vada_9

We are taking what I think is the same cruise in 2018. I note on my itinerary that we ae in the town of Heilseylt from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM!!! Two hours???

 

Assuming that you also stop at this town, please tell me why only 2 hours and is it even worth getting off the ship?

 

DON

You will probably find that this is a technical stop for those disembarking on an overland tour - similar to Gudvagen near Flam

When we travel, I always buy a Christmas ornament from each place. I have a separate "travel Christmas tree" that I put up each year. It's so much fun to unpack the ornaments and remember our travels...like being there again! Is there a shop you recommend that has Christmas ornaments?

I bought a lovely blown glass bauble from the glass blowers at the Needles landmark attraction.

We used the island buses for our day on the IOW, but we came from Portsmouth.

When last in Perth there were luggage storage lockers at the domestic terminal - at the entrance to the carpark near the bus stops.

The train station in Monterosso indeed exits onto the seaside promenade, straight across the road is the public beach . There are steps up to the platforms. When we stayed there last August all the tour groups met in the tunnel to the station. This is in "New" Monterosso - it is approx 1 km walk to the "Old" Monterosso along the promenade - slopes uphill. If you go to street view in Google maps you can see all of this.

From memory last year, they seemed to release them all over the place ie they would release a few timeslots for a day or two then later they would release more timeslots for previous days - sometimes earlier, sometimes later. It pays to be flexible when you want to go. We got tickets for our prefered day but the times initially available we made work. (Think later times became available over the week).

To add to my above post re food - we also had afternoon/high tea at Raffles and this was excellent.

Recently on television we have had a show "Destination Flavour -Singapore" with chef Adam Liaw and he has been going everywhere from Hawker stalls to 5 star restaurants and almost everywhere he showcases has something I want to try from a tomato dish at Jaan, Samosas in Little India, Chili crab and a desert place that looks out of this world.

Hi upwarduk, I agree with you about the Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel. Many years ago (sometime in the 90s) I loved the whole Singapore Sling experience. This past experience though was very disappointing.

The drink was weak, it cost about $20 per drink, and the only place we found to order one was at a courtyard cafe in the hotel, sitting on metal chairs. They no longer allowed non-staying guests to stroll into the hotel. Perhaps if we had been on a tour we could have gone into the hotel?

My husband had never been to Singapore so it was a real let-down.

Has anyone else found a way to enjoy a better Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel lately? I ask because perhaps we just made bad choices?

Sad to say - no. we were there in 2013 and we could go to the Long Bar - peanut shells on the floor and all. I thought $50 Singapore should cover 2 drinks, but alas no - think it was about $70 or $80 with taxes etc. And to add insult they poured them out of a premade jug (just like cordial). The ones on Singapore Airlines are far superior and included in your fare.

Hello and thanks for any response to my question. Would just like to confirm that you can each bring a bottle of wine on embarkation, for a 2 night Aust Coastal cruise for in room consumption.

cheers

Love the photos of the folk waving on the riverbank. I think this is the essence of asian river cruises and what we so love about them.

Enjoy, Long Nile Cruise is on my bucket list.

4 couples on our roll call booked a taxi tour (in the 16 seat van) each person had their own window - we went to Flydelsjett lookout, Mt Dalsnibba and the Eagle Bend lookout. (sorry about my spelling). At the end 4 of us were dropped at the top of the waterfall walk to walk back down to the village whilst the others finished in town. The roads were incredibly busy, windy and narrow (sometimes the busses had to back up) there were also cycling tours coming down the mountains - so glad we were not driving but enjoying the spectacular scenery. I think there were 3 or 4 cruse ships in port that day.

Have a look at the Pandaw web site - they have a few interesting longer cruises - think there is a 20 night combined Chidwin/Upper Irrawaddy, when we did the 14 night Yangoon to Mandalay cruise there was at least one person who had done the Chidwin and they indicated that they would do it again , also the Assam Bengal Navigation company has a 10 nighter on the Brahmaputra in India. I have also noticed that there are a few dates this year that the "long" Nile cruise Cairo to Aswan is happening - think it is 14 nights.

We have just returned from "Christmas in the Heart of Germany" on the Tranquility II, and these are a few impressions.

We were in "Aquarium class" and it was ok, sunrise around 8am and sunset 4pm - but would not do this during summer, when docked we often could see the canal wall. We never met our room steward (5 nights) - I only knew he was a male as I saw his name badge one night returning to our room. We had twin beds and were never offered option to have them joined ( though I think there was more room with them separate). He did a good job of keeping room clean and tidy.

Re bottled water in room - it is complimentary - had to ask, as no indication in room.

On returning home and reading brochure, I see beer was an included beverage at dinner - it was never offered and my husband who is not fond of wine went without and made this comment on his survey form.

We enjoyed our cruise as it met our time and financial constaints, there were a few timing issues that could have been better organised - ie we arrived Miltenberg around 8 am for a walking tour at 9 - very good , and free time from 10.30? most places opened 10 or 11 and we departed at 11.45.

