I’ve wanted to take this Norway cruise for a very long time. The first time I booked it was in July 2020 with Azamara. Unfortunately, it was canceled, as everyone remembers. When I tried to book it again, the prices (already a bit high with Azamara) had simply doubled. So, since then, I’ve been keeping an eye out every year for any opportunities...
The last time we sailed with Princess was eleven years ago, and things didn’t go very well. I came back pretty unhappy with their service and quite disappointed. Despite the $600 they gave me as credit for a future cruise, I’d never set foot on one of their ships again.
But this time, the opportunity arose—a fantastic itinerary with lots of stops, a reasonable price for 16 nights (I’ll share the details in the conclusion), and a ship that’s not too big, so to speak, with only 3,000 passengers. I’m not expecting much from the cruise line this time and am boarding the ship with low expectations beyond the itinerary.
Princess has introduced an app to download before the cruise. It’s essential because online check-in is no longer available, and the agency doesn’t send a travel journal. Everything is done through the app. After completing the check-in on the app, we only know that we’ll need to pick up our key, the Medallion, at embarkation by following the blue line in the terminal and presenting our passport.
Up until our departure, the weather forecast for the coming week in Norway is disastrous—rain, rain, and more rain. It was pretty much the same two years ago before our Iceland cruise, and in the end, the weather turned out fine.
If you’re ready to embark on the Emerald Princess to discover this beautiful cruise and the stunning landscapes of Norway, let’s go!
Southampton - Sea day - Bergen - Olden - Åndalsnes - Sea day - Tromsø - Honningsvåg (North Cape) - Alta - Sea day - Molde - Trondheim - Two sea days - Edinburgh - Sea day - Southampton
Hi Catherine 😉 How exciting! I’m the first to hop on board to follow and share your wonderful moments from this cruise, which I gather enchanted you.
Looking forward to the rest 😎
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Southampton, boarding and first steps on the ship.
We don’t have a set boarding time. We try showing up at 10 AM, and to my surprise (I’d forgotten we had priority with our Platinum status), we board almost immediately among the first passengers.
Boarding is extremely simple and quick, just like it’s described in the app.
It’s a lovely surprise to discover how beautiful this ship is—like new—after visiting the Renaissance. Yet it was built by Fincantieri shipyards back in 2007.
The weather is so nice that we can have our first meal on the terrace. What a joy these first moments of a cruise are... And we made the right call—it was the only time the weather let us enjoy this terrace and the bar at the very back of the ship.
View of one of the two central pools—the water isn’t heated, and there’s no indoor pool on this ship.
Well, well, a Celebrity buddy at the other end of the port.
The Medallion, which replaces the cabin card, unlocks the door as we simply approach—it’s really great.
The balcony cabin is very pleasant, with soft, light colors, plenty of storage, and a superb, practical dressing area. It’s on Deck 10, which I love on Princess ships because of the size of its very large balconies—we made full use of them when there was too much wind or loud music on the upper decks.
The safety drill is very simplified and not at all restrictive, with no crowding since everyone does it individually whenever they want, after watching the video on TV—but before departure, of course.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025,
Southampton, boarding and first steps on the ship. (continued)
A little party is taking place on the pool deck for departure. Dancers and musicians help us have a great time. Just before the ship leaves the dock, they belt out an ABBA classic that really gets the atmosphere going. The dancers get the passengers involved in their routines, and the party continues as we sail along the Hampshire coast.
We pass Netley Castle, built in the 16th century by... Bluebeard (Henry VIII). It’s an old fort meant to protect Southampton from French or Germanic invasions.
In the shops, pretty Russian nesting dolls are on display but marked down—has the destination lost its appeal?
The carpets here are really beautiful, nothing like others we’ve seen recently. 😉
The variety show in the theater is typically American, Broadway-style, and we definitely don’t like this kind of show any more than usual.
