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Embarquation in Copenhagen at Sundkaj. We came by train via Hamburg and took a taxi from the Osterport train station. I was very excited and so impressed by the sheer archaic dimension of this Arche Noah (90'000). But I know, that there are even bigger vessels. The procedure was very well organised in a tent on the quay. It took us appr. 40 min. (with having pre-checked via MSC homepage weeks before). So we left the ship again for a quick shopping tour in Copenhagen before sailing off to Kiel in Germany. Routing: Copenhagen-Kiel-Oslo-Stavanger-Fjord of Flam-Fjord of Geiranger-Copenhagen.
Cabin: Very modern, spotless. This was the best category just before the suites. It is quite long, so the sofa between bed an balcony door could be used to sleep 2 more (env. 1.4 metres large). Interactive TV with accurate information about daily program, land excursions, special deals etc. and booking tool.
Restaurants: We changed our seating as we were only 2 in the party, so wie tried the Villa Borghese and the Ibiscus. Traditional 2 seatings. Quite noisy and stressy,
Fellow passengers: Big groups with kids and grandmas from Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, then couples from Germany, France etc.. A very nice European mix.
Entertainment: Every evening 2 representations in the big theater. We actually attended only one which was very glamorous. But there was a terrible soprano, almost a parody. But we spend most evenings after late dinner in a bar or even with a stroll on deck.
Sports: Good jogging possibilities on deck an also in the promenade deck below, which is not continuous but covered. It was a big pleasure for me with the nice cool northern sea temperatures in the morning. Gym is located in front with a superb view adjacent to the spa.
Spa: Very chique, expensive, we took a special which is usually announced on the interactive TV in you cabin. Count $100.- for a half your treatment.
Land excursions: We took only one: The mountain tour in Geiranger. Compared to individual tours always too expensive (2 to 3 times more). And getting off the ship is normally easier without being attributed to a group and kept in the herd in the theater before getting out to the gangway.
Conclusion: Ideal for a real European Experience which starts and prevails on board as well.
Geiranger: This is the village at the end of the fjord with the same name. The cruise through this fjord was the most spectacular part of our trip. We reached Geiranger-Village by tender. We had to wait about 1 h for our turn. Once on land you could get easily back and forth, because there were many tender boats in use. Geiranger is also absolutely touristy, but already bigger and not only for cruise tourist. There are some hotels and other accommodation facilities and comparing to Flam you see also people other than fellow passengers. We took the tour to Dalsnibba mountain. The coach stopped on the way above the village of Geiranger where you have the most famous view of the fjord, the village, the mountains and your beautiful cruise ship. The higher you get, the colder it becomes. We are in Norway, close to the Nordic circle. So teak a jumper and an anorak with you.
Stavanger: This is a town with two faces: Old Stavanger with the white wooden houses (MSC Orchestra moored just in front) and the more modern city with shops, modern housing etc.. Visited the Petrol Museum, very interactive, very interesting. I learned a lot about Oil industry and Norway
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