hallasm

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

What is the best cruise to Norway is a very subjective assessment. Is it the deep Norwegian fjords, the midnight sun and the Arctic Circle or the Northern Lights. Much depends on the season - northern lights and snow are only in winter, while the midnight sun is only within the Arctic Circle in June and July.
I personally prefer the deep fjords to Geiranger, Flåm or Olden - choose a cruise that has two deep fjords on the itinerary. Bergen and Ålesund are good coastal towns. Note that options for cruises to Geiranger and Flåm will be severely limited from 2026 due to restrictions on emissions in the world heritage fjords.

To experience reindeer, you have to go to northern Norway. For example, Tromsø or Alta. Snow and sledding are only in northern Norway during winter.
I have no preferences for cruise lines. A different cruise experience is Hurtigruten or Havila, which have ships on fixed routes along Norway's west coast.

There might be a separate queue and train carriages for cruise excursions - Norways Best and Vy are selling the same standard tickets - no difference.

There will be no fixed seating at the train.

The answer depends on when it is possible to leave the ship.
You must be at the airport no later than 8:45 - However, most airlines recommend arriving at the airport three hours before departure for international flights.

it takes 20 to 40 minutes to drive from the cruise terminal to the airport.

It should be possible to catch a 10:45 flight but personally I would take an overnight stay in Singapore. Unforeseen delay of arrival, immigration problems or a long time before the ship is ready for disembarkation.

Train will sell out - very limited capacity in relation to the large cruise ships.

If you do not want to book a long time in advance, you can check on Vy.no when you have seen the weather forecast for the day - there might be tickets available.

Generally, taxis are available at the terminal - if you have the option to order with an app you might get a better price - remember that tips are included in prices in Denmark.

Not metro at the cruise terminal - first bus to Orientkaj Metro Station (3 km) - also a change from M4 to M2 at Kongens Nytorv.

This is the link to the taxi company I use myself

2 hours ago, John Bull said:

I don't quite understand how on a 7-day cruise  P&O seems to include one port more than than RCI ?????

both cruises have four stops.

RCL: Haugesund | Flåm | Olden | Stavanger |

P&O Stavanger | Olden | Ålesund | Haugesund |

For P&O Innvikfjorden, and Nordfiord is 'cruising only' in/out to Olden.

While RCL has two deep fjords (Flåm and Olden), P&O has only one (Olden).

I have never sailed with P&O but often with RCL which is my primary choice. Based on the itineary, I would choose RCL because of the two deep fjords.

Yes, Vy will have tickets available when their sale will open - right now tickets can be purchased 90 days in advance.

Select from ‘ Flåm stasjon’ to ‘Myrdal stasjon’ 

Celebrity Silhouette will call at Oceankaj. It’s quite far from city. 
Two options - either public bus/metro or taxi to ‘Kongens Nytorv’ metro station for Nyhavn or ‘Rådhuspladsen’ for Tivoli. 30 minutes by taxi and 45 minutes by bus/metro.

4 hours ago, travelbuds said:

Buses, trains, tipping for excursions, restaurants, porters, taxi? Thanks.

My answer is primarily for Norway - no need for Kroner - use credit card - many shops might not accept cash. An alternative for busses is App.

Please note that tipping is not required - guides and waiters are paid a reasonable salary and do not expect tips. Only for exceptional service.

AppelPay or contactless credit card is the best option - some terminals in small businesses might not accept chip of magnetic stipe cards.

40 minutes ago, dfilpus said:

Langelinie Is used for smaller ships

Not correct - also bigger ships!
please post date - might be Langelinie - Celebrity Apex does dock at Langelinie June 17 to 18, 2024.

No changes have been made to passport control on arrival in the UK after Brexit. Most EU countries are part of the Schengen area, but the UK (and Ireland) has not been part of the Schengen area.

However, I do not know how fast passport control is on arrival in Southampton today, but there is no immediate reason why it is different from before Brexit.

Maybe a different weather app will show lower temperatures - this is Alta temperatures at the Norwegian  Yr.no - and are you checking in Centigrade?

I think reusable bottles are fine. Just remember that for hygienic reasons you must not fill reusable bottles directly from containers. Use a clean glass for filling.

