norwegian fjords this June

[AquaDame]

How interesting are the fjord itineraries for children? Especially ones who aren't big Frozen fans. This is my husband's dream itinerary but I wonder if we'd be better off making it a kid-free getaway. It will be a few years before the grandparents would want him for 10 or 11 straight days though.

Id say it depends on the kids... do they typically enjoy being outdoors..? Have they travelled much to cities and towns - especially foreign ones - and enjoyed themselves going to museums, looking at the sights and such? Do you have an idea of which excursions you'd like to do, or what you'd like to do in the ports and do you think your kids would enjoy that?

 

[scottishclover]

Hi! THANK YOU for this information!!! This has been a HUGE help for my upcoming trip! For your Sukkertoppen hike, do by any chance remember the bus number for the local bus in Alesund ... I am seeing a 618 and 624 OR is it pretty obvious which one to catch? Also, we are trying to do Pulpit on our own as well. For Pulpit, did you catch the 8:00 ferry or 8:40 ferry? How did the timing work for hiking and getting back to the ferry? From what I can tell, the 13:45 bus at Pulpit parking lot is ideal and 14:30 is the latest one you can catch to not miss the boat? Did you use Tide? Any issues with the bus being too full? For your family, was it 2 hours up and 2 hours down? Were you lucky to have a dry weather day or did you hike in the rain? Sorry for so many questions! Pulpit is our biggest concern .... We really want to do this and we are from Colorado, so hiking isn't "new" to us! We have done a few 14ers here in CO so we aren't worried about the actual hiking; it's the timing of the bus and ferry! Thanks again! Cheers!

For Sukkertoppen we got the 618 bus. It leaves from a stop on the road behind the big ugly administrative building(I say this as we had problems finding it!) Get off at Hella school, which is on the left, cross the road, walk 50 yards and you will see the entrance to the trail on the right. Just loved this hike, it was around 45mins to the top with breathtaking views. You also get another perspective of the ship from Sukkertoppen. We met lots of locals out for a Saturday hike. It's well off the tourist trail but so worth it.

For Pulpit rock we did get the 8am ferry but you would have time if you got the 8.40. We used Tide they have more frequent buses than the other company Boreal. I actually think we got the 12.30 bus back but had to wait a wee while on the connecting ferry. We were around 3 hours up and down with 20 mins at the top - it was cold and windy. Got back on the Magic for our lunch on Cabanas so the timing wasn't as tight as I had expected. It was dry for the hike up but wet on the way down. I wouldn't do this hike in heavy rain as its slippy underfoot and if the weather closes in you can't see the fjord below. Be aware there will be hundreds of people hiking with you so it really is quite advantageous to get the early bus if you can to avoid the crowds.

Hope this info helps.

 

[swimfin]

For Sukkertoppen we got the 618 bus. It leaves from a stop on the road behind the big ugly administrative building(I say this as we had problems finding it!) Get off at Hella school, which is on the left, cross the road, walk 50 yards and you will see the entrance to the trail on the right. Just loved this hike, it was around 45mins to the top with breathtaking views. You also get another perspective of the ship from Sukkertoppen. We met lots of locals out for a Saturday hike. It's well off the tourist trail but so worth it.

For Pulpit rock we did get the 8am ferry but you would have time if you got the 8.40. We used Tide they have more frequent buses than the other company Boreal. I actually think we got the 12.30 bus back but had to wait a wee while on the connecting ferry. We were around 3 hours up and down with 20 mins at the top - it was cold and windy. Got back on the Magic for our lunch on Cabanas so the timing wasn't as tight as I had expected. It was dry for the hike up but wet on the way down. I wouldn't do this hike in heavy rain as its slippy underfoot and if the weather closes in you can't see the fjord below. Be aware there will be hundreds of people hiking with you so it really is quite advantageous to get the early bus if you can to avoid the crowds.

Hope this info helps.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! I truly APPRECIATE the detailed information!!!! This does help!!! Cheers!

 

[swimfin]

How interesting are the fjord itineraries for children? Especially ones who aren't big Frozen fans. This is my husband's dream itinerary but I wonder if we'd be better off making it a kid-free getaway. It will be a few years before the grandparents would want him for 10 or 11 straight days though.

How old is your son? Does your family enjoy being outside and seeking out-of-the-way places? Do you visit National Parks? Have you traveld for 10 - 13 days at a time? If so, what a great opportunity to explore other countries and use some time to explore Copenhagen and Iceland on the way home!

 

[swimfin]

Following as well! My husband and I are debating booking the 10 night Fjords cruise in 2018. I wish there were more reviews on YouTube or online... It's so hard to get a good idea what to expect!

