Monday, June 23, Tromsø in Norwegian Lapland (part 4)
The quays by the water are lined with brightly colored buildings and large terraces for cafés and restaurants.
We walk back to the ship around 2:30 PM and spend the afternoon in the sun (14°C) until departure time. A little rest after covering 21 km is really nice.
We don’t realize how time flies because the sun, still high in the sky, keeps warming us pleasantly.
Today’s scenic cruise is gorgeous again.
And night never comes. It’s hard to fall asleep and get some rest.
Today’s surprise was a water shuttle disembarkation.
I’ve never experienced such great organization on any ship before. All you have to do is go to the dedicated bar to get a ticket when you’re ready to head ashore. A few minutes later—just enough time to sit down—the shuttle number is called. No more than fifteen minutes passed between leaving our cabin and sitting in the tender boat, with no rushing, no crowding, and no waiting. Simply perfect.
The main attraction during this stop is the North Cape. I booked a tour with Blue Puffin for a four-hour excursion across Magerøya Island with a few stops.
The tour departure times are adjusted to fit cruise ship schedules. The meet-up is right on the port in front of the Tourist Information—couldn’t be easier. Too bad our tour was delayed at the last minute; that lost time will cut into our day later.
Our guide was a bit hyper and disorganized. After a few back-and-forths because she kept forgetting something, we finally set off. Our driver may not be young, but he drives wonderfully well.
First stop at the end of a cove, in a small village with brightly colored houses, at a fisherman’s place.
We visit the shed where equipment is stored and where fish dry in the open air.
Tuesday, June 24, Honningsvåg, North Cape (part 1 continued)
A small exhibition of paintings opens its doors to us. These completely original works are made solely from cutouts taken from magazine pages. It’s stunning, and I regret only taking one photo. The work is very delicate and meticulous. The lady explains that winter is long and they need to keep busy. The nagging question I have is, how long will these pieces stay beautiful since the ink quality in magazines isn’t made to last…
A few steps further along a path, another cove where the village boats are safely sheltered.
The landscapes are stunning—desert-like, without a single tree, and dotted with patches of lingering snow. A freezing wind greets us as we step off the bus for this photo stop.
And we hit the road again, the scenery just as beautiful.
In the next village, we’re offered a king crab exhibition. Three unfortunate creatures sit at the bottom of a blue plastic pool. The largest, the male, is caught and lifted out for a photo session. Then it’s the female’s turn.
The village here is also nestled in a stunning setting of wild nature.
Tuesday, June 24, Honningsvåg, North Cape (Part 2)
The next stop is at an outdoor camp. There are tipis, a moose, and an actor posing for photos. The moose is very happy—it was served a large portion of lichen, which it’s enjoying.
A tent offers a wide selection of made-in-China items at Norwegian prices.
And we hit the road again toward our main destination.
We arrive at the North Cape, windswept and freezing. It’s summer—how do people live here year-round in the cold? A ticket given to us by the guide grants access to the massive tourist complex built on the site.
Before warming up inside, we explore the outdoor area. Various sculptures decorate the place, but the landscape is the real highlight.
As for the globe—the symbol of the North Cape—it’s swarmed by visitors.
Shivering and frozen by the wind, we head inside to warm up.
A movie is announced in a few minutes on a massive 125° screen. It showcases the four seasons at the North Cape through stunning landscapes—from the midnight sun to winter storms in the snow. It’s beautiful and very well done. The last time the sun set here this year was on May 14, and the next time it’ll disappear will be on July 29.
We have a great time and leave feeling warmed up.
On the bus ride back, the guide hands out small bags of dried reindeer meat—just a few grams. It’s the tasting included in the program… but it’s a bit lean and disappointing for a tasting.
I booked this tour well in advance online with Blue Puffin. We’re very happy with it—it was fully booked and varied, and we saw a lot of landscapes crossing the island from south to north. It’s a great overview of this extreme territory. Even if we didn’t fully enjoy the King Crab demonstrations or the micro village of tipis, we had a lovely morning. The price was, of course, much lower than the excursions offered by Princess: 1699 NOK (144 €) per person.
With the time lost this morning at departure, we return to the ship at 3 PM, which means we won’t have time to go back ashore—the ship is too far from the port. A quick visit to Honningsvåg and its coastline would’ve been nice, so it’s a bit of a shame. If we’d been docked, it would’ve been possible, but a Mein Schiff ship is taking up the space.
How lucky to have had a smooth disembarkation by tender boat with practically no waiting.
I had a really bad experience with NCL & Oceania where disembarkation was painfully slow. The worst was on the Marina—I missed my excursion in Bora Bora because of the truly chaotic disembarkation.