Have not been on Viking, but in August the train from Amsterdam Central to Schripol was 10.90 euro for the 2 of us. The train station was easy walking distance from the overseas passenger terminal and most of the river boats were docked even closer. The station also has self serve luggage storage -10 euro for a locker that fit an average suitcase and backpack.

In August this year we tendered into the wharf area next to the Thon hotel. We were meant to dock there but they were setting up the area for the

Arctic triathalon the following day. We had a hire car booked with Lofoton car rental and were unsure where the pickup was so we walked to their main office near to where the car ferries came in (probably about a kilometer away). I think Hertz had an office nearby.

Cruise Director Russ suggested wearing our bathrobes - and many of us did.

Hi

We are also going on this itinerary June 22/17 on NCL Jade.

 

Top of our "to do list" is to photograph puffins. I believe the opportunity would be on our Alesund stop and Honnigsvag stop. Where do you thing would be the best opportunity to photograph puffins?

 

We are taking this trip for DH 60th BD and he wants to see the Lofoten Islands badly. Would love advice on how to see the best of the Lofoten Islands. Since he is wanting to do Photography we will not be as speedy so best to see the right stuff. We can rent a car as we have done on past cruises if this would be the best idea.

 

OP:

We have done Alesund, Bergen and Geiranger on 2014 cruise. In Bergen we did the "Grieg Museum and Stave Church and Bergen tour" 1/2 day and it was very nice. I also was looking at the Hardanger Fjord trip , it is not the same Fjord we sail on.

 

Terry I have read most of your blog and LOVE the pics.

At each of the ports you recommend a car are they ready for pick up at the dock?

 

Thanks so much, Karen

We saw puffins on our bird cruise with Stappen products. It was the end of the season and most had left, but we saw some. Also gannets, cormorants, couple of seals and other sea birds. We also rented a car in Svolvaer in the Lofoton Islands. We didn't drive too far as it was our first time on the right, but managed to go to a beautiful beach (and had a dip) and a couple of villages.

We visited some of your ports this past August so can give some suggestions.

Tromso -Think we were there about 4/5 hrs. We were walking to catch the bus to the cable car and a taxi came by, we asked him how much? and it was only a few nok more than the 2 of us on the bus - we took it got there early before the bus tours then walked back via Arctic Cathederal/Bridge. Had a beer in Mac's Olhalen pub. We were docked in town.

Honningsvarg - there about 10 hours. Hired a car from Nordkapp Bilservice - they bring the cars down to the dock. Drove to Gjesvaer for a bird cruise(prebooked) and then to Northcape Hall.

This was the first time we have driven on the right, so even though roads are not busy, we were a little tense.

Hello vada 9,

 

how lovely for your to be able to make your way over to Europe. I read in your signature box that you will be on the Avalon Tranquility II - just before Christmas then? What is your itinerary?

 

I must admit, as much as I love travelling, I could not spend December in warm temperatures, it always feels wrong to me when it is warmer than 8 degrees, which has happened in recent years in the Rhine valley. When it gets as warm as 12 degrees the Glühwein looses its appeal.

 

I have spent December and Christmas away from home, that is fine, but without the cold - no, not for me. But January or February away in mild temperatures, now that would be great. :)

 

notamermaid

Mermaid, we are flying to London to visit our daughter (who is on a working holiday) for 5 nights, then Eurostar to Frankfurt for the cruise to Nurenberg, then 2 nights Prague then return home. Away just over 2 weeks. Home for Christmas with our grandson.

 

If you love Christmas, you would love the markets. Just is it worth spending thousands to see while freezing>

Papa, when you live in a place where winter is warmer than many other's summers, it is worth it. After visiting Canada for Christmas a couple of years back - I could finally appreciate and understand "Santa hats". That's one of the reasons we will spend 24hrs flying to the other side of the world to visit the European Christmas markets this year (and be back home again for Christmas with cold drinks and a swim in the pool)

we found we were able to "Tap" for almost everything with our credit card. Only really needed cash for the market stalls and by September they may or may not be there.

We just did the Fjords with Azamara - 15 nights Amsterdam to Amsterdam. Went to the North Cape and back. Approx 700 passengers, able to dock close to towns and cruise through the Troll Fjord in Lofoton islands. Basically all inclusive - selection of beverages included. We were able to book during promotion - balcony for an inside. Norway is all about the scenery.

Kitty,

We were also on the train August 2016. From memory tickets for 2016 went on sale during November 2015. We had booked an early departure and managed to fit in the minibus tour to the Stegasen lookout as well. Buses leave from the carpark next to the station. There is a large toilet block at the station/information centre as well as a toilet in the train carriage.

Just off the Quest and were in cabin 6064 - no noise whatsoever from below. From the video shown on board it appears food is prepared on deck 4 and brought up to deck 5 by escalator.

I see Noble Caledonia has a couple of dates for 2017. I am interested in this for 2018.