Bergen Questions Answered

[fabnfortysomething]

I'm a magnet for biting insects such as mosquitos and react by large blisters

 

We're cruising Norway end May-do I need to bring insect repellent?

 

OK the temperatures wont be too hot but Scotland has midges[smaller versions of mosquitos] and it,s temperatures are probably similar

[bobbisailsolo]

I booked a Hurtegruten cruise for March 2, 2016 Ive noticed several catagories are already sold out on this sailing in particular. Just wondering.. Is something going on in Bergen that week? Ive also looked at hotels, and they are not showing any availablity for the 2 days prior.. but that could be because the date is so far out. I really dont want to go if there is going to be a huge crowd that particular week... Ive googled the date, and Bergen, and nothing really comes up. Am I just overreacting? Thanks

[JeffandMelissa]

UKcruise88 and others,

 

Thank you for all the information you provided here. Looks like our cruise ship will be docking at JEKTEVIKSTERMINALEN 1.

 

We don't have a problem walking around, and actually prefer it as it gives us a much better feel for the locality. Hoping for a pleasant day weatherwise, now! (September 2015)

 

We anticipate walking into the city centre and Bryggen and then on to the Fløyenbanen Funicular.

 

Thanks again,

Melissa

[ShipsInBergen]

UK CRUISERS88: Thank you for all your help. We will be in Bergen on May 12, 2015 and we have two choices of what to do:

 

1. Take the Fløyenbanen Funicular and then walk around the town or

2. Fjord cruise to Mostraumen with Rodne in Stavenger Sightseeing Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock

 

We are doing in Stavenger Sightseeing Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock

 

Which would you recommend.

Thanks for all your help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Iris

 

I'd say you have two very good options there! The fjord cruise would, I'm sure, be great. That said, there should be great scenery on the way viewed from your cruise ship, and you could have a lovely day just heading up fløyen then exploring the city. It has to come down to personal preference :)

[ShipsInBergen]

UKcruise88: What do you think of this tour? It's 9 to 9 1/2 hours, so really didn't want to do it unless you think it would be really great.

 

 

On this tour you will:

• Board a motorcoach for an approximately 90-minute scenic journey past the Bryggen and Hanseatic quarters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, driving out of the city towards the village of Voss. Voss is beautifully situated by a peaceful lake and is well known as a winter resort.
  
• Arrive at the Voss train station and board a train for an approximately 50-minute journey through beautiful green agricultural areas and through a spectacular narrow valley up to the mountain town of Myrdal.
  
• At Myrdal station, 2844 feet (867 meters) above sea level, you’ll change trains and depart to the village of Flåm.
  
• Travel approximately 50 minutes descending the valley to the village of Flåm in one of the most spectacular scenic railroads in Europe. Flåm is situated on the Sognefjord – it is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway – 126 miles (204 km) long.
  
• Arrive at the station in Flåm and after a short break, board the motorcoaches for an approximately 20-minute journey through the road tunnels to Gudvangen for a short photo stop.
  
• Continue approximately 90 minutes as the road leads you into the narrow Nærøydalen with its many waterfalls. Next, start to ascend up the steep old road of Stalheimskleiva. After having maneuvered the 13 breathtaking hairpin bends of the Stalheim Canyon, you’ll reach the Stalheim Hotel, where a delicious lunch buffet will be served. The Stalheim Hotel is furnished with many precious antiques, beautiful old furniture and paintings. From the veranda, there is a fabulous view of the Nærøy Valley far below.
  
• Conclude your approximately 90-minute break for lunch and continue your full day adventure passing the Oppheim Lake and villages of Oppheim and Vinje. After approximately 30 minutes traveling, arrive at the Tvinde Waterfall where you’ll have the chance to step off the motorcoach for pictures and a walk up to the waterfall.
  
• Reboard your motorcoach for a short trip back to Voss, where you’ll have a chance to walk by the lake and church, during a short break.
  
• Finally, travel approximately 80 minutes via the town of Dale back to Bergen where amazing day full of iconic views of Norway will end at the pier.
  