This stop is still well north of the Arctic Circle, between Tromsø and the North Cape. The weather is mild (11°C), cloudy, and windless.
Yesterday’s tender landing was so great that we’re doing it again today. And it’s even better than yesterday—we grab our tickets and are immediately invited to board without even having time to sit down.
The tenders drop us off in the tiny port of Alta, about 8 km from the city center. Princess offered a bus transfer for $20. Only two taxis are waiting at the port exit.
Just a few meters away is a city bus stop. Luck is on our side—the next bus is at 9:05 in a few minutes. About ten people are already waiting. We’d like to explore the town and visit the Alta Museum, which is outdoors and has gotten great reviews.
But there’s no bus in sight... 9:15, still nothing. The next one is at 9:20... Let’s wait a little longer. 9:28, still no bus. Did Princess commandeer all the buses in town?
So we won’t be going to Alta. To get there, you’d have to walk along the main road where cars drive way too fast for pedestrians, and it’s not pleasant.
We change plans and head in the opposite direction for a short hike around a lake.
We walk through very quiet residential neighborhoods and don’t see a single person—it’s really deserted.
Great view of the airfield, the fjord, and the ship.
The hike starts at the edge of Lake Skogvannet, a spot set up for swimming and very popular in the summer, but today there’s no one here except us.
This route, with its ups and downs, offers stunning landscapes. The unobstructed view across this wild nature, where nothing blocks the horizon, is a real treat.
Back at the port, we’re faced with every cruiser’s nightmare: a never-ending line of passengers. But once again, the organization is excellent, and we only wait for less than a quarter of an hour.
Same at the buffet—it’s busy, but not crowded. Then comes the well-deserved reward after walking over 20 km.
We don’t have enough time to head into Alta for the rest of the afternoon, and we’re more than happy to relax on lounge chairs by the pool. With the temperature at 15°C and no wind, the sun feels perfect.
Sailing through the fjords this evening is once again absolutely stunning.
To let us enjoy these breathtaking landscapes for as long as possible, the sun doesn’t set.
I’m back online… thanks so much for these stunning landscapes!
I recognized some of the scenery from a 2012 trip on the Costa Voyager organized by TAAJ, which has since gone bankrupt.
Have a great week! Guylène
So glad to see you back here—it’s really frustrating to be without internet.
The landscapes, though, don’t change over time ;) and that’s a good thing. We never get tired of seeing them again.
A little issue will keep us busy for part of the morning.
On embarkation day, the servers tried to sell us a drink package, which we clearly declined, explaining that we don’t drink enough to make it worth it.
Today, while checking our bill, we notice two packages at $1,040 each listed on our account. A quick trip to guest services to understand and cancel this drink package we’re not using. We insist we never purchased it. "Did you use the internet package?" No. We didn’t even know this package included internet.
The staff member suggests we might have bought it before boarding and wants to verify. Then she admits the package was credited onboard and asks for two days to cancel it... To be continued.
To clear our heads and stretch our legs, the best solution is a little walk on the promenade deck, even if it’s a bit chilly. A few laps and we feel better.
A view we never get tired of, cruise after cruise.
To wrap up the afternoon, we prefer the sun loungers with a blanket over an indoor lounge.
Tonight, we’re invited to the Platinum cocktail party, and we have a great time with an Australian couple and a lovely Englishwoman from Southampton who cruises often.
After dinner, we enjoy a really nice musical moment in the Atrium. The ship’s musicians, all together, form a great orchestra and play a mix of Celtic music, movie tunes, and pop hits.
Hope your cruise went well and that you’ll tell us all about it. 😉
I’ll try to post the rest of mine because yesterday it wasn’t working—the system kept rejecting my photos. 🙁
The darkness of night returned for a brief moment.
At 7 AM, the sun is already high in the sky. With these big clouds, the light is stunning.
Molde is a charming little town nicknamed the "City of Roses." It’s known for its many gardens and panoramic view of the 222 mountain peaks surrounding it. Founded in the Middle Ages as a trading post, it developed over the centuries thanks to the timber and textile industries.
It’s even more beautiful with a little sunshine.
To start the day, we wanted to head to Hjertoya Island (in the foreground of some of the photos above), which is very close to the port. To do that, we needed to find the right ferry, so we set off toward the terminal where they dock. The waterfront is lovely, and the view of the 222 peaks surrounding the city is breathtaking.
Ferries come and go, but at their docking spots, there’s no one around—no staff, no information, not even a QR code to find details. We won’t be going to Hjertoya Island today.