There are many detailed trip reports with TONS of pictures! Those might help!

 

[DahliaRW]

My then 6 yo loved the fjords cruise! But we did pick kid friendly excursions and I left her in the club for a few hours in a couple of the ports to explore the city alone.

 

[swimfin]

Actually, I think that we were on the first ferry of the day, but it couldn't have been the 8am. A group of us met at 7:45 am on the ship, then got off and walked to the ferry terminal. I remember waiting about 10-15 minutes before the ferry arrived. So, perhaps it was at 8:15 or so? What I would recommend is when the ferry starts to arrive in Tau, get up and make your way to the rear of the ferry, so that as you arrive, you are one of the first to get off and make your way to the waiting buses. Being on that first bus will help you keep your schedule. Also, if you don't get tickets in advance, there were agents at the ferry terminal st up outside at at table selling tickets.

Hope that helps

Hi again!
Forgot to ask if you paid for the tickets with a CC or local currency? Wasn't sure if ferry operations take a CC at the table.

 

[swimfin]

For Sukkertoppen we got the 618 bus. It leaves from a stop on the road behind the big ugly administrative building(I say this as we had problems finding it!) Get off at Hella school, which is on the left, cross the road, walk 50 yards and you will see the entrance to the trail on the right. Just loved this hike, it was around 45mins to the top with breathtaking views. You also get another perspective of the ship from Sukkertoppen. We met lots of locals out for a Saturday hike. It's well off the tourist trail but so worth it.

For Pulpit rock we did get the 8am ferry but you would have time if you got the 8.40. We used Tide they have more frequent buses than the other company Boreal. I actually think we got the 12.30 bus back but had to wait a wee while on the connecting ferry. We were around 3 hours up and down with 20 mins at the top - it was cold and windy. Got back on the Magic for our lunch on Cabanas so the timing wasn't as tight as I had expected. It was dry for the hike up but wet on the way down. I wouldn't do this hike in heavy rain as its slippy underfoot and if the weather closes in you can't see the fjord below. Be aware there will be hundreds of people hiking with you so it really is quite advantageous to get the early bus if you can to avoid the crowds.

Hope this info helps.

Hi again!
Forgot to ask if you paid for the transportation tickets for Pulpit Rock through Tide with a CC or local currency? Wasn't sure if ferry operations take a CC at the table. Also, the local bus for Sukkertoppen, did you pay in local currency and where were you able to find the pricing for local buses? Thanks! ... trying to get a rough budget done and figure out what curency I can get on boat and which ones I need ahead of time!

 

[Avery's mom]

Hi again!
Forgot to ask if you paid for the tickets with a CC or local currency? Wasn't sure if ferry operations take a CC at the table.

We paid online with a credit card. As far as in-person tickets, I wish I knew if cards were accepted or not. Perhaps someone who purchased them on-site will jump in and answer.

 

[swimfin]

We paid online with a credit card. As far as in-person tickets, I wish I knew if cards were accepted or not. Perhaps someone who purchased them on-site will jump in and answer.

Thanks! I haven't purchased them online yet as I'm waiting to see what the weather will be like on that day. If the forecast looks good before we leave, I may purchase them online. When you purchased them online, were you able to print them out at home or does it give you a voucher? Thanks again!

 

[Avery's mom]

Thanks! I haven't purchased them online yet as I'm waiting to see what the weather will be like on that day. If the forecast looks good before we leave, I may purchase them online. When you purchased them online, were you able to print them out at home or does it give you a voucher? Thanks again!

I printed off the actual tickets we used - no vouchers required

 

[swimfin]

I printed off the actual tickets we used - no vouchers required

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[spm1198]

Following. We are thinking about the 7 night Norway cruise from Dover in Aug 2018.

 

[craftynwarner]

We have a 10yr old boy that has taken 3 Disney cruises all to Caribbean. Any suggestions for excursions or things to do on stops?

 

[craftynwarner]

We are so excited to visit all stops but especially Copenhagen and Reykjavik. We were thinking of going afew days early to Copenhagen but worried about jetlag. Anyone else concerned about that too? We will probably stay another week at end in England and take channel to France. Has anyone done that?

 

[o&smom]

We are so excited to visit all stops but especially Copenhagen and Reykjavik. We were thinking of going afew days early to Copenhagen but worried about jetlag. Anyone else concerned about that too? We will probably stay another week at end in England and take channel to France. Has anyone done that?

