jiminyC_fan

We got all currencies except for Russia before we left home.    You do need cash to tip the driver and guide on your tours and we felt it was right to pay in their currency.  Had we not gotten local currency we would not have been able to purchase anything nor take the ride up in Bergen because the town's system went down when we were there.  It wiped us out in cash.  Had to tip the guides and drivers in Euros in Norway and felt bad.  We exchanged for a small amount in each currency after sitting down and estimating what we would need in each country.  We did pretty good.  We had a little bit leftover and the bank exchanged it back once we got home.  We, also, liked not having to search out an ATM and take up precious tour time doing so.

14 hours ago, john005 said:

Thank you everyone! These are fantastic recommendations and ideas. I am starting to plan our shore excursions now...

I am sure I will have lots more questions, but the first one is regarding Stavenger and Pulpit Rock.

Rodne has three departures per day. 10am, noon, and 2pm. Per the schedule Viking has published, the ship arrives at 10am and leaves at 6pm. This means the 10am departure is probably too early, and the 2pm sounds risky (would return at about 5pm). That leaves the noon departure which will make it difficult to see the town or take the included tour. Am I missing something?

I do want to take the Pulpit Rock cruise, but I would also like to at least wander around the town. 

For those of you who did this excursion, what did you do?

Thanks again!

John, we had the same concern about Pulpit Rock.  Check the Norled website for their hours.  It seems that Rodne is good for some and Norled good for other sailings.

Hey John, I see you're from Golden.  We're from Littleton.  My husband grew up in Golden and Lookout Mtn area.

We heard too many people saying the included tour in Stockholm was boring so we opted to tour on our own.  We arrived early and had 3 full days.  We enjoyed Skansen, Vasa Museum and the Royal Palace.

We used Alla Tours in St Petersburg and they were excellent.  From what I gather here, most if not all private tour companies are great.

We, too, went on our own to Pulpit Rock.  There are two different companies and you definitely need to check them both out.  Your arrival and departure will dictate which company you use.  They are Norled and Rodne.

Eidfjord was one of our favorite stops.  We did not go on any tours.  We read about a walk that Eidfjord offers and chose that route.  It was us with nature and such a highlight to be on our own in the beauty of Norway.  If we were to ever go again, we would most certainly do that again.  Make sure that you are awake and outside to enjoy the sail in to Eidfjord.    Have your camera ready.

We are VERY happy that we did the Historic Berlin.  We saw so much.

We enjoyed the bus ride to Malbork Castle in Poland.  It was a bus ride but I enjoy seeing something outside of the cities.  I think it gives us more of a taste of a country besides big buildings in a city or town.

We added on at the end as well so we did Bergen on our own until the day we boarded the train for Oslo.  We decided to take their tour and so very glad we did. 

Oslo was a delight.  We were not scheduled to go to Statue Park but because of cloud cover at the ski jump they changed it to the park.  It was amazing and a must see.  We, also, went to the Viking museum.  Correct name has escaped me but seeing all the old boats and watching their video about the Vikings was very interesting.  We weren't going to watch the video but our tour guide really pushed it so we decided to and glad we did.

You will have an outstanding trip.  One that I want to experience again.  Have fun!

I suggest calling Viking direct on this question.

Does anyone have a link to a live webcam in NYC?  I would love to watch the Magic sail out tomorrow.  Our daughter and SIL will be on it.  We were suppose to be, also, but my husband's heath is preventing it.  Thanks!

I don't think we as guests should expect Viking to provide a US Holiday feast including turkey and all the trimmings.  I can't even imagine complaining about not getting pumpkin pie.  WOW

I have long, thick curly hair.  Viking's hairdryers work perfectly for me.

Wow, so in depth.  Thank you so much.

I wonder if the gentleman in sweats had back issues.  I know for me and, also, my brother wearing pants can be terribly uncomfortable.  They put pressure on our backs.  I'm not making excuses as I did wear slacks and dresses but I just wonder if it's related to health issues for him.   If no one took the time to talk to him you would never know his story.

Our transfer in Stockholm a couple years ago went great.  They sent us off in a private BMW because there weren't enough people coming in and they didn't want us to wait.

18 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Chef's Table was mostly very good.   Loud though.  Main course and rice were pretty salty.  Chinese menu.  Xiao menu.

Wonder if it was loud because of the diners there.  We didn't find it loud in the least and maybe the difference is the diners at that particular time.

I did A LOT of research before our Homelands cruise and Stockholm was the only one that people didn't recommend the included tour.  We skipped it and toured it on our own.  We were there for 3 days and loved every minute of it.  We got the Stockholm Pass which included transportation and some points of interest and it worked out great.

Never once noticed an off putting smell from the World Cafe and we had every breakfast and most dinners from there.  We ate lunch at the pool grill.   It surprises me that there is a whole post dedicated to something so trivial.

We brought all currencies with us and thankful we did.  Had we not had any and depended on CC's we would never have been able to do or buy anything in Bergen.  Their whole system was down.  We believe that we don't accept foreign currency here at home.  Why should we expect them to accept USD for our convenience?  Yes, they happily accept it but what can they do when a tip is offered in USD?  Say no.  I don't accept them?  

Our cruise was the end of May, beginning of June and the weather was perfect.  If we would do it again we would book the exact same time.  I can't remember the temps.  We did dress in layers.  We had rain in a couple of ports but it wasn't an all day rain.  We had rain while visiting Pulpit Rock in Stavanger and it was a cold rain.  The other port was not.

We've always had the perfect guides.  We do like TGBoss and get the included tour in the morning and strike out after it to see/do what we want.  I do a lot of research before any cruise and have the highlights of each port printed out.  Part of my research is must eat restaurants to have lunch.  Missing a meal on the ship is no biggie to us.  Experiencing the real food of the country is more important.  The free shuttles are extremely helpful. 

Thanks.  We haven't figured it all out yet but hope the surprise works out.

41 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

I saw the question about NYC and thought I could chime in with some advice.

We often visited Disneyworld in our younger days,but in our last visit there about five years ago,we felt we had aged out of the experience. Too hot,busy and long lines for us Seniors.

 

I am thankful that you did chime in.  You rock!  I have to agree that we've aged out as well.  This is a surprise trip for my daughter.  Our son in law asked us to go on their trip and it will be a surprise for her.  Can't wait.

 

48 minutes ago, Elka said:

 

I believe that MJ is from Long Island, as I am from. New Yorkers are not just from NYC, I am from the Metro area but was born in Manhattan.

Ok,.   I am from the suburbs of Denver but when someone asks I just say Denver.  It's easier.

3 hours ago, gometros said:

 

MJSailors, just curious because of the initials 'MJ'. Do I know you by another name on DISboards?

You are thinking the same as me and MJ is from New York.

1 hour ago, MJSailors said:

No,that is not me!

Whenever I see a question about NYC  on CC,I have to offer my 2cents and try to give advice that will help others enjoy the City.

Well I see it more than 2 cents.  More like a silver dollar.

MJSailors, you are amazing!  I appreciate you taking the time to help me.  By chance are you mmouse on a different forum?

We had the same worry.  We used Norled.   They were fabulous.  We just weren't comfortable with Rodne's time frame for the ship.  You just never know if something could happen for whatever reason.   We still had time to explore the town afterwards.

I can't thank you enough MJSailors for your detailed response!  And thank you gometros for seconding what was said.  Now off to do research.  THANK YOU