Roses are everywhere, and it must be gorgeous during full bloom. But it’s still a bit early in the season to enjoy them—only a few early flowers have opened.
While strolling through the town center, in the main square that slopes down to the sea, a few vendors are setting up their stalls before the tourists arrive. One stand offers excursions to cross the mountains behind Molde to see the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road is a famous and impressive route made up of a series of bridges that wind along more than eight kilometers of the Atlantic coastline. It connects a series of small islands and islets in a spectacular landscape.
We book this tour for an 11:30 AM departure by minibus. Prices are listed in NOK and euros, and we pay 65 € per person.
While waiting for the departure time, we continue exploring this charming little town on foot.
The meet-up time arrives just as the rain starts to fall. Once again, we’ll stay dry, and the minibus is very comfortable.
The countryside is stunning. The ever-changing weather keeps shifting the lighting, and the dramatic sky creates beautiful scenes. In just a few minutes, we go from a downpour to a ray of sunshine.
As we approached the Atlantic Road, the landscape changed completely, shifting from fertile countryside to rugged islets and reefs swept by the wind.
A tourist-friendly site with a pedestrian walkway lets you admire and take in the scale of these structures in this unique environment.
The aerial photo displayed on the site gives you a sense of the full scope of these works as a whole.
The bridges are anchored on rocks scattered across the sea. When one of them, more impressive than the others, suddenly rises to span a great distance, connecting all these little pieces at the edge of the world.
This next stop lets you view the structure from a different angle.
The sky puts on a show and makes the return trip beautiful.
Once again, we don’t eat before 3 PM. But since the boat is docked in the city center, it’s easy to go back ashore for one last stroll in this charming little town. We’re lucky—the rain that was supposed to arrive at 3 PM has been pushed back to 5 PM.
Back on the boat around 5 PM, the weather has once again delayed the rain—now until 3 AM. Perfect for us! We have time to enjoy a little reading on a lounge chair, half in the sun as it keeps playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.
While we’re getting ready for the evening, an announcement from the captain is broadcast throughout the ship, including the cabins, warning us that we’ll be facing a serious bout of bad weather tomorrow night.
Of course, the captain assures us he’ll adjust the ship’s route to make the navigation as comfortable as possible. Still, he recommends securing anything that can be secured and clearing away anything that might fall to avoid accidents.
This is the first time we’ve been given such an advance warning—I feel bad for those who are afraid of rough seas, as this news is likely to stress them out.
Tonight, the weather is still nice, and we settle at a table in the café next to the window to enjoy the scenic navigation during dinner.
The landscape passing by is stunning and constantly changing.
Sometimes the coast is rugged, other times long, gentle slopes descend toward the sea, all dressed in a lovely spring green. Occasionally, small villages appear in the scenery.
Unfortunately, the salt-covered windows make it impossible to take photos. We spend a long, beautiful moment admiring this incredible navigation through the fjord. Then, the coast gradually fades away into the sea—it was truly breathtaking.
Hi Catherine,
Those rock bridges you followed look amazing. You’ve seen some beautiful landscapes.
Thanks for the great photos!
Were you "shaken up" like your Captain mentioned?
Have a nice Sunday! Guylène.
Trondheim has a rich maritime history dating back to the Viking era. Founded in 997, it was Norway’s first capital until 1217. The city was an important center of trade and power. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Nidelva River and its deep fjord made it an ideal natural port.
Throughout its history, the port of Trondheim played a crucial role in trade between Norway and other parts of Europe, particularly for the export of fish, timber, and minerals.
In the 19th century, the city became an industrial hub with the establishment of shipyards and factories. The port was modernized to accommodate larger and more numerous ships.
In the 20th century, Trondheim diversified its economy, but its port remained a key element of its development. Today, the port of Trondheim is one of the most important in Norway, serving as a hub for trade, fishing, and tourism.
The weather is pretty gloomy this morning. Rain is forecast for almost the entire day, though it should lighten up around 10 a.m., so we’ll head out then.
Well, that’s what I thought, but with a husband who’s not very patient, we end up leaving at 9:20 a.m. in heavy rain.
This beautiful yellow building, which adds a pop of color, is the train station.
The city isn’t looking its best in these conditions—pretty gloomy, dark, and deserted at this hour. Everything’s still closed. A few colorful umbrellas and the Britania Hotel add a touch of brightness.
We’re not bothered by crowds...
Nidaros Cathedral, built in the Middle Ages on the tomb of Saint Olav (King of Norway who died in 1030), made the city a major religious center. It was the main pilgrimage site for all of Northern Europe at the time.
