Thoughts on Norway Itineraries?

[tigerlily2009]

Originally, we were thinking about the 11 night repo Norway/Iceland cruise but now we are leaning towards the EBTA cruise. We are wondering what the pricing will be like for that one...there is nothing really to compare it to...it is so different from past EBTA. I will be calling early tomorrow morning and will be sure to share any pricing info. I get.

 

[KashasMom]

It's how dh got me to agree to the whole trip after how stressful our trip to Japan he planned was!

I may be related to your husband. My own family is pretty good about humoring me as long as I feed them while dragging them all over the world.

 

[mmarshall]

Where does everyone go to buy plane tickets and when do you buy them? It's hard for me to stomach the plane cost just about much as the trip. But I am dying to the the fjords ... Also I was thinking the 15 day transatlantic might actually be cheaper in the long run due to only having to pay one way. Thoughts?

 

[Luv2Diz]

where do you guys go t Everyone, o buy plane tickets and when do you buy them? It's hard for me to stomach the plane cost just about much as the trip. But I am dying to the the fjords ... Also I was thinking the 15 day transatlantic might actually be cheaper in the long run due to only having to pay one way. Thoughts?

I don't think there are airfare bargains anymore. I took a look at RT flights from the west coast to Copenhagen in June of this year to get an idea and am seeing costs of appx $1,600 each. Add the cruise and some sightseeing pre or post cruise and this would be a really expensive trip!

 

[mmarshall]

I don't think there are airfare bargains anymore. I took a look at RT flights from the west coast to Copenhagen in June of this year to get an idea and am seeing costs of appx $1,600 each. Add the cruise and some sightseeing pre or post cruise and this would be a really expensive trip!

It's insane! priceline negotiator might be the best bet. That I have found so far what I don't understand is how travel companies on Groupon can have trips to Europe with airfare for only 1000 per person?! Lol

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I am doing a 12 night Iceland Fjords cruise this summer, in June, on the Ruby Princess. It visits the North Cape in the Arctic Circle and I am really looking forward to it. That being said, I think the Copenhagen/Dover repositioning cruise is very interesting and I am getting a quote on it along with the Baltic that follows it. Looking at the itineraries, it seems that Disney is finally getting the drift that we want variety. These itineraries are perfect for B2B's, which is how I like to travel. Unpack once!

 

[JsMom2]

I am doing a 12 night Iceland Fjords cruise this summer, in June, on the Ruby Princess. It visits the North Cape in the Arctic Circle and I am really looking forward to it. That being said, I think the Copenhagen/Dover repositioning cruise is very interesting and I am getting a quote on it along with the Baltic that follows it. Looking at the itineraries, it seems that Disney is finally getting the drift that we want variety. These itineraries are perfect for B2B's, which is how I like to travel. Unpack once!

I think Princess does a great job on destination cruises. We took them to the Baltics and then through the Panama Canal. They have really good lectures onboard about the ports and history.

 

[KashasMom]

Took me forever to find it....

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/europe/itineraries/

Thanks. Wow, they're very early.

 

[JsMom2]

Thanks. Wow, they're very early.

I took another look at the Royal Caribbean times. Some of them aren't much longer, since other lines list total time in port, and Disney lists the time all passengers have to be aboard.

 

[JsMom2]

We have decided to do B2B on 30 May (Baltics) and 6 June (Norway). Now just need to put DCL on speed dial for the morning!

Thanks for all the inputs!!

 

[Marthasor]

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I was all set to book the 11-night Norway/Iceland, but the comments regarding not really seeing the northern fjords got me thinking - I'm now going for the 9-night Norway! We would rather see more of Norway than Iceland, so I think that's the way to go!

 

[abacab]

I took another look at the Royal Caribbean times. Some of them aren't much longer, since other lines list total time in port, and Disney lists the time all passengers have to be aboard.

Are the Royal Caribbean time showing the total time in port? How can you tell?

 

[KashasMom]

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I was all set to book the 11-night Norway/Iceland, but the comments regarding not really seeing the northern fjords got me thinking - I'm now going for the 9-night Norway! We would rather see more of Norway than Iceland, so I think that's the way to go!

