Good time for ship voyage Norway/Hutigruten ?

[THAIPHUKET]

Saw this interesting offer for 13 days including flight from/to Germany

http://goo.gl/SGc9ry

http://goo.gl/oJkXkk

Anyone done it? experiences, recommendations ?

[craigt3365]

Don't know about a specific ship, but I know people who have done these cruises and they said they were amazing. Would love to do it some day....

[nidieunimaitre]

I have taken the Hurtigrute for many short trips, from one harbour to the next.

Some voyages were absolutely fabulous, others rather booring.

F ex the trip in the Lofoten beats everything.

But 2 weeks is a long time to stay on board, mainly off the cost, missing most of the scenery.

For their advertising they use pictures of great mountain scenery..... that you will not see from onboard.

Prices for food and drinks are outrageous, BYO!

The ships are very luxurous and Norwegians are pleasant people.

[nidieunimaitre]

By the way, the Hurtigrute is not really a cruise line, they mainly transport freight, cars, trucks, and locals.

They have about 11 ships, each day a new voyage starts out of Bergen, all the way to Kirkenes, near Russia.

Sometimes they make a detour to Spitsbergen (from Tromso).

If you travel in the 6 weeks before or after 24 june, you will have 24 hours of daylight!

[THAIPHUKET]

It is always good to ask here on TV, always someone who adds valuable info!

Now we have a full spectrum , stunning to boring.

10 days in any enclosed space is a long time.

I am keen to do it but perhaps combined with more time on land.

Off to a good start. thanks!

[craigt3365]

The people I know who did this went on cruise ships that probably spent more time in the beautiful fiords, sailing the open sea at night? That would be my guess....their comments were quite glowing.

[nidieunimaitre]

The people I know who did this went on cruise ships that probably spent more time in the beautiful fiords, sailing the open sea at night? That would be my guess....their comments were quite glowing.

I assume they went with proper cruise ships.... The Hurtigruten (translation: fast road) is in the first place a freight service.

But yes, sure, it goes into a couple of beautiful fjords: Geiranger, Trollfjord (real name Raftsund), and then there is the passage from Bodo to the Lofoten Islands.

If one has the time, I would advise to travel overland, take ferryboats, and take the Hurtigruten only for the more interesting sections.

Can be done by car or train and bus - or bicycle, as I did twice...

The road from Steinkjer (north of Trondheim) to Bodo -- it is aptly called "kustrikes veien - the coastal road" -- will allow you to see all the scenery that you will not see from an off shore ship.

Also, Norwegian weather is not the best in the world, if you are travelling on a strict schedule, you might not see the great sights you were expecting to see.

The full cruise is a return trip from Bergen.

[THAIPHUKET]

Very helpful nidieunimaitre

1. I am anyhow not a groupy, like to dance to my own tune, which in Norway may come very expensive.

2. weather and time is another thought.

3. renting a camping van--an option perhaps.

[nidieunimaitre]

Very helpful nidieunimaitre

1. I am anyhow not a groupy, like to dance to my own tune, which in Norway may come very expensive.

2. weather and time is another thought.

3. renting a camping van--an option perhaps.

Ah a campervan - yes, good idea! - but beware of the distances.... Oslo to Northcape is the same distance as Oslo to Rome!

In Norway you will have no problem camping wild: it is safe, unbelieveble scenery, and..... it is allowed! (only very few towns in very popular areas prohibit motorised camping). Water you can get from streams, no health risk.

A campervan is also good for bringing food supplies, if you like a drink, wine is about as expensive as it is in Thailand (but wow what a choice in the government alcohol shops, "vinmonopolet").

[THAIPHUKET]

Uppps ---------------beware of the distances.... Oslo to Northcape is the same distance as Oslo to Rome!-------------