Lerwick, Shetland Islands?

[Sally Forth]

Has anyone been there? We are considering a transatlantic London to New York, and it is one of the ports. I am assuming it is small and would be something DH and I enjoy, since we like to hike. My main reasons for going with NCL are the Iceland and Newfoundland stops, but this might be a good bonus.

 

Viv

[Jana White]

You WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED in Lerwick. It is so so quaint. It is easily walked and there is lots of beautiful village and countryside to see. We found some wonderful tide pools, had a great lunch at the Lerwick Hotel. It has an interesting harbor with lots of activity and some local shops to browse in. The botanical gardens are gorgeous and the people were very very friendly. We took that same transatlantic 2 years ago and we wondered about this port. IT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR TRIP. Enjoy! :)

[eh2zed]

Lerwick was a nice stop on our TA from Boston to Rotterdam. Very walkable in the town. Interesting shops, etc. We did take a bus tour throug the countryside. Saw some ponies, etc.

[Sally Forth]

Thanks, that was exactly what I was hoping for.

 

Viv

[tjcox9]

We visited Lerwick last year on a cruise and found it delightful. It's an easy town in which to walk about, have some fish and chips, visit the fortress, shop for sweaters, etc.

[anchorage1977]

Lerwick has a lot going for it. It is not a traditional cruise ship port, and is otherwise pretty hard to get to. So think of it as a bonus.

 

Here's a post I've added to my travel blog with photos and a brief write up in case you're interested:

 

http://happyalaskan.blogspot.com/2009/03/lerwick-shetland-scotland-ponies-pubs.html

 

One suggestion is to hop on the public bus and drive out into the countryside. We took off to the south for about an hour, until we bumped into a small town. Just walking among the fields and houses was relaxing. You'll notice the sheep in my photos!

 

The city has a centrally located fort you can tour by foot and a VERY NICE new museum with multi-media displays about their geology and history.

 

I hope this helps. Drink a pint for us while ashore!

 

Happy Travels.

[shoshona2]

Hi Anchorage 1977,

 

We are going to the Shetland Islands in June. We are taking a cruise to Iceland from Copenhagen and returning to Iceland. I loved viewing your photos. Our friends had nice things to say about this port.

Sheila

[shoshona2]

Sorry I typed so fast and it's my bedtime. We are going Copenhagen to Copenhagen with three ports in Iceland as well as the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands and one stop in Norway.

 

Sheila

[anchorage1977]

Hi Anchorage 1977,

 

We are going to the Shetland Islands in June. We are taking a cruise to Iceland from Copenhagen and returning to Iceland. I loved viewing your photos. Our friends had nice things to say about this port.

Sheila

 

Thanks for the kind words... I'm glad someone likes them! I think most people would enjoy Lerwick. It's just a nice mid-sized port. There's enough to do for a day, and that's it.

 

Happy Travels.

[kit9172]

I am doing the transatlantic this year on the NCL Jewel. How was the crossing for 2007 and 2008. Our first stop is Lerwick. Can't wait. Thanks for any information.

[littlestars]

I live in Shetland so let me know if I can help if you have any questions :o

[tg_lindo]

How was Up-Helly-Aa this year?

 

(I ask because I know someone who was in Lerwick last summer and learned all about the traditional event.)

[HeinBloed]

In preperation to my call by BOUDICCA:

 

Has anyone of you used one of these companies:

 

http://www.shetlandtours.co.uk/

 

and

 

http://www.seeshetland.shetland.co.uk/

 

and

 

what about a Sunday??? Is everything closed???

 

Regards

HeinBloed

[Northender]

Tien, when are you going. We will be with Rich, Loretta, etc. on the September 19, 2009 sailing.

I have used the shetlandtours folks. Start early if you want to work with them. I could have filled three buses and he had to scramble to get us 2.

As far as I know we are the only ship in port that day.

 

It was for a short tour, 8 persons per bus. Make sure when you email them you get confirmation of what you want to do and what time before you book.

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that both busses will be there.

The best part is you don't pay up front.

 

Adele

[HeinBloed]

Tien, when are you going. We will be with Rich, Loretta, etc. on the September 19, 2009 sailing.

I have used the shetlandtours folks. Start early if you want to work with them. I could have filled three buses and he had to scramble to get us 2.

As far as I know we are the only ship in port that day.

 

It was for a short tour, 8 persons per bus. Make sure when you email them you get confirmation of what you want to do and what time before you book.

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that both busses will be there.

The best part is you don't pay up front.

 

Adele

 

I am on a British Ship and currently I am the only in the roll-call...

