Norway Cruise (+Iceland/Copenhagen/Dover) TIPS (consolidated)

[Marthasor]

Do we really want to know?

Haha!! No I guess not! We've come this far by booking the cruise. Have to get off the ship and look around right?!!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I assume they will keep these up now for 2016 as well. Or should I take screenshots now.

Screenshots are always a good idea

Heather

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Screenshots are always a good idea

Heather

Yes I wished I had kept all my stuff for the baltic from 2010.

 

[sabrecmc]

On St Petes I would say the opposite If you book a private tour and in the unlikely event you had contact with the ship there was an issue your private van could drop back, maybe wait and then pick you up again. On a DCL tour you wouldn't have a bus turn back, with 55 people on it you would gave to get a taxi. If you have a mobile or get the guides mobile you will be in touch all the time.

On Frozen DCL told us direct our cruise 7/22 had Frozen so DCL know.

On our port adventure in Rome back in 2010, which was a DCL excursion, one of the families had to leave the excursion early to go back to the ship b/c of an issue with their child who was on the ship. I don't know the specifics, but anyway, the point being that DCL contacted the tour guide, who got the family and arranged for them to go back to the ship. It did not disrupt our tour and, at least for US people, it would have been hard for DCL to reach us otherwise, since we don't use our cell phones over there. Since DCL knew which tour they were on and had the contact info for the guide, they could be found relatively easily. So, aside from the whole thing of them (likely) holding the ship for a late excursion if it is DCL, there is the issue of how DCL would be able to find someone on a private excursion if there was an issue. Maybe there is some way to leave contact info for whatever tour company you are using with guest services? I honestly don't know, but thought I would share what we observed.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

On our port adventure in Rome back in 2010, which was a DCL excursion, one of the families had to leave the excursion early to go back to the ship b/c of an issue with their child who was on the ship. I don't know the specifics, but anyway, the point being that DCL contacted the tour guide, who got the family and arranged for them to go back to the ship. It did not disrupt our tour and, at least for US people, it would have been hard for DCL to reach us otherwise, since we don't use our cell phones over there. Since DCL knew which tour they were on and had the contact info for the guide, they could be found relatively easily. So, aside from the whole thing of them (likely) holding the ship for a late excursion if it is DCL, there is the issue of how DCL would be able to find someone on a private excursion if there was an issue. Maybe there is some way to leave contact info for whatever tour company you are using with guest services? I honestly don't know, but thought I would share what we observed.

It's easy to leave information of who you are with , now I can't say they will do it for everyone, but ask at guest services, but on concierge they asked for contact details of all my touts and if I didn't get back in time they would contact.

However a simple contact number by cell is not going to cost, any return from a a DCL trip will involve taxis not sure DCL would foot the bill on that assume case by case, if you have a private tour you can turn back anytime.

 

[Flossbolna]

Bergen is up, too! Now if they'd only post prices!

Yes, I saw that! So happy to be able to see what is being offered. We have more or less decided to do our own thing in all of the ports, but it is nice to see what Disney thinks are the highlights...

Time will tell - right? We ended up booking directly with RE.IS but they will allow a cancellation if needed.

Hi my fellow "Nuernberg'er" I hope you're doing well!

It looks like they are still loading as about 5 I checked don't show any prices. Doesn't apply to our sailing but it's fun to read about different adventures.

Heather

Hi Heather!! I am doing well - and as you see I have been bitten by the cruising bug as well. Going to take my sister on her first cruise on the Magic to Norway and we are both very excited about another sisters' trip!

Yes, no prices yet. I hope they add the prices soon. They actually have some very neat excursions that might tempt us to not just do our own thing, even though the ports are all so easy to explore from and we don't feel like we need to pack as much into the port days as possible since we can easily go back to Norway for another visit if we like it.

 

[sabrecmc]

It's easy to leave information of who you are with , now I can't say they will do it for everyone, but ask at guest services, but on concierge they asked for contact details of all my touts and if I didn't get back in time they would contact.

