DFDS Seaways, Princess of Norway, Bergen Review

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2.4 stars
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RLM's Review of DFDS Seaways, Princess of Norway, Bergen Mini Cruise

16th Apr 2007

Overall Rating

2.5 stars
  • Value for money
    4 stars
  • Nights on board
    3
  • Cabin Type
    2 berth outside
  • Food - quality & variety
    3 stars
  • Date of Cruise
    April 2007
  • Itinerary Name
    Bergen Minicruise
  • Group description
    Senior
  • Entertainment on board
    3.5 stars
Good Points

Good value for the price paid, £173 including an upgrade to a cabin with a sea view.
Almost no engine noise in the cabin.
Comfortable seat in the cabin.
The Scandinavian crew on the Princess of Norway were almost all extremely helpful, cheerful and polite.
Bergen is a pleasant small town but half a day is ample. We enjoyed the funicular, which gives good views of the area.


Bad Points

Long queues at Newcastle to get in the car park (£24 for 3 days) then queued to check in and again for passport control. No information given, public address system was almost inaudible. No point in arriving early, as check in only starts at 4.30pm.
Arrived in Bergen at 11pm. All passengers had to queue to leave the ship for customs clearance then queue to have boarding cards checked before getting back on, it was after midnight before we got to bed.
A 2 berth cabin was found to have bunk beds; the ladder was too short and there was no grab handle, which made it very difficult to climb up and even harder to get down.
Cleaners started work at 3am, slamming fire doors and using a vacuum cleaner. This was reported to customer services, who stopped it happening again.
Buffet breakfast at 9.30 am had no bacon, boiled eggs, tomatoes, croissants etc. Again the staff were helpful and gave us a refund.
The ship was due to leave Bergen at 5pm but boarding wouldn't start until 4pm. Another long queue to get back on board.
There are ample seats in the ship as long as you are happy to sit in a smoky bar or in a restaurant. There are a number of chairs by the outdoor Sky Bar, which didn't open until after Midday when the rap music started. There are virtually no quiet areas to sit and relax on this ship.
We arrived at Newcastle an hour late and waited until the ship was tied up before leaving our cabin but still had to join a solid mass of people and luggage queuing for over half an hour in corridors and on staircases.


General Comments

One reason we took this trip with DFDS Seaways was because of the nightmare of queues at airports. This was almost as bad. The consideration given to the needs of the passengers when boarding and leaving would be more appropriate in a troop ship.

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