Arctic Circle & Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Transcription

1 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Arctic Circle & Norwegian Fjords Cruise A Port Guide for visitors sailing on MS Serenade of the Seas 6 June to 17 June 2015 by Roy Smith

2 Introduction This guide has been created as an aid to visitors cruising on Serenade of the Seas from 6th to 17th June 2015 during the Arctic Circle and Norwegian Fjords Cruise. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of those data provided this cannot be guaranteed. However, the author will be using much of the material contain for their own successful holiday plans. Copenhagen The port of Copenhagen has several terminals but Ocean Quay and Free Port are the two largest and it is the first, Ocean Quay, from which Serenade will sail. The map below is taken from cruiseportwiki.com and is, as far as the author can tell, from reference to Cruise Critic threads and other sources up to date at the time of publication. On the next page is a high level map of Copenhagen showing the port some distance from the city centre. This guide does not include information on taxis, buses, trains or metro travel in the city. this subject is complex and there are numerous websites, forums and other sources from which you can decide how to get around the city. 1

3 OCEAN QUAY LITTLE MERMAID CANAL TRIPS HARD ROCK CAFE RADISSON BLU ROYAL HOTEL CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION

4 3 Ålesund

5 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Ålesund Monday 8 June Arrive at 7am Depart at 4pm Ship in port Serenade of the Seas Cruise Berth Serenade fo the Seas will be docked right in the centre of town. Ålesund Ålesund has a spectacular setting across several islands stretching out into the sea, and is situated at the very entrance of the World Heritage listed Geirangerfjord. Destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1904, the town was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style with a myriad of towers, turrets, dragons, human faces, folkloric and medieval-romantic ornaments. Ålesund was recently voted the most beautiful town in Norway (Dagbladet). The town can offer a wide variety of activities, attractions and excursions and is an excellent starting point for round trips to some of Norway s most spectacular sights like Geirangerfjord, Hjørundfjord, Trollstigen (Trolls Path Road) and Runde Bird Sanctuary. Aksla Viewpoint From Ålesund visit the Town Mountain and viewpoint Aksla. There is a panoramic view of the archipelago, the beautiful town centre, and the Sunnmøre Alps. Walk the 418 steps up from the Town Park, go by car or take the City Train up to Fjellstua. It is also possible to travel by local taxi which charges 650NOK / 70 for a one hour trip to the viewpoint, this includes a 30 minute wait at the top. Charges are fixed so it is also possible to travel one-way for 200NOK and walk down. Ålesund viewed from Aksla Viewpoint 4

6 Honningsvåg Overview Map 5

7 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Honningsvåg Wednesday 10 June Arrive at 11am Depart at 7pm Ship in port Serenade of the Seas Cruise Berth The port is situated in the heart of the town. There are five piers, each of which are within just a few minutes walk of the restaurants, shops and activities; the piers themselves will also be busy with tour operators, guides and taxis. Honningsvag Home to just 2,500 permanent inhabitants, Honningsvåg is primarily a fishing community, characterised by brightly painted wooden buildings, but the summer months draw cruise ships aplenty, and the local population grows by 500 to help cater for these. The town is further from the Norwegian capital of Oslo than it is from the North Pole itself, which lies a little over 2,100km (1304 miles) away. Situated in the far north of Norway. Honningsvåg is the most northerly point in Europe and the gateway to the famous North Cape. It is surrounded by breathtaking fjords and waterfalls, and areas of dense forest, all bathed in the mysterious summertime light of the Midnight Sun. The North Cape's Midnight Sun is rightly famous - the sun never rises in winter, nor sets in midsummer. From Honningsvag, the North Cape is just 34km (21 miles) away. 6

8 7 Trømso

9 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Trømso Thursday 11 June Arrive at 8am Depart at 5pm Breivika Quay Ships in port Serenade of the Seas (KAI25) MSC Splendida (KAI24) Cruise Berth There are two cruise ship terminals. The one that Serenade of the Seas will use is called Breivika Quay number 25 and is about 4km or just over 2½ miles from the city centre. Shuttle buses are usually provided to the downtown area when ships are docked at Breivikaat. Public buses are readily available and the city centre can be accessed directly from outside the cruise terminal. Local bus number 42 stops at Breivika (opposite) and takes you to Sjøgata (main street) S4 close to Tromso Cathedral (Domkirke) where all bus routes terminate (below). Local Bus Tickets Single tickets can be bought directly on the buses at a cost of NOK 50 ($6.25) for adults and NOK 25 for children and seniors. A day ticket, also bought on the bus costs NOK 100 ($12.50) for adults and NOK 50 for children and seniors; it is valid for 24 hours. Tickets can be purchased on board in NOK, credit cards are NOT accepted. Bus times on next page. 8

