Norway Cruise: 7-Day or 14-Day

[axel26]

We are looking at doing a Norway cruise the summer of 2016. We are looking at either a 7-day cruise or a 14-day back-to-back cruise on the same ship, but with different ports on the second one. The first cruise goes to the ports of Flam, Stavanger, Kristansand, Oslo and includes scenic crusing of the Sognefjord & Oslo fjords. The second cruise goes to the ports of Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger,Bergen and includes scenic cruising of Hardangerfjord & Geirangerfjord.

 

Our question is whether we should do the back-to-back cruise or just one of the 7-days cruises. We are wondering if the 14-day cruise would result in too much repetition in scenery and quaint towns. We would appreciate any thoughts and which 7-day cruise may be a better choice. We enjoy museums, scenery, walking around, but not strenuous hiking.

 

Thanks…Brandon

[TLCOhio]

We are looking at doing a Norway cruise the summer of 2016. We are looking at either a 7-day cruise or a 14-day back-to-back cruise on the same ship, but with different ports on the second one. The first cruise goes to the ports of Flam, Stavanger, Kristansand, Oslo and includes scenic crusing of the Sognefjord & Oslo fjords. The second cruise goes to the ports of Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen and includes scenic cruising of Hardangerfjord & Geirangerfjord. Our question is whether we should do the back-to-back cruise or just one of the 7-days cruises. We are wondering if the 14-day cruise would result in too much repetition in scenery and quaint towns. We would appreciate any thoughts and which 7-day cruise may be a better choice. We enjoy museums, scenery, walking around, but not strenuous hiking. Thanks…Brandon

 

Appreciate, Brandon, your interests and good questions. BUT, I will offer another option to consider. Going farther north along the Norway coast??

 

KEY NORWAY COAST CHALLENGE/QUESTION: One of your major questions might be whether to just focus on the lower Norway fjords, Bergen, etc. Nice and wonderful. BUT, there is the option of going up, UP farther north, above the Arctic Circle, seeing such great places as the Lofoten Islands, the North Cape, interesting cities such as Tromso and Trondheim, etc., in taking roughly the same amount time to go much farther north. Only doing the lower portion requires less time in seven days, has more sailing/ship options and costs less. That’s very good! BUT, if you can take the added time, seeing farther up this Norway coast can be very special and unique. Especially, if you really love/seek nature, great scenery, wildlife, etc. Your choice?

 

Reactions and added questions for this option of going farther north over this same period of time? Check out my live/blog below for more info and options to consider.

 

Personally, seeing two main fjords would be wonderful. BUT, doubling that to see four of these long fjords is not exactly "double wonderful". Better and nice, however, getting more variety by going farther north is worth considering.

 

On the Oslo fjord, it is nice to see the Norway capital, especially if you like some great contemporary art "stars", etc., in Oslo. BUT, however, this Oslo fjord is not really dramatic and super scenic compared to the narrow water "valleys" like you would experience along the western coast of Norway. Sorry!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 179,133 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[OzCanuck]

We did a 7-day this year, copenhagen, flam, geiranger, alesund, bergen. It left me wanting more and wishing we'd done a 14 day sail up to the North Cape. I found the scenery, culture and people very engaging. So - we may just have to go back and do another one. My opinion? Do 14 days, but go further north.

[gaelsail]

If I were given the option, I'd be doing both cruises. They cover a lot of southern Norway and, knowing the area well, I'd not be able to choose between them.

[DaKa2002]

We did an Arctic circle cruise last year covering much of the entire west coast of Norway; the ship cruised out of Amsterdam. Incredible scenery, fascinating cities and villages, very friendly people, amazing history. We would recommend a longer cruise that included both southern and northern Norway.

After our experiences including the north country, I would not suggest the B2B you described.

[hampshirelad]

We did a 14 day cruise up to Spitzbergen and the North Cape on the old QE2. 7 days is not long enough and there is nothing like standing on the deck a 1-00 am in sunshine. Unfortunately there does not seem to be many of these cruises, most go for 7 days to keep the headline price down. I think P&O do one or two.Keep looking

[eandj]

We loved our 12 dayer up to the North Cape. The north adds variety.

[Splinter]

Consider an alternative. I just returned from a 11 day round trip Bergen to Kirkenes and back on the Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord, and had a wonderful time. It is not your typical cruise ship as it is also a ferry and freight carrying ship, with many ports (most of which are only a 15 minute stop), but I had a great time, saw some absolutely stunning scenery, and thought the service and food on the ship was first rate. There are 11 Hurtigruten ships doing this route; the newer ones (which include the Trollfjord) have the most amenities, including a 2 story panoramic lounge in the bow on the 8th and 9th decks. No casino or show room; the entertainment is looking at the scenery. Decent shore excursions in many ports as well.

[eandj]

Consider an alternative. I just returned from a 11 day round trip Bergen to Kirkenes and back on the Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord, and had a wonderful time. It is not your typical cruise ship as it is also a ferry and freight carrying ship, with many ports (most of which are only a 15 minute stop), but I had a great time, saw some absolutely stunning scenery, and thought the service and food on the ship was first rate. There are 11 Hurtigruten ships doing this route; the newer ones (which include the Trollfjord) have the most amenities, including a 2 story panoramic lounge in the bow on the 8th and 9th decks. No casino or show room; the entertainment is looking at the scenery. Decent shore excursions in many ports as well.

 

 

Dh had this in mind when he mentioned Norway to me. But we ended up going conventional. I need more than scenery to keep me happy. He would be thrilled to do it your way tho. And the newer ships do draw more customers for Hurt. from what I read.