The construction and upkeep of the cathedral attracted master builders, sculptors, and glassmakers, which developed the city’s expertise and wealth. The influx of pilgrims boosted local trade. Even today, it remains a major tourist attraction.
We find a covered terrace in front of the magnificent Gothic façade of the cathedral where we can take shelter while waiting for the worst of the rain to pass.
With these very wet conditions the sky is offering us, we stick to the essentials.
Just a short distance from the cathedral is the Gamle Bybro, or more simply the city’s historic bridge.
It was built after a devastating fire in the 17th century. It served as a checkpoint for goods entering and leaving the city, with guardhouses at each end. It also provided passage to the Kristiansten Fortress.
Today, it has become a pedestrian walkway.
This oldest bridge in the city offers a magnificent view of the Nidelva River and the colorful buildings of the Bakklandet district.
We bravely continue, still in the rain, toward the Kristiansten Fortress. The climb is steep and passes through a residential neighborhood of beautiful houses, often surrounded by well-tended flower gardens. Even in the rain, they’re lovely.
The rain intensifies just as we arrive at the Kristiansten Fortress.
The site is open for a self-guided walk along the ramparts, between the bastions and barracks, and to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Trondheim and the fjord.
The site must be very pleasant in good weather. It’s used in the summer for cultural events, concerts, and open-air theater performances.
The fortress also houses a small museum that tells its history and its role in defending the city through different eras.
The fortress was built on a hill to provide a strategic view of Trondheim and the Trondheim Fjord. In the 17th century, it was a crucial defense point against enemy invasions. The fortress also served as a military prison for part of its history. In the 19th century, it was used as a military hospital, and during World War II, it was occupied by German forces.
The rain wore down our resistance—we’d had enough, so we headed back. Continuing in those conditions wasn’t pleasant.
Often, barns, garden sheds, and even bus shelters are covered with green roofs. That’s the case with this garage, where the greenery is particularly beautiful and in bloom.
During our walk, the city woke up and came to life. And miraculously, the rain stopped. We crossed a very charming tourist market.
The selection of gourmet treats is vast: cheeses of all colors, crepes, waffles, and many other delicious specialties, like dried reindeer meat, reindeer sausage, and even sausages grilling on the spot.
By early afternoon, the rainy spell was over, and the clouds let through a few rays of sunshine. That was all we needed to feel like exploring the city again—we hadn’t seen much of it yet. Our clothes and umbrellas had time to dry, perfect.
With a hiking route we found on Wikiloc, we started by crossing neighborhoods with no charm—buildings, roundabouts, traffic lights... Not great.
Until we reached a footbridge crossing the fjord, leading us to a completely rehabilitated old industrial district.
Hi Catherine, I always enjoy following you 😎—your photos are absolutely stunning and perfectly illustrate your story. What a treat!
The forecasted bad weather reminded me of my cruise in Norway twelve or thirteen years ago.
The captain had also warned us about a storm, so to avoid it, we changed our itinerary to explore an unplanned fjord where we took a new excursion: "The Elves' Road." This replaced our scheduled stop in Bergen the day after next...
I was relieved by the change, as you know I’m prone to seasickness.
That evening, I was at the restaurant when the ship left the fjord and reached the open sea...
And then: disaster. I didn’t have my "Mer Calme" pills on me. I was sick all evening and night, throwing up the pills I took too late back in the cabin...
Still a painful memory!
Since then, I always keep them in all my bags, and before every departure, I check the marine weather because you can never be too careful!
Thanks Catherine, I’m so happy to hear from you.
When the captain announced the storm, you were the first person I thought of, relieved you weren’t there and that you’d be better off in the Mediterranean. It’s ideal when the captain can change the itinerary, but we were already set for two days of sailing across the North Sea to reach Edinburgh. It was hard to do anything else.
Seasickness is a real nightmare when you suffer from it. It’s only happened to me twice, and not too badly, but that’s enough to understand how awful it is.
Hi Alfred,
For me too, it's frustrating not being able to continue—it cuts the momentum.
It won’t be unpleasant on the beach with a cocktail 😉 and it’ll be refreshing. 😏
Have a great vacation, enjoy! !
The Emerald Princess is listing noticeably from the wind while docked.
Two hours later, with the help of a tugboat, we set off for two days at sea before our next stop in Edinburgh.
Once again, the captain addresses the passengers directly. We’ll face strong winds during the 6-hour navigation through the fjords, lasting until around midnight. Things will get trickier after that when we reach the North Sea. The winds are expected to ease up tomorrow afternoon. That’s the plan.
Little bags start appearing at the bottom of the staircases.
