Norwegian cruise, London, Bavaria and the Maldives

[ellen10]

I will look forward to hearing more. I have been looking at a cruise in Norway.
Im glad you had a great trip.

 

[Daver6]

Now trying to recall where I left off. Waiting for our flights on SAS from HEL to BGO via ARN. These flights were booked separately in Y.

Now I was a little concerned that one of our bags was 25kg and the other 21kg. Allowance was 23kg. Also we were slightly overweight with hand luggage. Turned out that I was worried for nothing. No mention of the overweight bag at check-in and no checking of weight of hand luggage.

Flights in Y were pretty uneventful. Tea/coffee/water was offered which sufficed.

Departing HEL.

I thought ARN airport was a little dated. We only had a shortage layover and picked the PP that was between gates. This turned out to be the Norrsken lounge and was pretty basic. There was some buffet food options, some wine (on tap) and beer as well as soft drinks. We only stayed about 15 minutes before it was time to board the next flight.

Wasn't game to take one for the team.


Walking to the gate in ARN saw this beautiful livery.


Approaching BGO. A hint of things to come...




From BGO we took a taxi to the Hurtigruten terminal. About a 25 minute ride which cost about $90. Sure there was probably a cheaper option, but after travelling for 30 hours and tired, we took the easy option.

Check-in for the ship was very efficient. It was a bit like an airline check-in in the terminal where you drop off your checked bags. Normally you can get access to the ship from 3pm but your room only after 5pm (as they're still cleaning up from the previous voyage). However our ship had just re-entered service after some repairs so we could get immediate access to our room. We were extremely grateful for this as we were pretty shattered.

 

[Daver6]

Our ship for the next 12 days was to be the MS Polarlys - MS Polarlys

To be honest, we found the entire cabin selection a little confusing. We opted for a pot luck selection in the polar outside category. Going for a pot luck selection rather than a specific cabin in the category yielded a significant saving. We landed up in room 311 which as you might guess, was on level 3, port side near the front of the ship. See the link above for cabin descriptions and general layout. Our room had two port holes rather than a window given the location near the front. The next room back had a bigger square window (which would have been better).



Our port holes circled in yellow (not my image)


The room (was too tired to take pictures when we first arrived, so excuse the mess)




Now the room does look pretty small and realistically it is. However, the amount of storage space far exceeded expectations and no issues there. You could place your empty suitcase in the bag room if you wanted to free up space. There was also an area with locked storage (for a fee) if you so desired. The bathroom while looking pretty basic had amazing water pressure and as hot as you could possibly want. The toilet used a vacuum system like on an aircraft.

The bed under the port holes could flip up to form a couch. We never bothered with it. Realisitcally the cabin was somewhere to shower and sleep.

By the time we got to our cabin is was just after 3pm. We unpacked and attempted to stay awake. We had to attend a safety briefing. It was open seating and a buffet dinner for the first night. We ate at 6pm and struggling to stay awake, turned in well before the ship actually left port at 9pm. I slept like a baby, despite the shop rolling around on the swell during the night.

 

[Daver6]

The sailing plan for the trip


So after having been a bit of a zombie the day we boarded, we woke to overcast skies which would remain with us for most of the first few days and a little drizzle. Nevertheless, the views still impressed me.

I could get use to this for breakfast

 

[Daver6]

The main stop for the day was at Urke. Apparently this stop is only on the agenda for a couple of months of the year. The ship remains anchored in the fjord and a tender took us out to the town. Population 38. A popular place for hiking in the summer months. It drizzled slightly for our time there so we just went for a short walk around town and took it all in.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

The next stop for the day was Ålesund. We arrived slightly late and just went for a walk around town. Still a little drizzly but very pretty.

 

[VPS]

Fantastic photos. What are you using?

 

[Daver6]

Fantastic photos. What are you using?

All up in this trip there will be four photo sources. Nikon D7000, Olympus TG-3, DJI Mavic Air and Samsung S10. The Olympus is used when I need something waterproof (ie in the ocean, kayaking etc). There will be a few drone shots from the Maldives (flying restrictions/difficulties elsewhere). If there are specific pictures you want further info on, just ask

 

[Daver6]

Day 3 had the major stop in Trondheim. The weather was cold, but blue skies. We decided to do the kayak expedition rather than spending time on dry land.. It was ourselves plus three others from the ship, plus a guide. It involved a 15 minute drive up the river to the launch point. We had the option of a dry suit, but given no rain there was no need for this. From there we paddled down stream and into the old part of town, taking in some amazing views. I'll let the photos do the talking. All taken from the kayak. This would be pretty suitable for a kayaking beginner and a lovely way to see the place.

 

[Antoallison]

Day 3 had the major stop in Trondheim. The weather was cold, but blue skies. We decided to do the kayak expedition rather than spending time on dry land.. It was ourselves plus three others from the ship, plus a guide. It involved a 15 minute drive up the river to the launch point. We had the option of a dry suit, but given no rain there was no need for this. From there we paddled down stream and into the old part of town, taking in some amazing views. I'll let the photos do the talking. All taken from the kayak. This would be pretty suitable for a kayaking beginner and a lovely way to see the place.

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Great photos ... a bit of sunshine and blue skies always welcome

 

[Daver6]

Some pictures after departing Trondheim.

 

[Daver6]

Day 4 started with yet some more amazing scenery and crossing the Arctic circle northbound.



This touristy gimmick is the official marker of the Arctic Circle although my GPS disagreed.


Taking these pictures is cold business! I quickly learnt that I needed my windproof pants rather than just jeans on.

 

[Daver6]

Now I did say there was a ceremony when crossing the Arctic Circle. Now you might be wondering why this idiot is wearing a t-shirt in the cold. I watched everyone else go before me wearing their jumpers and jackets. Guess where all that ice lands up getting caught?

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Now I did say there was a ceremony when crossing the Arctic Circle. Now you might be wondering why this idiot is wearing a t-shirt in the cold. I watched everyone else go before me wearing their jumpers and jackets. Guess where all that ice lands up getting caught?

I had the same tour director on my Polarlys cruise 2 years ago (same guy who was pouring the ice above). He made the cruise so worthwhile and made us all have a great time onboard!

 

[Daver6]

I had the same tour director on my Polarlys cruise 2 years ago (same guy who was pouring the ice above). He made the cruise so worthwhile and made us all have a great time onboard!

Yeah he was amazing. Always full of energy.

 

[Daver6]

The main stop for day 4 was Bodø. We booked in for a hike with the expedition team. Due to ice/snow on the route we are provided with spikes which fitted over one's hiking shoes. The hike involved a short drive in a mini van to the start point. Our hike started with clear skies but we could visibly see a storm moving in. In actually proved to be quite spectacular. One we reached the summit, tea/coffee and a hiking chocolate. A short break and the snow storm came in on the way down which actually added to the experience. We walked up at a decent pace in order to avoid the storm on the way up. Hiking with spikes on made it quite easy with no fear of slipping.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

We needed a way to relax after that hike. This seemed like a great option. Nicely sheltered from the wind too.



We had also booked in for a "traditional" Viking feast for dinner. This involved being dropped off at one point and meeting up with the ship at the following one. However, due to weather we wouldn't be able to go to the pick-up port so the feast was cancelled. Instead we decided to upgrade to the al a carte restaurant for dinner and enjoyed a stunning wine.

 

[Pushka]

I reckon the ceremony for crossing the equator is much more comfortable although much messier. Great photos again.