GeneBK

On Koningsdam, the aft-corner Neptune Suites can combine with the adjacent cabin. There is a door in the hallway, which when closed means the two rooms become effectively connecting.

Is this hallway door also present on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, so that the two adjacent rooms become a kind of “suite”???

Sorry, not a helpful answer to your question. Actually, I've been watching with interest, since we are also booked in 12017 in October.

When is your cruise? If before, October, I hope you'll post your experience once you're on board. If after, I'll report on what we find in October.

Thanks

We have been in both June and August. The ice was definitely heavier in June, and we did not go nearly as far around as had been planned. Weather was otherwise about the same. We were there for summer solstice which was really special, but it didn't really get dark in August either. Saw about the same amount of animals--not many bears, but lots of birds. Saw a cute arctic fox each time.

Sorry I didn't include you in my recent reply; yours must have come in while I was typing mine.

You say "not many bears"....any at all? We know its different every time, but we want to know what the realities have been for others.

Thanks!!

Tony,, and JP/Chris,

Thanks for the replies! Helpful.

As I mentioned, polar bear sightings are high on our priority list. Obviously, there are no guarantees and one year's experience doesn't necessarily indicate a lot about the next. However, that said, do you think that greater territory available north and east later in the season increases the chances of sightings? JP and Chris---I enjoyed your pictures and noticed polar bear sightings both on land and on ice. I'm wondering if these would be just as likely in June.

Thanks again, Gene

We are excited to book a Svalbard cruise on the Silver Cloud. We are especially eager to see polar bears.

Looking at the 2018 and 2019 schedules, we see cruises as early as June, as late as September, with July and August possibles as well.

Are there any considerations concerning the month chosen? Ice problems, snow, polar bear habits, weather, etc?

We have taken several Antarctica/South Georgia cruises, and there are certainly differences between December and February....snow, chicks, etc. Is the same true in Svalbard?

Thanks!

For me, I welcome broadening the range of information, as long as it pertains to the issue raised.

Many of us sail on multiple lines. Sharing information about how different lines handle a similar situation is interesting and makes us more knowledgeable travelers.

Many thanks, cruisemom42!!

Not the result I was hoping for, but exactly the answer to the question I asked. Your response was concise, and right to the point. The link to the port website was especially helpful.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed, but it is helpful to know what is scheduled and probable.

Thanks!

The comments are appreciated, but I'm still hoping someone can answer the question asked---where does the Prinsendam dock in St. Petersburg??

Indeed. We've been in St. Petersburg before. We have arranged a private guide for both days we are in port on our upcoming visit..

I'm just trying to figure the hours of the day, and transportation time from ship to destinations is very different, depending on where we're starting!

I know there are two docks near St. Petersburg city center available to "small" ships. If the ship is too large, or if these docks are occupied, all other ships dock at the major cruise ship terminal complex out of town.

In recent years, has the Prinsendam sometimes docked near the city center, or always at the terminal complex out of town?

Thanks!

As said in other responses. Itinerary diversions must be cleared in advance by the cruise line and local immigration. Travel agents can request.

We have cruised for many years, and have done diversions, with various lines, in Japan, Norway, Italy, Namibia/Ghana, among others. Only one request was every denied---Canada is very strict and does not allow a cruise passenger to remain off itinerary, even for a day or two.

One thing to keep in mind---on rare occasions (weather, strikes, port mechanical issues, etc), itineraries are announced as changing while on the cruise. In over 600 days at sea, this has happened to us maybe a dozen or so times. Fortunately, never during one of our diversions. HIGHLY unlikely, but if it did, the passenger has the responsibility to "reach" the ship wherever

it's port change requires.

A "bit of a workout" means different things to different people. The beauty of the fjords is the dramatic, mountainous terrain that surrounds the fjords. Most of the best hiking is indeed uphill, even when it's a nice, walking path.

As mentioned above, Geiranger is excellent. However, the Vesteras farm is 300 meters elevation, and Losta (excellent) is 500 meters. My favorite, Grinddalsaetra, is 820 meters. All good workouts.

The only really convenient hike from Alesund is Sukkertoppen, 330 meters, and involves a bit more walking on rocks. My favorite here is to cross the fjord by express boat (10 minute ride, every hour) to Langevag and go up Blafjellet (350 meters) or on to Vardane (750 meters). Both smooth walking on tractor paths. Excellent views from both destinations.

In Honningsvag, I skip North Cape (too touristy for me). There is a great hike uphill from the neighboring town of Nordvagen (walk or bus there)..and adventure into arctic wilderness, sometimes excellent reindeer groups for company. Again, about 300 meters total elevation gain.

In Trondheim, there is a nice, flatter, bike/rec trail along the fjord west of the port area.

In Bergen, there is abundant hiking above town in the Floyen area (350 meters). You can take the funicular up to Floyen, and then hike around and hike down. Or, better exercise, walk up and go beyond. Some excellent viewpoints I could recommend, but again, 400 or 500 meters of accumulated elevation gain.

In Stavanger, I have not found any other day hiking as an alternative to Pulpit Rock. Again, keep in mind it's 300+ meters of uphill, some on rock.

I have been to Norway many times. For safe, clean air, spectacular view hiking, I can't find anywhere to match. But, it can be serious exercise!!

Enjoy

The Pinnacle Suite on the Prinsendam is the smallest one in the fleet.

 

No pantry, but a lovely little kitchen area with a bar. Definitely there is the 1/2 bath (I think that is what you are referring to) for guests.

