hallasm

8 hours ago, Homerody said:

But it seems that Hurtigruten treats these sailings more like a "conventional" cruise.

Hurtigruten is changing from a definite Norwegian Coastal Voyage to a cruise company offering cruises / expedition trips.

For 125 years, Hurtigruten has operated 11 ships with daily departures from Bergen and Kirkenes in a fixed timetable of 11 days with almost 70 stops along Norway's west coast  North- and Soutbound - only those fixed daily departures from Bergen to Kirkenes are called the Coastal Voyage -  other activities are consider to be cruises / expedition trips.
From first of January 2021,  Hurtigruten cuts the number of ships sailing in regular scheduled services between Bergen and Kirkenes from 11 to 7 as Havila Kystruten takes over 4 of the voyages. This will hopefully lead to more competition !

At the same time, Hurtigruten will use the available vessels for cruises / expeditions trips along the Norwegian west coast with fewer and longer stops. And of course other destinations.

In addition,  Hurtigruten is building a series of new expedition vessels.

Just a small comment - the answers does depend on where the cruise has been purchased - if purchased in Europe the conditions are very different.

If you are scheduled to take a Scandinavian Airlines flight in the next few days, you might want to pay close attention right about now.

Due to a pilot strike in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, SAS has canceled flights. The airline advises anyone travelling on its flights to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

More information here

1 hour ago, BPCruiser said:

other then the Railway tours that are promoted by the Cruise Lines.

I’ll suggest that you arrange the train tour your self rather than a ‘over priced’ ship excursion. book tickets in advance. 

Normally the ship is doing the train in the morning. 

You can book the Stegastein  viewpoint tour suggested by Ine in the morning and the train in the after noon - no need to stay in Myrdal - just take the same train back from Myrdal to Flåm.

Another option is a Fjord sailing at Nærøyfjord -  a UNESCO heritage site. Also a museum in Flåm.

It’s two hours ride - 18 km (11 miles) - rental in Myrdal is open from June 1st to September 30 - daily from 08:15 am to 5:15pm - bikes must be handed back at Flåm railway station before 6:30 pm.

Remember to wear comfortable clothing . Excellent ride

8 hours ago, Homerody said:

I read with interest the thread "Better Rates Paying in NOK".

This is not a discussion about use of TA but the fact that price for the same Hurtigruten voyage in general is much more expensive at US, UK and AU Hurtigruten web that the Norwegian web - I have checked the variances and found up to 30% variance for the same product - Norwegian web was always lowest price.

But you might also find packages including airfare and excursions as well as discounted packages. My suggestion is that you compare the prices for similar products at the various web’s - problem is that Hurtigruten might use geo-blocking if you access their web from outside Europe (geo-blocking banned in EU).

try if you can access Hurtigruten.no - web in Norwegian but you can either use google translate or have Hurtigruten.com open at the same time to assist with navigation.

I’m alway using the Norwegian web when booking but as said you might find good offers from a TA or at other Hurtigruten web. 

Thank you. I have traveled a lot and so far never got sick - but I’m also very critical of what I eat and drink - both the quality of the restaurant and type of food (spicy), as well as bottled drinking water and ice cubes.

34 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

Thank you so much.  You have been very helpful.  

You are welcome - enjoy your visit in Skagen.

Also looking forward to hearing from anyone on spending the day in Kotka. 

Kotka is located 130 km east of Helsinki - actually closer to the Russian border.

Known for a quite big RoRo terminal - more cruise related information.

53 minutes ago, roothy123 said:

hallasm, when you say you ate at "recommended" places, can I assume that meant places recommended either at your Nusa Dua hotel or by Dewa the driver?

Sorry if my English is broken. Yes, restaurants recommended by hotel and driver. Honestly I did have most at my meals at the hotel - excellent restaurant.

Dewa Driver did pick me up at the airport and drove me to my hotel (Marriott Nusa Dua Gardens) - and then he picked me up in the morning for the tours. Also drove me to airport at the end. Sort of complete ‘transportation package’.

At arrival in DPS  it only took 20 minutes before we had our luggage and Dewa was waiting outside with a sign (hundreds of other drivers waiting).

14 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Does that by any chance mean more medical facilities/supplies/staff for the longer expedition cruises

No.  There are some differences in design such as width on corridors.  The ship will be equipped in case of use.

24 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Thanks.  But "same number of cabins, ~150 more passengers"?

Do these numbers include day trippers or only those who get "cabins/beds"?

Same number of berths - same size - additional capacity must be day trippers. Do not know why that difference - normally not that many day trippers.

Could be because Midnatsol has status of hospital ship as part of the Norwegian military preparedness.

10 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

However, just as a test I tried to purchase a ticket on May 10 (random date) from Skagens St. to Grenen and it says "no Trip found"

I just tried May 10 at 10am and it worked - maybe your spelling or a different time  - just type ‘skag’ and select from the list - you do not need to specify ‘to location’ - you can also just select 2 zones. 2 pax is DKK 44.

