Questions about norwegian fjord cruise

[Trisaratops]

I'm starting to get a little cautiously excited that our cruise to Norway on the magic may actually happen after rescheduling 2x!

... I just splurged for an upgrade to concierge (Oceanview verandah, so no real difference in room from the Deluxe OV verandah I had... hope this wasn't a mistake...), I was on port side originally bc I thought we'd get the best fjord views, now we're on the starboard side, is that going to be ok?

... I've scoured as many threads as I can on the European cruises, with not much out there, is concierge on magic in port- heavy Europe worth it? Any idea if a 1 bedroom becomes available if now that we're concierge I might have a bit of priority in booking that (my original thoughts on concierge were it was only worth it if 1 bedroom)

Thanks so much!

 

[Intr3pid]

For port vs starboard, look at the itinerary - and the map. The ships gets into the fjords in early morning hours and leaves in the late afternoon. Your verandah see both sides one way or the other - it's just a matter of whether you will be up early. We like to pick the side closer to land, but some prefer to see the open ocean instead.

For concierge or not, it's like any other vacation where you feel spending on a higher category is personally worth to you. If you are going to cruise sparingly, splurging is totally justified and makes for a memorable vacation. Others want to cruise more often or do more excursions/land trips and might not feel the need to splurge on board the ship itself.

 

[iannovich]

When we docked in Oslo in 2019 the starboard side and a stunning view of Akershus Fortress, which is right there at the Port.

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[Trisaratops]

When we docked in Oslo in 2019 the starboard side and a stunning view of Akershus Fortress, which is right there at the Port.

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Thanks!! I wish Oslo was still on the itinerary, sadly it's not but! I'm glad to hear that you can get a view coming and then going. When I was booking I was envisioning that the ship was sailing north to the northernmost Norway port (so starboard, but likely farther from the coast? ) then traveling down the Norwegian coast so port side?

Thank you so much!

 

[iannovich]

Thanks!! I wish Oslo was still on the itinerary, sadly it's not but! I'm glad to hear that you can get a view coming and then going. When I was booking I was envisioning that the ship was sailing north to the northernmost Norway port (so starboard, but likely farther from the coast? ) then traveling down the Norwegian coast so port side?

Thank you so much!

Dang I didn't realize that Oslo was off the list. We booked a walking tour there through Disney and realized that it was completely unnecessary to book it through them. Everything was within walking distance and the Excursion's version was kinda meh.

We couldn't see the shore for a lot of the time, just a little too far out. We could see oil rigs with their flames burning at the top though. If I remember correctly, as we came into each port there were plenty little islands to see on both sides.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Did the 12 night Norway/Iceland years ago and it didn’t seem to matter much which side. As mentioned you typically have to drive into the ports from the open ocean so you will have views coming or going. You can never say for sure which side a ship will dock but there are trends at certain ports. So you can still have your favorite side but it probably won’t matter too much for viewing.

About the other topic, concierge, we have done both in and not in concierge on DCL in Europe and didn’t seem to make or break either trip for us. If you really have a port intensive itinerary you may not find yourself using as much but there will still be opportunities to stop in the lounge for breakfast, snacks or drinks that can still make it a nice experience.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I am on this cruise. I have booked an inside, the cheapest room available. I don't plan to be in the room much of the cruise. On seas days, there probally wont be that much to see. It will be the sailing into and out of the Fjords which will be what everyone wants to see. I plan to be up early and on deck to watch the sail ins. Or to be in the one of the big porthole windows by the adult areas. It will not matter which side of the ship, as both sides will have views.

BTW a Fjord is a channel of water between high cliffs.

I also will be doing DIY in ports, and coming back to the ship for lunch and enjoying the empty ship as everyone else is off doing excursions.

Thanks!! I wish Oslo was still on the itinerary, sadly it's not but! I'm glad to hear that you can get a view coming and then going. When I was booking I was envisioning that the ship was sailing north to the northernmost Norway port (so starboard, but likely farther from the coast? ) then traveling down the Norwegian coast so port side?

Thank you so much!

Have you checked out the ports and route on Google Maps??

Dover to Alesund we sail all the way up The Norwegian coast, most likely open water on both sides.
Sailing into and out of Alesund, there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Alesund to Nordfjordeid there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Nordfjordeid, there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Nordfjordeid to Eidfjord there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Eidfjord there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Eidfjord to Stavanger there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Stavanger there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Stavanger to Dover there will be open water on both sides of the ship.

 

[Trisaratops]

I am on this cruise. I have booked an inside, the cheapest room available. I don't plan to be in the room much of the cruise. On seas days, there probally wont be that much to see. It will be the sailing into and out of the Fjords which will be what everyone wants to see. I plan to be up early and on deck to watch the sail ins. Or to be in the one of the big porthole windows by the adult areas. It will not matter which side of the ship, as both sides will have views.

BTW a Fjord is a channel of water between high cliffs.

I also will be doing DIY in ports, and coming back to the ship for lunch and enjoying the empty ship as everyone else is off doing excursions.


Have you checked out the ports and route on Google Maps??

