NOK any point in getting currency?

[cymrucat23]

Off on our first ever cruise next week - Northern Lights 😍. Is there any point in getting local currency?  We have cards and it seems most places take cards. We've booked 3 excursions, but would like to do a bit of walking around on our own as well. Thanks 🙂 

[tring]

20 hours ago, cymrucat23 said:

Off on our first ever cruise next week - Northern Lights 😍. Is there any point in getting local currency?  We have cards and it seems most places take cards. We've booked 3 excursions, but would like to do a bit of walking around on our own as well. Thanks 🙂 

 

We were there about eighteen months ago, a couple of ports that Fjord cruises visit and then Oslo on the way to the Baltic.  We always take at least a small amount of local currency, but we do not remember needing to use it as most payments were by card.  The exception was that we took a local bus to the folk museum in Oslo and had to find somewhere selling the tickets as they do not take cash or cards on the buses.  We find Trip advisor forums are usually the best place to get information on public transport.

 

I suggest if you stick to tourist locations/outlets cards, you will be fine, but we will continue to take a small amount of local currency.  I doubt any local currency would be needed on excursions.

 

[twotravellersLondon]

22 hours ago, cymrucat23 said:

Off on our first ever cruise next week - Northern Lights 😍. Is there any point in getting local currency?  We have cards and it seems most places take cards. We've booked 3 excursions, but would like to do a bit of walking around on our own as well. Thanks 🙂 

 

 

Even pre-pandemic Norway was virtually a cashless society and it's now even more so. 

 

We were up there last year and visited Bergen, Ålesund, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, the North Cape and Alta... didn't use cash anywhere. People seem to prefer cards. All of the taxis take cards, museums are free or take cards and even in the churches... donations are welcomed by card. In some cases cash is simply declined... just like in many places in the UK... especially London.

 

Evening  tourist markets... not that many will be open at this time of the year, take cards.

 

In Tromsø bus tickets are available from the Tourist office.

 

 

Walking in Tromso... you may need to take the shuttle up to the city centre nut from there there is a very attrative walk along the main street and down to the shore and harbour. there are really good views over to Tromsdalen Kirk (Nicknamed "the Arctic Cathedral") It you want to see the real cathedral it's in the center of town by the Ferry Quay.

 

Waking in Honningsvåg just follow the coast line and the harbour... it's very atmospheric. There is a Christmas shop and a very bohemian cafe/bar to look out for.

 

Walking in Bergen...

 

We've been to Bergen lots of time over the years and have sometimes stayed there these are some suggestions within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal...

 

From the main cruise terminal, it's just a couple of minutes’ walk to the fortress which is immediately outside. It was virtually destroyed when a German ship blew up in the harbour during the second world war but has been rebuilt. There's a park, military museum. banqueting hall and tower with good views.

 

About 100 yards further on there's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Bryggen... a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings dating back a 1,000 years and lining up the eastern side of the Vågen harbour. It is a world class must-see site and has lots of museums, shops, restaurants and pubs. Be sure to penetrate the alleyways.

 

About 100 yards further towards town and the end of the harbour there's a very classy McDonalds. Call to fame... Bill Clinton once sneaked in unannounced for a burger!

 

 From there turn left up Vetrlidsallmenningen and in less that 100 yards you'll find the Fløibanen... a cable car that takes tourists of a trip to the top of the mountain... sensational views... when it's clear.

 

 If you have the time, there are some interesting walks down the peninsula to the west of the harbour and some good views back to the Bryggen and there's the Akvariet i Bergen - Det Nasjonale Akvariet (Aquarium) at the end.

 

Alternatively from either the Bryggen or the Fløibanentake take the Øvregatenl behind Bryggen and the Fortress to Mariakiken and then up the hill along Nye Sandviksveien... take the turning to the left down Skuteviksveien. This is a very pretty traditional street with some houses dating from the 1700s... the strange cobbles in the middle are to help horses in the snow... we've found them to be ideal for elderly tourists in the wet!

 

 At the end you'll come across the wharfs and refurbished warehouses around Skutevik. From one of the wharfs by the Seaman's mission... brilliant views towards your ship... and with luck... Eider Ducks on the water. (Hooded Crows are everywhere!)

 

There's a sneaky way back to the ship via the beach and on a DIY board walk at the back of a shed or you might prefer the road... either way... it's only a few minutes.

 

The sail away can be stunning in the right light and weather...  we try to be on deck.

 

 

A few pics to whet the appetite...

 

Tromsø...

 

 

 

 

 

Ålesund...

 

 

 

 

Bergen...

 

 

 

Alta... If you can sleep out overnight,,, we're done it five time n different places... just amazing... especially when the lights come out.

 

 

 

North Cape...

 

 

 

 

Honningsvåg...

 

 

 

And keep looking out... we saw the lights on six consecutive nights... mostly were most others were in bed!

 

 

 

 

 

We hope that you have a really great time.

 

 

 

Edited February 24 by twotravellersLondon

[cymrucat23]

On 2/24/2024 at 1:16 PM, tring said:

 

We were there about eighteen months ago, a couple of ports that Fjord cruises visit and then Oslo on the way to the Baltic.  We always take at least a small amount of local currency, but we do not remember needing to use it as most payments were by card.  The exception was that we took a local bus to the folk museum in Oslo and had to find somewhere selling the tickets as they do not take cash or cards on the buses.  We find Trip advisor forums are usually the best place to get information on public transport.