However a simple contact number by cell is not going to cost, any return from a a DCL trip will involve taxis not sure DCL would foot the bill on that assume case by case, if you have a private tour you can turn back anytime.

We've not done concierge, but DCL has never asked for our private tour info, so I think that is only with concierge guests. I think you'd have to leave it with GS and hope that in the event something happened, that could be found and acted upon. I mean, I'm sure they would try, don't get me wrong. But, I don't think that is at all standard procedure for most people booking their own tours. Good thing to think about in advance though.

Also, some private tours are not "private" in the sense that it is only you. That can be the case, but often you are with other people as well, just smaller groups. I'm not arguing against it per se, and we've done a lot of private tours, but for ones where I was leaving my child onboard while I was gone, I would personally not feel comfortable doing a non-DCL tour, at least overseas where I don't have my cell phone. I want someone to be able to find me without hoping whoever works the GS desk can locate the info I left, call the tour company in a foreign country and hunt me down. Maybe I'm paranoid though. I mean, obviously, everyone has different comfort levels and if I were a native European with a cell phone over there or if I had an international plan with my phone, it wouldn't bother me as much. The expense of a taxi ride back to port is not a big deal when my child needs me, so I honestly wouldn't even factor that in. I would just assume DCL would not pay for that.

I'm planning to do a DCL excursion in St. Petersburg while DD stays onboard, so I've thought about this a lot (can you tell?). Just based on past experience, I don't feel comfortable doing that with a private company, particularly not in Russia. Call me paranoid!

 

[spacecanada]

The port adventures for Alesund are UP!!

 

[Calfan]

Still missing Kristiansand and Stavanger for those of us on the 6/29 Iceland/Norway cruise.

 

[DahliaRW]

Still missing Kristiansand and Stavanger for those of us on the 6/29 Iceland/Norway cruise.

They're not all up yet for the Norwegian Fjords cruises prior to that as well... No Stavanger or Geiranger for us yet...

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We've not done concierge, but DCL has never asked for our private tour info, so I think that is only with concierge guests.

Yes as per my quoted post I said that.

I think you'd have to leave it with GS and hope that in the event something happened, that could be found and acted upon. I mean, I'm sure they would try, don't get me wrong. But, I don't think that is at all standard procedure for most people booking their own tours. Good thing to think about in advance though.

My point its worth a try. But as also said take a cell phone as an emergency contact.

Also, some private tours are not "private" in the sense that it is only you.

The ones I quoted are 100% private, mine is private, you could lower the already low cost by sharing if you wish, worth reading the link I provided.

That can be the case, but often you are with other people as well, just smaller groups.

No, worth checking the information posted they are private, private vans up to 7 people unless you want to book as a group.

I'm not arguing against it per se, and we've done a lot of private tours, but for ones where I was leaving my child onboard while I was gone, I would personally not feel comfortable doing a non-DCL tour, at least overseas where I don't have my cell phone.

DCL will not turn around a 55 seat bus on trip, however with a private tour you can stop it and turn back. + They have simple tours for families with young kids.

I want someone to be able to find me without hoping whoever works the GS desk can locate the info I left, call the tour company in a foreign country and hunt me down. Maybe I'm paranoid though. I mean, obviously, everyone has different comfort levels and if I were a native European with a cell phone over there or if I had an international plan with my phone, it wouldn't bother me as much. The expense of a taxi ride back to port is not a big deal when my child needs me, so I honestly wouldn't even factor that in. I would just assume DCL would not pay for that.

In the end you have to do what you personally want to do, I was giving alternatives and pointing out that going with the status quo might not be the only or safest version.

I'm planning to do a DCL excursion in St. Petersburg while DD stays onboard, so I've thought about this a lot (can you tell?). Just based on past experience, I don't feel comfortable doing that with a private company, particularly not in Russia. Call me paranoid!

