Quick Version: Fabulous time and a wonderful experience.
Longer version:
Transportation: I flew American Airlines from Seattle to London Heathrow RT. I used FF miles for the coach tickets and then paid a fee to have seats in comfort + which allow for extra legroom. On the way over, there was an empty seat next to me and I felt quite happy with the seating. On the way back, I received a complimentary upgrade to premium economy and the timing could not have been better. We had a three hour maintenance delay while aboard the aircraft, and when 9 hours changed to 12 hours having that nice seat and room was such a blessing! In the UK I used National Express to get to/from Southampton from Heathrow and it was convenient and inexpensive. There was a short cab ride between the ship and the bus station (about 9-10 pounds) and there were plenty of cabs. I used the tube to go to Kew Gardens on my extra afternoon at Heathrow.
Lodging: I stayed at the Soffitel at Terminal 5 upon arrival as a bit of a splurge. It was nice and they gave me a complimentary breakfast which is the only way I would ever eat breakfast at this hotel (25 pounds otherwise). The night before my departure I decided to try a new Heathrow hotel to expand my options and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Terminal 4. The room was clean and the staff helpful. Most people might characterize the room as a little small and basic, but I had just spent two weeks in a cruise cabin so it seemed pretty big to me. I actually flew in and out of terminal 3, but I find going between terminals on the tube just isn't that hard. I'd rather do that and have a hotel I can walk to from within the terminal, than insist on being near a specific terminal.
Cruise Ship: I was with Princess Cruises on the Island Princess. The ship embarked and disembarked in Southampton. The ship was sold out with 2200 passengers and about 800 staff. The demographic mix (according to cruise director) was around 1000 from the UK, 500 from US and Canada, around 250 Aussies, and the remainder from various locations. There were few families on board, but I think that this reflects that the ship doesn't have climbing walls, go-carts, waterslides, etc. It is just your basic, somewhat old fashioned cruise ship. That type of ship suited me fine. I had a balcony cabin on the starboard side and I really enjoyed having that floor to ceiling view and the ability to step out onto the balcony.
Ports: We went to Haugesund, Andalsnes, Trondheim, the Lofoten Islands, Tromso, and Honningsvag (for the North Cape) in Norway and then had a stop at Newcastle in the UK on the way back to Southampton. I enjoyed all the ports. I went on a few shore excursions that were a bit rushed, had some fabulous shore excursions, and did some independent port explorations as well. People have asked if I felt we had enough fjord time. What is enough fjord time? We did spend some time in fjords, especially traveling in and out of ports. This cruise was intended to be Coastal intensive with a special emphasis on the Arctic Circle areas. The scenery was absolutely stunning everywhere that we went and the weather equally fabulous. The captain announced at the end of the cruise that he couldn't remember a 2 week cruise to Norway with such spectacular weather throughout.
Haugesund- I went on ship sponsored shore excursion "Walk to Ryvarden Lighthouse." I enjoyed getting out and walking in the countryside.
Andalsnes- I took the gondola up the mountain and enjoyed some hikes and scenery from the heights. Lots of fjord time and views here.
Trondheim- I had one of the disappointing shore excursions here "Open Air Folk Museum and Nidaros Cathedral." When I was told I would have 15 minutes on my own to explore the museum I was very disappointed. Afterwards, I did enjoy exploring the the downtown area and participating in St. Olav days activies.
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