Chose this cruise because it fit well within a month long european trip, and got a good rate ($500 pp). Always wanted to visit Norway, so what the heck.

Cruise leaves from Steinwarder dock, which is the hardest one to get to. Some fellow cruisers were under the impression that the cruiseline was running a free shuttle from the central train station to port, but that was not the case. FYI, the cheapest way to get to the terminal from the airport is to take the S bahn to Landingsbrucken (sp?), then the 73 ferry to Argentinienbruke stop, from there it's about a ten minute walk, 20 if you're slow like me. Total cost - 3.20 Euro.

Getting on the ship was worse than the usual mayhem. They give you a group number, then call you to line up when that number is called. So there is this hoard of people waiting in a mass for their number to be called. What is the point of making you stand in line twice? Not enough seating, no refreshments provided, outside of a pay bar. I decided to watch and learn for a few minutes, here's what you want to do. When you get your number, try to find a place to wait comfortably, which won't be easy. Watch the line, you will learn the pattern of when they call the numbers. Wait until the line gets to where they will call the number after yours and then swoop in and get in line before they call that next number. This method cut our line standing down to about 10 minutes compared to an hour for everyone else. Better yet, pick a different cruise. Read more