At the first restaurant we try, the line is 30 or 40 people long. At the second, the line is shorter, but we’re told there’s a minimum 35- to 40-minute wait for a table for two. We agree to share a table with six other people. Once seated, the wait for someone to take our order is so long, and the noise level so high, that we end up excusing ourselves and leaving to retreat to the café, where the quiet is a real balm for our poor ears.
Princess already had this crowding issue at mealtimes in their restaurants when we used to cruise with them regularly over 11 years ago. They clearly haven’t figured out how to fix it. And this wait was *before* the theater crowd poured out—it was packed...
The World Fresh Market buffet (the café) offers a wide selection of dishes, international and from all corners of the globe—it’s fantastic. The setup is similar to Celebrity’s, with several islands that improve flow and avoid congestion and long waits. Everyone serves themselves. The dishes we tried were really good. Each evening, a different specialty is featured.
Opening hours are very flexible, from 6 AM to 10 PM without interruption, so you can grab a bite anytime.
For the past few days, I’ve been eagerly waiting for your review.
I’m jumping on board to follow along, and I know I’ll have plenty to read for the next few days.
Tell me, you’ve got a balcony that’s *insane* (as the kids say these days).
For the buffet, I totally agree with you—on Princess, the food stations are really well presented and well stocked, whether it’s at the start or end of service.
As for the noise in the dining rooms, I think it’s because the ceilings are too low...
Hi Alfred,
I’m so happy you’re joining us for this wonderful cruise.
Yes, these balconies were amazing—on this itinerary, they were a real plus, and we took full advantage of them, way more than when they’re small.
The sun is shining, the wind is light. In the sun, with a light jacket, it’s not unpleasant at all.
What a joy to do nothing—just read, soak up the sun, and wonder which restaurant to choose for lunch, eat outside or inside? A truly relaxing moment.
We opt for a burger and fries to eat in the sun without leaving our lounge chair. No guarantee the weather will stay this nice, so we’re making the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
This first day at sea ends with what used to be a "gala evening" but has since become a "welcome evening." The difference is simple: the gala meal has been replaced with the same menu as the other days, but the photo business remains. Americans love these snapshots taken by the photographers—there are even lines at several spots.
For this welcome evening, the company’s specialty is the champagne fountain. It’s a tall pyramid of champagne glasses carefully and delicately stacked, with champagne poured in a cascade from the top glass, trickling down into the others. It’s a fun and spectacular little moment.
After the captain and an entertainment manager open the first bottles of champagne, many people want to be immortalized pouring champagne over the pyramid—and once again, a long line forms, much to the photographers’ delight.
A glass of champagne is offered to spectators during this evening. Luckily, it’s not the same one used for the cascade, though it’s still not great. 😉
We try a second experience at the restaurant. It’s earlier than yesterday, so we hope it’ll be easier. We only wait 10 minutes to get a buzzer, which makes us wait another 20 minutes. Once at the table, it’s 20 minutes for the starter and another 15 for the main course. We get the message—we’d rather skip dessert and head to deck 15, which is much calmer and more peaceful. At the restaurant, the servers are so rushed and stressed that we feel like we’re bothering them, even though they’re doing their best. It’s really not pleasant, and we won’t be trying that again. Thankfully, the food was very good, and the dessert too.
We continue the evening at the Irish Café, listening to a recital of Irish music and songs. Beautiful, melodic, or lively—we have a wonderful time.
My favorite cruises are the Norwegian fjords.
Two with MSC, twice to the North Cape—once for the midnight sun, once for the snow in May.
Geiranger, of course, Molde, Tromsø, the Lofoten Islands, Ålesund.
The Briksdal Glacier and Briksdal, which has shrunk by more than half in 20 years—it was catastrophic; we barely recognized the site because of the difference.
The third was on the Queen Mary 2, a floating museum.
Everything is beautiful—the smallest chandelier, the fresh flower bouquets in the welcome hall, plenty of little "secret" nooks. The two gentlemen from the company who dance with passengers without partners.
