Hello ,

Now that DFDS have confirmed that they will stop the service between Newcastle an Norway on 1st September 2008.
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http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/DSW/EN/Destination/Norway/
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Are we just left with a long 1350 mile drive through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, over the bridge and through the tunnel, to Sweden, then Norway?

Hi all,

I'm writing this on board the ferry (after a fantastic trip up to Nordkapp!).

It's true, DFDS will cease all sailings from the UK to Norway after September 1st. After this date the only crossing will be the awkward Scrabster-Bergen route. Handy if you live in the north of Scotland but not as regular a service.

I have spoken to DFDs staff on the ship and also tourist office staff in Bergen and elsewhere in Scandinavia over the last few weeks. This is what I've found out so far.

DFDS took over the Newcastle Scandinavia rout from Fjord lines and have said that it was always unprofitable, especially in the winter months. (All the ferries I've been on over recent years have been full to bursting point!)

If the route is closed Bergen will lose, 200,000 British tourists a year (presumably, the UK will lose the same number of Norwegian tourists. The alternative route by road (through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, for example) is around 2500 extra road miles.

DFDS have offered the route back to Fjord line and also to Stena both of whom have declined. However, I understand Fjord line have been back to look at their old vessel five times over the last month. Also that any new service would be restricted to a summer service.

It is inconceivable that there will be no regular ferry service between the UK and Norway, and particularly that the historic link between Newcastle and Bergen will be severed.

Let us hope that sufficient pressure can be brought to bear on the ferry companies so that a reliable, regular and efficient service will be reinstated for 2009.

Regards from the middle of the North Sea,

Jojo

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When the route closes you could still go Harwich/esjberg then ferry denmark to norway. Nowhere near as convenient i know but do-able.

I've used this route over the last five years but it's steadily got more expensive to the point of being extorsionate. The cabin prices are crazy unless you book it at xmas. I priced up Harwich-Esbjerg yesterday £821 !! Bergen/Newcastle was £318 one way. Last year I did the Dover/calais, north and then the Puttgarden ferry. It wasn't too bad just a bit boring covering the miles. I got to Sweden on the 3rd day so you only really loose one day as the ferry takes two. I know Sweden isn't Norway but it's near enough! I came back via Bergen though as it was September then and the prices were lower.

I hope someone restarts the route though even if it's just summer only.

I just priced up harwich/esbjerg in august £650 return. So if you priced newcastle/bergen £318 for a single theres not much difference?

Am gutted about the ferry,
even at the extorionate rates, it was a fixture for winter trips.
I paid £400 for the last newcastle berg return trip, and the return ferry was cancelled, so got the boat bergen to copenhagen, tarmac across denmark (tedious apart from the bridge), then Esb-harwich, and another crap ride up england.

I was hoping to go to near the nordkapp jan 2009, but this is scuppered now, I cannot justify the extra mileage and time getting from yorkshire to norway, before the interesting bits begin.

what used to annoy me was all the norgie teenagers, with ultra cheap passenger tickets (like a few euros cheap), whilst I was having to stump up hundreds of pounds.

the economy of Newcastle will suffer, they buy vast amounts of clothing and booze, to take home. I even met a bloke from stavanger, who gets his Ducati 999 serviced in Newcastle!

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I was in norway again during May, and the ferry service is getting worse and obviously can not compete with the cheap flights, That said and done I was talking to a bloke in Steinker who said that there were reports that another company was looking to run a ferry from Trondheim to Newcastle - but this was only to be a summer service with some winter sailings (Probably the christmas shopping trips) - However he could not say who, what or when was going to be doing this sailing so its a matter of wait and see. ( I have heard that rumour before when I was in Norway last year also).

Now you mention it I spoke to a guy who works on the docks there and he said something along the same lines. He was in Bergen on a Pan. just returned from a Scottish trip last September. Lets hope it's true.

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I did Newcastle to Stavanger, May 2008, Land cruiser, me and the Mrs, £214. this was a single.