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.
Hi there, By sheer chance, a family housewarming in Brussels gave us the opportunity to depart from Zeebrugge for our first experience with CFC, allowing us to…
Hello everyone!
Just a little backstory—my username comes from the year I took my first cruise.
Sixteen years and nine cruises later, I’m currently on my 10th, this time in the Yacht Club interior.
I’m taking you along with me!
Left Marseille on Wednesday, October 21st.
After train troubles (issues on the Paris-Marseille line), then getting lost at La Joliette—years ago, I’d taken the metro and the port bus, thinking I had to go left once near the port, but no, the little gate is on the right after the shopping center.
Wait, she took the metro and bus to the Yacht Club?
Yep! After waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle, once the bus dropped us off, it was a 15-20 minute walk to the ship.
Finally, we made it to the boarding dock.
Headed toward the little Yacht Club flag, where a nice young woman checked our IDs and gave us luggage tags.
She walked us through security (we got to skip the line).
After that, we went to the Yacht Club lounge, where two butlers were waiting. They offered us drinks, and a third person arrived to check passports and handle registration. Then, they gave us a form to pick a complimentary bottle—I didn’t do it right away.
I felt a little rushed by everyone.
I’ll explain more later in my story.
Today, we’re in Barcelona.
A few photos to come in the meantime.
Hi everyone, I’m going on a cruise at the end of January with MSC and I’m looking into the excursions I could do. I’d like to know if I can do the excursions on my own or if I absolutely have to go through MSC based on safety levels.
We’ll be stopping in Montego Bay in Jamaica, Cartagena in Colombia, Puerto Limón in Costa Rica, Belize City, and Colón in Panama.
Thanks!
Emeline
Has anyone here tried GigSky’s “Cruise + Land” eSIM during your cruise?
I’ve seen on various forums that they offer some great deals. For my part, I found a one-month plan (5 GB) for 78 €, whereas MSC charges 290 € on board.
Since we can’t afford to go completely offline (especially my wife—we need to stay in touch for several reasons), we absolutely need an internet plan.
Hi there,
I’m looking into a Mediterranean cruise on the Splendida in YC.
I’d love to know if it’s a ship with a lot of triple and quadruple cabins in the Yacht Club.
The thing is, I’m planning to depart from Malta, and either the cruise ends during the French school holidays in October with a departure from Marseille—which means there’s a risk of lots of kids on board—or the other option is a departure on October 30th, which might also have some French kids during the first part of the cruise.
I read that some ships in the Fantasia class have more triple or quadruple cabins than others, but I’m not sure if the Splendida is one of them.
If anyone has that info…
PS: This isn’t about starting a debate on traveling with or without kids… I’d just like a quiet week, and that’s not always easy in a small space with lots of children around.
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027.
Has anyone already done this trip?
I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long?
There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion.
Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it?
It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey.
Best regards.
Hello, I’ll be on the Costa Serena from April 27 to May 4, 2027. Given that the excursions offered by Costa can sometimes be pricey, what would you recommend for the following stopovers?
Cagliari.
Tunis.
Palermo.
Marseille.
Thanks for keeping in mind that we’re in our sixties and one member of our small group can’t handle very long walks (so no more than 6 km in a day).
Thank you for your help.
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
Hi, I’m about to go on a cruise on the Costa Smeralda but I’ve never been on a cruise before. Could anyone share the à-la-carte drink menu? I’d like to know if the prices are excessive, since the MyDrinks drink packages, for example, cost 266 € per adult.
Have a great day! 😉
We're leaving on August 25th for a Danube cruise from Vienna to Bucharest. The travel agency refuses to postpone this cruise despite navigation changes due to the exceptional drought, which include bus transfers that don’t interest us.
Have you had any experiences with this that you’d like to share?
Just back from our first cruise on the Renaissance, and I’d like to share a few thoughts about life on board. Our feelings are mixed—we wanted a change after several MSC cruises, but the value for money on this repositioning cruise left us torn.
After taking advantage of successive promotions, we finally secured a well-located balcony cabin for 2600 € (almost 50% off the brochure rate). Given the amenities and the ship’s age, this now feels like the absolute maximum we’d pay for that period.
Overall, we were happy with our vacation on board, but a few details—when added up—left us with a somewhat mixed impression.
The pros:
- Ship size
- Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area)
- Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets
- Understated, tasteful decor
- French language spoken on board
- Friendly staff for the most part
- 100% French-speaking clientele
- Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef)
- Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible)
- Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe
- Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons:
- Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times)
- Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...)
- Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image)
- Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables
- Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
Hi everyone,
I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise in November and I’m looking for some "tips" to visit the cities of Naples, Messina, and Valletta in Malta without booking the ship’s excursions, which are really expensive.
Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions. We’re a group of 6 people.
Looking forward to hearing from you...
Best,
M
PS: We’re also stopping in Genoa and Barcelona—even though we know these two cities, we’d still love any tips for visiting them!
Thanks
Hello everyone,
We’re a senior couple signed up for a 13-day cruise in Japan on the Princess Sapphire, departing from Yokohama on April 8, 2027.
Are there any other French speakers on this forum who’ll be on this trip?
Hoping for a reply...
Hi, we're heading to Venice soon. We have a hotel in Mestre and we'd like to know which bus can take us from the Mestre hotel to Marghera Port. Thanks.
Hi everyone ...
We’re planning to do the 83-day Cunard cruise ...
departing from Southampton on January 10, 2027 aboard the Queen Anne ...
has anyone done it ... or have any info ... or tips ...
for example ... deck and cabin choices ... drink packages ... excursions ... etc.
... anything good to know about this ship???
Thanks everyone ...
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
Hi,
We’ll be visiting Barcelona for the first time on our upcoming cruise.
I was wondering if it’s better to book a taxi in advance to get from the train station to the cruise terminal, since there’ll be four of us. Are there enough taxis around that we won’t have to wait too long?
For the return trip, same question—are there enough taxis, since we have a flight to catch? Though I doubt we’ll know in advance which terminal we’ll dock at.
I came across this site below—has anyone heard of it?
https://taxibarcelona.taxi/fr/
Hi everyone, we're going on a week-long cruise and I have a question: can we travel by train and on a cruise with small refrigerated injectable syringes?
Do we need to complete any formalities?
And how should we store them?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Hi everyone! I’m used to sailing on a sailboat with two or three people—it’s amazing. But I’d love to try the experience of a cruise. Just to clarify, I’ll be going alone. My first question: are there other solo travelers on these cruises, or is it mostly couples and families?
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille.
The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs.
We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day).
There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us...
The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality.
The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon.
Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child.
In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €.
On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions.
We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot.
Great evening: Mum49
Hi there!
I’m going on a cruise with MSC on the World Europa this coming October.
Stops: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta.
Has anyone visited Mount Etna and Pompeii?
Could you share some tips for each of these stops?
I’d like to explore on my own without booking the ship’s excursions.
Thanks for your advice!
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 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!
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,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.