The small lounges with musicians of different styles, tea time....
The afternoon piano concerts—"Grieg," of course, since we’re in Norway.....
And the crazy urge to do a fourth one for the landscapes I never tire of.
If any of you haven’t taken a cruise in Norway yet, you’ve got to fill that gap—you won’t regret it. What do you think, 4rine?
Norway is a really beautiful destination and it’s perfect for a cruise. I get why people love going back, but it’s not my favorite spot—there were things I didn’t love. I’ll talk more about that in the conclusion. 😉
Hope you get to do your fourth one soon! 😎
Nestled between seven mountains, Bergen is the second-largest city in the country and one of the oldest, founded in 1070. It was the former capital of Norway in the Middle Ages and thrived as a center of the Hanseatic trade (a league that protected and secured commerce), as evidenced by the Bryggen harbor district with its colorful wooden houses from the 14th century.
We arrive in this lovely city smoothly.
The ship was supposed to arrive in Bergen at noon, but we dock half an hour early. Unfortunately, the rain shows up at the same time.
We decide to take our time to avoid the crowds at the café and let the rain pass. It was the right choice.
We quickly cross the city and its tourist market—we’ll explore it more later in the late afternoon.
We want to take the funicular up Mount Fløyen. The station is easy to find since it’s right in the city center. We’ll take it if it’s not too crowded; otherwise, we’ll hike up the trail.
Perfect—there’s no one around. We board quickly for this easy ride up the heights of the city. In just 6 minutes, it climbs 320 meters, offering a stunning view. The price is 130 NOK (11 €) per person.
The view is gorgeous as soon as the sun graces us with its presence.
The temperature isn’t very high—13-14°C—ideal for the hike we want to do.
We have a bit of trouble at the start finding our way. The signs aren’t clear, and the names don’t match what we have... But after some hesitation, detours, and backtracking, we find the right path. There are two lakes to see.
Skomakerdiket pond is tiny, but even without the sun, the soft spring colors are vibrantly fresh—the place is charming.
The path climbs and dips between the trees or through wide stretches of wild meadows.
And we reach the edges of the second lake, Strorediket*.
Deep in nature, the only sounds are the silence, the birdsong, and the murmur of water.
The moss covering the ground and the base of the trees looks like a thick, soft carpet you almost want to lie down on.
We head back down to Bergen via the hiking trail. This path under the trees is lovely—it winds gently toward the heart of the city. We don’t regret doing it downhill at all.
A few gaps in the trees offer a pretty view of the city.
*Disclaimer: I used AI on my photos to remove "eyesores"—as someone here I loved reading used to say—like trash cans, cars, or other details that spoiled the images.
The view of all these pointed roofs is surprising.
It makes you want to explore these neighborhoods away from the tourist center, which are full of charm.
Heading back to the city, we passed this church with an unexpected steeple. Holy Cross Church was built in 1150. It has burned down several times and has been restored and modified many times, giving it its unique appearance. Unfortunately, we won’t see the inside—it’s completely closed.
In the Bryggen harbor district, the oldest part of the city, the pretty colorful houses all house shops or businesses aimed at passing tourists.
This former trading post exported dried cod from the north of the country, fur, leather, and other goods. It imported grain, wine, beer, fabric, and hardware from the Baltic Sea countries.
This entirely wooden district has been devastated by fires many times, but each time it has been rebuilt in the same style, on the same foundations, and with the same materials.
A few passages allow access to the somewhat austere alleys behind this gleaming facade.
Today, the huge terraces of bars and cafés sprawl along the quays by the water.
After walking 20 km, we’re pretty tired when we get back to the ship.
After relaxing for a bit, we head straight to the World Fresh Market, which suits us perfectly. The food is good, and tonight for dessert, there are crepes made to order with a wide choice of toppings, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And it’s delicious!
