Noopa

I'm hoping you might be able to help with a question I have. Do you know what time the Hurtigruten terminal opens in the morning? The info on their site says check in is open from 1pm, but its not clear if it's possible to use the luggage lockers earlier than that.

We will be in Bergen all day with our luggage next Saturday, and boarding Hurtigruten in the evening so I need somewhere at the port or as close as possible to leave our luggage for the day so we can sight see.

Any info or tips gratefully received :-)

Noopa, I used to cruise and travel with my sons when they were young. It was amazing experience for all!

 

I'm just sick of thinking about cabins. I've changed it three times already. As far as views, at a resort you're looking at the same thing day after day, so you would think it would be even more important. Can you imagine looking out over a parking lot for an entire 2 weeks. Happened to me once, when I booked a garden view... Of course I asked for a different room!

Yes, I've cruised several times and traveled widely with my son too, but traveling alone with a child is a different thing altogether. I know from experience I will spend more time in the cabin because once he needs to go to bed I can't leave, and even now he's older it's still different to if you travel as a couple with children. If for example we hear an announcement of northern lights, I can't go anywhere until I've woken and dressed a child. If we're passing something worth going on deck for early in the morning, if he's sleeping I can't go. Having a cabin with a view to what we're passing, especially if I've paid extra for it is quite important. Location on ship, deck etc not really important to me at all but going to Norway and not bothering to maximise those views is crazy!!

I really do see the ship part of the trip as a major part of the experience so want to get the most out of it as I can. Especially if it's something you may only do once. A hotel room is a base for a wider range of things you will see and do, but your cabin and ship are the holiday, I think you're selling yourself short if you don't see the difference.

The difference between booking a hotel room in a resort and a cabin on a ship is that the view out of the hotel room doesn't change.

 

Yes, that exactly, especially doing something like Hurtigruten where the scenery is a big part of the experience. Also different to other cruises in that the ship is close to land more of the time so it's not just a matter of looking at sea out of your window.

I travel alone with my young son so for all that we don't spend all our time in the cabin I am more restricted in how easily I can pop up on deck at certain times.

I booked the outside cabin assuming we could see some of the views and ports from our cabin but now worrying we'll be looking at people on the promenade deck or looking at a lifeboat!

I'm glad you asked as I was wondering about upgrades too, and specifically if it's cheaper or the same to upgrade on board or in advance?

I've just checked and I have an unspecified outside cabin booked in Finnsmarken, so there's a good chance we will have obstructed view isn't there?

Not sure if I should try and pay to upgrade now or wait and see what I'm allocated once on board. Really don't want to have paid extra to look at a lifeboat!