GeneBK

On the scenery---it is certainly attractive and would delight anyone. It is varied rock and mountain pond/lakes, with distant mountains. Everyone's opinions of scenery is different. I just meant that I prefer the classic Norwegian fjord beauty---waterfalls, fjords, farms, etc. On Google Images you might enter Vidden trail and look at some of the photos.

On the "machinery" assists---the climb up to Ulriken is exhausting; the cable car would definitely save time and energy. Walking down from Floyen is easy and pleasant, and the final ten minutes has you descending among some of the nice streets and homes in Bergen.

Several years ago, I did the Vidden while in port on a cruise. I walked from the ship to the cable car, and I walked down from Floyen rather than take the funicular. Otherwise, it was the same plan you suggest. I kept moving energetically, and had no problem making the schedule.

I had a little trouble recognizing how to start the trail, but someone helped in pointing it out. After that, I found it adequately marked.

It's a good walk and a satisfying accomplishment, but in my opinion it's below average for Norwegian scenic beauty.....

Well done! I thought it would be especially difficult because the "frame" around the TV looks so close that I feared it would be hard to see around to the side to view the inputs? Is there actually enough room to look around?

Thanks.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. Having been to St. Petersburg before, I was aware of the independent travel visa issue. I was hoping maybe it didn't apply quite as severely in the barren arctic region, but apparently still an issue.

So, it appears my hesitancy was justified; I think I'll stick to Norway. Even though my June cruise there this year will be my 10th, I know it will continue to offer me a lifetime of adventures.

Thanks again.....and, an aside to Terry in Ohio---your posts and photos have delighted me for years, albeit they always leave me feeling so photographically inadequate by comparison......thanks for all of them as well!!

Each year I enjoy a summer cruise to Norway, an annual ritual which delights. I love the cool, I love the fjords, I love the hiking.

I have sometimes looked at itineraries that include the above stops in Russia, on the ships that go beyond Honningsvag. I've avoided them, however, fearing that those stops would not offer the same opportunity to hike and explore independently.

Once again I'm looking at the possibility. If I choose to give these Russian stops a try, will I find places to wander and hike on my own??

Thanks!

We've done both. Like both.

But, I think Iceland is better suited to a land exploration, not really laid out to show it's best features on a cruise.

Norway, in contrast, is ideal for a cruise.....SO much scenery and character right on the thousands of miles of coast and fjords...

Thanks for the responses....glad to hear it does occasionally work. So far, I still haven't caught the magic moment.

My default browser is Chrome, but I've also tried Mozilla and Edge.....no luck with any....it's like playing the lottery...I'll just keep trying....

We're currently booked on two upcoming cruises.

Once logged in, I've gone to the Shore Excursion page and clicked on the link to "Download Personalized eBrochure". The little "wheel" starts spinning, but as far as I can tell nothing downloads. I believe I've done this successfully in the past, but no luck now.

Anyone successfully downloaded a Shore Excursion summary??

Thanks

Attached is the pricing page of the brochure that was received. Cruises for 2016/2017. Pricing points for the 2016/2017 Antarctica cruises did not seem to drop until end of February 2016. I would be surprised if Seabourn is dropping the price points for 2017/2018 this early.

Many thanks.

I'm embarrassed. I misread the dates. Thank you for including the pdf...I didn't dream it.....I just misread it.

The brochure number on page 4 is "SEA15709". The prices shown in the brochure are the same as shown on the Seabourn website. Dec 19, 2016 Antarctica sailing is $11,999 (ocean view or cheapest balcony), Jan 12, 2017 is $12,999 (ocean view or cheapest balcony).

Thanks, but the brochure I was looking at (received just this week) was for the sailings winter 2017/18. The cruise I am specifically interested in is Dec 20, 2017....the quoted price of the Owner's Suite.

Still hoping someone might still have it. Thanks!!

A few days ago, we received a fold-open sales brochure from Seabourn, hyping six or seven winter 2017/18 South America and Antarctica cruises, the expedition team, pictures of kayaks among the ice, etc. AND it listed significantly lower fares if booked early; I think the deadline was Nov 15.

We were interested, asked our TA, and he called. The person he spoke with was completely unaware of any promotions, and said there were no price changes "in the system". My TA asked me to give details of the mailing, maybe some mailing code on the bottom, etc. ALAS, I couldn't find it....it must have jumped into the junkmail trash.

Did I dream it?? I really don't think so. If anyone remembers anything like this, and can come up with copy, please help! Many thanks....

Many cruise lines put a little symbol in itineraries to indicate a port is served by tender; or, the information is listed when ports are described for shore excursions. I find neither from Silversea.

