Question about coastal cruise in Norway
 

Has anyone taken the Norwegian Coastal Ship while touring Scandinavia? We are still trying to decide "how" to tour Scandinavia, but we are prone to seasickness...My question...is it a rough sail? I got seasick on Alaska's Inland Passage. Please help!!! We will be touring mid to late June 2009.

There are a couple of open passages but most of the trip is in sheltered waters. Having said that, so is most of the inside passage. The scenery on the Hurtigruten is beautiful and would be worth the risk to me. I would suggest taking one of the three newest ships. Have you tried the wrist bands?

Most of the voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes is in sheltered water. However there are several patches of open sea which can be rough or have significant swells. Most of these are only for an hour or two. There are some longer stretches, most notably Stad near the start of the journey north and Vestfjord between Bodø and Stamsund. The stretch between Honningsvåg and Vadsø is very exposed for a long time, we have seen this bit both very rough and like a millpond.

My wife and I have made the round trip six times on smaller ships. We are most decidedly not good sailors but have never had real problems. When it gets a bit lumpy we try to get horizontal in a deckchair with some crystallised ginger or if rough in our bunks where we are fine. We've missed the odd dinner as a precautionary measure.

Few people seem to have any major issues with motion during the trip so unless you get ill with seasickness as opposed to feeling poorly I do not think you need worry. The big newer ships do get less motion but I would not let that be a deciding factor. If you are to enjoy Hurtigruten you need to make certain you have chosen the sort of ship that will meet your expectations. The difference between the intimate traditional vessels and the impersonal modern hotels with propellors is so great the wrong choice could lead to major disappointment.

Thank you for your input. The Coastal route is what Odysseys-Unlimited offers. Tauck offers a trip without the long cruise. What a decision. Has anyone taken either one of these tours? We'd like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

Several years ago we took the Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes. We booked the trip with the ship co. There were 2 times in the north when I got seasick for a few hours. Now I would know better, and use the patch, which always has helped us.

I looked at both itineraries. If this is your one trip to the area, Tauck is better, If you want to see Norway, and have an interesting ship trip, then OU is the way to go. ((*))

We booked passage on Hurtigruten through Bergen Lines, from Bergen to Kirkenes. Check their web site. No seasick problems. Smooth as a bathtub. No kidding. Fog around the Lofotens. High winds at the North Cape. Delightful optional shore excursions. Excellent food and cabin. Highly recommend.