P&O Fjords cruise

TheTig

Hi all,

We are booked for the Norwegian Fjord's cruise with P&O for my mum's 70th in July. Has anybody done this before and is there anything to bear in mind?

This is our first cruise and apart from amazing scenery not sure what to expect. It's a family cruise so the youngest is 3 - not sure how he will get on? Also, not sure what excursions are a must do?

Merlin139

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6661805/p-o-fjords-cruise

We went on the IONA last June and are going again next April as I had a Medical incident on the IONA last year so missed some off it, but got to know the Medical Centre well.

If you use Face Book. Look for a group for your particular cruise based on the Cruise Number. Like IONA G625

You will find lots of people who will have questions and its the quickest way to get answers. No question is stupid. There are also other groups you can join Like ask any question about the IONA.

We are seasoned cruisers but it was our first on the IONA so we did learn a couple of things.

ellenvan

Things to bear in mind

Can still be windy on board so bring a warm coat and hat.

Very scenic so you don't always have to have excursions booked. Nice to just wander.

Coffee and beer both cheaper on board, so sometimes nice to be on board whilst still enjoying the scenery.

Brie

If you are stopping at Alta consider going to see the prehistoric carvings at the museum. We booked this as an excursion when we were on a cruise but because it was earlier in the year (end of March) there was still snow on the ground and therefore the actual carvings could not be viewed as they will not remove snow for the benefit of tourists. The museum was still excellent and might be a fun thing for a small child.

We also saw the Bergen Aquarium which was great fun.

daveyjp

How long is the cruise? Which ship? Which ports?

strawb_shortcake

We went on Iona to the Fjords a few years ago, if not too late I'd pick your room wisely, deck 8 is a bit marmite, as it's the promenade deck so you might get people peering in. Also rooms above the entertainment tend to vibrate through the night.

We visited Stavanger, Hellesylt, Olden and Haugsand, may have spelt some of those wrong. We only did a trip from Olden which was the Skylift, but I think that was the one stop where most excursions come highly recommended, the skylift was my favourite part of the holiday

The people of Olden give a fantastic send off.

It's a big ship and can be a lot of walking if you aren't particularly mobile

TheTig

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81942070#Comment_81942070

Thank you - I didn't think of using FB etc - will have a look at that now.

TheTig

The cruise is 7 days on Iona: Southampton - Norway Stravanger > Olden > Flam > Haugesend > Southampton

TheTig

I wasn't sure about rooms as we have booked through a tour operator and they said rooms are allocated? I will have to check this with them again tomorrow.

I'm glad you mentioned the Skylift as I've just added it to my list after looking online! Did you book with your ship or directly? Through O&P it comes to £107 each but directly £73 - I don't mind paying more for peace of mind but don't want to be too overly cautious if I don't need to be!

I think I am visiting some of the others you visited - Starvenger and Haugesend - is there enough here to see without booking additional tours?

Thanks!

daveyjp

Stavanger is a small place, easily walkable. One attraction is the Oil Exploration Museum, interesting, but it takes a few hours out of your day, Old Town is worth a wander and houses the Sardine Canning Museum, sounds mad, but again interesting, especially if the sardines are being cooked on the traditional grills.

If the weather is good and you really want to explore try The Broken Column walk:

https://www.stavangerkunstmuseum.no/en/events/antony-gormley-broken-column

Flam main attraction is the mountain railway. If they still do the coach trip to Voss, lunch in Voss, then the train back via Myrdal and then Flam (or in reverse with trains first and coach back) it is a great day out as the Flam railway isn't worth doing up and down.

Can't comment on the ship as its much larger than any I've cruised on so don't know how well it functions.

strawb_shortcake

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81942334#Comment_81942334

We booked the skylift direct when we got off the ship, we were on the next coach. We took my Mum up in a wheelchair so it's good for all ages. Great cinnamon buns at the top too!

Stavanger and Hellesylt, we just had a wander round the area, we could have spent our time better. I'd have liked to have gone kayaking but this might not be possible with a 3 year old anyway. Hellesylt has an impressive waterfall and a pretty church. There's also a nice walk around the water.

Haugsand, there is a land train which takes you round, we went out to a monument then had walk around the town centre, but it's not much different to any other shopping centre. Quite a bridge to walk back over if walking back from the town to the port.

If you are spending in local shops, you can claim a tax back on board I think? We didn't do this so can't remember the exact rules but look into this.

If you go to Flam, the railway trip is meant to be incredible, I'd probably book the P&O trip to guarantee I could go on the train, but someone else that's done it may advise differently.

There will likely be one morning where you sail into a Fjord early, we got up around 5:30am to see this and it was definitely worth it.

Consider missed port insurance too.