Meanwhile, sailing through the fjords during dinner (even if the ship lists a bit) is still stunning, despite the mist, and we’re making the most of it.
Tonight’s buffet specialty is Shrimp Fra Diavolo (pasta and prawns).
It seems lessons were learned from the paella night—plates are now being filled by a server. Once again, this specialty dish is really good.
As we move toward the exit of the fjord, the wind picks up, waves grow choppier, clouds gather, and the sky darkens.
Phew, it's working again—I was worried I'd miss out on the storm 😕
Whoa, it's rocking even at the dock!
This city is pretty when it's not raining 😎
Thanks, Catherine, for sharing all these great (and not-so-great) moments 🙂
The storm did arrive as predicted, but I still don’t get why they warn passengers 24 hours in advance? 😕
I really loved Trondheim—along with Molde, those were the two most welcoming and pleasant cities to explore, when it’s not pouring rain. 😉
See you later for the rest, if the system cooperates…
"Welcome to the dance floor!" That’s how the maître d’ greets me at breakfast. And he’s spot-on! The floor is literally dancing under our feet, which I don’t mind at all—quite the opposite.
The night wasn’t too rough; we didn’t fall out of bed, just gently rocked.
This morning, the sky is overcast, and the sea is gray with some nice swells, but nothing alarming or out of the ordinary. Every now and then, the ship shudders as if shaking itself off. Based on my experience, it’s far from the storm that was forecast.
What’s worrying us is our bill—those wrongly charged drink packages are still showing up. We complain again at reception, but they ask for two more days of patience. We’re not laughing anymore because disembarkation day is approaching, and after that, it’ll be too late.
After pushing back and hitting a wall of stubbornness, we hand them an exact list of our drinks with dates and plan to go back this afternoon.
Two hours later, after an info session in the theater about our next stop in South Queensferry (Edinburgh), we’re pleasantly surprised to find an updated bill in our cabin—without the packages! Phew!
But was it a gift? Or just a system glitch that couldn’t be reversed? The drinks we listed aren’t on the bill either.
The wind’s still blowing hard. It’s funny how a listing ship can put a smile on passengers’ faces and lift the mood on board.
The wind eases in the mid-afternoon, but the sea stays choppy. The clouds break, revealing patches of blue sky. We’re almost out of this rough patch, but it’s still too cold to sit outside. The hours stretch out slowly and eventually pass.
A lovely moment at the Irish Café, listening to music and singing over an apéritif. For years, we’ve known this bar as empty, sad, and freezing—no one ever went there. On this cruise, with live music, it’s packed. Sometimes, all it takes is the right touch.
System failures aren’t easy to deal with...
What I loved about my two Princess cruises was the entertainment, especially the "British Isles" theme with a stop in Liverpool: two days of Beatles shows in the theater and atrium with an incredibly similar tribute band 🤵, plus Scottish and Irish groups matching the ports of call 👍
We also really enjoyed the Beatles-themed activities during our cruise around the British Isles in 2014—they were great. On this cruise, though, it was the atmosphere and music of the Irish Café that won us over.
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for the update, and I’m glad to hear things worked out with the unfairly charged package.
The storm was a bit more “cool” than expected—good for everyone!
Have a great day, and looking forward to your other photos and comments. Guylène
Thanks Guylène! Actually, the storm wasn’t too bad—or maybe our captain was a total champ who knew how to ride those waves just right to spare us any hassle. 😏 😉
I just tried again, and it’s still impossible to upload an image today... Maybe tomorrow?
Bright sunshine, calm sea, and mild temperatures this morning made this second day at sea very different from yesterday. Time for the deck chairs and sunbathing!
That is, until that pretty cloud with its unusual shape warned us of the arrival of many more… much less pleasant ones, and the bad weather that was about to set in.
This was a test, and since it worked, I’ll post the rest this afternoon if all goes well...
During this stop, the ship docks at South Queensferry, about fifteen kilometers from Edinburgh. Disembarkation is done by launches and tourist boats—just like the other times, it’s perfectly orchestrated and very quick.
The bridge that allows the train to pass is stunning, but I find (with no chauvinism at all) that Monsieur Eiffel’s structures from the same era are lighter, more airy, and graceful.
A musical welcome during stops is becoming increasingly rare, so it’s all the more enjoyable when it happens.
I had planned to take a bus from the Slip Road stop to Edinburgh, but everything was already arranged—a double-decker bus was waiting for passengers right on the quay, just in front of the launch disembarkation point, for £25 round-trip.
We were dropped off on George Street, right in the city center, just steps away from the historic town. But that’s not what I had planned to see first. We’ve already been to Edinburgh a few years ago.