A big thank you for this lovely story (as always) and what can I say about your photos—they’re truly stunning!
I hope you get to enjoy a quiet dinner (at least one evening) in one of the restaurants! It’s such a shame to go to the buffet every night (even if it’s well-stocked and varied). But if you’ve done that so far, the wait and/or noise must be really unbearable.
You’re right—the conditions for enjoying the restaurant weren’t great. It was more of a hassle than anything else. That’s why we didn’t go back and opted to eat at the cafeteria instead, where we were much more comfortable. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, and it didn’t ruin our cruise at all. 🙂 Even going there every day, we were happy to have this backup option to avoid endless lines and the really unpleasant noise. 🙁
We didn’t try the alternative restaurants because we need to eat light in the evenings if we want to sleep well. And since our priority was making the most of the days and the stops, a good night’s sleep was a must. [;]
Sailing through the fjords had already been underway for some time when we woke up around 6 a.m.
The morning forecast called for cloudy skies, but a few breaks of sunshine through the clouds lifted our spirits and made the colors pop.
Olden is a small village of just over 500 people, with a history dating back to the Viking era—a time when Norwegian Vikings were known for their maritime exploits and expeditions across Europe.
The ship is allowed deep into this fjord, surrounded by towering mountains, on the condition that we remain quiet and discreet. No music, no "Movies Under the Stars" on the outdoor big screen, no honking the ship’s horn, etc. To me, that seems like the least we could do.
Several vendors are waiting on the dock at the foot of the ship, all offering excursions to the same destination: exploring this stunning valley and the Briksdal Glacier, each in their own way. The double-decker red bus sightseeing tour costs 42 € per person.
Back in February, I booked a tour with Olden Adventure online to take us to the foot of the Briksdal Glacier. (491 NOK = 41 €) From this starting point, an easy hike lets you get up close to the glacier. Briksdal Glacier is one of the arms of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the largest glacier in continental Europe.
The bus was right on time at the foot of the ship at 9:30 a.m. Instead of a live guide, an audio recording accompanied us, sharing stories about the life and landscapes we were passing through. The road was breathtaking, winding alongside two lakes with deep, dark waters. The photos taken through the bus window don’t do the scenery justice.
A half-hour drive is all it takes to reach the parking lot where the bus drops us off—this is the starting point for the hike up to Briksdal Glacier. Everything’s set up here: a large parking lot, café, restaurant, and souvenir shop. In the background, a pretty waterfall adds life to the landscape as it cascades down the black rocks.
A few lupins welcome us, and large boulders mark the path.
The climb follows a fast-flowing, tumultuous river that runs down from the glacier.
Spring treats us to abundant waters that roar with all their might.
Like many glaciers around the world, Briksdal Glacier is retreating due to climate change. The retreat is striking.
Beautiful viewpoints follow one after another, and the sound of rushing water keeps us company along the way.
Hi Catherine,
Gorgeous photos of Norway and a lovely travel journal!
I really liked the champagne fountain when you arrived—I’ve never seen that on a cruise ship before 😉.
Mich74
I’m taking advantage of the quiet in the restaurant this evening to catch up on my reading.
Your story is a delight, and your photos are stunning—it makes me want to revisit Norway!
I see that Princess has brought back its Champagne Waterfall ceremony, which had been dropped during COVID.
As you know, I’m currently on a cruise on the NCL Vista in Greece. While I loved my Southampton-Barcelona cruise on its sister ship, the Prima, this one’s been a letdown. Too many people, families, and poorly behaved kids...
I’ll keep following your posts whenever I can.
@ Michel,
This fountain is Princess’s specialty—I’ve never seen it on any other cruise line either.
@Catherine,
I get that you’re disappointed, but the Mediterranean in the middle of summer with NCL isn’t exactly surprising—it’s bound to be crowded with kids. Hope you’re not too hot.
