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

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks it looks so close.

Eight hours by motorway from London non stop.

 

[Ofinn]

Yikes! Maybe I'll have to consider a side trip to Paris then.

 

[kaseyC]

Eight hours by motorway from London non stop.

Yep, and about 9-11 hrs by train. We considered it for our Ireland and UK trip this summer but decided we wouldn't have enough time to truly enjoy all Scotland has to offer. So we are saving it for another time when we can spend more time. Maybe next summer, before or after our River Cruise.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yep, and about 9-11 hrs by train. We considered it for our Ireland and UK trip this summer but decided we wouldn't have enough time to truly enjoy all Scotland has to offer. So we are saving it for another time when we can spend more time. Maybe next summer, before or after our River Cruise.

There are sleeper trains overnight and planes.

 

[kaseyC]

There are sleeper trains overnight and planes.

Yes, there are.

 

[Ofinn]

I priced out some random dates on virgin air 138.00 roundtrip. Not bad except airports, customs, security...all such a PITA.

 

[awaghorn]

Depends where in Scotland. Its about 5 hours by train to Edinburgh from London and I have a colleague who occasionally does there and back in a (long) day - but I wouldn't advise it!

 

[linetbo]

If I only have one day in London and one day in Copenhagen. What shouldnt miss?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If I only have one day in London and one day in Copenhagen. What shouldnt miss?

London.

The Tower of London.
London Eye.
Buckingham Palace.
Harrods and Kendington
Regent St and Oxford St.
Hamleys toy shop.
Walking around.
The Globe.
Stratford ( the Oylimpics area).
Curry Sark
Madame Tousards.
Trafalgar Square.
Piccadilly Circus.
Hyde Park.
British Museum.
South Kensington Museums.

That's already over a well planned day. And you haven't done.

Harry Potter
Hampton court
Windsor
As all out of town.

 

[linetbo]

London.

The Tower of London.
London Eye.
Buckingham Palace.
Harrods and Kendington
Regent St and Oxford St.
Hamleys toy shop.
Walking around.
The Globe.
Stratford ( the Oylimpics area).
Curry Sark
Madame Tousards.
Trafalgar Square.
Piccadilly Circus.
Hyde Park.
British Museum.
South Kensington Museums.

Can I do it in 1 day? It is better if I do it on the big bus?

 

[Mausk]

Great info, definitely want to do a Norway DCL cruise!

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I've received a quote for a private tour of Orkney/Kirkwall for £425. Does that seem reasonable?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've received a quote for a private tour of Orkney/Kirkwall for £425. Does that seem reasonable?

I'm not sure and others can chime in but wanted to add for our sailing this year (59 days to go!!) it was Kirkwall that sold out the fastest with the private tours and very early on. SO my advice, if you see one you like and it works for you, I'd book it.

Heather

 

[Pens Fan]

I'm not sure and others can chime in but wanted to add for our sailing this year (59 days to go!!) it was Kirkwall that sold out the fastest with the private tours and very early on. SO my advice, if you see one you like and it works for you, I'd book it.

Heather

I totally agree with this. When I started booking private guides last summer for this cruise, availability was already dwindling for Kirkwall guides. The company we are using has been sold out for months. If this is within your budget and it's a tour you want to do, go for it!

I'll say this as to the "reasonableness" factor. It depends on the length of tour and whether or not by "private" you mean only your party (and how many people that includes), or if you just mean it's independent of DCL and it's still a group tour. But if that's the price for a full day tour with no one else but your family, I think that is very reasonable. Even if that's not the case, I'm guessing if you compare this to what DCL is charging you will find it's cheaper when you compare length of tour, number of folks included, etc.

Everyone is different, but for us we assume that this trip will be our one and only time at these ports. We want to make the most of that time and see all that we can.

59 days! 59 days !

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I'm not sure and others can chime in but wanted to add for our sailing this year (59 days to go!!) it was Kirkwall that sold out the fastest with the private tours and very early on. SO my advice, if you see one you like and it works for you, I'd book it.

Heather

I totally agree with this. When I started booking private guides last summer for this cruise, availability was already dwindling for Kirkwall guides. The company we are using has been sold out for months. If this is within your budget and it's a tour you want to do, go for it!

I'll say this as to the "reasonableness" factor. It depends on the length of tour and whether or not by "private" you mean only your party (and how many people that includes), or if you just mean it's independent of DCL and it's still a group tour. But if that's the price for a full day tour with no one else but your family, I think that is very reasonable. Even if that's not the case, I'm guessing if you compare this to what DCL is charging you will find it's cheaper when you compare length of tour, number of folks included, etc.

Everyone is different, but for us we assume that this trip will be our one and only time at these ports. We want to make the most of that time and see all that we can.

59 days! 59 days !

Wow! Thanks so much for the "heads up"! That is great to know! Yes, it is for just my family so I will go ahead and confirm! I really appreciate your advice!

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Are there any other ports that I should be booking by now (sail date is 6/17/16)? We are going to do some DCL excursions but since we are only Silver, I'm worried we will be boxed out.

 

[llqool]

Ok, wow, you guys are getting me worried. Any tips on who to use in Orkney? (don't worry, MeeskaMooska -- we are sailing in July )
My daughter really wants to see Skara Brae. I hate having to start researching this early, though - we have several other trips inbetween, including the Baltic this summer, but if this is what it takes...)

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Ok, wow, you guys are getting me worried. Any tips on who to use in Orkney? (don't worry, MeeskaMooska -- we are sailing in July )
My daughter really wants to see Skara Brae. I hate having to start researching this early, though - we have several other trips inbetween, including the Baltic this summer, but if this is what it takes...)[/QUOTE

I am using:

http://www.orkneyaspects.co.uk/tour

i got this company from another thread. I believe the OP is on your sailing and has booked them. I would contact them , and if they are not available, maybe they could recommend someone. They did say (at least for my sailing) that DCL has booked all of the available motor coaches already.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I booked Kirkwall for 2016 and there nearly sold out on my cruise.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Duplicated