In the end it is your choice. I was just trying to help and give alternatives, there are some who are a bit frightened of St Petersburg and its excellent to go to break down the barriers as our perception is wrong until we go, we read a lot in the papers and on the news, its just another city, a nice one but the same as other places and the same services.

 

[Crisi83]

Thank you for the alternatives, I will look into the Anastasia tours.. I think everyone has some good points on both side of the issue when it comes to private vs DCL. Since it would only be two of us, costs for the private are not quite as good of a deal as if we were a bigger trip, but customizing might be the way to go (or even being able to bring my daughter).

I have a question for Copenhagen people - I see the excursion for the new Aquarium. Have you been? Is it worth it? We love aquarium, can spend days at Montery Bay, etc. I don't know if we would want to do the excursion, because it doesn't seem designed for a toddler, though she loooooves fish. But all the behind the scenes stuff might mean too much standing still and listening. So is it a place we could get to on our own from the boat?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thank you for the alternatives, I will look into the Anastasia tours.. I think everyone has some good points on both side of the issue when it comes to private vs DCL. Since it would only be two of us, costs for the private are not quite as good of a deal as if we were a bigger trip, but customizing might be the way to go (or even being able to bring my daughter).

I have a question for Copenhagen people - I see the excursion for the new Aquarium. Have you been? Is it worth it? We love aquarium, can spend days at Montery Bay, etc. I don't know if we would want to do the excursion, because it doesn't seem designed for a toddler, though she loooooves fish. But all the behind the scenes stuff might mean too much standing still and listening. So is it a place we could get to on our own from the boat?

Just to let you know Anastasia has a 50% off deal at the moment for prepayment.

 

[Crisi83]

Just to let you know Anastasia has a 50% off deal at the moment for prepayment.

Good to know, thanks So do the guide you inside of places, such as the Hermitage, or do they mostly just take you there and drop you off?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Good to know, thanks So do the guide you inside of places, such as the Hermitage, or do they mostly just take you there and drop you off?

They are with you 100% of the time, there the official guides in all of the places of interest, we had one very good lady in 2010 for both of the days from early day one to late day two she guides us through the hermitage for example.

These guides cut most lines they did at the hermitage when the coaches lined up in lens before going in, you can avoid the coach loads by going another way.

I am sure if anyone explained the position to Anatasia they would give a guide or driver contact number.

 

[jenrin]

Thank you for the alternatives, I will look into the Anastasia tours.. I think everyone has some good points on both side of the issue when it comes to private vs DCL. Since it would only be two of us, costs for the private are not quite as good of a deal as if we were a bigger trip, but customizing might be the way to go (or even being able to bring my daughter).

I have a question for Copenhagen people - I see the excursion for the new Aquarium. Have you been? Is it worth it? We love aquarium, can spend days at Montery Bay, etc. I don't know if we would want to do the excursion, because it doesn't seem designed for a toddler, though she loooooves fish. But all the behind the scenes stuff might mean too much standing still and listening. So is it a place we could get to on our own from the boat?

Hi!
Living in Copenhagen I have been to the Aquarium (see http://www.denblaaplanet.dk/en/visit-us/prices-and-opening-hours/). It is a really nice and interesting place. But to be honest, I would never pay Disney prices to go there, it seems very expensive. You could do quit a bit cheaper going there by taxi yourself. Of course you would miss the "backstage" part of it, but - I have been there too - and it is not much more than just seeing the tank from behind.
Jens

 

[Crisi83]

Hi!
Living in Copenhagen I have been to the Aquarium (see http://www.denblaaplanet.dk/en/visit-us/prices-and-opening-hours/). It is a really nice and interesting place. But to be honest, I would never pay Disney prices to go there, it seems very expensive. You could do quit a bit cheaper going there by taxi yourself. Of course you would miss the "backstage" part of it, but - I have been there too - and it is not much more than just seeing the tank from behind.
Jens

Thanks Jens, do you think it is worth visiting? We've been to Copenhagen a few times, but my daughter hasn't been (though shes only 2, she won't remember!) so we were thinking we might just do the hop on hop off bus and hit Tivoli.. but the aquarium caught my eye since we love fish. Price does seem pretty steep, and we've done the backstage at Montery Bay Aquarium so I doubt its that much different. I guess I'll look into how much a taxi might cost for that.

