journey boomer Posted January 10, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Would appreciate any feedback on these cruises; Have heard it can be somewhat boring and excursions expensive. Looking at going mid year. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOP Posted January 10, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Do it! You will not be sorry in the least. We experienced this cruise on the Quest last summer and it was everything I had hoped for...helped that we had GREAT weather too. It is nice that the smaller ships can get to places larger ships cannot so you will see Fjords a bit differently than other cruises. Also, nothing in Norway is inexpensive, so if you are budget minded...then you may want to sharpen your pencil when planning ANY trip to Norway or any Scandinavian country for that matter. Edited January 10, 2014 by LOP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2cruisesoon Posted January 10, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Do it! You will not be sorry in the least. We experienced this cruise on the Quest last summer and it was everything I had hoped for...helped that we had GREAT weather too. It is nice that the smaller ships can get to places larger ships cannot so you will see Fjords a bit differently than other cruises. Also, nothing in Norway is inexpensive, so if you are budget minded...then you may want to sharpen your pencil when planning ANY trip to Norway or any Scandinavian country for that matter. So it's kinda like the Alaska of Europe but with out the glaciers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny DI Posted January 10, 2014 #4 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Norway has glaciers as I have climbed a few! I've been to Alaska many times and lived in Norway. I've done Norway and Alaskan cruises. I prefer Norway! Norway is one place where you don't need shore excursions...just get off the ship and walk around. The fjords are beautiful. I never found the vistas boring. Norway has been expensive since the 1970's but many places in the world are expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journey boomer Posted January 10, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Cheers we really appreciate the feedback. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOP Posted January 11, 2014 #6 Share Posted January 11, 2014 So it's kinda like the Alaska of Europe but with out the glaciers? A Greek captain of a Celebrity ship and his Greek Safety officer once told me that they had cruised the world many times in their storied careers and they felt the most beautiful place they had ever been was Norway, they said it is "Alaska on steroids". I booked a cruise to Norway on Azamara a year after they said that to me (2011) and I enjoyed that cruise in 2013. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwestchick Posted January 11, 2014 #7 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I'm going to have to research this...we've been looking into an Alaska cruise...DH has always wanted to go there and Alaska gets rave reviews. Thanks to the OP for posting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
librarylady19 Posted January 11, 2014 #8 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thanks! Norway is definitely on my bucket list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxjam Posted January 11, 2014 #9 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisemuse13 Posted January 11, 2014 #10 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 Thank you for sharing your photos. The pictures are so beautiful, clear , and crisp. What equipment did you use? Now I want to go to Norway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dln929 Posted January 11, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 I think you've created a monster in our house! Now my husband and I must must must do that same Norway itinerary. Spectacular. Thanks a million for sharing your gorgeous photos with us. We're officially hooked. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwestchick Posted January 11, 2014 #12 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 The slideshow was awesome and all of the pictures were so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. My DH and I just watched it....looks very nice. What month did you go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxjam Posted January 11, 2014 #13 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Cruisemate13, DLN929 & Midwestchick, Thanks Cruisemuse13 - Olympus EM-5 with 12-35 &35-100 Panasonic f2.8 lenses Midwestchick - Our cruise was July 24 to August 7, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcruiser Posted January 11, 2014 #14 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were told Alaska was gorgeous and went. We were told the Chilean fjords were the most beautiful, so we went. Then we were told nothing beats New Zealand and went. BUT NORWAY is the most SPECTACULAR of all. Every minute you are looking at unbelievable beauty, even at midnight if you go in summer. And Azamara captains make sure that you see every fjord, every glacier, every waterfall. We are going again this summer and can't wait. Yes, Norway is expensive, but don't miss it. Paying in dollars helps a bit. ddcruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgg Posted January 11, 2014 #15 Share Posted January 11, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 Your slideshow was a fantastic way for us to relive our Norway trip. You captured the vastness of the landscape beautifully. Thanks for posting the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny DI Posted January 11, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) We were told Alaska was gorgeous and went. We were told the Chilean fjords were the most beautiful, so we went. Then we were told nothing beats New Zealand and went. BUT NORWAY is the most