The neighborhood I’m interested in is Dean Village, an old and picturesque area just a short walk from the city center. We’re not far from it.
The history of Dean Village dates back to the 12th century, when it was mainly inhabited by millers. The village took advantage of the powerful currents of the Water of Leith river to operate its mills and grind grain to feed the growing population of Edinburgh, which at the time was limited to the Old Town.
Over the centuries, the mills kept turning, and Dean Village became a neighborhood of Edinburgh. By the 18th century, the village still had numerous factories and eleven mills, but urbanization and industrialization in the 19th century led to their decline and disappearance.
To explore it, we follow the Water of Leith, the small river that runs through Edinburgh and flows into the sea a few kilometers further on. This walk along the river is a true haven of peace in the heart of the city.
The first buildings of the village line both sides of the river rather sternly.
And the village reveals itself with its old buildings set in a charming, peaceful, green, and idyllic setting.
The village was renovated back in the 1970s. What a beautiful environment for the people who live here.
The walk continues along the river under the tall trees, with no one to disturb the serenity of the place at this hour. We don’t take the time to walk the full 4.5 km of the promenade to the sea—we’ll regret it later when we’re in the city crowds.
To reach the historic center of the city, we cross Princes Street Gardens at the foot of the castle. The gardener’s work, perched on a ladder to create this masterpiece, is truly admirable.
We arrive on the main street—the busiest shopping street leading up to the castle—via a staircase and a small passageway.
In front of the cathedral, a sea of people makes it hard to take photos. Entry to St Giles’ Cathedral is free. The stained glass is stunning, and the cathedral is beautifully highlighted by subtle lighting.
It’s magnificent, adorned with gorgeous fresh flower arrangements that have just been put in place.
The Old Town is a bit disappointing—all the activity is concentrated on the shopping street leading to the castle and its souvenir shops. The castle courtyard is cluttered with construction for temporary stands. It’s a bit chaotic, and there are way too many people for our taste, so we make a quick exit.
The city’s musical scene is lively and delightful—we encounter it in many places.
On our way back to the bus, we walk up Rose Street, the pub street in New Town. It comes alive in the evenings and on weekends, but at this hour, it’s deserted.
Two pubs are iconic in this neighborhood.
Open since 1859, the Dirty Dick’s bar is one of the smallest pubs in the city, with just a few tables and a tiny counter. The pub is known for its exuberant decor, made up of a collection of old objects—a real jumble that covers every nook and cranny. It’s even said you can barely see the walls because the decor is so abundant.
The pub gets its name from a real person, an 18th-century English merchant famous for never washing after the tragic death of his fiancée. His shop and warehouse quickly became known for their extreme filth, so much so that letters were addressed to "The Dirty Warehouse".
A local restaurateur later took up his story, decorating the pub with macabre relics (mummified rats, various remains) from his old warehouse, adding to the place’s eerie and unique atmosphere.
The Kenilworth is better known for its heritage value and prestigious interior. It’s one of the few island pubs in Edinburgh. It’s adorned with tiled walls, a monumental advertising mirror, and Art Nouveau stained glass.
Its name is inspired by the literature of Walter Scott. In the 1970s, it was one of the first "central street" bars accessible to the gay community.
But we won’t see any of it since both pubs, like all the establishments on the street, are closed.
We get on the bus and wait for it to fill up so we can leave. Between the ride and the time it takes for the tender to bring us back to the ship, it takes an hour and a half to return on board.
After the meal, we take the water shuttle for a quick visit ashore—we’re the only ones in the boat. I’d planned a hike along the shore, between nature and the sea, but with the gloomy, overcast sky, no sun, and low tide, the conditions aren’t ideal for enjoying a seaside walk.
Instead, we head toward the small village of South Queensferry, close to the dock where the tender drops us off and a place we don’t know yet.
And there, we discover a charming and picturesque little town with pretty colored houses and well-kept little gardens.
The walk is really pleasant—this village is a lovely discovery to end the afternoon.
Tonight, the ship is celebrating Canada Day. Four cocktails in the country’s colors are being offered for the occasion. Like everywhere, it feels like people are deaf with how loud the music is.
Hi Catherine,
Your review reminds me of my layover in Edinburgh on Princess—I also ended up visiting that pretty village.
One of the few days when the weather was rainy and cold, which is normal for this lovely city, unfortunately 😉
Once again, I can't download photos. I've had enough, and I'm wrapping up without the latest ones, which were just illustrations.
Wednesday, July 2nd, at sea
Our last day before disembarking, and the weather isn’t kind to us. We’re sailing through thick fog, and the ship’s horn blares regularly.