We are on an upcoming Whisper cruise from Montreal to New York. Which ports are sure to be tender? I suspect Summerside and Bar Harbor, what about Newport?

Thanks

Thanks so much for the reply!

Your answer sounds promising, we were hoping there was one. Based on your experience, it sure sounds like it will be there on Sojourn.

Thanks

We are booked in a Wintergarden Suite on Sojourn on an upcoming cruise.

This may seem a trivial question, but it has some particular interest to us---

For the one bedroom description, the list of amenities details "two closets". The suite layout with the deck plan only shows one. I have found other layouts on some cruise ship information websites which show a small hall closet on the side next to the pantry. (The current Seabourn layout simply shows a larger pantry.)

Since the ship undergoes minor change during drydock, I suspect each layout has been accurate at one time or another.

Can anyone report the current layout? Small hall closet or not?

Thanks!!

I saw a Silver Cloud 12th June 2018 departure from Edinburgh to Tromso last night, with calls in John O' Groats, Lerwick and onwards to Norway.

I don't see it on the Silversea site; where did you see it??

Most of the walk is flat, along the water, and on a bike/walk path that runs beside the highway, but is pleasantly separate from it. It's a comfortable, nice walk. When you cross the highway and head uphill to Otternes (the uphill stretch is less than half mile), it is a narrow, country lane, but only a car or two, if any.

My memory is that it took a bit longer than 57 minutes each way; I'd figure at least three hours round-trip, including time walking around the village. We totally enjoyed the excurison

Obviously. But this is not a case of mirror images.

That's totally not the issue. The position of features within the suite, within the rooms, was different from the diagram. (As detailed, for example, hall closet appeared in the diagram, not in the actual suite. The walk-in bedroom closet was next to the bathroom in the diagram, across the room in the actual suite.)

I was asking if someone knew the actual suite layout on the Whisper.

This may seem like trivial question, but it has some importance to us.

In April/May, we enjoyed a cruise on the Silver Shadow, in a Grand Suite (801). We had never stayed in a Grand Suite before. So, before we left, we had looked closely at the room layout diagram and the pictures on the website to better understand what we were heading for. Sometimes, suite details have a minor, but useful impact on some of the items we bring along on travels.

When we boarded, we were surprised to discover that the actual suite was not the same as the layout diagram, nor the pictures.

In particular, the diagram had shown a small closet in the entry hall; in fact, there was none.

The diagram had shown the TV across from the couch; in fact, it was hung on a small wall not facing any of the comfortable furniture, beside the couch.

The diagram had shown the door to the bedroom was near the main bathroom door, and the closet was on the same wall as the bathroom. In fact, the door to the bedroom was at the opposite end of the room from the bath, and the closet was also completely across the bedroom from the bath.

Not serious differences, but each had an influence, and we would have like to have known in advance.

In October, we are on the Silver Whisper, again in 801. The website shows the same layout, but interestingly one less picture (the one picture that had accurately shown the Shadow). Seemingly, Whisper is an identical ship, but perhaps after various dry docks and modifications, they differ?

The key question---on the Whisper, is the Grand Suite layout indeed the same as the diagram? Or, like on the Shadow, does the layout differ as detailed above?

Thanks!

You are lucky to be able to visit 7-8 times.

 

The boat to Langevåg goes from next to the cruise pier.

The boats from "Skateflua" / Tourist office are for the islands.

 

You can take any departure you want.

The "Busskorr til/fra Langevag" - means there is a bus coresponding to/from Langevåg.

 

You do pay the fare on the boat and from what I gather the price is NOK 65 one way.

http://www.frammr.no/Portals/0/Dokumenter/Prisar/TakstarHurtigbaat2016_v6.pdf

 

 

I never really advocate doing hikes on your own in unfamiliar areas.

 

However this site should give you a few ideas for hikes:

http://fjellglede.blogspot.no/2014/10/blafjellet.html

I-Cruiser,

First, apologies for my long delay in responding with appreciation to you helpful reply to my questions about boat travel to Langevag. I would normally convey thanks sooner; but your reply came after my travels were underway, and time (and internet) always seem in short supply when I’m traveling.

I appreciate your wise concern about hiking the unknown alone. At 70, I hope I try to be cautious and careful. I know the risks of injury. As for navigation, I research carefully, and use a GPS which contains the complete Norway Topo Experience map set.

This past Wednesday was my long port day in Alesund. As you may recall, weather was less than ideal with a low ceiling. However, I went ahead with the plan. Your helpful answers about the express boat were perfect and reassuring. I timed the departure well, and twenty minutes after I stepped off the ship I was standing in Langevag! (Roundtrip fare is available for 78 Krone.)

