hallasm

The train departs at 12:00. Tender boats dock very close to the station but 12:00 is too risky. Other available times are fine - as long as you are back before departure - as you write, it is light until 23:00

You might get better answers in the Western Europe Forum https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/148-british-isleswestern-europe/

Is very possible. When I have bought through TA's it has been US based TA and it has been cruise only. It is relatively simple to compare a TA offer with the price you have to pay for individual bookings of cruise, hotels, transfer and flights and possible insurance. If TA has the best offer, it's a simple decision.

My experience is that booking a cruise, flight, transfer and hotel yourself is often cheaper than using a TA. Get a price from a TA and then compare it with what you will pay if you book the individual parts yourself. If you plan to travel a lot, annual travel insurance is often cheaper than insurance for the individual trip. Many credit cards also offer travel insurance. For the majority of my cruises I have booked independently.

Yes - Flåm is very similar to Geiranger - Flåm is also in a UNESCO fjord, the train and Stegastein viewpoint. Stavanger is also a nice coastal city.

Yes, I was looking at June 18.

Bergen is a nice coastal city - take Fløybanan funicular railway to Mount Fløyen and walk back to the city. In Olden take the Loen Skylift to the viewpoint - Olden is in a deep fjord. Geiranger is located in the iconic deep UNESCO fjord - good viewpoints and hiking opportunities. May is early - some viewpoints might still be closed due to snow. I have not much experience with Haugesund. At least two deep fjords and Bergen - nice itinerary - still snow in the mountains and water in the rivers.

Tickets have ben on sale for few days. Each train has a capacity of 525 pax - the cruise lines and Norway's Best reserve a lot in advance and they sell out quickly. Vy has a share that is put up for sale 60 to 120 days before. If you have a larger group, I would suggest that you contact Norways Best directly by email: sales@norwaysbest.com. There might be a chance - Sky Princess is The only ship in port June 18.

You can book one way at Norways Best - Hike and Bike Also Vy has a web in English Language

This is information Included In the link

Trains are selling out fast when cruise ships in port. Limited capacity. Hike or Bike the Flåm Valley

Very likely. Capacity of the five trains available on the day is 75% of guests capacity on Antem - two ships in port June 17.

No, cruise lines does not purchase from Norways Best - Norways Best is a travel agency buying a number of tickets from the vendor, Sometimes they are able to get more tickets. 60 days in advance tickets will also be available at vy.no

Not at all. Thank you for your reply. Often the problem is when questions are asked about Hurtigruten, it’s not clear if it regarding Coastal voyage or expedition.

This topic is about Hurtigruten - Norway Coastal Express. It is necessary to be more specific when asking questions - Hurtigruten is divided into two different companies 'Coastal Express' (Hurtigruten) in Norway and 'Expedition' (HX). While HX has quite a few excursions included, not much is included in Hurtigruten.

Assuming Oslo. List of port calls in Oslo for 2024 not yet available - Depending on port there might be 1 mile from your hotel to the port - definitely walk able.

Thank you for the additional information - much appreciated. Hope you'll see Northern Lights on your south bound voyage - looks like clear skies Thursday.

Thank you for your detailed review. Is the cabin Arctic Superior or Polar? Can you please mention ship as the five ships on the coastal voyage are quite different- also more details on public spaces.

Do a good research on Norwegian ports that are visited. Some itineraries include several less interesting ports. Also consider whether the route should be the iconic deep fjords or arctic with midnight sun in June and July. Look for the iconic deep fjords: Geiranger, Flåm and Olden. Interesting coastal cities are Bergen, Ålesund and Stavanger. The Arctic includes Honningsvåg, Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands.

Itinerary one has some fjord sailings to Geiranger, Skjolden and Eidfjord- possible excursion from Stavanger to Lysefjord. Itinerary two has limited opportunity - You can arrange an excursion to Geiranger from Ålesund - Will take 8 hours and depending on arrival/ departure time in Ålesund. There may also be opportunities from Leknes. The size of the ship has no significance when it comes to the Norwegian fjords. Even the largest cruise ships can sail the deep Norwegian fjords.

For the same reason, I always fly to my cruise no later than the day before. I have traveled a lot and several times my luggage has arrived late - but only once in my 35+ cruises. Flew in to FLL - transatlantic via ORD. Our luggage arrived in the late afternoon of the day we were due to sail - the airline brought it directly to the ship. We gave notice when we checked in and got t-shirts on the ship so we could change.

Only the first cruise can be characterized as a Norway cruise. In my opinion, one deep fjord to Geiranger - four good coastal cities: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Ålesund and three less interesting ports: Skjolden, Eidfjord and Kristiansand - but overall a nice itinerary. The second cruise has three interesting Norwegian ports to the Arctic but no deep fjords. Honningsvåg is at the North Cape and Leknes on the Lofoten Islands as well as Tromsø. Ålesund is a nice coastal town. Also an interesting itinerary but would be more interesting in June/July with midnight sun on the arctic part of the cruise.

Yes - Crown & Anchor to Captain’s Club Points are only earned on the cruise line being sailed.

I have cruised 30+ times with RCCL and have booked my cruises on their European pages or with European/US TA depending on where I got the best deal. - most European RCCL web prices include all taxes and gratuities due to EU rules for prices. Although the EU price appears to be higher than for US prices, they can be lower or the same when additional taxes and tips have to be paid in addition to the US list price.

Good itinerary - Three deep Norwegian fjords, three Norwegian coastal towns and the North Cape. However, two things are missing for it to be the perfect Norwegian fjord and Arctic Circle cruise. A visit to Bergen and cruising in June/July to experience the midnight sun. In mid-August there is no midnight sun at the North Cape