hallasm

A bit difficult to compare Northern Lights cruise, Midnight Sun and deep fjords It's the first time I've heard of the 'Norwegian Inside Passage' and I don't know what it covers, but I assume it's about the 'Tjeldsundet' between the Lofoten islands and the mainland, but I don't understand how it should take two days. Excursion to Lysefjord from Stavanger Pretty good chances - bur I assuming that the ‘Norwegian Inside Passage’ also is inside the Arctic Circle. Absolutely no chance for Northern Lights in Southern Norway and most cruises are during summer - northern lights only when it’s dark inside the Arctic Curcle. Correct It can be cold or warm - it can by rainy - a week earlier or later will not make any changes. In northern Norway there will still be snow - worm clothes, hat and mittens required.

Cruise Critic is a fantastic forum when it comes to planning - and planning is important for a successful trip. Fred Olsen Forum as well as the Bolette Roll Call for your current cruise is a good place to start - it is also a good idea to ask specific questions in the Northern Europe & Baltic Sea Forum. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/116-northern-europe-amp-baltic-sea/

Unfortunately, it is not always enough to just specify the city – there are different docking options in Helsinki, Copenhagen and Oslo. In general, there is no shuttle service to Fred Olsen, but depending on which berth there is a harbor shuttle bus in Helsinki and Aarhus. Nynäshamn is 60 km south of Stockholm with the option of train to Stockholm In Copenhagen, Fred Olsen has also previously used a harbor 50 km from Copenhagen but more likely docking at Oceankaj - public transportation available from Oceankaj to city.

Excellent analysis. Personally, however, I believe that there is a difference between sailing with a cruise ship through the deep fjords in the early morning or late evening rather than a day trip to, for example, Nærøyfjord or Lysefjord. You’re missing Lustrafjorden into Skjolden A few comments: I would prioritize Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord higher than Lysefjord. While Nærøyfjord is an excursion, the cruise ship is actually cruising through Aurlandsfjord to enter Flåm. I would also prioritize sightseeing in Bergen more than an excursion to Hardangerfjord. I can see your point in that your itinerary gives you the opportunity to visit several Norwegian fjords, but I would argue that the itinerary only includes one deep fjord into Flåm - the other fjords require a longer excursion. I can recommend a Geirangerfjord excursion from Ålesund while I would spend the day in Bergen. Then your itinerary include three fjords. But since from 2026 there will be restrictions on cruise ships sailing in Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, it will be relevant with excursions if you want to visit these fjords from 2026.

Different Train lines. Depends on where you are going from Bergen. F4 Train Line is Bergen to Oslo - R40 is train line from Bergen-Voss-Myrdal-Ål.

I do not see any ‘Red trains’ - only the F4 route trains (in blue) - no other trains. The time table might also show busses in green.

Only time will show. It's difficult to predict when air travel will fully return to pre-pandemic levels. Some experts predict that it may take several years for the industry to recover fully. Factors such as changing travel trends, more on-line meetings, shifting consumer behavior, environmental issues will likely continue to shape the industry's future.

Plenty of time - however, if you want to do the railway in Flåm - book at Norways Best once available - will sell out.

Oslo has many options - walkable city. Stavanger my recommendation is an excursion to Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock - Stavanger is a nice city and walkable. Kristiansand - not that much of interest.

In general “Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor's prescription printed on the container. ” - might vary from country to country - not knowing which country it’s Impossible to answer your question

Just note The terms “The maximum amount of scheduled time allowed in any of our VIP lounges is four (4) hours, immediately prior to the scheduled departure of the flight indicated on the boarding cards of users accessing the lounge”

I have been travelling once the day of embarkation - I'll never do it again. Short distances might work but International could be very, very stressful. Where to catch the ship if late? - what if no luggage? And as already said - much to see in Hong Kong for two to three days.

Probably if you flight is not delayed and you get your luggage in time. My very strong advice is - don't fly for a cruise on the same day you're going to sail. A lot can go wrong so that you miss the the ship - bad weather, technical problems, lack of luggage and more. Arrive the day before at the latest, but preferably two or three days earlier. Lots to see in Hong Kong - and there is also jet lag.

No private tours available at the pier. Bergen and Ålesund ‘bigger’ cities and HoHo available - both have DIY options. Olden has shuttle busses to Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift viewpoint. Molde, Olden, Skjolden and Haugesund are all very tiny towns with very few options - any excursion in these towns must be planned and often pre booked. Molde and Skjolden are in the deep fjords with scenic cruising early morning and the evening - plan for viewing in the morning - evening might conflict with dinner and other activities. You need to prepare in advance if you want excursions in the port of call - there might not even be a taxi available.

Thank you for the clarification - solar storms all year however not possible to the Northern lights when the sky is not dark.

I am not familiar with a P&O bus. In 2022 there was a free shuttle bus from to the Orientkaj metro - don't know if it runs this year. It is the same price to the center by public transport from Oceankaj if you take the free bus + metro or public bus + metro. Public bus stop for bus 164 and 25 at Oceanvej close to Oceankaj terminal 1 - in front of the UNICEF warehouse. Tickets can be bought on the bus for cash or at the kiosk at the bus stop (expect long queues both in the kiosk and the metro station). The best solution is mobile phone ticket app. While bus 164 has a fixed timetable, bus 25 does not have a fixed timetable – it runs approximately every 15-30 minutes between 8 an and 4 pm on cruise ship days.

My general advice when it comes to VISA, ESTA or ETIAS always use the official websites - In these cases, the information on these websites is up to date. There is also a risk of paying a significantly higher price for your ESTA/ETIAS on external websites or, in the worst case scenario, being exposed to fraud.

Easy by taxi - 12 minutes - also possible by by bus - approximately 20 minutes

You are right - but many official Aurora websites show statistics on how many sights there are each month. Just one example.

your analysis is excellent - I’m not a favorite of Skjolden Option 1: two deep fjords and one nice coastal city: Bergen - second Option 2: One deep fjord - 3 coastal cities - Option 3: two deep fjords and one nice coastal city: Bergen -the best deep fjords Option 4: One deep fjord and two coastal cities - I will choose option 3 and option 1 as second despite Brussels is not in Norway. Beginning of July is better than end of July.

interesting read, thanks for posting

Earth's magnetic field steers the charged particles towards the poles. Spring and autumn Equinoxes (around 20 March and 20 September) is actually told to have greater Northern Lights activity, not because there are more solar activities during this period, but due to the Earth's angle relative to the Sun the magnetic field does not protect the Earth quite as well.

Several topics in this forum discussing ‘Must see in Copenhagen’ - happy to help with specific questions.

Sure, and right now the northern lights are spectacular and can also be seen here in Denmark, so maybe it will be possible to see the northern lights every evening. March is a good month to see the northern lights.

Haven’t done that cruise. use the search function at hurtigruten.com