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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I'm going to guess that a Hurtigruten voyage might fit in this category of cruising....not your typical cruise experience. [...]

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It's not easy to find a category for Hurtigruten. Of course, it is the itinerary that makes them stand out and this is indeed 'not typical' at all. For some passengers it is actually similar to a cruise vacation for some it's simply a mean of transportation. The ships are customized for the itinerary but they are certainly ferries (or very similar to nowadays ferries) - exceptions would only be the old vessels like Nordsternjen.

Webcam of Nordlys (from www.hurtigruten.no):

Have a nice trip!

[ 10-13-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
[...]
Dinner was too long and there are not enough waitresses to distribute the food in a more timely manner. I wasn't crazy about the food choice. [...]

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There are indeed some downsides to Hurtigruten. They fall a bit behind when compared to other ferry operations (and not to talk about cruise ship - maybe not a fair comparison, but then they seem to try to become similar to cruise ships and are at times even more expensive). However, you will be rewarded by seeing beautiful Norway. Hang in there!

P.S.: Did you see Richard With?

[ 10-14-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
... Trying to get use to the dinning, lunch today was challenging. [...]

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Don't forget about the 'cafeteria' - they should have some food too.

Also, there won't be too much that you can do at Tromso since you are scheduled to be there late in the evening - maybe you can use the time there to get something to eat ashore.

quote:

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:

We had a fun and short stop in Hammerfest. I became a member of the Exclusive Polarbear Society, got my certificate and pin too. Seas are much more calm, and my wife is feeling better today. It's about 35 degrees today, but we are tough Minnesotans so we easily adjust to the nordic temps. Last night I joking asked the purser where the Casino was...she smiled.

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Good to hear that your wife is feeling better and that you could join the Polarbear Society (I remember that they once were closed during one of my visits). I am sure some of your fellow passengers can be persuaded to play cards with you.

Keep on posting!

[ 10-14-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Here are some photos on my Facebook page for Cruising Authority.

[ 10-16-2010: Message edited by: LeBarryboat ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
[...]
I talked to the Hotel Manager and asked him if it's a cruise, a ferry, a cargo ship, or what??? and he said it is a hybrid passenger vessel.

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The best description IMHO is Hurtigruten ship.
(they are finally ferries but don't tell them that - hybrid passenger vessels sounds much more sophisticated )

Thanks for the very nice photos of the birds. I am sure you know your schedule, but just to be on the safe side: Isn't Trollfjord scheduled to be at Stamsund tomorrow and not on the 18th?
EDIT: I just double checked. My schedule is in contradiction with the ship position shown on the webpage. Everything should be fine - according to the ship position she is supposed to be at Stamsund on the 18th.

Webcam of MS Trollfjord:

[ 10-16-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
[...] Today I interviewed the Chief Engineer in the control room and discovered something I didn't know about the machanics of these particular pods under this ship which are actually driven by a shaft and gearing system as opposed to having it's own motor inside the pod. I believe there is a motor in the pod that is used only for maneuvering in ports. Strange set up if you ask me.

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Oh, it's not strange at all.
It's called a Z-drive and is actually much, much longer around than the pods found on some nowadays cruise ships. Since Z-drives are limited in size one had to come up with pods that have the motor in them for applications where more power is required (e.g. larger ships).

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I believe there is a motor in the pod that is used only for maneuvering in ports. Strange set up if you ask me.

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The 'Port Pod' on POLARLYS & sisters is retractable; just being lowered for manouvering in port. Is that the same system on Trollfjord?

Here are some photos from a museum we went to that was fascinating! Maybe they should do this to the SS United States?

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Originally posted by Ernst:

You should have attended the concert instead posting here.

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
Pam, no the Trollfjord has a pod under the ship that turns 360 degrees, and does not retract.
[...]

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Yes, it's a different setup than on Polarlys. Polarlys has a retractable Z-drives for manoeuvering (like e.g. Prinsedam or Bahamas Celebration) and two propellers as main propulsion system. Fram and as far as I know also Midnatsol and Trollfjord have two Z-drives as main propulsion system (I know, some varieties of Z-drives are dubbed 'podded' propulsion systems these days like the Azipull thrusters used for Fram).