Airfare question - we're late to the game and I'm looking at British Air and Virgin... pretty much all my best choices tend to come out to about $5,600 for 3 people (one is an infant), flying from Seattle. I'm just curious, have others on here paid a lot less? That seems awfully high, I was expecting more like a thousand for each of us round trip, not each way. Afraid if I wait the prices might get higher... but they might get lower too!

Thanks!

 

[jenrin]

Thanks Jens, do you think it is worth visiting? We've been to Copenhagen a few times, but my daughter hasn't been (though shes only 2, she won't remember!) so we were thinking we might just do the hop on hop off bus and hit Tivoli.. but the aquarium caught my eye since we love fish. Price does seem pretty steep, and we've done the backstage at Montery Bay Aquarium so I doubt its that much different. I guess I'll look into how much a taxi might cost for that.

Airfare question - we're late to the game and I'm looking at British Air and Virgin... pretty much all my best choices tend to come out to about $5,600 for 3 people (one is an infant), flying from Seattle. I'm just curious, have others on here paid a lot less? That seems awfully high, I was expecting more like a thousand for each of us round trip, not each way. Afraid if I wait the prices might get higher... but they might get lower too!

Thanks!

Yes, it is worth visiting in my opinion. But .... it is not uniquely Copenhagen, it is an aquarium that could be anywhere in the World. So if you prefer something you will not find anywhere else you would do better with a trip to Tivoli or to some of the Castles around Copenhagen. A taxi from the cruise ship harbour to the aquarium would run around 200 DKK (35 USD) each way.

I will leave airfare to someone else.
Jens

 

[DahliaRW]

From Seattle, check Icelandair. We're paying around 1k/pp. http://www.icelandair.us/?__utma=42...rect)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=181706530

Thanks Jens, do you think it is worth visiting? We've been to Copenhagen a few times, but my daughter hasn't been (though shes only 2, she won't remember!) so we were thinking we might just do the hop on hop off bus and hit Tivoli.. but the aquarium caught my eye since we love fish. Price does seem pretty steep, and we've done the backstage at Montery Bay Aquarium so I doubt its that much different. I guess I'll look into how much a taxi might cost for that.

Airfare question - we're late to the game and I'm looking at British Air and Virgin... pretty much all my best choices tend to come out to about $5,600 for 3 people (one is an infant), flying from Seattle. I'm just curious, have others on here paid a lot less? That seems awfully high, I was expecting more like a thousand for each of us round trip, not each way. Afraid if I wait the prices might get higher... but they might get lower too!

Thanks!

 

[lucky1]

Thanks Jens, do you think it is worth visiting? We've been to Copenhagen a few times, but my daughter hasn't been (though shes only 2, she won't remember!) so we were thinking we might just do the hop on hop off bus and hit Tivoli.. but the aquarium caught my eye since we love fish. Price does seem pretty steep, and we've done the backstage at Montery Bay Aquarium so I doubt its that much different. I guess I'll look into how much a taxi might cost for that.

Airfare question - we're late to the game and I'm looking at British Air and Virgin... pretty much all my best choices tend to come out to about $5,600 for 3 people (one is an infant), flying from Seattle. I'm just curious, have others on here paid a lot less? That seems awfully high, I was expecting more like a thousand for each of us round trip, not each way. Afraid if I wait the prices might get higher... but they might get lower too!

Thanks!

Also try Air Canada and Lufthansa from Seattle. Both are right around $1K as well. Remember that for infants you will be charged 10% of going rate for international flights.