EnglandHolidayGirl

I know there are plenty of sweet snacks on board, cookies, muffins etc. but can you get any savoury snacks? Like peanuts or crisps (potato chips) that you can take back to your cabin to eat when sitting with a drink?

Thanks Schlot.

Anybody got any photos??

thanks:D

Lars

 

Thank you so much for all you do on the forum.

Anne

I second this. Our cruise is in 3 weeks now and your help has been invaluable in planning our ports. Thanks so much.

Ann

Does anybody know what the gym is like on the Caribbean Princess? What sort of equipment is there? Anybody got any photos of the inside?

Thanks

I did find a rough-drawn map of Geiranger after I posted and it looks like the base of the waterfall walk is fairly close to where we'd catch the bus:

http://www.geirangerfjord.no/upload/images/Maps/TownMapChris.jpg.

 

Hoping that the Eclipse will be connected to the ship walkway instead of having to tender!

This link no longer works, does anybody have a current link to this map? I can't find anything like it myself

.

Thanks

It all looks wonderful Lars, can't wait for our cruise. Only 8 and half weeks!

Ann

I am agreement with Lew on the but for different reasons. B259 is very near elevators and the fire door but my main concern is being bang opposite the door where all the cleaners/cabin stewards emerge. I see all these as small potential problems.

 

B530 is on a nice clear stretch about equidistant between mid and aft lifts, so not much through traffic. The self-service laundry is reasonably near for the odd press you might need.

 

I expect you know these are three/four berth cabins.

 

Regards John

Thanks both of these reasons were my concern. I had B259 booked as it was the only one showing when I booked, B530 has just come vacant so I've now changed my booking to that one.

Which ship?

 

Lew

Opps! Caribbean Princess

For those that know Princess very well, which do you think is the better room B259 or B530?

Thanks

When we did our Alaska cruise in 2010, we flew into Seattle and then spend 4 days touring the Olympic National Park in Washington State. Then the cruise from Seattle round trip followed by 4 days in a cabin on Mount Rainier exploring that part of Washington State. it was a great trip, all booked independently.

I just answered my own question. The schedule is for the ferry at Valldal! Just exactly what I was looking for. As usual you came through Lars! Thank you!

 

Ann There's a nifty little website called rome2rio.com that has amazing directions! Based on that website, from Andalsnes to Geiranger should only take no more than two hours. Does that sound right Lars?

 

Here's the link to Rome2Rio valldal to Geiranger

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Valldal/Geiranger

That sounds better then. Use the same route both ways so that we are not rushing. I would like to do the waterfall walk in G. It looks lovely.

Oh and yes, definitely lets swop numbers in case of problems.

Or we can exchange phone numbers in case of our cars breaks down! What route did you settle on for andalsnes to gieranger? I haven't got the details ironed out yet but I want to try to go back a different way if possible. I think I saw something in this string somewhere from Lars.

Well Lars said that the drive from Gerianger to Andalsnes is the most dramatic, so what I'd "like" to do is

Take 136 out of Andalasnes and drive that way round to G. Then drive the 63 back to experience the Troll Rd. But looking at it in detail, I really don't know if there will be time to do that with any enjoyment.

Google maps show 2 hrs 45 to G from A this way, add 30 mins for ferry and that's 3hrs 15. Fast walk along the waterfall walk and buy some chocs from chocolate shop and that's at least another hour. The drive back is another 2hrs 30 plus 30 for ferry. That's 7hrs 15 mins and that's without stopping for all the photos! We are in port for 9 hours but with getting on and off and collecting and returning the car, that takes it down to a maximum of 8hrs and that's if it all goes smoothly. So, I think in reality we will probably drive the Troll rd to Vallena (or whatever its called!), have a stroll round there and drive back the way we came. That way we can see the road from both ways and stop as many times as we want to take pictures. I want to walk up the steps to the view point at the Troll wall as well and that will probably take at least 30 mins.

:eek:

Have I got that about right Lars?

Hi Ann,

We should just follow each other around because this is our plan too! LOL

It's going to KILL my husband to be on a strict timetable though due to his obsessive picture taking. 4 months from yesterday by the way!

LOL! We could probably have saved a lot of money and shared a car!! Or several cars as I think we are doing the same drive in 3 different places! But it will be fun to race and catch up at the stops! We can't wait!:D

This is a good map. Thank you for posting it.

It is really a short walk.

I would suggest you walk the road to the church then to hotel Union for the waterfall walk.

