hetismij2

Yes the maps were detailed enough. Most of the places you visit are easy enough negotiate without map actually, but still good to have one. Trondheim needs a map, and the free map is fine.

If you are taking a tablet with you you could always download the Norway maps before leaving home to have as a backup.

There is internet onboard, btw, but it isn't brilliant

plr

Great. I figured the internet availability would be really bad, so didn't want to rely on it. Fingers crossed that we get to glimpse the Northern Lights!

menachem

@plr: there are supermarkets with good wifi. The one in the modern shopping complex in Alesund has. And in many smaller ports, supermarkets may also have free wifi. In Alesund entire ships' housekeeping crews will congregate in the basement where the supermarket is to skype home...

plr

Great information, menachem. Never would have guessed it!

hetismij2

It would be a shame to spend your first stop in Norway in a supermarket though.
Last trip we were on the Kong Harald, in a cheap cabin and had internet in the cabin, whilst those on the higher decks didn't. It was a good signal ok the lounges.

Have a wonderful time, remember to relax and enjoy yourself. Get out on deck and just take it all in.

Grandma

Wonderful article in the NY Times travel section today……

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ttom-well&_r=0

plr

hetismij2, I absolutely will not be hovering over my ipad through this trip! Yuk! Could do that at home. Actually wanted to avoid it by getting info ahead of time, and this is what is so great about this forum.

menachem

I loved running to supermarkets on short stops. follow ship's crew, because they need to pick up things too, on occasion.

after a few days i want to be able to choose at least some items i eat, if only oranges (very expensive up north though)

the reason why i was so keen on wifi access, is that in our cabin we didn't have it, and i had to do some work for a project that was starting right after the cruise ended. As it happened we were marooned in Bergen, behind the Horrible Ash Cloud from Hell. Bergen's got nice wifi too, also in big supermarkets. I had the time to find out, LOL

plr

I think this may be my last questions on this thread: Any opinions on whether it would be more time And cost efficient to do one of the tours for Trondheim & Tromo? I'm thinking not, but would again appreciate experience of others here.

hetismij2

Ok, for Trondheim going north you could do the tour as far as the Dom and then walk back to the boat. I believe you have enough time to do that, but you need to check. Some departure times have changed. Just make sure the guide on the bus knows your plan. If you want to see inside the cathedral the tour is a must, and you will be shown around by an excellent guide.

We just walked around Tromsø. Didn't bother with a tour. If you want to see the Arctic Cathedral I suggest the midnight concert on the way south.

hetismij2

Oh, a couple more things, in Bodø and Hammerfest try and visit the cathedral and church. Both modern buildings but quite beautiful.

I shall look out for your trip report .

menachem

I liked Hammerfest very much, the entire town, in fact. The Nordic Rim is the new frontier (LNG) and Hammerfest shows it.

plr

I have just re-read all these many posts, and am again so grateful for all the wonderful information that each of you has provided. Thanks again! I'm starting my packing, and am really excited!

lindakica

We are doing the roundtrip in July. Does anyone know of fishing opportunities in any of the ports? My husband wants to salmon fish.

menachem

Check out this site with google translate

https://www.visitnorway.com/search/?...emiumPartners=

However, because of the limited time you'll have, I don't see many substantial opportunities for fishing. Especially not in ports. But if you see people fishing, why not join them?

HappyTrvlr

It was very easy to walk into Alesund, Trondheim, Tromso. We took a bus in Bodo to WWII flight museum which was at some distance..I highly fecommend tnis museum. In Tromso, we took a city across the water to see tne Arctic Chapel. Very easy bit walked eveeywhere else.. There are tourists offices at tne docks. The ship docked right in town centers.
Hurtigeruten really isnt a cruise ship but a mich needed connection between the coastal towns. Passsngers will be getting on and off as will supplies.We only took one excursion, Nord Cap and it was OK, nothing special, a huge bluff. The excursions were all outsourced.