@ Alfred,
Thanks, Alfred! Every cruise is different, and you’ve got to adapt each time—take what you like and leave what you don’t to bring back the best memories. Next time will be different again. 😉
@Guylène,
We especially loved all the beautiful scenery, and we did a lot of hiking.
Friday, June 20th, Olden (part 2)
After about an hour’s walk, we’re getting closer to the glacier, and the scenery is still just as stunning—it changes with every turn.
And we arrive… Where? At the beach!
What’s left of the glacier is pretty sparse.
There aren’t many swimmers on the beach—maybe because of the thin layer of ice on the water’s surface?
On the way back, water is streaming everywhere, and the spring flowers are rushing to bloom all at once, making them even more beautiful.
The volumes of water flowing down from the glacier are impressive—they race down the mountain with a deafening roar.
For those who don’t want to or can’t hike up on foot, everything’s been arranged.
In the afternoon, rain threatens, but we brave the scattered drops and set off to explore this rural and picturesque village of Olden. Originally, we wanted to walk along the two lakes we saw this morning, but there’s no safe path for pedestrians—you have to walk on the road, which isn’t safe or pleasant. So, we stick to the outskirts of the village.
An outlet and two small supermarkets welcome cruise passengers looking to spend some money.
A first small white church, surrounded by its cemetery, is absolutely charming. The wooden interior is very simple and rustic.
In the second church, farther away and more recent, we’re surprised to be greeted by music as we enter.
It’s an organist rehearsing in the small church. Surprised, I see people sitting on the benches, heads bowed in contemplation... but on closer inspection, they were absorbed in their smartphones.
The return navigation to the sea through the fjords under this dark sky and heavy fog weighing on the peaks reminds us a lot of the Chilean fjords.
Åndalsnes is a small town of 2,500 inhabitants, nestled on the shores of the Romsdalsfjord and surrounded by stunning mountains (when you can actually see them…).
What a great idea it was to book a tour on the Golden Train—just look at the weather today! You wouldn’t want to step outside. Thick, low clouds and rain are weighing down the sky. At least with this outing, we’ll be sheltered and dry. The platform to board the train is just a few steps from the harbor.
We booked this excursion through Get Your Guide (55 € per person). At the harbor or the train station, there’s no meet-up point for this agency, no one to welcome or guide us. We walk around in circles, but no luck—nothing. Eventually, someone lets us board the train.
We have a bit of trouble finding two free seats, but at least we’re not stuck on the platform like some other people.
The Golden Train is supposed to take us on Europe’s most beautiful railway line, according to the ads. A two-hour journey through the breathtaking Romsdalen Valley to Bjorli, which is 57 km away.
We didn’t get the audio guide promised by Get Your Guide at booking—just like yesterday, there’s only a recorded commentary in English playing in the carriages during the trip.
Fun fact: Norwegian gold reserves were secretly transported out of the country via this route during the Nazi occupation in World War II.
The photos are taken through the train windows—it’s a modern train, so there’s no platform to step out on for better shots. 🙁
The rain and the gloomy, overcast sky definitely ruin what must be a stunning landscape when you can see the peaks of those steep mountains.
It’s beautiful, but with rain streaming down the windows and reflections from the interior lights, the scenery isn’t exactly extraordinary.
When we arrive in Bjorli, everyone gets off. A 30-minute photo stop is scheduled before the return trip. But… there’s nothing to see—it’s just sad, cold, and damp, still raining.
Everyone quickly boards the train again. The train didn’t turn around—it was the locomotive that switched sides. So we’ll see the same landscapes on the way back as we did on the way there, and the same reflections in the windows.
It must be really beautiful… when the weather’s nice. And when it rains? At least we’re dry.
In the early afternoon, the sun starts breaking through the clouds—timidly at first, then more clearly. Since we’d been hoping for a break in the weather, we’re thrilled to finally stretch our legs a bit.