I'm really having a tough time deciding....I would love to see Iceland and Faroe Islands. Even taking the 7 day RT Copenhagen would allow us to take a train/cheap plane to somewhere else for a week....the 9 night only has 2 more ports than the 7 night....not sure if I'll get tired of too many fjords....Glad I have another day to decide....!

 

[kmc33]

Well I was much more excited when I first saw the itineraries than I am now since I've had a chance to do a little research. RCI has 2 great cruises - the 11 nights Arctic Circle (starts at $1649) and the 12 nights Fjords and Iceland (starting at $1949). And NCL has an amaaaazing 14 nights North Cape that goes all the way to Honningsvag (starting at $1799). The ports on those 3 are either comparable or better than the DCL 11 night.... DCL should have let me book when I was excited.... And if the DCL option 11 night falls out of my 18 month window (and I'm really not sure about that) then I may just book a 7 night on the Fantasy, which was my original intention.

thanks for the information. For now we are going to reserve the DCL 11 night to lock in what may be the lowest price opening day. But we will have to do some research. Wish all research was this fun

 

[JsMom2]

Are the Royal Caribbean time showing the total time in port? How can you tell?

I'm assuming this is the case, because they list the time as "depart", while DCL lists it as "all aboard." So the actual "all aboard" for Royal Caribbean would be at least half hour prior to departure time. I'd never noticed that difference before!

 

[JsMom2]

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I was all set to book the 11-night Norway/Iceland, but the comments regarding not really seeing the northern fjords got me thinking - I'm now going for the 9-night Norway! We would rather see more of Norway than Iceland, so I think that's the way to go!

Yep, you and me both! I was sure I wanted the 11 night with Iceland, but after these comments, I felt like I would be leaving Norway half done. Was going to do the 9 night with an add on in Europe, but the cruises earlier in June work out best with our family's schedule.

 

[DahliaRW]

Where does everyone go to buy plane tickets and when do you buy them? It's hard for me to stomach the plane cost just about much as the trip. But I am dying to the the fjords ... Also I was thinking the 15 day transatlantic might actually be cheaper in the long run due to only having to pay one way. Thoughts?

My husband has been pricing airfare (not for the exact dates, but looking at random dates to get a feel). For our trip, we plan to buy 2 one way tickets. One from Seattle to Bergen, and one home from Copenhagen to Seattle. They are coming out to around $600-$700 each way. We'll be waiting to book airfare until closer anyways...

 

[JsMom2]

Well I was much more excited when I first saw the itineraries than I am now since I've had a chance to do a little research. RCI has 2 great cruises - the 11 nights Arctic Circle (starts at $1649) and the 12 nights Fjords and Iceland (starting at $1949). And NCL has an amaaaazing 14 nights North Cape that goes all the way to Honningsvag (starting at $1799). The ports on those 3 are either comparable or better than the DCL 11 night.... DCL should have let me book when I was excited.... And if the DCL option 11 night falls out of my 18 month window (and I'm really not sure about that) then I may just book a 7 night on the Fantasy, which was my original intention.

I've been online all day looking at the RCI itineraries. We are Diamond Plus on RCI so I love sailing them, as they always treat us so well! Finally I just asked DD, and she said she wanted to do Disney. Plus I think they will offer some great shore excursions. We usually book our own excursions, especially in Europe, but DCL did a great job when we sailed them in the Med back in 2007.

 

[woody73]

What bothers me is the 4:45pm onboard times . . .

. . . I wonder why DCL has to have us back on the ship so early.

. . . The NCL cruise I looked at had port times up until 9 p.m.!

DCL has 4:45pm onboard times to accommodate early dining.

Woody

 

[DHSbutcher]

While we don't plan on booking with DCL tomorrow, and we will probably skip this itinerary, I would definitely love to see Norway someday. We have taken a separate trip to Iceland before, it is SUCH A GREAT PLACE. I couldn't recommend any place more than Reykjavik. If any of yo are doubting sailing to Iceland, go for it. Such a spectacular place. Or even just take a side trip there on your way to Europe. Check out Icelandair for fights to Europe, they allow you to incorporate a few nights in Iceland into your booking! Pretty neat! But so jealous of all of you booking for 2015! Have fun!