Packing our suitcases will keep us busy for part of the afternoon to pass the time. I’d have preferred a sunny day by the pool.
Finally, the sun decides to make an appearance at the very end of the day, just enough for us to catch a glimpse of the English coast on one side of the ship and the French coast on the other. It feels good to be on deck after these chilly, damp days, enjoying the last sunset of our cruise.
Thursday, July 3rd, disembarkation
A few treats are offered in the lounge where we have to wait to be called for disembarkation, in case we’re still hungry after breakfast.
Once again, the disembarkation is perfectly orchestrated—smooth and quick. We just walk through the lounge where we’re gathered.
But Princess has a little surprise for us... We’re not at Berth 46, the company’s usual dock where we boarded. We’re over 5 km away, well past the IKEA store for those who know the area. 😏
We wanted to see fjords and Norwegian landscapes, and we were spoiled beyond our expectations. We had plenty of scenic cruising in the fjords, which we fully enjoyed and greatly appreciated. The itinerary was superb, very well balanced between days at sea and numerous stops.
Nature is truly the best and most beautiful thing in this country—the landscapes are stunning. I wanted to take this cruise at the start of the season when rivers, waterfalls, and runoff are abundant, and it was the right choice. This abundance of water everywhere enriches and magnifies the scenery.
During excursions or transfers, replacing guides with audio recordings makes the trip boring—it strips the experience of all its depth and humanity. Treating travelers as a product to exploit and herding them like cattle shows deep disdain.
The welcome, in general, seemed quite cold to me. Most of the Norwegians we crossed paths with or met (if not almost all) didn’t strike me as very cheerful or welcoming. Only some of those who work in tourism make an effort to be friendly, and even then, not all of them. Hikers are rarely pleasant, and politeness seems absent from their way of life.
This cruise is an excellent way to see a beautiful and large part of southern to northern Norway on a reasonable budget. It cost us 2400 € per person for 16 nights in a balcony cabin after discounts from Croisiland. A land trip would have been much more expensive in this country, where everything is very pricey and the quality of welcome is minimal.
This cruise also allowed us to make the most of the beautiful fjord cruising. You’d need to budget between 100 and 200 € per person for a short cruise on a tourist boat in the fjords. Nothing compares to our organized aperitifs on our terrace while the landscape passed before our eyes.
If I ever return to this country, it will be in winter to see the landscapes covered in ice, but as you’ve gathered, it won’t be for the quality of the welcome.
About the cruise, the ship, and the company
Access to the restaurants in the evening is too long and tedious—there’s far too much waiting to get a table, too much waiting to be served, and the waiters are so overwhelmed and stressed that you feel like you’re bothering them despite their kindness. We’ve encountered this issue with Princess for years, and clearly, the company hasn’t managed to resolve it.
The staff is much less warm than at Celebrity or Oceania. But everyone is efficient and does their job very well. Tables are cleared and cleaned quickly.
The musicians—violins and double bass—that I loved so much have been replaced by a saxophonist and a pop singer, which I found much less appealing. But that’s a matter of taste.
In the evenings, a few musicians and a leather-clad singer provide loud rock music in the atrium. Far from the violin and double bass concerts that Princess used to favor just a few years ago. So many young artists have talent and know how to reinvent music for these instruments—it’s a shame. Fortunately, there was Celtic music at the Irish Cafe.
At Princess, cruising has become much more accessible. Many, many passengers are Chinese from American Chinatowns, and they have an unfortunate tendency to behave like buffet looters (smoked salmon, mango, candied ginger disappear very quickly). The company isn’t responsible for this and has no choice but to put up with it.
The languages on board are English, Chinese, and Spanish. No one at the reception spoke French on this ship. We met only one Mauritian waitress in a bar. She confirmed that there were only two people who spoke French on the entire boat. She was happy to chat a bit with the few French-speaking passengers.
Drinks are very expensive—a beer costs $9, a glass of Champagne $20. Wines range from $14 to $18 per glass. Cocktails go from $11 to $28, and they’re very sweet. A specialty restaurant costs $55 per person, but it can go up to $145 for certain occasions. All these prices are before tax.
The payment method on board is the Medallion, like the sea card used to be. At the start of the cruise, it allows the waiter with a connected tablet to recognize people placing orders by their photo. Later, you just need to give your cabin number to pay for your drinks.
A $12 cocktail I had appears on the bill as $16.50. Is that 37% in unannounced fees? Or did the waiter charge for another cocktail? There’s no way to know or verify with this system, which validates payments without a signature or receipt.
