gaelsail

We did Boudicca's Northern Lights cruise in 2012 - slightly different itinerary, but you might like to look at our blog... http://norwaywinter.blogspot.co.uk/

I like your blog- hadn't seen it before :)

will be driving down the night before to stop at the Hilton.

We're staying at the Premier Inn Southsea, travelling down by train. Looking forward to seeing everyone, might even try a quiz !

I've had an email back from Molde and, to summarise their reply, the museum is open from 17 June - 11 August. At other times you can book private tours.

Beginning to wonder if this is right or whether you can still wander around on your own.

I'm not sure if you can get into the Romsdal Museum in the winter (except with ship's tour) ? The website only gives summer hours but I've sent an email to ask.

 

Last year the excursions you mention were very popular and if I were going on them, I'd book in advance.

I've had an email back from Molde and, to summarise their reply, the museum is open from 17 June - 11 August. At other times you can book private tours.

If you have done the cruise before your advice on trips is then very welcome. I am thinking of doing Molde ourselves ( free Folk Museum) ....currently reading about Kristiansund and Bergen to see if they are DIY-able but ice hotel, dogsledding and snow mobiling are on my wish list.

I'm not sure if you can get into the Romsdal Museum in the winter (except with ship's tour) ? The website only gives summer hours but I've sent an email to ask.

Last year the excursions you mention were very popular and if I were going on them, I'd book in advance.

Have just enjoyed watching the video links you posted and some more!!! They have given me a better idea of what to expect. Will definitely be booking a few trips but not sure yet which ones. How come you do not know your cabin number as we have ours? I don't want to publish it here but would like to meet up with you so how do we do that? have you been to Norway before? thanks for all your help.

Thanks, I took the photos & video on the 2012 cruise. Are you staying in Portsmouth the night before sailing?

Thanks for the helpful tips re booking shore excursions...I am definitely keen on husky sledding and Ice Hotel. We are on 9th feb cruise out of Portsmouth so maybe be in contact once aboard? Not sure how? Leave a message in cabin?

Not sure either... will probably find out our cabin number in the next few days. We're booking several excursions.

from last year's cruise with a slightly different itinerary:

Tromsø

Alta

Igloo Hotel

Videos:

Part I

Part III

Part IV

HELP....As a first time cruiser on Fred Olsen's "Boudicca" ...to search for the Northern Lights in February I was wondering which ports I can do Myself and which shore trips are recommended for booking. We are calling at Molde, Bergen, Tromso, Alta and Kristiansund. I am not sure what weather and walking conditions will be like and want to enjoy the experience but shore trips are so expensive! I am used to exploring European cities with a guidebook and map but would really appreciate any tips or advice SOON. Thanks....

Molde, Bergen and, possibly Tromsø, the ship usually moors within walking distance of town and the walking conditions are reasonable. In Alta you need to take the shuttle bus into town and I'm not sure about Kristiansund.

On winter cruises the weather can lead to changes in schedule so it's better to book the ship's excursions than organise any private tours in advance. I would definitely book the ship's excursions for visiting the huskies, igloo hotel, searching for the aurora etc. if you want to do these things because they are then responsible for you. The excursions from Molde look really interesting. I'm not sure which of the 2 cruises you're taking but, if in port on a Sunday, taking the ship's excursions is a good idea because a lot of Norway closes down on a Sunday.

Maybe see you onboard if you're on the first cruise.

These are small ferries though, and it was VERY choppy at times. Bad enough to close the lifts. I was extremely glad I took medication with me!

Which ship were you on?

I feel there may be a misconception about the distance between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow is west coast and Edinburgh is east coast. The distance is over 50 miles.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Glasgow,+Scotland&daddr=Edinburgh,+Scotland&hl=en&geocode=FRtxVAMdOQq__ynrzlYgVhWISDEeUe8FuIPmcQ%3BFWC7VQMdsFzP_ykjJpilALiHSDEnF-d8exTyZA&mra=ls&sll=55.865627,-4.257223&sspn=0.227712,0.724411&ie=UTF8&ll=55.856817,-3.806763&spn=0.911052,2.897644&t=h&z=9 Satellite image on Google Maps

I am slowly being convinced that I don't have to see EVERY castle on the Islands.

It gives me excuses to go back again!:)

Great reasoning. :D

Hi, there are 2 excursions one is a boat ride and the other looks like fun it goes to a distillery and for a drive. I was just wondering if it was a walkaround kind of town and if there were things to see without taking the ship tour. There is the Dunvegan castle not on any tours is that easy to get to?

You can certainly walk around Portree. It depends on what you want to see but if I'd never been to Skye before I'd be inclined to go with one of the ship's excursions you mention. The distillery/drive sounds good.

Lots to see on Skye. What excursions are being offered? they may be the best option.

Maybe I should rephrase my question. Does anyone have any experience of the newly owned Hebridean Princess?

Seeing as no-one else has been able to provide you with recent experiences-

I have not been onboard but, seeing the ship in various places in the past few weeks, everything looks the same as before.

I know this is not the info you were looking for but I hope it helps.

My understanding - not verified by personal experience - is that the ships do NOT stop in the same ports on the northbound trip as on the southbound. If you complete the entire round trip (north- and south-bound), you will stop in every port.

The ships do stop in all ports north and south- those that you visit during the night on the way north; you visit during the day on the way south.

The schedules and timetables are available on any of the Hurtigruten websites. All the ships do the same journey.

You'll find lots of information in this forum if you do a search for Hurtigruten. Of course there is no guarantee of the northern lights. We only caught a short glimpse on the sailing we took but the ship leaving the day before us had 3 nights of spectacular shows.

The old parts of Bruges are so tourist oriented that everything should be open even during holidays.

 

One thing I might mention about the ladies who make lace.

Thanks, :) that is really useful information.

Your map is really helpful, thanks.

Do you know if what will be open for visiting on 21 May holiday? (types of places like cafes, boat trips etc.)

It is now in Dry-Dock in Scotland and open to the public as a tourist attraction!

She is afloat at Leith (Edinburgh) and is accessible through Ocean Terminal.