Norwegian cruise

[excelledyourself]

Does anyone have any experience?

When is the best time to go? Ideally, I'd love to see the Northern Lights.

Looking for ideas of cost (although expect these to be higher than normal) and cruise line recommendations.

And has anyone done this alone?

Thanks

We went on a Norwegian cruise in August 2019. It was a Disney Magic cruise (which was fantastic) but, cruise line aside, it was a beautiful place to visit. The scenery was amazing - so much greenery and water, so peaceful and beautiful. The people were really friendly and it was so nice to visit somewhere so different to where we'd been before.
We visited Alesund, Geiranger, Olden & Stavanger. We did a couple of trips - a rib ride, which gave amazing views up close of the fjords, and in Olden we walked up to the Briksdal Glacier. I'll never forget the thundering waterfalls and the tranquility of the glacier.
It's hard to put in writing what an amazing time we had and I'd like to go back when we can.

We thought it was very expensive to eat and drink there, so try and keep your meals to the free ones on the ship!
No sign of the Northern Lights, but I believe these are seen between Autumn and Spring.
We paid about £4500, but I imagine that was mainly due to the Disney aspect rather than the destination.

We went with Hurtigruten and had an amazing time. We started in Bergan, went up to near the border with Russia and came back down. It has a beautiful trip, so scenic.

I've had a couple of Norwegian cruises. Stunning, stunning scenery. Loved it. But didn't see any northern lights as they're rather incompatible with midnight sun, and I went in the summer. You'd need to go when the nights are longer.

We went in October 2014, I think about 10 days in Norway, of which four days/nights were within the Arctic circle. We saw the lights each of those four nights, but not when we were further south - though everywhere we stopped was lovely.

The line we sailed with went out of business, but I’ve heard good things about Hurtigruten, and plan to go back to Norway with them when we can.

In terms of timing, we were told that around October and March are generally better than the middle of winter, we certainly saw some amazing displays in mid-late October. I also seem to recall being told that there’s a cycle of intensity, 10 years rings a bell, that might be worth googling.

We went about four years ago, it was actually really lovely. Only bother with an outside cabin. Actual Norway is horrendously expensive. No northern lights as we went in August. We surprisingly liked it so much we went on a two week med cruise the year after.

We did the midnight sun in August on the Balmoral. Fantastic.

Asked my husband if we could go for the Northern Lights and he said no way would you ever get him back in the North Atlantic in winter (He was Royal Navy).

So, my plan it to try and see the NL on the ground one day.

I am booked to go on a northen lights cruise in Oct 2022 and am going on my own. I have only paid a small deposit and am still undecided whether or not to go as I am really unsure but I really want to see the northern lights.

I have cruised before so am happy with that but I have never been anywhere alone for 12 nights.

Thinking about doing a Norwegian cruise next year. DH & I definitely have Norway on our list. Doing it by train is something else we're considering.

We are booked to go with P & I in Sept. We are looking at the shore experiences but they are so expensive. Are there any that are a must ? We are looking at the RIB experiences, they are half the price to book directly with the companies. Has anyone booked not directly with P & O. Any advice would be appreciated