Another error slipped onto our bill after the wrongly charged packages were removed—a drink at the bar at 9 AM... That wasn’t us. We didn’t say anything since they offered us our drinks from the start of the cruise.
Errors are far too easy and frequent—three times just for us. The French people we met also had the issue of packages wrongly charged (problem resolved for them too). This payment system really isn’t reliable; you have to be very vigilant.
But the Medallion has many advantages beyond the payment system. When approaching the cabin, it recognizes us and unlocks the door—that’s really nice.
At disembarkation and embarkation at each stop, it makes the process quick and easy.
The organization for disembarking in tenders is very well done. I’ve never seen it handled so well on any other ship—no lines, no jostling, a disembarkation as smooth as docking at the pier. Fantastic.
The World Fresh Market’s opening hours are very broad, from 6 AM to 10 PM. On port days, lunch is often available until 5 PM.
Part of the café is privatized in the evening for paid meals.
The buffet is organized in islands like at Celebrity, which makes circulation easier and avoids crowding. Since the opening hours are very broad, we rarely saw too many people at once.
The buffet is as well-stocked at the start as at the end of service. Missing dishes are replaced before they’re completely empty—the organization is excellent.
What enchanted me the most during this cruise was the quality of the meals. A cuisine very different from what you usually find on most ships. We ate much better than on our last Oceania cruise in September 2023.
It’s fresh, healthy, and natural cuisine, without artificial flavors or preservatives—just know-how with fresh products and vegetables, prepared and cooked on site. The recipes are original and varied. Every day, new dishes appear with different flavors, vegetable dishes that are actually cooked (not just steamed, as is often the case), improbable salads, and regional cuisine from all over the world. Seafood dishes are always available, and without sulfites!!! (when in France, they make us believe it’s impossible).
The buffet was incredibly rich and diverse, and everything I tasted (a lot of things) was always very good.
The bread and pastries, however, weren’t the best quality.
The pizzas and ice cream by the pool were very, very good.
And the desserts... Though it’s not my weakness, I almost always took two, and only a few times... three . They were irresistible and delicious—light, melting, crispy... everything... and not too sweet.
Every meal was a delight. And would you guess? Our chef was English—so much for clichés!
On the last day of the cruise, we received information about dining on board. It confirmed everything I thought and wrote above. The products are fresh and cooked on board by 250 people who work to prepare the meals, and just as many others ensure the service.
We were surprised not to have "gratuities" or service fees (depending on the company) charged at the end of the cruise.
I didn’t expect much from this cruise beyond the Norwegian landscapes I wanted to discover. It turned out to be much better than I initially imagined. Not everything was perfect, but is it ever? The few hiccups we encountered were resolved, so I’m completely satisfied with this cruise, both for the itinerary and the ship, with a very good quality-to-price ratio. It was a nice surprise.
A big thank you to everyone who participated and left a little note.
Hi Catherine,
Your review reminded me of my stop in Edinburgh on Princess—I also ended up visiting that pretty village.
One of the few days when the weather was rainy and cold, which is normal for this beautiful city, unfortunately 😉
Hi Catherine,
One of the great things about reviews is how they bring back all those good memories—mission accomplished. 😉
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…
Nous ferons la prochaine croisière CFC en Norvège et nous sommes à la recherche du programme des excursions ainsi que leur tarif.
Pour ceux qui auraient effectué cette croisière par le passé pourriez vous me communiquer ces renseignements ?
Je sais que la compagnie ne communique pas sur le sujet sinon 8 semaines avant le départ. J'aime m'organiser à l'avance et éviter les mauvaises surprises .
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
Back on the boat around 5 PM, the weather has once again delayed the rain—now until 3 AM. Perfect for us! We have time to enjoy a little reading on a lounge chair, half in the sun as it keeps playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.
By early afternoon, the rainy spell was over, and the clouds let through a few rays of sunshine. That was all we needed to feel like exploring the city again—we hadn’t seen much of it yet. Our clothes and umbrellas had time to dry, perfect.
This was a test, and since it worked, I’ll post the rest this afternoon if all goes well...
And there, we discover a charming and picturesque little town with pretty colored houses and well-kept little gardens.
Kattegat Tour and Norway’s Majestic Fjords – 32 Days (Denmark, Sweden, Norway)
What about crossing the Lofoten Islands on foot?
D'Oslo à Hambourg, un vélo au pays du véloFR
Norway: Nomadic holidays between fjords and northern islands
Petit guide pour observer les aurores boréalesFR
À la recherche des aurores boréalesFR
A Scandinavian Tour - Summer 2025
Aurores boréales en NorvègeFR
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!