My family and I have done this, but in reversed order. In 2015 we did the Baltic cruise starting in Copenhagen. We flew in two days before the cruise to help adjust to new time zone. The first day we got set up in our hotel (the Tivoli Hotel) and then walked around a little to get the lay of the land around our hotel and then walked to the other side of the nearby canal and enjoyed a lovely dinner outside. It really helps adjusting to the new time zone by being outdoors and trying to stay awake to a reasonable bed time. We allowed ourselves to sleep in a little the next morning, got ready and ate breakfast before arriving at Tivoli Gardens a little before noon. We had a wonderful day there enjoying the rides, eating yummy food and ended up staying until they closed at midnight. We treated ourselves to a midnight snack on the way out with Danish pancakes, crepes and Swedish pancakes with whipped cream and strawberry jam and hot chocolate! The next morning we got up, got ready and grabbed a taxi to the ship. We fell in love with Copenhagen in our short time there.

In 2016 we did the Iceland cruise that left out of Dover and ended in Copenhagen. We flew into Paris and spent four days there with one day at DLP. We then took the train to London and spent three days there with one day at the Harry Potter Studios. We then took a train from London to Dover the day before our cruise. We had afternoon tea at our hotel and then walked up to Dover Castle. We spent some time exploring the castle and then walked back into town where we had amazing fish and chips. We then spent some time relaxing and skipping rocks at the beach in front of our hotel before bed time. The next morning we got up, packed and got our taxi reserved by our hotel to the ship. Since we had fallen in love with Copenhagen the prior summer, we made sure we stayed and enjoyed the city for three more days before flying home. We cannot wait to go back some day!

Hope this helps and have a wonderful cruise and trip!

 

[thndrmatt]

Try this post:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/norway-2017-how-it-went-for-us.3610991/#post-57740103

 

[AquaDame]

We are so excited to visit all stops but especially Copenhagen and Reykjavik. We were thinking of going afew days early to Copenhagen but worried about jetlag. Anyone else concerned about that too? We will probably stay another week at end in England and take channel to France. Has anyone done that?

We did the 7-night fjords in June this year - I do recommend going to Copenhagen a couple of days early if possible - we adjusted well to it but that first day is always a bit wonky. We ended up landing around 11am and stayed up all day until about 10pm - my brother (who lives in Europe) was shocked. I don't think a 10 year old would manage it - we were just so excited that it was late before we knew it. I've been to England as well though on a different trip and have taken the channel on the train to France. It was all very fun and we can't wait to get back to Europe!

 

[craftynwarner]

My family and I have done this, but in reversed order. In 2015 we did the Baltic cruise starting in Copenhagen. We flew in two days before the cruise to help adjust to new time zone. The first day we got set up in our hotel (the Tivoli Hotel) and then walked around a little to get the lay of the land around our hotel and then walked to the other side of the nearby canal and enjoyed a lovely dinner outside. It really helps adjusting to the new time zone by being outdoors and trying to stay awake to a reasonable bed time. We allowed ourselves to sleep in a little the next morning, got ready and ate breakfast before arriving at Tivoli Gardens a little before noon. We had a wonderful day there enjoying the rides, eating yummy food and ended up staying until they closed at midnight. We treated ourselves to a midnight snack on the way out with Danish pancakes, crepes and Swedish pancakes with whipped cream and strawberry jam and hot chocolate! The next morning we got up, got ready and grabbed a taxi to the ship. We fell in love with Copenhagen in our short time there.

In 2016 we did the Iceland cruise that left out of Dover and ended in Copenhagen. We flew into Paris and spent four days there with one day at DLP. We then took the train to London and spent three days there with one day at the Harry Potter Studios. We then took a train from London to Dover the day before our cruise. We had afternoon tea at our hotel and then walked up to Dover Castle. We spent some time exploring the castle and then walked back into town where we had amazing fish and chips. We then spent some time relaxing and skipping rocks at the beach in front of our hotel before bed time. The next morning we got up, packed and got our taxi reserved by our hotel to the ship. Since we had fallen in love with Copenhagen the prior summer, we made sure we stayed and enjoyed the city for three more days before flying home. We cannot wait to go back some day!

Hope this helps and have a wonderful cruise and trip!

The 2015 trip sounds amazing we may do that same things in Copenhagen. Did you go thru Disney for hotel etc in Copenhagen? Or book on your own? Thanks for all the info!

 

[craftynwarner]

We did the 7-night fjords in June this year - I do recommend going to Copenhagen a couple of days early if possible - we adjusted well to it but that first day is always a bit wonky. We ended up landing around 11am and stayed up all day until about 10pm - my brother (who lives in Europe) was shocked. I don't think a 10 year old would manage it - we were just so excited that it was late before we knew it. I've been to England as well though on a different trip and have taken the channel on the train to France. It was all very fun and we can't wait to get back to Europe!

We did love England and are looking forward to making that trip again and will definitely do the channel to France.