 

Well that does look like a great day! It has to come down to whether the long day is worth it to you. It is possible to do similar tours through Norway in a Nutshell, but I know it can be nicer to have the security of a tour booked through the cruise line. I wish there was a definitive answer on what is the best tour, but it depends on how much you feel you can take on. Good luck deciding! :)

[irismike]

Thanks for your reply. Silly question, if we are doing Stavenger Sightseeing Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock is the Fjord cruise to Mostraumen with Rodne similar? We really don't want to miss going on the Fløyenbanen Funicular. What do you think? Rodne cruise comes back to the pier at 1:30 PM Your help is greatly appreciated. THanks. Iris

[ShipsInBergen]

One of our party is a keen cyclist, likes extreme sports etc.

 

Can you please suggest trips of activities he could look at.

 

Thank you in advance. This is a great post/help.

 

If you're on foot then there are fantastic walking and hiking routes in the mountains around Bergen, which I think would be a nice option. I have heard that sykkelbutikken in town does bike rentals, but I know this as more of a specialist cycle shop. Maybe worth giving them a call. Will your ship have any bikes available? If you can get hold of one then all the tracks through the mountians are cyclable (if you're fit enough!)

 

If you're looking for real extreme stuff, you could maybe take the train to Voss, where you can do skydiving, rafting, paragliding, etc. if that's the sort of thing you're after :)

[ShipsInBergen]

I'm a magnet for biting insects such as mosquitos and react by large blisters

 

We're cruising Norway end May-do I need to bring insect repellent?

 

OK the temperatures wont be too hot but Scotland has midges[smaller versions of mosquitos] and it,s temperatures are probably similar

 

You should be okay along the coast in slightly more southern places like Bergen, but if you're heading a lot further up north you might get quite a lot of biting insects in the summer (though usually a bit futher inland). I'd pack some repellent either way, just to be safe!

[ShipsInBergen]

I booked a Hurtegruten cruise for March 2, 2016 Ive noticed several catagories are already sold out on this sailing in particular. Just wondering.. Is something going on in Bergen that week? Ive also looked at hotels, and they are not showing any availablity for the 2 days prior.. but that could be because the date is so far out. I really dont want to go if there is going to be a huge crowd that particular week... Ive googled the date, and Bergen, and nothing really comes up. Am I just overreacting? Thanks

 

I don't think there's anything particular going on in Bergen on those dates. I would assume that hotels just haven't opened bookings that far out, and that the voyage you're on is already proving popular :)

[ShipsInBergen]

Just FYI, the previously posted link to the Bergen cruise ship schedule is now obsolete as the port have updated their website. There seem to be some teething problems with the information on the new site, but the new link to the cruise ship schedule is:

 

http://bergenhavn.no/cruise/anlopsoversikt/

[bobbisailsolo]

Just FYI, the previously posted link to the Bergen cruise ship schedule is now obsolete as the port have updated their website. There seem to be some teething problems with the information on the new site, but the new link to the cruise ship schedule is:

 

 

 

http://bergenhavn.no/cruise/anlopsoversikt/

 

 

Interesting to see just how many ships might be in port any given day!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CathyK2]

Perhaps I not reading this chart right on finding where my ship will dock. I'll be on Holland America Rotterdam and we are suppose to be in Bergen on May 28th. The only ship I'm seeing in port that day is Horizon. Am I not reading this properly?

[ShipsInBergen]

Perhaps I not reading this chart right on finding where my ship will dock. I'll be on Holland America Rotterdam and we are suppose to be in Bergen on May 28th. The only ship I'm seeing in port that day is Horizon. Am I not reading this properly?

 

Not to worry - they seem to be having some serious issues with the schedule on the new site, and it is missing a large number of cruise ship calls for the season. One of the ships calling over the weekend had a stated departure time of 14:19 on 21/03/1975, which seemed unlikely to me!

 

A copy of the schedule I downloaded from the old site shows Rotterdam will be docking in Bergen on 28th May at Bontelabo, which is an easy 5-10 minute walk to Bryggen and the city centre, so all should be well with your trip. Also in on the 28th are Horizon, Celebrity Eclipse, Braemar and Azura, so it will be a busy day in town!

 

Hope this helps :)

Edited March 18, 2015 by UKcruise88

[pompeii]

Are there any other fjord tours out of Bergen besides Rodne? Theirs sounds great, but we are there on 9/13 arriving at 10am, which is exactly when the Rodne boat leaves. They do offer an 11am tour but not during September, from what I can tell.