In Andalsnes, the price of the cable car (or gondola) to the top of Nesaksla Mountain is too steep for us—just over 560 NOK (47 €) per person round-trip. Tourists, yes, but we’re not suckers.
We head to the start of the Rampestreken hike, up above the town. Right from the beginning, it’s pretty steep, but well-maintained, and the lovely viewpoints come quickly.
Climbing between the tree roots is a lot of fun. But I forgot my sweetheart’s hiking pole, and we decide not to continue so he doesn’t risk hurting himself on the way down.
We wrap up the outing with a visit to a small communal park and a stroll through the town center, which doesn’t have much charm or appeal. Then a few souvenir shops—also not very interesting—before heading back to the ship.
We’re a little disappointed by this stop—we were expecting more. But the day isn’t over yet, and the surprise is still to come…
Hi 4yne,
we took the cable car in Åndalsnes—it was sunny but with a chilly little breeze. The view during the ride is fantastic, and at the top, there’s a stunning panorama of several fjord arms, the mountains, and even a
small glacier that looks like a donut.
Lovely walk and a hot coffee at the hostel with a view of the fjord. We didn’t do the Golden Train—it was fully booked that day. It really brings back memories of my cruise—amazing!
Hi Nicom,
It must be really beautiful when the sun’s out, but that wasn’t the case for us. Would you happen to have a photo to show us of that lovely view from the top of La Nesaksla Mountain? I think the train is always fully booked whenever there’s a ship in port, and you have to reserve it in advance. The day we were there, some people with tickets couldn’t get on because the train was overbooked.
Tonight’s my partner’s birthday—though he’d prefer to be half his age, we both agree... We tour the lounges looking for a spot to celebrate. None of them work for us—too crowded, too noisy, too much commotion... and no space. I’m starting to think we’re just too picky. 😉
We decide to celebrate this moment just the two of us on our big balcony with a little aperitif. And... nature’s wonderful gift: the sun comes out to give the landscape all its grandeur and majesty. We enjoy the magnificent spectacle of cruising through the fjords in peace and quiet, with a dazzling sun—it makes all the difference! It’s a pure moment of happiness.
Little by little, we leave the fjords to head out to sea, the mountains receding in the distance.
Then they become scattered dots on the water’s surface, like a giant’s stepping stones.
At the evening buffet, the special of the day is paella, but there are also a lot of Chinese dishes on board... Quickly, the paella is reduced to just a big plate of rice. 😏
10 PM, the sun is still high in the sky on this beautiful evening.
Sunday, June 22, at sea
Bright sunshine and a glassy sea—it’s a bit chilly, but in the sun it’s pleasant, especially when you think about the heatwave hitting France. In the afternoon, as we head further north, the temperature drops noticeably.
Hello,
Thanks for this review with beautiful photos and stunning landscapes—when the sun comes out, it’s truly breathtaking! 🙂
Back in 2018, we did the Baltic capitals with Princess and never had to wait for a restaurant or deal with noise.
Norvégian Gém NCL, Horizon CDF, musica MSC, Allure of the seas RCI, sérénade of the seas RCI, Symphony of the seas RCI, Régal PRINCESS, Fantasia MSC, seaside MSC, explorer of the seas RCI
It’s a bit frustrating not to find a quiet spot on a ship to celebrate a special event!
Sure, you have to adapt, but still—it’s a bit much. Forced to go to the buffet every evening for dinner, and from what I understand, some nights it’s not even that well stocked. What a shame!
I think I’m a bit like you—we’ve become a bit picky after doing so many cruises.
Your next cruise will be really different from this one, since you’ll be on a more human-sized ship, friendlier, with a cozy atmosphere...
Hello,
Thank you for this report with beautiful photos and stunning landscapes—when the sun comes out, it’s truly breathtaking! 🙂
In 2018, we did the Baltic capitals with Princess and never had to wait for a restaurant or deal with noise.
