user8

Antarctica was one, if not the best, cruises I have ever been on. Just seeing close-ups of seals sunning themselves on the ice burgs or the scores of penguins playing made this a great cruise. It was an experience I will never forget.

I used to live in Stavanger and I think Hokie Poq has the right idea. I don't ever remember anyone using anything but kroner so I would get some at my first opportunity.

You will like Norway; it is a beautiful country and a very nice to visit. You should not have any trouble communicating with the locals as nearly everyone speaks English very well.

I have sailed on the Veendam three times in the last year and really like her. My most recent sailing was in January, 2015 and I just booked her again yesterday for February, 2016.

I really like her size as opposed to some of the new mega ships as there or no long waits for anything and I don't go in for rock climbing.

I have sailed on HAL ships about 25 times, and one girl I met who worked in the Lido was the most helpful of any person I have ever encountered on any ship. Unfortunately, she was on vacation the last time I was on the Veendam and I didn't get to see her. Hopefully, she will be back when I am back on the Veendam in February!

I just got off RCL's Navigator and was slightly disappointed, mainly because of its size and lack of activities. It seemed to me that the nearly all the activities involved something physical like rock climbing or that you had to pay extra for like spa treatments. There was no classes of any kind, afternoon movies, tours, etc. I'm not a big loud music fan and I go to bed early so I don't care for the late, late shows.

After this cruise I would rate as follows.

HAL

Princess

Carnival

RCL

Costa

It is nice though that we all have choices for whatever our likes and dislikes.

lived 4 years in Stavanger and the winters there were not as bad as those in the Texas panhandle. Western Norway is warmed by the warm Gulf currents so it doesn't usually get extremely cold until you cross the mountains in the interior.

I would jump on the cruise in a minute. Norway is such a beautiful country.

DW and I have used them on several cruises and they worked fairly well. You must beware, however, where you use them so that they do not bother those around you like in the theatre, church services, etc. SIZE]

Guess I don't rate. My tags do not show "Priority". Maybe because I am just in an outside cabin and sailing Jan 3

I have only been on one Princess Cruise vs 16 on HAL, but I agree with Homosassa on her final two points.

"4. Cabin wise, we love the closet area set up on Princess. Instead of the HAL multiple doors that open into the entry area and bangs into the bathroom door and closed cubicles that one can somewhat customize with the movable shelves, Princess has a closet area that is parallel to the bathroom entry. The hanging space is one long open closet area. There is also a tall storage unit with shelves. Because the closet area and bathroom door are perpendicular to the cabin entry door, there is no potential for an whoops moment of flashing the hallway when getting dressed.

5. HAL mattresses are heaven. Princess mattresses are hell. Ask for an egg crate topper ASAP. "

But as others have said, I am sure you will enjoy whichever line you choose. Both are great in my opinion.

I sort my medications into small plastic bags; one bunch of bags for the morning go into a single larger bag and one bunch of bags for bed time go into a single larger bag. This way, all I have to do is grab either a morning bag or an evening bag and I have all the medicines I have to take at that particular time.

Having my medications in baggies saves a lot of space over original containers and pill boxes. I do carry a list of everything I take, but that is all. I have never been questioned and have never had any trouble.

I lived in Stavanger for 4 years and would definitely choose it and Flam over the scenic cruising. The down town of Stavanger has many interesting shops, a fish market and a beautiful church on a peaceful lake. There is also a fish cannery which is quite interesting. And, if you take a short cruise on the fjiord that goes up to Prekistolen ( Pulpit Rock ), you won't be disappointed as you sail under it and look up.

I would also recommend the train ride up to Flam as I always found it to be very pretty and interesting.

I moved to Norway from the Texas Panhandle and lived there for 4 years. The winters in Texas were much colder than where we lived in Southern Norway ( Stavanger ). In the summer time, it rained quite a bit. So, as other posters have said, dress in layers and take your umbrella. Norway is a beautiful country so I am sure you will enjoy it whenever you go.

When I book a cruise I consider several things. First, I like to be low on the ship so that I don't feel the movement of the ship as much as I would on one of the higher decks. Then, I like a cabin near the elevator so that I don't have to walk so far. I also like to book a cabin at the rear of the ship rather than the front as that is where the dining room and Lido are located. Of course, this means I have to walk farther to go to the shows, but I eat 3 times a day and usually only go to the shows once. Last, I try to make sure my cabin does not have an obstructed view. As for noise, I am a very sound sleeper, so I don't let potential noises from surrounding locations enter into my consideration.

I lived in Stavanger, Norway for four years. And, believe me, Norway is a beautiful country. I would definitely opt for the longer cruise if I could afford the extra cost. The ports you will be sailing to are all charming and I think you will find that there are plenty places to see in each one. So returning to the same port should be an opportunity and not a problem.

My advice would be "GO FOR IT".

I lived in Stavanger, Norway for four years. And, believe me, Norway is a beautiful country. I would definitely opt for the longer cruise if I could afford the extra cost. The ports you will be sailing to are all charming and I think you will find that there are plenty of places to see in each one. So returning to the same port should be an opportunity and not a problem.

My advice would be "GO FOR IT".

I don't recall whether or not there was lemonade on the Rotterdam. But since I love it and don't want to go without, I usually take some instant lemonade and a pitcher with me to make my own.

I have been to all three places plus I used to live in Norway. In my opinion, Norway has both of the other places beat for beauty and scenery. Of the other two, I liked Iceland best. Hope this helps a little bit.

Lee