4 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

Danish currency required

Sorry - you did reply while I were adding a link to web purchase - there is also a new app - Link to page in Danish Language

Then you should not need Danish Currency - highly recommend to bring a Credit Card with chip and pin

32 minutes ago, KS&JW said:

 Where does the shuttle pick up?

Below the time table for the shuttle bus - only valid until June 30.

Pick up in Skagen is at Havnepladsen (The harbor - cruise ship shuttle), Railway station (Skagen St.) and the Museum.

Ticket valid In 60 minutes is DKK 22 - Can be purchased in the bus or at the railway station. Danish currency required. 

Tickets can also be bought at the web

8 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

I thought the Trollfjord and Midnatsol were sister ships, and almost identical.  No?

What is the difference?

Thank you GC - the difference is my 'copy & past' mistake. You are righT,  Trollfjord and Midnatsol are sister ships - same number of cabins, but more passengers for Midnatsol

Trollfjord build 2002 - 822 passengers

Midnatsol build 2003 - 970 passengers

The current timetable for the shuttle bus is valid until July 3rd -I'll check later.

It will not take more than 15 minutes to Grenen Parking - then there is another 20 minutes walk to Grenen along the shore.

Should allow for sufficient time from 2pm to 4pm - well in time for departure.

There is a shuttle running the days where cruise ships in port - I believe last shuttle from Grenen is just  after 2pm

Two alternatives - rent some bicycles (15 minutes by bike) or take a taxi - its a 10 minutes drive by car - then arrange for a later pick-up for the return (can be don by  - there is no line of taxi's at Grenen so tour must be booked in advance.

Let me have the date - then I can check for shuttle - can also assist with contact to bike rental or taxi - taxi app is available. Hope it helps.

2 hours ago, Homerody said:

I need all the inspiration and help I can get.

Hurtigruten is different from other cruise lines - important to ask questions.

Just post your questions - we are a small enthusiastic group of Hurtigruten cruisers providing answers. 

I have posted two Hurtigruten reviews - you might get some inspiration 

http://midtnightsuncruise.blogspot.com/

http://northernlightscruise.blogspot.com/

Geiranger and Flåm are two magnificent fjords - here is a short video with views of some of the Norwegian fjords.

I found the Arctic Superior with double bed fine however a mini suite or suite is ‘roomier- some suites with balcony. You need to have a look at the deck plan for each individual ship - all ships are different and so are the cabins.

Below three of my videos  - Kong Harald tour does include Arctic Superior.

here a list of possible ships build/renovated and number of passengers.

Finnmarken - upgrade early 2020 - 919 passengers 

Trollfjord build 2002 - 822 passengers

Midnatsol build 2006 - 632 passengers

Kong Harald renovated 2016 - 590 passengers

Nordkapp renovated 2016 - 590 passengers

Nordnorge renovated 2016 - 590 passengers

Richard With renovated 2018 - 590 passengers

Spitsbergen renovated 2016 - 335 passengers

It’s smart to fly in at least one day before the cruise. Possible flight problems, rerouting, strikes (air controller or flight attendants), weather and more - and also possible delayed luggage.

Rome is an extremely nice city - take the opportunity to spend three days in Rome.

HAL dies offer Teo fjords - Eidfjord/Hardangerfjord is One ‘fjord sailing’ and also a nice ‘Fjord sailing’ into Olden - RCCL is only one ‘Fjord sailing’ into Geiranger- in addition you get Iceland.

Despite only one Fjord sailing RCCL does get my vote - Geiranger is a nice Fjord and Iceland is great.

1 hour ago, roothy123 said:

Did you get Bali Belly,

Just back from two weeks in Bali - no problem with stomach- might very well depend on where and what you eat and how much water you drink.

We did only eat at ‘recommended’ restaurants and did not eat very spicy food.

1 hour ago, roothy123 said:

there any advantage to having a TV in your room or homestay in Bali?  Is there any English channel

Might very well depend on the hotel - CNN and other English channels at our hotel - however did not watched TV. Cannot answer for the small Ubud hotel - you might ask the hotel directly.

1 hour ago, roothy123 said:

  If you hire a driver for 2 days, is it customary to pay for food and lodging

No - We did stay in Nusa Dua and our driver lived in Ubud (one hour drive at peak hours)  when he quoted us the price he knew that daily pickup was in Nusa Dua. Contact and ask - contact info to our driver At this link - he will also know about hotel service and restaurants.

1 hour ago, roothy123 said:

do Americans need to purchase the "Visa on Arrival" at the airport in Bali?  

Free entry for 30 days - no need for Visa.

1 hour ago, roothy123 said:

With a 5 hour layover in Hong Kong when going to Bali, is it possible to leave the airport for two hours

Do not think that plan is realistic - HNK airport is quite far from the city and you will probably need to be at the airport two hours prior to departure - relax and enjoy the airport.