I am mostly writing to recommend the area above Langevag for exercise and hiking, in my opinion one of the best hiking areas from any cruise port in Norway for the tourist/walker/hiker. The scenery is consistently more rewarding than the Floyen area above Bergen or the Bymarka of Trondheim. The main trails are less demanding than most of the Geiranger trails. Although not as dramatic in the final views, it is far less crowded than the trail to Pulpit Rock.

In particular, the trail up to Blafjellet (which I had been looking at and for which you linked a website) is a perfect introductory tourist hike. Yes, uphill demanding, of course; it’s impossible to reach 344 meters without some exertion. But, once the trailhead is located, it is clearly marked, a smooth, wide gravel/dirt ATV or tractor trail, which could be walked with good athletic shoes. The views are consistently spectacular. There are even picnic tables in attractive spots along the way. For a tourist, I would have said Sukkertoppen was the best accessible little hike out of Alesund. But, Blafjellet is easier access (thanks to the convenience of the boat), less demanding underfoot, and rewards with equal or better distant vistas.

And, one can go beyond. I continued to over 500 meters (unfortunately into the cloud) on the same trail. There are marked side trails which appear to be more true hiking, with bouldering. I will be back next week and plan to explore one or two of these.

Your help with the transport logistics reassured me enough to explore. What I discovered surprised me. I think it is a promising hiking area that should be getting more attention from the various tourist information resources.

Thanks!

I-Cruiser,

Related question to my earlier one concerning the Alesund-Langevag boat.

I assumed the boat would leave from the dock right beside the Tourist Office...I've seen this kind of boat there before, and the Norled website seemed to show that dock.

However, looking at the graphic on another site, that one appears to show the boat docking in the area over by where the cruise ships disembark. If, in answer to my earlier question, you do think the Langevag boat and hiking that area is a workable idea, do you know which place the Langevag boat departs from?

Thanks again!

I-Crusier, or anyone who can help,

I have the good fortune of cruising Norway nearly every summer; I've been to Alesund 7 or 8 times (wonderful!!).

I've walked and hiked everywhere I could get in a day using only my feet. I've walked to from the trailhead and gone up Sukkertoppen at least five times (also wonderful!!).

This year I have a long day (7am to 11pm) and want to try something new. It looks like there's good hiking out of Langevag, and it appears really quick and easy to get to, with frequent boats going back an forth.

First, does this seem like a good plan? I love to exercise and adventure, but I almost always avoid public transport for fear there will be a problem and I'll be late for "all aboard". (The late departure eases this concern.)

Second, I have the Norled timetable for the route 2061....I presume I can take any departure I wish? Many of them have a note that reads "Busskorr til/fra Langevag". I could still take this departure and pay a simple fare? Does one pay on the boat?

Many thanks....I've read this tread for a long time, but I was already pretty familiar with things when it first appeared, so I never had occasion to ask. You provide a wonderful service; I've picked up several helpful suggestions.

We are booked into a Neptune Suite, but the question probably holds for most cabins on the ship.

Those of you who have already cruised the Koningsdam---has anyone attempted to input a portable device into the TV? By HDMI, or VGA, or otherwise?

I suspect it is not possible given the way the TV is wall-mounted....but has anyone asked if it is possible with the aid of someone from ship engineering or maintenance?

Thanks

Really eager for your report. Thank you in advance!!!

We're in an aft Neptune for three weeks in July, and I've been frustrated knowing it can't be the same as the traditional side position, but left wondering since the HAL pictures and diagrams always show a side Neptune only.

Your timing is perfect for us.

Hope you had a great cruise!

I understood the friend's email to mean that the computer would not connect to the ships WIFI.

I mentioned Windows 10 because I experienced a nearly identical problem several years ago using Windows 8 on Seabourn. With the help of their IT support, it ended up necessary to retreat to a Command Prompt, to manually edit the WIFI directory before the computer would connect. I can't remember the details.

Thanks for the one reply which mentions actual successful WIFI connection---Windows 10 on Koningsdam. That kind of report is the reassurance I was looking for.

I am booked on a July cruise on the Koningsdam. When I'm cruising, the internet is very important; I have to keep up with a bit of work that never vacations.

Coincidentally, I have a friend presently on the Koningsdam on nearly an identical cruise. He reports via email---

"My Levono, Windows 10, I3 computer will not hook up to the ship. The IT guy spent over an hour with no success. I have to rely on a small tablet."

After over eight weeks of active cruising with over 2000 passengers, I can't believe this is a common, unsolved problem. I can only assume that there is a bizarre problem in the operating system settings on my friend's computer, although strange that the IT guy couldn't solve it.

Put my worries to rest---I'd like to hear from anyone recently on the Koningsdam who had smooth connecting with a Windows 10 laptop.....ideally a Lenovo.

Thanks!!