[CathyK2]

A copy of the schedule I downloaded from the old site shows Rotterdam will be docking in Bergen on 28th May at Bontelabo, which is an easy 5-10 minute walk to Bryggen and the city centre, so all should be well with your trip. Also in on the 28th are Horizon, Celebrity Eclipse, Braemar and Azura, so it will be a busy day in town!

 

Hope this helps :)

 

Yes, it most definitely helps. Thank you. With so many ships in port, I can imagine that the Funicular is going to be very crowded which makes the advice of walking up seem more likely. Is the path up clearly marked or rather obvious or is there something we need to be looking for to know we are on the right path up?

[Noopa]

I'm hoping you might be able to help with a question I have. Do you know what time the Hurtigruten terminal opens in the morning? The info on their site says check in is open from 1pm, but its not clear if it's possible to use the luggage lockers earlier than that.

 

We will be in Bergen all day with our luggage next Saturday, and boarding Hurtigruten in the evening so I need somewhere at the port or as close as possible to leave our luggage for the day so we can sight see.

 

Any info or tips gratefully received :-)

[sippican]

Just FYI, the previously posted link to the Bergen cruise ship schedule is now obsolete as the port have updated their website. There seem to be some teething problems with the information on the new site, but the new link to the cruise ship schedule is:

 

http://bergenhavn.no/cruise/anlopsoversikt/

 

I can't seem to find it.

[roysmith99]

Hi there, our ship Serenade of the Seas arrives on 15 June and is berthed at Dokkeskjaekaien. I have found the City Sightseeing Bus website which says one of their stops is Dokken Kai. Do you know if this is the same place, or at least close to where we are berthed.

 

I have searched for a map of the City Sightseeing route and stops, but so far have been unable to do so, any help would be appreciated.

Edited March 22, 2015 by roysmith99

[bobbisailsolo]

I have booked a Hurtigruten roundtrip voyage for March 2 next year. I plan to fly into Bergen a couple of days early just in case there are flight delays. I'm considering the NIN Bergen round trip. I am a senior woman traveling alone. Would you recommend the NIN trip at this time of year, or would I be better off just taking a train to Flam and back to get some scenery.

 

Also trying to decide between Thon Rosenkrantz, First Hotel Marin and Det Hanseatiske Hotell for my 2 night stay. Is Det Hanseatiske worth the extra money? Are they easy to walk to from the shuttle bus with my luggage?

Thanks

[Vineyard View]

Pompeii - we had the same issue when we tried to book Rodne. We found another option - Norled - they offer the same cruise at different time. We are signed up with them and they have been great to work with. Good luck!

[Vineyard View]

Pompeii - so sorry. Norled is out of Stavanger - not sure about Bergen....my mistake

[pompeii]

Pompeii - so sorry. Norled is out of Stavanger - not sure about Bergen....my mistake

 

Bummer, you really got my hopes up! :) I would love to do a fjord trip but can't find one whose timing works....

[Vineyard View]

Pompeii, so sorry! Have you tried reaching out directly to Bergen.s tourism office? Or TripAdvisor forums? Maybe there is something to be found there. Good luck!

[ShipsInBergen]

Are there any other fjord tours out of Bergen besides Rodne? Theirs sounds great, but we are there on 9/13 arriving at 10am, which is exactly when the Rodne boat leaves. They do offer an 11am tour but not during September, from what I can tell.

 

I'm not sure of any tours that would fit your schedule, but I would certainly second Vineyard View's advice to send an email direct to Bergen tourist information. Link: http://www.visitbergen.com/en/ I hope you find something that works out :)

[ShipsInBergen]

Yes, it most definitely helps. Thank you. With so many ships in port, I can imagine that the Funicular is going to be very crowded which makes the advice of walking up seem more likely. Is the path up clearly marked or rather obvious or is there something we need to be looking for to know we are on the right path up?

 

The funicular up Fløyen will definitely be very busy that day, so I think you're making the right call in walking up (providing the weather doesn't stop play). From the funicular station in town the walk is pretty easy to follow. The signs aren't super obvious, but the first part is to climb the zig-zagging steps and slopes up through the houses behind the station. For this you should be fine just following the stream of people.

 

This brings you to the old fire station; a white wooden building that looks a little like a chuch with a steeple. From here the footpaths split into many different routes to the top, with signs here and there. If you're ever unsure there should be plenty of passers-by who can clarify the route, but you should be fine. Basically, go with the flow :)