 

I suggest if you stick to tourist locations/outlets cards, you will be fine, but we will continue to take a small amount of local currency.  I doubt any local currency would be needed on excursions.

 

Thank you - these were pretty much my thoughts 🙂

[cymrucat23]

On 2/24/2024 at 3:23 PM, twotravellersLondon said:

 

 

Even pre-pandemic Norway was virtually a cashless society and it's now even more so. 

 

We were up there last year and visited Bergen, Ålesund, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, the North Cape and Alta... didn't use cash anywhere. People seem to prefer cards. All of the taxis take cards, museums are free or take cards and even in the churches... donations are welcomed by card. In some cases cash is simply declined... just like in many places in the UK... especially London.

 

Evening  tourist markets... not that many will be open at this time of the year, take cards.

 

In Tromsø bus tickets are available from the Tourist office.

 

 

Walking in Tromso... you may need to take the shuttle up to the city centre nut from there there is a very attrative walk along the main street and down to the shore and harbour. there are really good views over to Tromsdalen Kirk (Nicknamed "the Arctic Cathedral") It you want to see the real cathedral it's in the center of town by the Ferry Quay.

 

Waking in Honningsvåg just follow the coast line and the harbour... it's very atmospheric. There is a Christmas shop and a very bohemian cafe/bar to look out for.

 

Walking in Bergen...

 

We've been to Bergen lots of time over the years and have sometimes stayed there these are some suggestions within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal...

 

From the main cruise terminal, it's just a couple of minutes’ walk to the fortress which is immediately outside. It was virtually destroyed when a German ship blew up in the harbour during the second world war but has been rebuilt. There's a park, military museum. banqueting hall and tower with good views.

 

About 100 yards further on there's UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Bryggen... a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings dating back a 1,000 years and lining up the eastern side of the Vågen harbour. It is a world class must-see site and has lots of museums, shops, restaurants and pubs. Be sure to penetrate the alleyways.

 

About 100 yards further towards town and the end of the harbour there's a very classy McDonalds. Call to fame... Bill Clinton once sneaked in unannounced for a burger!

 

 From there turn left up Vetrlidsallmenningen and in less that 100 yards you'll find the Fløibanen... a cable car that takes tourists of a trip to the top of the mountain... sensational views... when it's clear.

 

 If you have the time, there are some interesting walks down the peninsula to the west of the harbour and some good views back to the Bryggen and there's the Akvariet i Bergen - Det Nasjonale Akvariet (Aquarium) at the end.

 

Alternatively from either the Bryggen or the Fløibanentake take the Øvregatenl behind Bryggen and the Fortress to Mariakiken and then up the hill along Nye Sandviksveien... take the turning to the left down Skuteviksveien. This is a very pretty traditional street with some houses dating from the 1700s... the strange cobbles in the middle are to help horses in the snow... we've found them to be ideal for elderly tourists in the wet!

 

 At the end you'll come across the wharfs and refurbished warehouses around Skutevik. From one of the wharfs by the Seaman's mission... brilliant views towards your ship... and with luck... Eider Ducks on the water. (Hooded Crows are everywhere!)

 

There's a sneaky way back to the ship via the beach and on a DIY board walk at the back of a shed or you might prefer the road... either way... it's only a few minutes.

 

The sail away can be stunning in the right light and weather...  we try to be on deck.

 

 

A few pics to whet the appetite...

 

Tromsø...

 

 

 

 

 

Ålesund...

 

 

 

 

Bergen...

 

 

 

Alta... If you can sleep out overnight,,, we're done it five time n different places... just amazing... especially when the lights come out.

 

 

 

North Cape...

 

 

 

 

Honningsvåg...

 

 

 

And keep looking out... we saw the lights on six consecutive nights... mostly were most others were in bed!

 

 

 

 

 

We hope that you have a really great time.

 

 

 

Thank you so much, wonderful photos....really looking forward to it - not sure if we will have time to do much walking around Tromso, as we are booked for a a dog mushing experience! Do hope to do some walking around Alesund.....  🙂

[twotravellersLondon]

2 hours ago, cymrucat23 said:

Thank you so much, wonderful photos....really looking forward to it - not sure if we will have time to do much walking around Tromso, as we are booked for a a dog mushing experience! Do hope to do some walking around Alesund.....  🙂

 

We had posted without knowing which cruise you were on.

 

This might be useful... https://thehiddennorth.com/highlights-of-alesund-self-guided-walking-tour/

 

Have a great time.

 

[Mrs Tinkywinky]

Those photos are beautiful. I have visited Norway quite a lot and have never used cash. Two years ago we were on a Fred summer cruise and I took £20 of NOK in case I may have needed cash and came back with the £20. I am going this summer and will be taking the £20 again !!

[cymrucat23]

Thank you for all the info and photos - we had a wonderful time (despite not being able to dock in Bodo 😞 - adverse weather conditions and rough seas).  We didn't use any cash! Want to go again!!

[jeanlyon]

Never been to Norway and now booked on Aurora next March.  Will we need boots in late March?  I don't possess walking boots.

[cymrucat23]

2 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Never been to Norway and now booked on Aurora next March.  Will we need boots in late March?  I don't possess walking boots.

Well I think it depends on what you plan to do. We went beginning of March (1st - 10th) and as we went to Narvik and Tromso and did the Arctic Train and dog sledding - then yes snow boots required. Other ports I managed OK with regular boots, didn't take my 'walking boots'. Even if you are not doing an activities, I would pack winter boots, there is still plenty of snow around even through April. Hope this helps.