 

The bedroom has it's own bathroom - I loved the walk up bath tub - overlooking the ocean. Truly beautiful. Unlike any other on any ship. Of course there is also a shower.

 

the walk in closet is humungus. Seriously. We put all our luggage, clothes, etc and still had room to spare.

 

the dining room is smaller than most PS's but works well and we easily sat 6 for course by course dining.

 

It's a unique PS but it's well designed.

 

I did post pics of it on the website that has all the FActs about HAL.

 

hope this helps. Feel free to ask more if you like. It was our pleasure to have it last time. I am sure it will never happen again ;)

I see from Halfacts that you were in the suite in 2013....it will be interesting to see if much has changed in the intervening years.

Thanks for the detailed response! Very helpful!

In the website's written description of the Pinnacle Suite on the Prinsendam, a powder room is not mentioned.

On the layout, difficult to see enough detail.

Is there one?

Thanks!

We are considering side-by-side Veranda Suites (maybe Deluxe Veranda or Superior for our family on an Explorer cruise. Suites with connecting doors seem very limited, but can the divider between the verandas be open for passage from one room to the other??

Is it guaranteed, or "at the discretion of the captain"? (We were actually told that on another cruise line once in the past.)

Thanks!!

Thanks to all of you. Sounds promising.

I didn't realize there were in fact some connecting Neptunes....unfortunately, not available for the cruise we're looking at, but good to know in the future!

I spend plenty of time in the fitness center for serious exercise.

But, both my wife and I also enjoy the sea air, the cool breeze, and some pleasant walking on outside decks. I wasn't planning to rant; just curious what to expect if we do decide to book the Encore.

We are considering side-by-side Neptune Suites for our family on an Oosterdam cruise. We know that none of the suites have connecting doors, but can the divider between the verandas be open for passage from one room to the other??

Is it guaranteed, or "at the discretion of the captain"? (We were actually told that on another cruise line once in the past.)

Thanks!!

On the Odyssey class ships, we have enjoyed exercise walking on deck 5. It is a longer walk area and is generally more sheltered and less crowded than walking above the pool on deck 9. During the day, the deck area at the back of The Club gets light usage, so walking around the back has not been a problem. By our calculation, seven of the U-shaped trips is about a mile. We have logged many pleasant miles listening to our music and watching the sea go by.

Now we are considering a cruise on the Explorer. The area behind The Club may be appointed differently, and, with the new smoking regulations, it may be more heavily used by smokers. Will we still be able to enjoy walking deck 5 for afternoon exercise??

Thanks for any thoughts and comments!

We have enjoyed many Seabourn cruises, all on the Odyssey class ships. Now, we are considering a cruise on the Encore.

Mealtime is very important to us. We enjoy a peaceful table-for-two; it's our quiet, connection time each day.

On the Odyssey ships, the dining room works nicely---plenty of tables-for-two, nicely positioned. However, the Colonnade presents a challenge---only five tables for two in the entire restaurant. And, the room seems compressed and has a high energy feel.

What's the situation on the Encore?? Thanks!!

We have done this on a number of occasions, with various cruise lines, sometimes debarking in one country and embarking again in another.

Two things to note---

1. HAL has to check with port/immigration regs for the country in question. Some(Canada for one) absolutely do not allow it.

2. There is always a tiny risk that the ship might be forced to change itinerary, due to weather, tender conditions, dock labor dispute, etc. Then, you're on your own. We always look at the following port, to see what the challenge would be if we had to "catch up" to the ship.

We have sailed on several HAL ships, but on an upcoming cruise on the Koningsdam, we will have our first opportunity to try the Culinary Arts Center.

I'm a little unclear of how it functions. I understand there are TV monitors showing the food being prepared? With commentary? Is there a specific time that the dinner presentation is shown? Or, are various guests at different stages of their meal while the video is shown. Is it a relaxing dinner, or is it like being in a classroom?

These questions may indicate I'm way off in my vague impression of what goes on. That's why I'm asking!

Thanks for any feedback of your experience there.

goofy810,

I went to send the email and just noticed that you haven't given a full email address.

Is it @gmail.com?

Sorry to hijack your thred but we are on that same cruise and would love to get the .gpx track for my garmin?

 

My email is goofylevine@ googles email

No such thing as a hijack.....all are welcome.

I will email you the track and related waypoints.

One note to emphasize---My ship was in port for 12 hours. I left the ship about 8:15am, unsure of what I might do. First stop was the mall at the bus station, and only then did I decide to go to the cable car and maybe hike up. So, I had a somewhat slow start. I reached the cable car just before noon. Only then, knowing the ship wasn't leaving until 8:00pm, did I decide to take the Vidden.

So, my all-walking 9 hours elapsed time was almost nonstop. 15 minute detour to the bus station mall, 15 minutes at Ulriken, 5 minutes at Floyen. I think taking the bus and/or cable car is a necessity if one has only 10 hours (9 1/2 assuming all aboard is 30 minutes before departure). I always want a minimum of one hour for surprises!

As said earlier, I walked the entire loop---from ship to ship via, in order, Ulriken, the Vidden, Floyen, and back. The total distant was a bit over 27km, elapsed time 9 hours.

The Vidden itself, from Ulriken to Floyen, was 14km, elapsed time 4:40 (including stops for pictures and snack). Walking down from Floyen past Bryggen took 50 minutes.

I don't "run", but I am an experienced hiker and I keep moving. If you can figure how long the bus/cable car combination will take you to get to Ulriken, the above results may help.

If you happen to use Garmin GPS and/or Basecamp software, I could email you the .gpx track log of the journey.