Alta, Norway

Even though we didn’t see the lights we still had a wonderful visit! We Nordic skied the first day, attempted to see the lights that night (went too early). Next day snowmobiled and saw the ice hotel. Very beautiful but a little too cold for me!

Could have skipped this. Terrible excursions and nothing to see or do in town except the cathedral. 45 min and ready to head back to ship. Everyone complained about their excursions.

Visited: Oct 19, 2019

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Two days at port, tendered. First day took tender and shuttle bus to town. Again overcast and rainy. Easy and cheap city bus ride to Alta Museum. Very interesting lots of ancient rock carvings. Visited Northern Lights cathedral. 2 block walk from shuttlebus stop, small entrance fee. Stunning well worth it! Pre booked a northern lights tour with an Independent operator, LUUSO tour aurora. Tour ran from 19:00 to 00:00, picked up right outside security at tender port. Excellent weather opened up in time to see lights. Second AM took a Princes excursion: Local Connections: Alta Canyon & Sami Lavvu. Poorly designed tour. Sami Lavvu which was the first stop after about 1 hr. ride was very interesting, hosting family was very gracious. Ride continued for like another 45 min. to the dam. Short amount of time there, guide implied that if one used the WC one would have little time to view the dam and canyon. On the way back Guide had driver skip the Alta Canyon view point because "running late". Not sure why we left on time and did not get stuck in traffic. did a Princess excursion in the evening: Northern Lights Safari At Paeskatun like 18:00-22:00. Held in a quarry outside of town, a good dark site view lights, unfortunately overcast. Second evening lights on deck after leaving good show not announced.

The titanium church was the highlight. Make time to go to the basement (fee applies) to see the Northern Lights museum and well worth it.

Two great adventures: First we took a tour to a private home to hear about Traditional Norwegian Knitting. Second, we took a bus out to see the Northern Lights though, with the overcast sky, we were unable to see them. But enjoyed the journey anyway.

Visited: Feb 06, 2019

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