linderbelle

ok--let me ask this --- giving up the lofoten islands is that so bad? I could probably swing flying into Kristiansund for the day but Lofoten Islands would definitely be out if we stay with Holland America 7/17 sailing on the Koningsdad.

Linda

Globaliser this cruise leaves from Portsmouth which I see is about 80 miles from London. In order to fly at a reasonable amount what would you suggest. If we do book this cruise we would also leave Kirkenes and then fly to Oslo and spend a couple days.

Linda

Yes I have read about the "sophistication" and a little more upscale than I would normally like. I'm after the itinerary and seeing scenery plus some local stuff while in ports. TLC I'm into landscape photography like you are and have read the Lofoten Islands are breathtaking and have of course seen the Atlantic Road photos. I will be the one on the ship with my camera on a tripod snapping away. Husband and I are both 63. I have been Europe once before on a 30 day tour of 8 countries.

I just heard from travel agent who has advised that this cruise line your deposit is lost so I have to make sure before reserving.

Linda

I have booked so many cruises and cancelled and jumped around like a yoyo and literally have held my head trying to find the perfect cruise. I know why I haven't been happy. They haven't included the Lofoten Islands and also not Kristiansund to see the Atlantic Road. I'm into landscape photography. Yes, I'd love a storm to be going through the day I would be in Kristiansund but it might be a gorgeous sunny day. Either way I want to see it. I also wanted more than a freighter atmosphere and knew Hurtigruten wasn't for us. So I thought well I'm satisfied having Holland America booked and will miss Lofoten and Kristiansund. Well, last night I was searching and I found one. Its called Swan Hellenic and the Minerva I believe. Its a little pricy for our blood but the price does include excursions which not sure I like as I might not want to do their excursions. Has anybody sailed with them before and what did you think and are you given choices on the excursions. We'd have to forego the balcony with them but the itinerary is absolutely perfect. The itinerary is:

• PORTSMOUTH
  
• CRUISE ON MINERVA
  
• BERGEN
  
• FLAM
  
• MALOY
  
• GEIRANGER
  
• KRISTIANSUND
  
• CRUISE ON MINERVA
  
• SVOLVAER (LOFOTEN ISLANDS)
  
• TROMSO
  
• HAMMERFEST
  
• HONNINGSVAAG
  
• Kirkenes
  

Would love to hear reviews.

Thanks.

Linda

Hi I-Cruiser---I got some questions for you since you are a Norway native. I have been booked and cancelled so many cruises looking for the ideal one and just gave up as couldn't find the right one. I might have just found it. It is on the line called Swan Hellenic. It goes to all the ports I want to go to!!! I've been sick not being able to go to Lofoten Islands and also Kristiansund to see the Atlantic Road --it goes to Bergen--it does the Geiranger. This is the itinerary:

• PORTSMOUTH
  
• CRUISE ON MINERVA
  
• BERGEN
  
• FLAM
  
• MALOY
  
• GEIRANGER
  
• KRISTIANSUND
  
• CRUISE ON MINERVA
  
• SVOLVAER (LOFOTEN ISLANDS)
  
• TROMSO
  
• HAMMERFEST
  
• HONNINGSVAAG
  
• KIRKENES
  

It goes all the way up to the arctic circle which I wanted also. This is perfect except no Oslo and we can fly in there!!!

Would love to hear Norwegians opinions pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee.

Linda

I-Cruiser--I don't see any links in your signature. Could you please clarify.

Thanks.

Linda

Just starting to investigate Oslo and will only have two days--I'm into landscape photography and so far on my list is the palace, Akershus Fortress, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Opera House and ski jump. I don't know if we can get this all done in two days or not. Would like a hotel that is in great vicinity of dealing with the transit--haven't investigated that yet either as best way to maneuver around the city. A breakfast at the hotel would be nice. Open to suggestions please.

Linda

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.

Linda

Does this cruise do the Gerirangerfjord?

Thanks all and you're right we may some day go back. Who knows. The bucket list is long. lol. I'm content with my decision and starting to plan the various ports. I so appreciate all the help and comments.

Linda

We are there from 8-6.

Linda

Can somebody recommend hotels that are centrally located in Oslo.

Thanks.

Linda

We have decided to stick with Holland America. This was a very hard decision. I know no matter what cruise line you go on how can you not have fun and there is beauty everywhere you look. I so appreciate all of you that responded.

Linda

We were parked in lets say empty lots or grass areas both times we sailed out of Tampa and didn't have any problem. Only problem we had the second time was we had reservations for the lot and the ship was late in docking so we had to wait for them to get off the ship and get to the lot and move their cars so we could park. There were others that were waiting too. I wouldn't be concerned at all about the security. There was a fence around both areas that we parked at. Sorry I don't remember the name--found it online.