Just On the corner of the hotel - On the right side there is a small wood house and a short cut to the walk.

 

You can easily walk from the pier to the walk in 15-20 minutes. The walk down in 20-30 minutes.

If you use a leasurly 1 hr/1,5 hr you can do it before your tour.

Hi Lars,

Is the parking shown on the map, by the supermarket, the only parking in town? How quickly would that fill up? We are planning to drive to Gerianger from Andalasnes and I would like to do the waterfall walk before heading back off again. But we won't have a lot of time to spend there so don't want to waste too much time trying to park the car!

Thanks

Ann

I love the sound of this trip only we would be doing andalsnes-geiranger-Andalsnes. Thanks for posting it.

LARS can you please add about how long it will take for this loop?

Thank you!

And if doing it from Andalsnes, which way would you recommend? Along the 136 first and back on the 63 or the other way round?

Thanks Lars,

Ann

Hi Ann. I did notice that about the 100km mileage but we really wanted an automatic. Was there no mileage limit on the Avis rental?

Lol you and my husband will get along famously!

Avis is unlimited mileage. I did wonder why the Budget was so much cheaper, I guess that's the reason. I couldn't see on their info what the penalty was for going over the miles but I would think they would charge per mile when the car is returned? It might not make it any more expensive than the Avis but we prefer to know upfront what things are costing. I don't know if Avis have any automatic cars though so I suppose you have to go with what's most important to you.

Ann

Hello Ann. sorry for the delay but I see that Lars already answered. Yes we are on the same cruise and sounds like we're planning some of the same things. We booked with Hertz in Andalsnes and Budget in Alesund. I had the following directions to Budget but Lars' directions have more detail!

Their offices are about a 5 minute walk from where the ship dock. As you come out to the pier area take to the left and follow the road until you see a Shell petrol station/7-11 store. Budget is inside the 7/11 store and Avis is next door.

Hi again, I've just noticed that my car hire voucher from Budget says that it is limited to 100km per day. As the planned drive is over 150km, this is not much good. Have you checked your voucher? Does it say the same? I'm going to check out other dealers to see if they say the same in this port.

Update: I've cancelled with budget and rebooked with Avis.

Hi Again Ann,

Just want you to know that I would offer to share the cars with you but my husband would drive you bonkers! He is a shutterbug to the extreme. As a matter of fact, in the past we haven't made it to our destination due to his taking too many pictures at one spot. That's why we ended up with two trips to Alaska! Hope we don't miss too much in Norway though because it is "slightly" more expensive! LOL

Are you staying at the Premier Inn/West Quay night before embarkation? I know there are people planning to meet for dinner but I'm not sure what time we'll be arriving but I'd love to meet for drinks with everyone from the roll call!

I'm SO EXCITED for this trip!! less than 5 months now!! Woo hoo!

Ha Ha, I will probably get on very well with your Husband then! I drive mine crazy with taking photos all the time! But its always good to have own transport although we can always arrange to be getting the same ferries maybe? We wont be at Premier Inn as we only live about a 3 hr drive from Southampton so will be driving down in the morning. We must definitely meet up as soon as possible once we board the ship though. I'm getting excited about the trip too, I tell everybody who will listen where we are going and what we are going to do!

Ann - The ship docks right in the middle of town next to the bus terminal and the townhall.

From the pier you take a left and walk the 5 minutes to the car rental place.

 

I post a picture to show you.

The the building circled in red is where the car rental office is (both budget and Avis).

The pier is all the way to the right in the picture. You cant actually see it in the picture but its right where the picture ends.

 

What you should look for when walking:

 

At the pier walk to the bus terminal.

Walk up to (up a small street - you will have the theatre to your right)

Brosundet and walk over the bridge and follow the road "Nedre Strandgate".

You walk pass and look out for:

Bunnpris....

Quality Hotel waterfront to your left....

Maxbo to your right.. A minute away on the same side is where the Avis/Budget/ Shell station/7-11/ Police station is situated.

 

Its very easy to find.

 

 

 

 

If you are trying to Google it your start point should be "Rutebilstasjonen" (The bus terminal)

 

Lars:)

That's really helpful, thanks so much.

Ann

Hi Llars, Can you tell me how close this address (budged car rental) is to the dock please? Nedre Strandgt 50Aalesund, 6005 I've looked it up on google maps but I don't know where the ships dock.

