DFDS crusies... are they worth it??

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I'm wondering whether to take a 3 day cruise to Bergen (Norway). Are these cruises worth it & is it cheaper to pre-book breakfast & dinner or not?

Do you get anytime at all to look round Bergen?

Please advise

MiM

I was wondering the same thing, don;t know the answer for.

Was thinking about booking one of the Newcastle trips for £99.

I think you get 10 or is it 20% discount on meals if you book ahead.

alanjuk

Not sure if they are worth it or not but bear in mind these are ferries and not cruise liners, I think there is a big difference.

jonathon

if its the same as i went on the ferry is expensive but nice, you get into in the evening so not manty shops open.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Yeah, have read that the ferries are very expensive. May not be that worthwhile after all.

missyg_3

I did one of these to Hamburg a few years back with a group of friends plus our kids.

We got about 4 hours in Hamburg which consisted of a guided tour and some free time. Unfortunately it was pouring with rain the full 4 hours!

There were a couple of hen/stag parties on board, and the deck our cabin was on was very noisy so we didn't get much sleep! I guess that's all part of the experience though!

It was a pretty fun way to spend a weekend and the kids really enjoyed it but I doubt if I would do another one. Nothing against DFDS at all, I liked the ferry, it's just that I would prefer more time at the destination.

The next time I sailed with DFDS (a normal crossing not a mini cruise) I upgraded to the club cabin and that was definitely worth the extra money.

I've been to Bergen and it's a lovely city, I'd especially recommend the cable car trip up the mountain.

pondie1

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

I'm wondering whether to take a 3 day cruise to Bergen (Norway). Are these cruises worth it & is it cheaper to pre-book breakfast & dinner or not?

Do you get anytime at all to look round Bergen?

Please advise

we went to bergen on one of these last february,if you travel on tuesday you arrive in bergen 11pm(weather permitting)depart 5pm next day,we prebook meals slightly cheaper than paying onboard,i actually won the crossing with the competition they ran last year so only cost meals,the mini cruise is from £65 at present,breakfast is around £8.50 and dinner £18

blue_haddock

I have done the mini-cruise and whilst its not bad it is definately not a cruise ship! You don't actually go into any of the fjords themselves but the coastal scenary is pretty good anyway.

On the trip we did we got in about 6pm and left later on that evening (about midnight i think) Whilst not many of the shops are open you can have a stroll around the Old part of bergen around the harbour area and then take the funicular railway up the hill and look at the views of bergen from up above.

missyg_3

You're probably aware but DFDS have now announced the closure of the Newcastle-Bergen route. It will be dropped from 1 September.

If you're still considering it, better make it quick!

LesD

I really recommend you check the ferry timings if you want to look around. We did the Harwich - Gothenburg trip once. Arrived in port at lunchtime on a Saturday and thought we'd have loads of time to look around and do shopping. Turned out everything closed for the day at lunchtime on a Saturday!

As everyone says, they're not cruise liners so it can get boring after a while. And, don't forget, it's the North Sea!!!

I would say the same as MissyG - it's a doitonce thing!

(ps MissyG - Red Wings rule OK?)

pianeet

missyg wrote: »

You're probably aware but DFDS have now announced the closure of the Newcastle-Bergen route. It will be dropped from 1 September.

If you're still considering it, better make it quick!

Just had a phone call this morning telling me my return booking for 8 people has been cancelled,does anyone know of any other ferry operators that operate from norway to england mid november