 

and I have not got no quotation so far.

 

So I will keep you informed how it will develops...

 

Nice to hear from you again.

 

The question is: how soon will it take to gett your two buses tendered from the ship...

 

Say hello to everybody.

 

Will keep you informed how it was in Lerwick as we will be there about 6 weeks ahead of you.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Northender]

I am on a British Ship and currently I am the only in the roll-call...

 

and I have not got no quotation so far.

Our quote was for a 3 1/2 hour tour. See some ponies, sights and then be dropped off near the ship for shopping and food and beer, etc.

 

So I will keep you informed how it will develops...

 

Nice to hear from you again.

Me too. Glad I ran across this one.

 

The question is: how soon will it take to gett your two buses tendered from the ship...

Can you ask this question again. Not quite understanding. Do you mean

how long did it take me to get the two busses ordered from shetland tours?

 

Say hello to everybody.

I will.

 

Will keep you informed how it was in Lerwick as we will be there about 6 weeks ahead of you.

Yes, I will be very interested in how it goes.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

Hopefully your rollcall will pick up as you get closer

[HeinBloed]

Hopefully your rollcall will pick up as you get closer

 

N. B. You and the others can be totally lucky.

 

It's the last cruise on this route with NCL.

 

2010 season of NORWEGAN JEWEL was cancelled and replaced by NORWEGIAN SUN and she is going directly via the Southern route to Orlando.

 

So you can be very lucky to do it on this tour. I am totally jealeous.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[trickyoat]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a local from Shetland, i note your impending visit on Boudicca to Lerwick.

 

It just so happens the visit of Boudicca to Lerwick will be the 1,000th cruise vessel to call and special events are being planned by the local port authority to mark this historic moment.

 

Not quite sure what's planned but it should be interesting....

 

As for Sunday's in Lerwick....well several businesses are closed (to be expected), however there are shops open that cater for the visitor, plus the Shetland museum and archives is also open and well worth a visit!

 

Best Wishes

Richard

[HeinBloed]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a local from Shetland, i note your impending visit on Boudicca to Lerwick.

 

It just so happens the visit of Boudicca to Lerwick will be the 1,000th cruise vessel to call and special events are being planned by the local port authority to mark this historic moment.

 

Not quite sure what's planned but it should be interesting....

 

As for Sunday's in Lerwick....well several businesses are closed (to be expected), however there are shops open that cater for the visitor, plus the Shetland museum and archives is also open and well worth a visit!

 

Best Wishes

Richard

 

Thanks Richard,

 

so we better stay on the open deck to observe the arrival in Lerwick on 02.08.2009???

 

Looking forward.

 

How is the typical weather???

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[trickyoat]

Hi again,

 

Well weather wise this week it's been baking here, Tuesday had a top temperature of 25oC exceptional for Shetland. Today bit of sea fog rolling around with sunny spells but still a very pleasant 21oC :)

 

The thing with Lerwick is you can get four seasons of weather in one day but August should (fingers crossed) be fine for you....the only thing that could spoil your visit would be a day of thick fog (this can happen in summer time), but hopefully not!!

 

All the best

Richard

[HeinBloed]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a local from Shetland, i note your impending visit on Boudicca to Lerwick.

 

It just so happens the visit of Boudicca to Lerwick will be the 1,000th cruise vessel to call and special events are being planned by the local port authority to mark this historic moment.

 

Not quite sure what's planned but it should be interesting....

 

As for Sunday's in Lerwick....well several businesses are closed (to be expected), however there are shops open that cater for the visitor, plus the Shetland museum and archives is also open and well worth a visit!

 

Best Wishes

Richard

 

Thanks for all information you gave us in this forum...

 

Yes - we was cruise-ship call no. 1.000 in Shetland and yes we got a very nice treatment...

 

 

Instead using UPS, DHL or FedEx or just E-Mail or Fax or Flag Signals... we got an extra courier during our life drill...

 

Some nice escort...

 

on the water...

 

 

... for our ears...

 

 

When we were leaving we got a great single violin player...

 

Each of us were welcomed personally by a hand-shake and an escorts by Romans, Greeks or Vikings???

 

 

... and the most essentials...

 

 

and few puffins waited for us before leaving southbound...

 

Thank you, Lerwick for a great hospitality.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[meaclasact2]

Thanks for all information you gave us in this forum...

 

Yes - we was cruise-ship call no. 1.000 in Shetland and yes we got a very nice treatment...

 

 

Instead using UPS, DHL or FedEx or just E-Mail or Fax or Flag Signals... we got an extra courier during our life drill...

 

Some nice escort...