Thanks

Ann

Sounds like we are out of luck then to take the chairlift. I didn't see that on their website. It was in Norwegian! Thanks for checking for us Lars! Definitely come back to New England. We even have a chance for Boston to be selected for the 2024 summer olympics. Have you ever been to the American Southwest? If not, you should think about that. Completely different than Norway or Alaska but just as scenic. Love Las Vegas too!:-).

I would add a vote for Southwest as well. We went to Arizona a couple of years ago and went to Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon as well as both sides of the Grand Canyon and lots of other places. Very different from anywhere else we have been in the USA. I also loved the North West, Oregon and Washington State, AMAZING!!

Hi England,

I think you're on the same cruise as we are. I am strongly leaning towards this drive in Alesund and doing the Troll road from Andalsnes. Especially if it's a very nice day in Andalsnes. Let's let the road to Oye be be our little secret! LOL We don't want to clog up the road to traffic! I was thinking it would be nice to take the gondola at the Stranda ski area but it may only be open on weekends in the summer. Their website says open 6/20 for the summer but I can't find where it says what days. We will be in Alesund on a Wednesday. It still sounds like a great drive though! It's great having Lars as the resident expert for us.

Yes we are on the same cruise. We are planning to do the Troll rd from Andalsnes as well. Can you tell me who have you booked your car in Alesund with? How close to the dock is the pick up? Do they bring it to the dock or will you have to go to them? This does look like a great drive and I think we will probably do it as well.

Ann

Awesome map! Thank you AGAIN! These are the directions I cut and pasted from "somewhere" on CC. Id love a second opinion. We are in Alesund from 8:00 to 5:00. Is this enough time to do this?...

When you pick up the car make sure to get a good road-map or GPS. Skip Aksla at this moment.

From Ålesund sentrum take the road E136 for approx 15km. Then take the road number E39 (towards Volda). After only a few km. get into road no. 60. towards Sykkylven/Stranda. After another 10-15km you will have to take a ferryboat. (Runs every 20 mins. (xx.10, xx.30 & xx.50) cost approx 100,-NOK for car + driver + 2 passengers) On the other side continue on road 60. You will drive over a mountainous area and the Ski-resort of Stranda. On weekends the cable cars run even during smmer, and a stop here can be VERY nice if the weather is good. The lift take you almost to the summit. At the end-station (elevation 1150 meter) there is a small restaurant. From Stranda, follow road 60 towards Hellesylt, but continue through that town. A few km after Hellesylt, there is a small road taking off to the right. Road no.655. I think the sign is towards Ørsta/Øye and "Hotel Union Øye". The next 20 km will be the most memorable on your journey! You will drive through the "secret, hidden, pearl" of this area! The valley of Nordangdsal. Be prepared to see the "real Norway" - WIIIILLD mountains, waterfalls, small lakes, mountain-farms, cows, goats and sheeps grazing (or sleeping) in the road(or just off it). (And the best thing: you will probably be one of very few tourists!) If you stop by the last of the small lakes, and got "polarizing" glasses, you can see the remains of houses down in the lake. That lake was made by a huge rock-slide some 100 years ago. At the end of the valley is the village of Øye. Here you can get your lunch at the historic hotel "Union". This old, wooden building is restored really nicely and got many prominent guests - too many to mention here.

From the hotel, continue on the same road to the ferry in Leknes. The sceduale is NOT regular. The ferry leaves at 13.00, 14.00, 15.00 (be sure to catch the last feery at 15.00!!!!!! This is the last one you can have, if you want to get back to your ship in time.

After the ferry - continue on road 655 to Ørsta. In Ørsta you will meet road E39. Take this road back to Ålesund. You will have to take one more ferry, but this runs every 30 mins (xx.15 & xx.45). Just follow the E39 after the ferry till you meet up with E136, and take this back to Ålesund. Now, if you have time, you can top the day with a visit to the Aksla mountain.

 

All ferrys will accept your VISA card, and prob other major cards as well.

This sounds a great trip! We were planning to do the hoho bus in Alesund but maybe we will do this trip too!

We took the 'Blue Bus' as it's called from outside the Fishmarket two years ago, the journey is easy and the cable car up Mount Ulriken provides fantastic views. At the top we ate lunch in the restaurant, well worth the visit.

 

.

Does anybody know the time of the earliest bus in the morning? Our ship is in town from 7am - 2pm and I'd like to go to Mount Ulriken first thing and get back to explore the town for a couple of hours as well.

.......to you as well!

Thanks again for all your support and priceless info on this thread!

All the best for 2015

Sincerely

Petra

I second that!! Thanks for all your help and wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year. x

Ann