North Cape & Norway
- Thread starter jimb
- Start date
Thanks for your response. Yes thats the cruise. We were on the Crown a couple of years ago on a Baltic cruise however my wife has since developed a mild knee problem. She's by no means disabled but can only walk moderate distances, stopping frequently.
I was wondering if the ports are within walking or taxi or shuttle bus distance.
Regards
Jimb
I was wondering if the ports are within walking or taxi or shuttle bus distance.
Regards
Jimb
ShipMaven
Forever Remembered
I'm guessing you're referring to her July 29th itinerary? If yes...
Reykjavik - you dock in town, but there's really not that much to do in town. There are 2 excursions that I highly, highly recommend there. The first is normally referred to as the Golden Circle, an all-day tour. The three main sights are Geysir (interesting series of geysers); Gulfoss (a beautiful high waterfall); and Thingvellir, site of the world's first parliament (some ruins still visible) and the place where the tectonic plates of the European and North American continents meet. You can place one foot on each continent. The other is about a 4 hour tour, called the Blue Lagoon. It's a large, thermal pool about 20-30 minutes by motorcoach from Reykjavik. The mineral waters are very warm, and those who venture in swear that it helps them. It's a very surrealist scene.
I've not been to Akureyri.
Aalesund Norway (you dock in town) is a pleasant place to walk. But the cruise lines normally offer numerous excursions in the fjords, so I would urge you to explore them.
Hellesylt is a technical stop for those wishing to disembark and take the train overland to Geiranger. The train has pro's and con's. The scenery is magnificent, but it can be crowded. The ship continues through the Geirangerfjord to Geiranger, at its head. If you want to go ashore, it's a tender disembarkation (very smooth waters). The town is very quaint. I suggest taking the motorcoach tour up to Mount Dalsnibba, the high peak overlooking the town and fjord. Whenever you see a photo looking down on the head of Geirangerfjord, it's taken from Mount Dalsnibba. I have always stayed aboard between Hellesylt and Geiranger because the scenery is so magnificent.
I've not been to Olden.
Bergen - you dock in town. It's a very historic city, second largest in Norway. It used to be part of the Hansa League in Medieval times. It's pleasant to walk around. If it's a clear day, you can take the funicular to the top of Mount Floeyen - great panorama. I've always found Bergen the most reasonable place in Norway to buy souvenirs and Norwegian woolens. There's also a wonderful marketplace within walking distance of the dock. Bergan was also the home of Edvard Grieg, the famous Norwegian composer.
Hope these little tidbits give you some food for thought. I might mention that I have mobility issues because of a bad knee. There are taxis in Bergen and Reykjavik, they're few and far between in the other ports. But I would suggest Princess' motorcoach tours for anything that's of interest.
Reykjavik - you dock in town, but there's really not that much to do in town. There are 2 excursions that I highly, highly recommend there. The first is normally referred to as the Golden Circle, an all-day tour. The three main sights are Geysir (interesting series of geysers); Gulfoss (a beautiful high waterfall); and Thingvellir, site of the world's first parliament (some ruins still visible) and the place where the tectonic plates of the European and North American continents meet. You can place one foot on each continent. The other is about a 4 hour tour, called the Blue Lagoon. It's a large, thermal pool about 20-30 minutes by motorcoach from Reykjavik. The mineral waters are very warm, and those who venture in swear that it helps them. It's a very surrealist scene.
I've not been to Akureyri.
Aalesund Norway (you dock in town) is a pleasant place to walk. But the cruise lines normally offer numerous excursions in the fjords, so I would urge you to explore them.
Hellesylt is a technical stop for those wishing to disembark and take the train overland to Geiranger. The train has pro's and con's. The scenery is magnificent, but it can be crowded. The ship continues through the Geirangerfjord to Geiranger, at its head. If you want to go ashore, it's a tender disembarkation (very smooth waters). The town is very quaint. I suggest taking the motorcoach tour up to Mount Dalsnibba, the high peak overlooking the town and fjord. Whenever you see a photo looking down on the head of Geirangerfjord, it's taken from Mount Dalsnibba. I have always stayed aboard between Hellesylt and Geiranger because the scenery is so magnificent.
I've not been to Olden.
Bergen - you dock in town. It's a very historic city, second largest in Norway. It used to be part of the Hansa League in Medieval times. It's pleasant to walk around. If it's a clear day, you can take the funicular to the top of Mount Floeyen - great panorama. I've always found Bergen the most reasonable place in Norway to buy souvenirs and Norwegian woolens. There's also a wonderful marketplace within walking distance of the dock. Bergan was also the home of Edvard Grieg, the famous Norwegian composer.
Hope these little tidbits give you some food for thought. I might mention that I have mobility issues because of a bad knee. There are taxis in Bergen and Reykjavik, they're few and far between in the other ports. But I would suggest Princess' motorcoach tours for anything that's of interest.
ShipMaven
Forever Remembered
Oops - I believe you're referring to the July 5th cruise. Well...many of my comments are pertinent to that cruise as well.
Stavanger is a quaint port town. You can easily walk around and take in the sights.
Trondheim is Norway's third largest city. You dock in town, and it's lovely to walk around. If you don't wish to take an excursion, stroll to Nidaros [Lutheran] Cathedral. But I would suggest finding an excursion of interest - it probably will include Nidaros.
Honningsvag - this is the port for North Cape. You definitely should take the motorcoach to North Cape. It's about a 45-60 minute drive through tundra. Very interesting. You'll also see reindeer between Honningsvag and North Cape, so keep your camera ready. North Cape is the northernmost point in Europe (well, actually, it isn't but it's the most famous
).
Flaam is a small, picturesque port on Aurlandsfjord which is a tributary of Sognefjord. I enjoy simply lazing around town.
Remember that once you are above the Arctic Circle, you'll have 24 hour sunlight.
Now that I have the right cruise, please ask if you have questions.
Stavanger is a quaint port town. You can easily walk around and take in the sights.
Trondheim is Norway's third largest city. You dock in town, and it's lovely to walk around. If you don't wish to take an excursion, stroll to Nidaros [Lutheran] Cathedral. But I would suggest finding an excursion of interest - it probably will include Nidaros.
Honningsvag - this is the port for North Cape. You definitely should take the motorcoach to North Cape. It's about a 45-60 minute drive through tundra. Very interesting. You'll also see reindeer between Honningsvag and North Cape, so keep your camera ready. North Cape is the northernmost point in Europe (well, actually, it isn't but it's the most famous
). Flaam is a small, picturesque port on Aurlandsfjord which is a tributary of Sognefjord. I enjoy simply lazing around town.
Remember that once you are above the Arctic Circle, you'll have 24 hour sunlight.
Now that I have the right cruise, please ask if you have questions.
ShipMaven
Forever Remembered
Jim - fantastic! I have not doubt that you'll enjoy this itinerary.
If you can somewhere find a copy of the movie "Song of Norway" (early 1970's), try to rent it. It's filmed mostly in the Norwegian fjords - it's loosely based on the life and works of Norwegian composter Edvard Grieg. It's wonderful preparation for your cruise!
If you can somewhere find a copy of the movie "Song of Norway" (early 1970's), try to rent it. It's filmed mostly in the Norwegian fjords - it's loosely based on the life and works of Norwegian composter Edvard Grieg. It's wonderful preparation for your cruise!