 

on the water...

 

 

... for our ears...

 

 

When we were leaving we got a great single violin player...

 

Each of us were welcomed personally by a hand-shake and an escorts by Romans, Greeks or Vikings???

 

 

... and the most essentials...

 

 

and few puffins waited for us before leaving southbound...

 

Thank you, Lerwick for a great hospitality.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

I will be on the NCL Jewel TA in September and truly appreciate these lovely photographs you have posted. I watch the live web cam for Shetland whenever time allows and, unfortunately, missed your welcoming party.

 

Looks like you had some nice weather when you visited - hopefully we shall have the same.

 

Thanks again.

[HeinBloed]

I will be on the NCL Jewel TA in September and truly appreciate these lovely photographs you have posted. I watch the live web cam for Shetland whenever time allows and, unfortunately, missed your welcoming party.

 

Looks like you had some nice weather when you visited - hopefully we shall have the same.

 

Thanks again.

 

Like to see more???

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-21-auf-der-day-21-on-boudicca-in.html

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-22-auf-der-day-22-on-boudicca-in.html

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-23-auf-der-day-23-on-boudicca-in.html

 

Lerwick was one of the nicest ports we called.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[meaclasact2]

Like to see more???

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-21-auf-der-day-21-on-boudicca-in.html

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-22-auf-der-day-22-on-boudicca-in.html

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-23-auf-der-day-23-on-boudicca-in.html

 

Lerwick was one of the nicest ports we called.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

Adele/Northender wrote to you further up - I will be cruising with her on the Jewel next month. The world is truly getting smaller and smaller.

 

These pictures are wonderful. The ship was with Fred Ohlsen? Would you mind sharing your thoughts - we are still relatively new to cruising and I love it. What was the intinerary for this cruise? I see the Brit in the hot tub during some high seas - where and when was that picture taken? This will be our very first Transatlantic (Dover to NY).

 

If you have the time, I would be most interested. Again, thanks so much for sharing even more pictures. Our travelmates on the Jewel are coming over for dinner this evening - I will most definately show them these pictures.

 

Ciao,

meaclasact2

[HeinBloed]

Adele/Northender wrote to you further up - I will be cruising with her on the Jewel next month. The world is truly getting smaller and smaller.

 

These pictures are wonderful. The ship was with Fred Ohlsen? Would you mind sharing your thoughts - we are still relatively new to cruising and I love it. What was the intinerary for this cruise? I see the Brit in the hot tub during some high seas - where and when was that picture taken? This will be our very first Transatlantic (Dover to NY).

 

If you have the time, I would be most interested. Again, thanks so much for sharing even more pictures. Our travelmates on the Jewel are coming over for dinner this evening - I will most definately show them these pictures.

 

Ciao,

meaclasact2

 

You can read the whole blog. It's like an internet-diary.

 

So the start is here:

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/07/lets-face-forward-to-boudicca-and-queen.html

 

And you can read and scroll down:

 

I am not sure if you are reading from the US-based computer if the instructions are in German or English.

 

If German: you scroll down and click on "Neuerer Post" (left at the bottom).

 

In English it might appear "Newer post" (or something like this).

 

So you can jump from one posting to the next and at the end you will read my personal conclusion.

 

After "five" days you can read what I thought of this voyage.

 

Fred Olsen is a British cruiselines which uses "classical"/"traditional" ships. You will not find them with the major lines. It's not a mass-product.

 

We went from Edinburgh (Rosyth) via Lerwick to Bergen (Norway) and returned to Newcastle, England.

 

The voyage was in the first week of August 2009.

 

You will have a great cruise as this is the last time NCL is going this route. You see more from points of world many cruisers will never see.

 

I have only few blogs with English translation:

 

Dover - Copenhagen on EURODAM

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-0-pre-cruise.html

 

Genoa - Canary Island - Genoa on MSC FANTASIA

 

http://heinbloed-musica.blogspot.com/2009/01/ein-gutes-neues-jahr-happy-new-year.html

 

and where I met our common friends:

 

Boston - Bermuda - Boston on NORWEGIAN DREAM

 

http://heinbloed-dream.blogspot.com/2008/10/prolog-prologue.html

 

On the NORWEGIAN DREAM-blog you may click one more time on "Newer Post" as German and English were alternating sometimes in different posts.

 

Other blogs have not been translated. But you can see pictures:

 

http://www.heinbloed-onboard.de

 

There you can see pictures of NORWEGIAN JEWEL as well.

 

Have a great time with our common friends. I am sure you will get the nicest cruise-mates you can get on any cruise.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed