Norway

[ardcarp]

but have opted for the cruise ship option.

Well done Alpie. And if you indulge in a smorgasbord on board, be sure to try some Sild, gorgeous pickled herring with a pinkish colour that you can only get to perfection in Norway. If you have the chance to try some Aquavit...the genuine stuff that's crossed the equator in a barrel before being mis en bouteille....take a deep breath first.

[Edgy 2]

Thank you for all the interesting comments. I’m more than ever aware of just how expensive Norway is. I’ve looked at several options, but have opted for the cruise ship option. Not too many unpredictable bills, and there can be no better way to see fjords than by sailing through them.

Done this,highly recommended.

[ardcarp]

An update on Norway. I've just spoken with my sister who has lived in Norway for all her adult life. The country is in a much more serious state of 'lock-down' than we are here. All schools and colleges are closed. People living away will have to stay where they are and can't go home. Travellers from abroad will all be quarantined. It seems strange that a country with a much smaller population should be taking more drastic measures than us. I asked why this should be so. Apparently although Norway has a small population, the towns in the south of the country (Oslo, Bergen particularly) have a density similar to elsewhere in Europe. And city-dwelling Norwegians tend to travel abroad more on business and for holidays than we do. The latest thing is that the southern town-dwellers deciding to 'self isolate' in their cabins in the mountains are being told to go back home as they're not welcome beyond the Jutenheims as no-one wants the virus up there! Whether that's official govennment policy, I'm not quite sure.

[Pulcinella]

By one of those quirks of serendipity (hope that's not sounding flippant in the circumstances) I was just looking for a recording of Stravinsky's Four Norwegian Moods to listen to.
I opted for a Walton compilation instead, but will put the Stravinsky on next after all.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The cruise has been cancelled. I'm disappointed, but Fred Olsen did the right thing in making an early decision.

[Pulcinella]

The cruise has been cancelled. I'm disappointed, but Fred Olsen did the right thing in making an early decision.

Presumably with full refund of deposit etc?

[LMcD]

Presumably with full refund of deposit etc?

Doesn't that depend on what's covered by the travel insurance policy in question?

[Pulcinella]

Doesn't that depend on what's covered by the travel insurance policy in question?

I would hope (for Alpie's sake) that if Olsen cancelled they would refund without question.
Or at least offer alternative dates (sometime in a future when we might all be able to travel again).

[ardcarp]

Sorry to hear the cruise you were so looking forward to isn'y going to happen, Alpie. One of the casualties of war, I'm afraid. Do hope you can do it again soon.

[DracoM]

Friends of mine anxious and biting fingernails trying to book return flights!!! Ahem.................

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I would hope (for Alpie's sake) that if Olsen cancelled they would refund without question.
Or at least offer alternative dates (sometime in a future when we might all be able to travel again).

They’ve been extremely good, offering either a full refund or deferred cruise with a bonus.

[DracoM]

Good news!

[BBMmk2]

Extend your credit cards!

[LMcD]

They’ve been extremely good, offering either a full refund or deferred cruise with a bonus.

Pleased to hear that - let's hope we are treated as well if any of our booked holidays are cancelled!