan]

We loved the cruise too, with highlights of reindeer, snowmobiling, northern lights, amazing ambulance crew and getting to know Haugesund casualty dept