10 Local Bus Times From: Breivika Cruise Berth To: Sjøgata S4 09:04 à 09:18 09:24 à 09:38 09:44 à 09:58 every 20 mins until 14:24 à 14:38 14:39 à 14:53 14:54 à 15:08 15:09 à 15:23 15:21 à 15:40 15:36 à 15:55 Trømso From: To: Sjogata S3 Breivika Cruise Berth 10:08 à 10:15 every 20 mins until 12:08 à 12:15 12:27 à 12:34 12:50 à 12:57 every 20 mins until 14:10 à 14:17 14:29 à 14:36 14:44 à 14:51 14:59 à 15:06 15:16 à 15:23 15:31 à 15:38 From: To: Sjøgata S4 Fjellheisen for cable car Note: The route indicates changing at Pyramiden - the reason is unknown as it seems to be the same bus. From: To: 09:15 à 09:22 09:35 à 09:42 09:55 à 10:02 every 20 mins until 15:15, by then its too late to get back to the ship! Fjellheisen for cable car Fredrik Langes Gate F2 14:02 à 14:20 14:22 à 14:40 14:42 à 15:00 Fjellheisen Cable Car The cable car operates from 10am and every half hour; the ride lasts four minutes; the cost is NOK 150 ($19). Arctic Cathedral The Arctic Cathedral is accessible by walking (1km) or by bus 26 as well as other local busses. 9

11 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Trømso Located 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the capital of the Arctic, surrounded by beautiful fjords and mountains. Tromsø has a population of about 70,000, covers an area of 2,516 square kilometres and is home to the world s northernmost university, botanical garden and cathedral. Human settlement in Tromsø dates back more than 10,000 years, whilst the local Sami culture is at least 2,000 years old. Tromsø was founded in In the 1850s, Tromsø became the centre for trapping in the Arctic region. In the early 1900s, it was the starting point for expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, hence its nickname - Gateway to the Arctic. THE CABLE CAR One option for visitors is to take the Cable Car (Fjellheisen) up Mount Storsteinen. This can be found at Sollivegen 12 on bus route 26. Climbing Mount Storsteinen the cable car offers fantastic views from 421metres above sea level. Admission is 150Kr. The map of the bus route leaving from Sjøgata S1 to Fjellheisen and return to Fredrik Langes gate F2 is shown below with a timetable on the opposite page. 2. Polaria 4. Macks Brewery F2 S1 13. Polarmuseum Arctic Cathedral Arctic Cathedral Fjellheisen Cable Car Also accessible on local bus 26 is Tromsdalen Church, also known as Ishavskatedralen (The Arctic Cathedral) was dedicated on November 19, Architect Jan Inge Hovig succeeded in creating a masterpiece. The cathedral is a landmark visible from the Tromsø Sound, the Tromsø Bridge and when landing in Tromsø by aircraft. The 11 aluminium-coated concrete panels on each side of the roof provide the cathedral s form. The main entrance on the western side is surrounded by a large glass façade with a pronounced cross. The fantastic glass mosaic on the eastern side was added in Entrance to the Cathedral is NOK 40 ($5). Bus stops at Tromsdalen Kirke 10

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13 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Geiranger Saturday 13 June Arrive at 11am Depart at 7pm Linked to Sea Walk Ships In port Costa Pacifica (11am to 6pm tendering) Cruise Berth Serenade of the Seas will be taking advantage of the recently installed, Sea Walk (below) which will float across the harbour from the pier to link with the ship. Geirangerfjord Geirangerfjord - rated as the best cared for UNESCO World Heritage Site by National Geographic Traveler. Quote: To float into the Geirangerfjord is an astonishingly complete natural experience - steep, lush and rocky canyon walls, endless waterfalls, a snow-capped backdrop and inconceivably deep, emerald green water. There are a wealth of farms, now largely abandoned (Skagefla, Knivsfla and Blomberg) along Geirangerfjord's banks, one of which is only accessed by climbing a flimsy rope ladder which spans hundreds of meters from the water, along the cliff face, to the farm plateau. Hop On Hop Off Bus For those visitors wishing to make their own way a hop on hop off bus is available just left of the souvenir shop (red wooden house right on the harbour) and above the big troll. There are various trips available. 12

