Hunding

Thanks, Splinter.  We're off tomorrow.

Thanks, hallasm, as always.  Perhaps we will take less cash - though we are in Bergen for two days prior to sailing, and four days in Oslo afterward, and I figure we could pay in cash instead of card, should we find ourselves with too much cash (Did I just type "too much cash?!?!?!") in hand.

GeezerCouple, we are in 825.  Thanks for the Platinum information - sounds like something we needn't explore, but we'll see.  Excellent idea for converting foreign currency into other foreign currency - thanks.

hallasm and Geezer Couple --

The time is drawing nigh - we fly from Los Angeles to Bergen, via Oslo, next Tuesday afternoon.  Feeling both over- and underprepared.  I'm hoping for the former!  I would love a last-minute "assist" from you kind people:  I have read that most everything in Norway can be paid with a credit card, but there are those "other things," of course.  I was wondering if about 2500 NOK (about $300 per person) was sufficient to carry in cash, knowing that hotels, meals, taxis (?), everything aboard Trollfjord, etc., would be covered with a card?  Thanks again.  Eager as we are, we are also suffering a bit of trepidation - this is so vastly different from anything we've done in the past, ergo the anxiety.

And does anybody know what Platinum Status is?  It is vaguely alluded to in a number of places...just curious.  We are in an MX, but that seems to have nothing to do with it, so thought I would ask.

Hallasm and GeezerCouple -- To repeat myself, Thank you!

On 10/27/2018 at 6:15 PM, GeezerCouple said:

Oh dear... you have us thinking about returning, and sooner than we were planning 

 

The food - quality and variety - was a real surprise for us.  We weren't quite sure what to expect, especially from the plated dinners.  It was nice to know we'd have advance notice and could request changes.  I'm a "fussy eater", and I never asked for any changes, and I gobbled it all up.  They had some surprisingly nice  red wines by the glass, something that we don't usually find.

GC

 

 

GC and/or hallasm  Approximately what is the cost for a glass of wine at dinner?  And they do offer wine packages, yes?  By any chance, did you have a drink at the bar - I've also wondered how much Hurtigruten charges for, say, a martini?  Thanks.

hallasm

Once again we are in your debt - thank you for this.  (So I guess I'm not going to lose weight after all...!)

Thanks, Elka - so happy you enjoyed your cruise.  Thanks for your posts - now it sounds like you need to get your rest.

Elka - Did you go on any excursions during your voyage?  If so, what were they and did you enjoy them?  Was there a 'high point' (and, conversely, a 'low point') of your trip?  Perhaps you could share a word or two of advice or caution for future travelers.  Thanks.

10 hours ago, hallasm said:

Absolutely no need to be there before 18:00. You departure is probably not before 22:30 - departure time during winter. Cabins will still be available 18:00.

Thanks, hallasm!  I was thinking the same thing - and, you're right, we don't sail until 2230, and I'm sure the dining room is open at least until 2000, so we'll aim for a 1800 pier arrival, as I'm sure the hotel would be happy to hold our luggage until late afternoon.

Thanks, Elka.  We board Trollfjord in a month - and I do have a question.  Would it be possible to go late to the pier in Bergen - say 6 PM - in order to avoid the crush of passengers?  I just don't see the necessity for sitting/standing around for three+ hours waiting to embark.  What do you think?

Most cruise lines honour price drops up to final payment date. VO must be different from most.

We have always had price drops honored by cruise lines - Oceania, Regent Seven Seas...... "Gotcha" is not a game you want to play if you want to develop a 'relationship' with clients - you'll get your $$$ once, and you'll never see them again, or their friends.

Thanks for your encouragement Hunding, very kind. I admit that I looked at your profile...I grew up in the San Fernando Valley so how's that for serendipity.

Small world getting smaller! :D

Thanks for your encouragement Hunding, very kind. I admit that I looked at your profile...I grew up in the San Fernando Valley so how's that for serendipity.

:D:D:D:DSmall world...getting smaller. :D:D

Thanks so much for your response, Elka, and your comments are helpful. I've done a lot of travel by myself (husband died 6 years ago) but this will be the first time I'll be on a ship on my own. I'm wondering just how awkward mealtimes will be, how insular fellow travelers are likely to be. Usually I can cajole one of my friends into traveling with me, but this time nobody wants to be in the cold dark North for two weeks, aurora borealis or not. I've been to Iceland several times in winter, and loved every minute.