Speculation, but if it concerns Anthem, the more likely scenario if Suez is closed is that she sails directly from Southampton to Dubai - the two current legs are 12 + 15 days.
Sailing distance south of Africa is approx. 20 days (22 knots) - this gives plenty of time also for bunkering.

On 2/7/2024 at 2:54 PM, lynncarol said:

I suspect, can not access the fjords. Can anyone suggest a line that focuses on the Fjords themselves?

Size doesn’t matter for the deep fjords.

Make sure at least two of the deep fjords are included - they are (prioritized) Geiranger, Flåm and Olden.

Also coastal cities as Bergen, Ålesund or Stavanger.

Then you’ll find a lot small and less interesting ports.

6 hours ago, John Bull said:

major fjords there is an up-coming ban on ships over a certain size (and perhaps other criteria such as the maximum engine pollution).

So you need to research  the fjords affected, the date, and the ship limitations.

Which size is the best is a long discussion, but none of the current cruise ships, regardless of size, cannot sail to Flåm or Geiranger.

For cruise ships, the restriction to sailing in the UNESCO heritage fjords is not a matter of size - only emissions. There will probably be a transition period during which LNG-powered ships will also be allowed to sail in the fjord.

The train journey from Flåm to Vatnahalsen is 55 minutes.

From June to September it is possible to cycle back (down the mountain) to Flåm - it takes about two hours.

Just note that trains might sell out if big/multiple ships in port.

It is also possible to book the train at vy.no (120 days in advance) if sold out at Norways Best

Yes, in Flåm - you need to take the Flåm train to Vatnahalsen.

38 minutes ago, buffy9678 said:

Do you have experience with them?

I have not used Alta Taxi, but as I see it, it is a company with a fair reputation.
For a company that offers 24/7 taxi services, you will always be able to find an unhappy customer. I wouldn't be nervous about booking from them. Use their App.

The number of taxis in Alta is very limited. Also check the price for the trip you want. 

2 hours ago, buffy9678 said:

Did you ever figure out if there is reliable taxi service in Alta?

You can book a taxi in advance from taxi web or app. 

https://www.altataxi.no/en/

Don’t use cash - note that it’s  different 'kroner' and you cannot pay with Danish kroner in Norway or Iceland and vice versa.
As a starting point, you cannot pay with foreign currency, although many shops will accept USD or EUR notes but at a very poor exchange rate and change will always be in local currency.
Use a credit or debit card in your own currency - it will be the cheapest in the long run.
Always choose to pay the amount in local currency - some payment terminals will offer a choice between local or the card's currency - always choose the local - it gives the best exchange rate.
I never pay with cash in these countries. In some places money is not accepted as payment. There will also be places where cards with chip/pin cannot be used either.
The best solution is a contactless payment card or ApplePay in your own currency.

4 hours ago, JHCruiser123 said:

I was also wondering the same.  We are going on a private tour in Olden with just the four of us in our party.  It was pretty costly.  Does that include tip for the guide who is traveling with us or should we bring Krone with us?  I'm not sure if a private tour is different.  And if we did tip how much would be appropriate?

A service fee is always included in price of excursion - no additional tips necessary. Does apply to any tour operated in Norway/ Scandinavia.
‘Kroner’ not necessary- use credit/debit card for purchases. Learn from John Bull’s experience and recommendation for tipping.

Just note that all Scandinavian countries and Iceland are using different type of ‘Kroner’.

It is not much the route schedule changes from year to year if any change and you can book winter 2025 by now.
Be aware that there are four seasons with different route schedules and Geiranger fjord is not included during winter.
Any specific information you’re looking for?

I would suggest to be more specific if questions are about Hurtigruten (Norway Coastal Voyages/Express) or HX Expedition cruises as they are two different companies and therefore possibly different answers.

Might depend on ship - docking or tendering. The new terminal in Benita should be operational by now but many might not have experience with the new terminal yet.

Distance from Benoa port to Ngurah Rai Internationale Lufthavn (DPS) is very short - 15 to 30 minutes. In general boarding and security at the airport is efficient.