Thejuggler

Post 5 says it all!

Indeed, ask on board. Some of the tax back systems now have an app, such as Global Blue. To show how things change our first fjords cruise was in about 2010. We were told about the VAT refund system and I made some purchases so took advantage of it. Before we left port there was a desk in reception with a Norwegian Tax officer who checked the paperwork and paid you back in cash!

Reports are that Iona now sails from Hellesylt past the entrance of Gerainger fjord and that is your lot. Avoid that trip if you want to see Gerainger fjord in all its glory.

It is 70 miles to Edinburgh from Greenock, and on days other than Saturday the tattoo ends after the last train leaves Edinburgh for Glasgow. There are however Citilink coaches all night between Edinburgh and Glasgow so that is a workable possibility, you'd need a taxi from Glasgow to Greenock - a 25 mile trip. Other options are a private driver or a night in the Edinburgh area and travel back to ship next morning, but that very much depends on when the ship leaves port.

Visited Lewis for a week 2 years ago. Not much in Stornoway and cruise passengers probably take a tour around the island, Callanish Standing Stones, Gerrannan Black House village are attractions on an island not offering much to see (the beaches are however amazing). Stornoway itself has Lews castle, plenty of shops selling Harris Tweed and the The Crown pub where a 14 year old Prince (now King) Charles was caught drinking underage!

A few options by train. Southampton to London Waterloo, transfer by tube in London to Kings Cross and train to York. Takes about 4.5 hours. Southampton to Birmingham, change to a York service. Takes about 5.15 hours Southampton to Reading, Reading to Paddington, Paddington to Kings Cross, Kings Cross to York. Lots of changes, takes 4.15 hours if all goes to plan.

Depends which dock you use. We were docked at Stadsgarden very close to the city centre and there was a free shuttle to the Opera House. From there it was easy to get around and in a day we did Old Town, Vasa, City Hall and the main shopping area all on foot before taking the bus back to ship.

Some stations have lots of stairs, but also have lifts (Covent Garden), others have escalators and then steps to street level, some are step free. If there are four of you the minimum underground fare will be about £11 depending on time of travel. With this in mind taking a taxi (I'd use a black cab in central London over an Uber) it can be cost effective for the occasional trip. A 2-3 mile trip (which is most of central London) is typically £15-20 depending on traffic. Don't dismiss the buses which are plentiful and cheaper than the tube.

Part of the 'fun' of the tube is getting on the wrong train! There are however lots of signs before the platforms and screens on platforms with details of the next service. There are also plenty of staff. It really isn't an issue if you do go the wrong way, you just get off at the wrong station and go back (there are route plans in every carriage), if you don't leave the station it doesn't cost anything to back track. One word of advice if you aren't alone is to have a plan should you get split up getting on a train (which can happen at very busy times). My advice is whoever is on the train to get off at the first stop and wait for the other group to catch up. I was on the tube a few weeks ago and a teenager had got split from her friends, they had a plan in place to meet at a station, but she was worried she was on the wrong train, she wasn't. As regards your first trip why the change at Hammersmith or Baron's Court? Do you need to go there? If not take the district to Green Park and then a Jubilee to Waterloo.

If you want to see where on the network a service is the Traksy mapping is excellent.

All beds I've used on ships have been light frames so suitcases can be stowed underneath during the trip.

The Gormley statue trail (Broken Column) in Stavanger is a bit of fun, even if you don't find them all you'll see lots of the city.

UK weather is quite poor and has been since April. The jetstream is been to the north pulling air from the Arctic, rather than more typically from the Med so it is below average temperatures and lots of low pressure so plenty of rain, Yesterday there were also 40-50mph winds, which for July is not normal.

If twilight luggage drop off is an option it is worth taking advantage of. You are then only queuing for security on the day and not check in followed by security.

On a Sunday morning cab would be quick enough and of course door to door, but £60 could be low end of price. Moving between lines on the Underground with luggage can be a pain due to steps and escalators. Some stations and interchanges aren't step free. Consider a half way house so no underground interchange. Black cab to closest Elizabeth Line station from your hotel (probably Liverpool Street) then a direct service to Heathrow.