SPECTACULAR of all. Every minute you are looking at unbelievable beauty, even at midnight if you go in summer. And Azamara captains make sure that you see every fjord, every glacier, every waterfall. We were fortunate to have lived and worked in Norway in the 70's and 90's. One of our homes was on a fjord. I never tire of the beauty of the country. Every little village is a post card. We've cruised to Norway on the Celebrity Summit, QM2, and the Grand Princess. There was no tendering as the fjords are so deep. I would rate Norway #1, Chilean fjords #2, New Zealand # 3 and Alaska a far #4. We lived in Norway before we cruised to Alaska. On our ONLY Alaskan cruise our friends were thrilled with the sights...we didn't understand the excitement! I must add that visiting Norway in Nov is not quite the same as the rest of the year. Norway is beautiful in the snow but not in the dark rainy days of Nov. Edited January 11, 2014 by Granny DI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vival Posted January 11, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I'm going to have to research this...we've been looking into an Alaska cruise...DH has always wanted to go there and Alaska gets rave reviews. Thanks to the OP for posting this. My vote would be for Norway every time! We were on a larger ship for Alaska and that may have been why we didn't enjoy it, but we found the Alaskan ports very commercial whereas there was no commercialism at all in Norway. We thought Norway was a lot more Sceinic and no multiple cruise ships in every port. As another poster has stated in many of the ports you can just get off the ship and enjoy the scenery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny DI Posted January 11, 2014 #18 Share Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) "My vote would be for Norway every time! We were on a larger ship for Alaska and that may have been why we didn't enjoy it, but we found the Alaskan ports very commercial whereas there was no commercialism at all in Norway. We thought Norway was a lot more Sceinic and no multiple cruise ships in every port". I totally agree as Alaska can get crowded in the summer. About the only place I'm not crazy about in Norway is Oslo....but in Oslo I can hop a fast train and be in Lillehammer in little over an hour. BTW Solo beach near Stavanger is more beautiful than most Caribbean beaches but it's usually deserted.....Solo is for looking not for swimming...water is really beautiful but cold!!!! Edited January 11, 2014 by Granny DI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikki21 Posted January 12, 2014 #19 Share Posted January 12, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 Wow fabulous photos - thank you for sharing! A Fjords cruise in Norway has been on our list for a while anyhow - I don't think my camera would have a break lol! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOP Posted January 12, 2014 #20 Share Posted January 12, 2014 We were on the same cruise as LOP which was terrific. We had great weather, a Norwegian Captain the sights turned out more diverse than I expected. If you're interested here are some photos: http://albums.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?i=1&db=1&pw=1DeO9ZuY&a_id=6214903 Very nice job Taxjam...thank you for sharing. BTW, I emailed you as soon as we returned with those pictures from my camera of you and the Mrs. Check you spam folder as I never heard from you and I will be happy to resend if needed.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxjam Posted January 12, 2014 #21 Share Posted January 12, 2014 LOP, Thanks. If you could send the photos again to tkletnick@aol.com I'd appreciate it. All of my spam files are empty. Perhaps I inadvertently deleted the photos when I got home as we were gone about 6 weeks and did have a full spam folder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOP Posted January 12, 2014 #22 Share Posted January 12, 2014 LOP, Thanks. If you could send the photos again to tkletnick@aol.com I'd appreciate it. All of my spam files are empty. Perhaps I inadvertently deleted the photos when I got home as we were gone about 6 weeks and did have a full spam folder. email sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excitedofharpenden Posted January 12, 2014 #23 Share Posted January 12, 2014 IMHO Norway is more stunning than Alaska (but a lot more expensive). If you are on Journey and Norwegian Captain Johannes is Master you have the perfect combination. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkystheLimit Posted January 13, 2014 #24 Share Posted January 13, 2014 We cruised to Norway on the Oceania Insignia(I know--we missed Azamara so much). The size of the ship was wonderful for the fjords, etc. I was sick with a respiratory thing most of the cruise so I did not leave the cabin for a couple of days. I didn't feel I missed a thing. The scenery was magnificent. This is one trip I definitely was happy to have a balcony--worth every cent. Waterfalls everywhere. If you go to Flam do the railroad trip. Breathtaking. We did it on our own. Got off the ship ASAP and went to purchase our tickets. The later trip was sold out but the early one was available. We didn't do any ship's excursions and had a great time. There are many small museums in the towns that offer so much insight into the history of Norway. Hop on and Off tram/bus was available in some of the larger towns. Don't miss the seafood market in Bergen. Go and have a good time. Packing for this trip was easy. Jeans, waterproof jacket and shoes covered it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted October 2, 2014 #25 Share Posted October 2, 2014 So excited to read this thread. We are booked on a 15-night Azamara Quest cruise of Norwegian Fjords and North Cape departing Amsterdam August 11, 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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