14 OLDEN Guesthouse Sightseeing Helicopter Flights Souvenir Shop 11. Leisure Wear Shop 8. Grocery Shop 7. Souvenvir Shop 1. Tourist Information 13. Cafe Factory Outlet Shop 3. Singerheimen, art and artifacts 13

15 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Olden Sunday 14 June Arrive at 8am Depart at 6pm Ship in port Serenade of the Seas Cruise Berth The cruise ship will dock about 700m from the centre of Olden where there are several factory outlets, shops, cafés, the bank (with ATM) and a post-office. There are shops near the berth; tour guides selling various products and also a tourist information centre. Olden Village & Valley The southernmost of the three short branches at the inner end of Nordfjord terminates at Olden from which a lovely valley, Oldedalen, strikes due south for some 20 kilometres between slopes rising sharply to more than 1700 metres to the edge of the Jostedalsbre. The turbulent river which feeds the Olden and Floen Lakes and forms magnificent falls two kilometres from the village, comes from the glacier tongues of the Jostdalsbre, lining the head of the valley around the pointed Middagsnibba (1440). Olden has two churches. The one in the village was built in 1759 on the site of a stave church dating from around Its pew doors and jambs are made from timbers of the stave church. The new church, a short distance along the valley, was built in 1934 so that the old church could be preserved. Just east of the old church is Singerheimen, former home of William Singer, an American millionaire, artist and local benefactor. Many of his paintings are of the Olden district and delicately reflect the atmosphere and the seasonal mood. The fertile soil supports many fine old farms in the lower and upper valleys and high above the farms are several tiny summer pastures. 14

16 Aida Cara Bryggen Funicular Railway Fish Market Blue Bus for Mount Ulriken BERGEN Serenade of the Seas 15

17 ARCTIC CIRCLE & NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISE 2015 Bergen Monday 15 June Arrive at 8am Depart at 6pm Berthed at Dokkeskjaekaien Ships in port Serenade of the Seas Also in Bergen, at Bontelabo Aida Cara Cruise Berth Bergen has several cruise terminals, those with which most visitors are familiar are Bontelabo (close to the city centre) and Dokkeskjaekaien, where Serenade will dock on this occasion. Dokkeskjaekaien is within walking distance of the main tourist areas - the walk from the berth top the Fish Market in the centre of Bergen is about 1.6km or 1mile. There will be taxis on hand and information the City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off bus website says that on days cruise shops are in Dokkeskjaekaien, the bus stops outside the cruise terminal. FLOIBANEN FUNICULAR: If the line between lake and Fish Market were the base of an isosceles triangle, at the apex of the triangle would be the station for the Floibanen Funicular which climbs over a thousand feet to the peak of Mt. Floyen. At the summit, visitors are afforded magnificent views of Bergen, as well as of the other six mountains that frame the city, and of the fjords beyond. There are also a gift shop, restaurant and several miles of well-marked hiking trails - cost is 70 NOK/ Mount Ulriken The Ulriken643 Panoramic Tour takes you by cable car to the highest of Bergen s famous Seven Mountains. The tour takes you to spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets. From the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of Bergen and the surrounding area - the sea, the islands, fjords and mountains. Beside the viewing platform, sky:skraperen restaurant serves fish in the mountains and other local specialities. You can enjoy a refreshment up on a mountainside, shopping among the clouds, enjoying exciting activities or mountain walks high above Western Norway s beautiful capital city. Tours start 30 metres from the Fish Market. Ulriken643 Panoramic Tour is a spectacular mountain tour by doubledecker bus (The Blue Bus) and cable car. The trip takes roughly 2 hours - extra time required if eating in restaurant. Tickets including bus (2015) - Adult return: 255Kr ( 21). 16