Dover to Alesund we sail all the way up The Norwegian coast, most likely open water on both sides.
Sailing into and out of Alesund, there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Alesund to Nordfjordeid there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Nordfjordeid, there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Nordfjordeid to Eidfjord there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Eidfjord there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Eidfjord to Stavanger there will be open water on the starboard side, coastal views on the port side.
Sailing into and out of Stavanger there will be Fjord views on both sides of the ship.

Stavanger to Dover there will be open water on both sides of the ship.

Hi!

So excited you'll be on! Oh how I wish our family of 5 with 3 little littles (2yo to 7yo) could be in an inside cabin!! With nap times and space needed the larger cabin

I did look at the itinerary and am doing 90% DIY port excursions also

Admittedly I didn't analyze like you did (thanks! ) been totally wrapped by a few things going on with the kids so have about 20-30m a day to do research and planning, lol

Thank you again!!!!! Maybe we'll run into each other!

We're staying at the best western dover marina the night before after getting acclimated in London for a few days (we're central/ Midwest in the US so it'll be a bit of a shock. But our 7yo has been to Ireland at 9m old and it went well, others have traveled across 2-4h timezone changes a few times with decent success, so here's hoping )

 

[BadPinkTink]

Hi!

So excited you'll be on! Oh how I wish our family of 5 with 3 little littles (2yo to 7yo) could be in an inside cabin!! With nap times and space needed the larger cabin

I did look at the itinerary and am doing 90% DIY port excursions also

Admittedly I didn't analyze like you did (thanks! ) been totally wrapped by a few things going on with the kids so have about 20-30m a day to do research and planning, lol

Thank you again!!!!! Maybe we'll run into each other!

We're staying at the best western dover marina the night before after getting acclimated in London for a few days (we're central/ Midwest in the US so it'll be a bit of a shock. But our 7yo has been to Ireland at 9m old and it went well, others have traveled across 2-4h timezone changes a few times with decent success, so here's hoping )

You should join our cruise meet up and planning thread here on Disboards
https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...sund-nordfjordeid-eidfjord-stavanger.3831121/

I post lots of info as I do my planning

I have booked Travelodge for the night before the cruise.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Wonderful cruise. We loved our "NorthSea-counterclockwise" cruise in Aug 2018.

We typically book 6a/6c - the least expensive Verandah - and love it. Don't worry about which side is better, but we keep our curtains closed when docked next to one of the larger "milk-crate" ships.

 

[saweczkodisney]

Hi!

So excited you'll be on! Oh how I wish our family of 5 with 3 little littles (2yo to 7yo) could be in an inside cabin!! With nap times and space needed the larger cabin

I did look at the itinerary and am doing 90% DIY port excursions also

Admittedly I didn't analyze like you did (thanks! ) been totally wrapped by a few things going on with the kids so have about 20-30m a day to do research and planning, lol

Thank you again!!!!! Maybe we'll run into each other!

We're staying at the best western dover marina the night before after getting acclimated in London for a few days (we're central/ Midwest in the US so it'll be a bit of a shock. But our 7yo has been to Ireland at 9m old and it went well, others have traveled across 2-4h timezone changes a few times with decent success, so here's hoping )

We are also on this cruise! It will be our third. We are a family of 6 and have always booked two inside rooms. Two adjoining rooms are usually cheaper than the one balcony room (which was only even an option our first cruise as a family of 5). Inside rooms are the best and give lots of flexibility when kids are not getting along lol. For next time!

 

[saweczkodisney]

Does anyone know when the schedule for shows and entertainment will be available? Thanks!

 

[Mommb]

Does anyone know when the schedule for shows and entertainment will be available? Thanks!

The schedule for your cruise won't be available until you are on the ship (and even then, it could change). The schedule for shows will probably be the same as for the other 7-night European cruises, but that's not guaranteed, since your cruise has a unique itinerary.

 

[saweczkodisney]

The schedule for your cruise won't be available until you are on the ship (and even then, it could change). The schedule for shows will probably be the same as for the other 7-night European cruises, but that's not guaranteed, since your cruise has a unique itinerary.

Thank you. There must be a norm though? Don't want to book the evening spa appointments if it's a show night. What's the usual schedule?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thank you. There must be a norm though? Don't want to book the evening spa appointments if it's a show night. What's the usual schedule?

there is no usual schedule. Like the pp said, while there are other 7 night cruises, our cruise is a one off unique itinerary. It is the first Norwegian Fjords cruise since 2019.

The shows are usually on twice in a night, if you have early / main dining you go to dinner first and then go to the show.

If you have late dining you go to the show first and then dinner.

So you should be still be able to see a show if you book an evening spa appointment

 

[saweczkodisney]

there is no usual schedule. Like the pp said, while there are other 7 night cruises, our cruise is a one off unique itinerary. It is the first Norwegian Fjords cruise since 2019.

The shows are usually on twice in a night, if you have early / main dining you go to dinner first and then go to the show.

If you have late dining you go to the show first and then dinner.

So you should be still be able to see a show if you book an evening spa appointment

Thanks for the reply. Yes they play the shows twice, but would need to skip dinner or the show to fit in another activity on those nights. I will survive lol but just find it frustrating. You are committed to the appointment 72 hours before but they keep the lineup secret until boarding. Just doesn't make sense to me.