 

I guess there's no way to really know whether there will be other simpatico singletons or not, so my fingers are crossed that a sufficient number of the passengers will be in a cheerful friendly mood.

Now, obviously, I don't know this for a certainty, but I would bet you a crisp, new $50 bill that you will be welcome by almost one and all...on deck, in the dining room, in the lounge, on excursions...everywhere. You'll be "adopted" by more people than you may be comfortable with!

Bon Voyage!

I’ll let you know what I think of the Trollfjord, I will begin my trip next Wednesday for the Astronomy Cruise.

We eagerly await the account of your Trollfjord experience - we board her on November 16th for the RT.

Do have a wonderful voyage!

The answer might depend on the ship as well as itinerary - my answer in general for a Norwegian Coastal Journey.

Food is included - the food at Hurtigruten is excellent - primarily Norwegian food - a glass of wine is in the order of 10 to 15 US$. Waters included for dinner.

For Basic fare you'll get assigned a table and fixed dining time for dinner.

Hurtigruten is smaller ships and not comparable with 'ordinary' cruise ship - an expedition ship and along the Norwegian Coast a working cargo and car ferry with many stops along the coast - most stops ar 15 minutes - few stops are two to three hours.

Gratuity is included in the fare - no extra tips.

Just ask all your questions - important to be well prepared - also regarding clothing

All ships are different - here is a short video from M/S Kong Harald

iKHi5ELgO3U

hallasm

I am so grateful for the info I have gleaned from your notes and responses here. We are off (after two days in Bergen) for the Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen round-trip on November 16th, followed by four days in Oslo, flying back to the US on December 1st. Like everyone, we would like to travel as lightly as possible, but understand the climate demands certain "accommodations." And so we are asking for your advice - what clothing and footwear, specifically, will serve us best on our cruise? I also have a dim memory of reading that crampons are advisable for the Winter sailings. Any words of wisdom/experience will be most appreciated. Thanks.

molymoo

Thanks for this -- very unexpected and disconcerting. Especially those occasions when Viking personnel have no idea what you're talking about.

I know nothing about Hurtigruten's offerings on this route -- but other lines also ply these particular sea lanes, and for far less money. And, I must say, in more - relatively speaking - luxurious circumstances. Just Google "Cruise Lines Northwest Passage," or some variation thereof.

Hi Paula,

I have 2 login names...soccerref and izzywiz. I thought I’d let you know so you know it is me!!

I’m glad that you found the information useful. I would have loved to have done the countryside tour....much more my style. I’m not so keen on cities but, unfortunately, I can’t climb into low boats anymore. We do enjoy going to the more unusual places and experiencing diverse cultures so I hope you have a great time there.

Happy travelling

Isabel

Dear soccerref/izzywiz,

Many thanks for your and DH's posts-with-photos - both excellent and appreciated.

Jeff Milsteen ~ Thank you for these extraordinary and beautiful photographs! Your pictures are not simply a record of a time and place - they are powerfully evocative images. Viking Ocean - or Hurtigruten - should purchase some of your negatives for a series of oversized postcards...or, better yet, a book!

Damn! I just gained five pounds reading about your favorite dishes -- now I really have to go on a pre-cruise diet!

Always us an agent!!!

Thou Viking does not need much to offer in additional amenities,(specialty restaurants, drinks, internet etc), the agent is always able to add additional OBC above what Viking was offering.

Ditto!

baycruising

So very happy for you -- I'm sure it was one of those never-to-be-forgotten coupla weeks!

I have to admit that because we are getting older, I do stop to think about booking a cruise over a year out.

 

However, we do still buy green bananas so I guess booking for next year is still an option.

Thanks, you made my day -- "green bananas!" And, yeah, we also stop to think...and then go, "Naaaaaaaah, let's email Jeff!" And we're a year-and-a-half out....

jakkojakko

Thank you for these superlative photographs! Most of us will never get to Svalbard, and I cannot imagine there could be finer photos than these to show us what we will be missing/have missed.