Hi Marie-Christine,
That’s lucky—we’ve always experienced waiting issues on our recent Princess cruises. On the earlier ones, honestly, I don’t remember. Thanks for sharing your experience; maybe it’ll be better on a newer ship next time.
It’s a bit frustrating not to find a quiet spot on a ship to celebrate a special event!
We found that there was a lack of quiet lounges on this ship, both during the day and in the evening. The bars that were open were full every night, but if that hadn’t been the case that evening, we would’ve missed this beautiful navigation through the fjords. So it all worked out well in the end. 🙂
True, you have to adapt, but still, it’s a bit much. Forced to go to the buffet every night for dinner, and from what I understand, some nights it wasn’t even that well stocked. What a shame!
I only mentioned the paella story as an anecdote because it didn’t take long for the rice dish to be replaced with a new, well-stocked paella. The buffets were always very well filled and replenished. There’s nothing to complain about on that front. 🙂
Eating in the cafeteria isn’t a problem for us—we actually enjoy the atmosphere there in the evening. Even on Oceania, we often go to the cafeteria at night. The only line we don’t do that with is Ponant. 😉
I think I’m a bit like you—we’re getting a bit picky after doing so many cruises.
It’s true that we become more demanding, but at the same time, experience helps us adapt to situations to find what makes us happy, at least when the cruise quality is good, without the excesses you’ve experienced lately. From start to finish, we were very happy during this cruise. 🙂
Tonight is our first clear night, with no darkness to dim the sky.
Waking up to such a beautiful landscape and the promise of sunshine all day—what more could you ask for?
Tromsø is located on Tromsøya Island in Norwegian Lapland. It’s the northernmost city in the world with over 50,000 inhabitants and lies 350 km north of the Arctic Circle.
Today, we’ve planned a hike up Mount Fjellheisen, which faces Tromsøya Island and overlooks the city of Tromsø. The weather is perfect—we’re lucky.
At 8:30 AM, we’re outside. The ship is docked at Breivika Kai 24, a bit away from the city center. It’s about 5 km to the foot of Fjellheisen.
Princess offers a transfer to the city center for $20 per person. At that price, we’d rather walk. But just outside the port area, a few passengers are waiting for a bus that’s supposed to arrive in 4 minutes—it’s displayed very precisely on a digital sign. Why not?
On the bus, all you have to do is download the app to pay for the ride (40 NOK per person, about 3.40 €), and we save precious time.
The Tromsø Bridge is just over a kilometer long and rises 38 meters above sea level.
It takes us right in front of the Arctic Cathedral, which will wait for us until our return. We prefer to hike early since wind is forecast starting at 2 PM.
There are two ways to climb Fjellheisen: the cable car or the Sherpatrappa, a staircase with 1,300 steps. We opt for the easier option. Walking through the residential neighborhoods leading to the cable car’s starting point is a very pleasant route.
But when we arrive, bad luck—the cable car isn’t running. It’s under maintenance. I remember now that I’d read about it online months ago while planning this trip, but I should’ve checked again before coming… and I forgot.
Monday, June 23, Tromsø in Norwegian Lapland (continued)
The only option left is the Sherpa Staircase...
The path to the starting point of this trail is already quite steep, but it quickly offers us a beautiful view of the bay, the Arctic Cathedral, the bridge, and our ship.
The steps are made of stone, varying in height but very stable. The sunlight filters through the branches of the young forest, where the leaves have just sprouted—it’s fresh and beautiful.
Hardly anyone is tackling this staircase. We can climb at our own pace, nice and relaxed.
To keep us motivated, the steps are numbered regularly starting from the 100th. It really lifts the spirits.
As we approach the summit, the vegetation becomes sparser, and we leave the cover of the trees.
The viewpoints are numerous and become more and more stunning as we climb. The clarity of the air and the coolness make them even more breathtaking.
Monday, June 23, Tromsø in Norwegian Lapland (Part 2)
The nature up high becomes almost desert-like.
