Cruise Talk: Aurora's Christmas Cruise to the north

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Topic: Aurora's Christmas Cruise to the north

century
Just Boarded
Member # 6112

posted 12-20-2005 04:37 PM

Hello to you all.

Im here to ask if any one have been or know's someone who has been on the christmas cruise with Aurora under the name "Winter Wonderland Cruise" to the north, the ship departed from southampton on the 6th december. It was going from Southampton to Oslo,from oslo to Copenhagen for 2 days and then from copenhagen to Hamburg and from hamburg to Brugge in belgium and then back to southampton. I will be happy if any one could tell me how the cruise was and how they were welcomming the ship and how it was in every city you were in.

the best regards

nicolai and merry christmas to all and a happy new year

Posts: 5 | From: Denmark | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged

mike01772
First Class Passenger
Member # 3040

posted 12-23-2005 04:05 PM

Hi. We were on the Winter Wonderland cruise on Aurora on 06/12/05.
This was the first time we had been on this ship so the trip was even more special for us as we were told this was the first Winter cruise to these parts by any large cruise liner and everybody where we were visiting was very excited by it.
The ship was very nicely decorated and every port we arrived at welcomed us either with fire tugs (Olso & Hamburg I think) or musical bands and singers. Leaving the ports at night we were treated to more singing and dancing from the locals.
Rotterdam was spent shopping and Oslo treated us to our only sighting of snow when we visited the Ski Jump used in the Winter Olympics, Coppenhagen we took a day excursion around the city visiting Tivoli World and finished on a canal trip. We used the second day there to explore the large shopping area before departing about 5:30pm.
Hamburg was the highlite of the trip with all the Christmas Markets to explore and again lots of shops.As we were spending the evening here we then took a Hamburg by night trip visiting the market & a local Brewery Pub before ending with a City tour.
Brugge was the last stop where we had a city tour again including another canal boat trip and then visited the Ice Palace and last minute shopping before returning to the ship.
We didnt here one person complaining about the cruise and everyone we spoke to said they would be booking it again hopefully when its reapted in 2007..and so will we.

Posts: 37 | From: PRESTON UK | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

century
Just Boarded
Member # 6112

posted 12-24-2005 03:09 PM

Hi mike

Im glad to hear the you have had a nice cruise, and i was happy to have Aurora in copenhagen for 2 day's .

the reson why i ask to all this is that i know the organizer of the whole program that were to happen in copenhagen, and she asked me if i knew any where to find someone to answer her question, and i know that you are the person to do that, is it possible that you can tell me all about what happend at the the moment aurora arrived to Copenhagen to the moment that she left again, and please tell me what was good and what was less good in my city.

merry christmas from

Nicolai

Posts: 5 | From: Denmark | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged

philcheese2001
First Class Passenger
Member # 2426

posted 12-24-2005 04:45 PM

Century'
I too was on board for this cruise though by no means my first on AURORA. The atmosphere in Copenhagen was indeed special, but it is a favourite city of mine. The shops were very busy on both days though less so on the Sunday. It was a sheer joy to watch the skaters enjoying themselves on the city centre ice rink, everyone skating in the same direction and behaving impeccably.

The Christmas lights were also splendid and how nice to see amidst the stalls and boats in the inner harbour, people enjoying their mulled wine whilst seated around wood fired braziers.

On the quayside near AURORA was a large marquee displaying the produce of Greenland. A choir in national costume sang carols. On the Sunday morning I strolled the short distance to the Ameliaborg Palace and managed to catch the very colourful and musical changing of the guard.

Our departure was made special by an excellent childrens band. I counted 42 youngsters all dressed as Santas. As we drew away a final fanfare was the signal for them to light wave lighted sparklers and wish us "Merry Christmas"

Well done Copenhagen!!!

Phil.

Posts: 181 | From: Liverpool,European Capital of Culture 2008 | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

mike01772
First Class Passenger
Member # 3040

posted 12-25-2005 09:27 AM

Century. As I said we had a great time in Coppenhagen and everybody seemed very friendly.
The only dissapointment we had was on the day we took the city tour we were only allowed 1 hour 30 minutes to explore Tivolli World. Due to the large crowds queing to get in we only ended up having just under an hour which was not long enough to savour the experience and ended up running around and I still dont think we saw everything.
The river boat staff were very friendly and kept us supplied with the local refreshments.I'd also like to say our tour guide was excellent telling us local stories.She spoke to us as though we were school children in her class, and later found out she was an ex school teacher. It was a very enjoyable 2 days and we'll certainly be visiting again in the near future.

Posts: 37 | From: PRESTON UK | Registered: May 2002 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-25-2005 11:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mike01772:
The only dissapointment we had was on the day we took the city tour we were only allowed 1 hour 30 minutes to explore Tivolli World.

Next time get a bus or Taxi and do it yourself, then you will have all day.

I actually walked from the port (yes walked) to the Tivolli, a few years ago. I stopoed at a very good Museum on the way. The walk must have taken at least an hour, maybe 1.5 hours! I saw a lot of interesting buildings on the way. However, a bus would have been easier!

[ 12-25-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

century
Just Boarded
Member # 6112

posted 12-25-2005 03:24 PM

Hi everyone

Im glad to hear that copenhagen was as good as i think it is.
I am realy glad for all the reply's i have from you i think it is what she need's to hear as i was told that all the staff were wery nervous if any 1 could like it here in denmark(copenhagen) but it seem's to me that no one was disappointed about the program

quote:
Well done Copenhagen!!! and again i will say it was oure pleasure

the best regards from

Nicolai

Posts: 5 | From: Denmark | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged

philcheese2001
First Class Passenger
Member # 2426

posted 12-26-2005 02:12 PM

Malcolm;
Yes I too walked it to the Tivoli and back TWICE and I know for sure I saw more and learned more than I ever could on a RIP OFF P. & O Tour. I can understand people taking them if they are disabled but for the able bodied, then yes, Malcolm "do it yourself" is much more satisfying.
Phil

Posts: 181 | From: Liverpool,European Capital of Culture 2008 | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 12-26-2005 03:58 PM

In Copenhagen you can also buy a card for the buses etc which includes entrance fees for museums.. we walked to the station and bought one there. Also in summer [not sure about winter] but you can 'borrow' bikes from racks and return them to other racks about the city. It's an easy city to get around, always lovely to visit and tourist friendly. There is so much information on the official tourist websites I don't think specific cruisline tours are worth it, unless you are 'physically challenged'. My only disappointment was the size of the Little Mermaid, one automatically expects her [from photos/pictures] to be far bigger than she is. Even Copenhagen airport is something to see... one of the best I've ever been through.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

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