Linda

Thanks for the information. I'm concerned that there won't be enough time at the various locations as I'll be the one with the tripod and different lenses etc. If you want to spend more time at one place can you wait for the next transportation or is that too long of a wait. Yep 1.5 hrs is a bit far for us to walk to.

Linda

I so appreciate your help.

The farm that there are so many photgraphs of are within walking distance of the ship? We're old--lol. I hope the sun will be shining also!!!

Linda

I have been researching Eidfjord and see there isn't much there except for Voringfossen and Skytjefossen waterfalls and a church and farm. I have researched photos as my hobby and passion is landscape photography---are there taxis readily available as I'm thinking for us it would be best to hire a taxi and say lets go take photographs. lol. I know its a very small town--less than a thousand people.

Linda

I know on the persuading and it's the facts I'm looking at and so grateful for all of your responses. I just emailed agent asking for a price if he handles Hurtigruten. My negatives on Hurtigruten regarding bed and our backs ok was very helpful. The time in ports I have looked at schedule again for the 50th time and see that I would get in what I want to see. I get to see all of Norway--Lofoten Islands and Tromso bridges. The positives far exceed the negatives. Also, our 43rd anniversary is next August so I can have the date where I will be in Norway--what a memory that will be.

Linda

It's 8:00 in the morning and Im sipping my first cup of coffee and reading new entries and still the mind is going crazy. lol. Last night I was leaning toward sticking with our Holland America and now again I'm leaning towards Hurtigruten. I liked this morning about the reassurance on the beds as we can't afford the expensive rooms with the real beds lets say. I liked reading about meeting new norwegian friends. No lefse!!! I did say yesterday I want a real norwegian lefse. I make them so I can live without them. lol. I work for a medical college and summer is slow so we will still go in the July-August time frame if I choose Hurtrigruten and giving up seeing the lights.

More talking today.

Linda

Another thing I am thinking about is the time in ports and can you venture out by yourself like a tour guide or something or are you limited to the excursions only by Hurtigruten? I just said to my husband who really is leaving this up to me because this is my dream trip "I just don't know what to do". I guess there isn't a perfect cruise or ship as I can't pick out where I want to go and have a day there. As I've mentioned I'm into landscape photography and on Holland America I'd be giving up the bridges around Tromso which I so want to see and the Lofoten Islands. Most of the excursions I see with Hurtigruten are very short--2 to 3 hrs max. That's not much time. Uggggghh. The saga goes on and so much unknown as to base decision on. I've never ever had this much trouble with a vacation and it's been ongoing for about a year--gone from us doing it on our own to a land tour to cruise and lol. :confused: I guess this 3-day weekend will be spent reading alot on cruise critic. Also, does it really go into any fjords?

One more question and this is going to be the breaker and again you guys rock with your opinions and feedback. The beds or mattresses look like our lounge chairs in our back yard and afraid on day 3 we wouldn't be able to move with our backs. We've been married for 42 years so can handle the twin mattresses but they really don't even look like mattresses in the photos.

Linda

I did google quite a bit last night on this question and really didn't come up with much.

You guys are really helping and we are discussing here. We have been on many cruises and many different cruise lines but this one is totally different. In regards to norwegian menu that kind of scares me--lol. My Mom made many different norwegian dishes such as lutefisk. lol. Yuck!!! I remember the pickled herring. Sorry for those of you that like it. lol. Now give me some lefse and I'll be fine. I'm thinking of going both ways and then a train from Bergen to Oslo. We are booked on a Holland America cruise right now and we would miss Oslo. Most cruise lines you do miss Oslo. The rooms have turned me off and we don't go on the big huge rooms on cruises but know that you don't spend time in your room. This is all about seeing the beauty. Did they have other dishes besides the normal norwegian fish? Again, this isn't about food. Thanks so much all of you. This site is so helpful and I so appreciate your opinions.

Linda

Thanks all. A very very hard decision. I'm not going for the shows etc. I'm a full blooded norwegian wanting to see some of my heritage and the country that my blooded relatives came from. I am also into landscape photography. Good point about the northern lights. I'm not sure how much you can see in 3 hours in a port. Such a hard decision and this literally has driven me nuts.

Your responses are invaluable and can't thank you enough. Guess what we're going to be discussing this weekend.

Linda

We are going to Norway in 2016 and I have booked so many cruises and thought I had finally made up my mind with Holland America July Midnight Sun cruise and then blasted it I got an email yesterday about Hurtigruten (spelling) and guaranteed seeing Northern Lights from Oct-can't remember when till but went hmmmmmm maybe go in October as I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights and it's guaranteed--if you don't see them you get refund I think it was. I had researched Hurtigruten before and I just don't get when it goes to port as all the scheduled stops I saw were very very short. Longest I think I saw was 1.5 hrs. How can you see anything on shore?

Please help!!!

Also, wondering how cold it is in Norway in October.

Linda

Thanks Dog!!!

Linda