We're almost there!
Then comes a narrow 20 cm passage, very slippery in the snow after a few steps. A young Norwegian woman behind me gets annoyed because I’m not going fast enough. I’m in her way for her timed challenge. She sighs loudly and clearly shows her impatience. She’s not happy, and neither am I—I let her know just as loudly as her frustrated sighs are pressuring me. Even without understanding the words, she must’ve gotten the message.
Just a few more steps and we finally arrive! So glad we made it to the end!
Turns out, there’s a big construction site here for the cable car arrival area, which is currently being built.
The trail continues and gives us a stunning plunging view of the other side.
As for the temperature, this morning it was 9° and by late morning it was 12°. A really pleasant temperature for this hike, which we finished in T-shirts. 😎
Time to head back down.
We quickly realize we made the right call coming early. We’re running into more and more people, and by the time we reach the bottom, there’s almost a continuous line of people heading up.
Monday, June 23, Tromsø in Norwegian Lapland (part 3)
The Arctic Cathedral, built in 1965, is actually a Protestant church. It’s very unique and beautiful from the outside—you can spot it from far away, and it really stands out in the landscape, even though it’s not very large. But I still refuse to pay to enter a church. Here, the price is 80 NOK per person (almost 7 €).
And after peeking inside through the glass... the price seems a bit steep.
After crossing the bridge in the other direction, we head to the old town—or at least, that’s what I read when planning my visit.
From the top of Fjellheisen, I started having doubts—nothing looked like an old town or a historic center...
This city was an isolated fishing village for centuries. It then saw major growth during the golden age of seal hunting in the early 20th century. Now, it’s a dynamic and multicultural city thanks to scientists from around the world, as it’s become one of the main departure points for polar expeditions.
So, it makes sense there’s no old town. The long shopping street and the harbor quays are pleasant to explore. There’s construction everywhere—it’s true that the season when work is possible is very short.
The Our Lady Cathedral in the city center is built of wood and dates back to the 19th century. It’s charming on the outside and simple but welcoming inside.
The square where it stands borders the shopping street on one side and slopes down to the sea on the other.
Itinéraire: Départ d'Amsterdam, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes (Lofoten), Trondheim, Andalsnes, Bergen. Le Déliziosa est un bateau de 2010,…
Cabotage aux Lofoten (Norvège) du 17 au 24 novembre à bord de la goelette Noorderlicht. C'est déjà l'hiver... Si les orques n'étaient pas au rendez-vous fixé,…
Je suis de retour d'une magnifique croisière autour du Svalbard (le Spitzberg n'étant que l'île principal de cet archipel). Comme il y a vraiment très peu de…
Nous voilà de retour après un périple extraordinaire, que du bonheur, j'ai commencé un compte rendu, je demande beaucoup d'indulgence car je ne suis pas très…
Par le hasard d’une crémaillère familiale à Bruxelles, nous profitons d’un départ de Zeebrugge pour une première expérience avec CFC, qui nous permettait de…
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion.
2) Follow this format:
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates!
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1
JANUARY
14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland.
I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive.
You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify).
So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it.
Departure is on August 23rd.
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
hi,
I’m leaving Hamburg for Iceland at the end of July. The boat arrives in Reykjavik on Tuesday, August 4th at 8 AM, and I’d like to book a day trip like the Golden Circle or Secret Lagoon… The sites like GetYourGuide and others list departures at 8 AM. If you’ve used these sites with the MSC Preziosa, could you let me know how to go about it?
Thanks! 😉
allyMB007
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling…
The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast.
We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person.
My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster.
We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride.
When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start…
After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed.
At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd.
With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect.
We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride…
We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation.
The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated.
They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲.
That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in.
Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc…
TO BE CONTINUED
to be continued...
Today, the huge terraces of bars and cafés sprawl along the quays by the water.
to be continued...
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!