Fjord Excursion question

[Sherbidashus]

Hi everyone, we are due to go on a cruise in the Fjords next year and wondering if anyone has useful tips regarding excursions? We will be visiting (hopefully) Eidfjord, Flam and Geiranger. And Bergen but 'm sure we can just walk about and explore there. On previous occasions we have found the organised excursions not only pricey but they waste a lot of time and when we've organised our own trips, we see a lot more. We are interested in walks (up to about 10k is our idea of a 'nice walk') and sightseeing in general. I understand there is a scenic railway at Flam, is this easy to book and reach for yourself from a cruise ship? Are there any do-able walks at either of the other locations? Or is there a 'must see' excursion that is worth the money and waiting for other people to fiddle about getting on and off the coach!? Any advice gratefully received, thanks.

[LHT28]

lots of good info on the Northern Europe forum

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=192

 

http://www.visitnorway.com is also good

[Sherbidashus]

Thank you - it is all about knowing where to look!

[Pudgesmom]

We went to Geiranger and Bergen this summer. Bergen Hanseatic wharf is walkable from the ship, at least where we docked. We did some shopping there as it was our last stop in Norway. Our traveling companions went to a concert at Edvard Greig house and enjoyed it very much.

 

Geiranger we hired a taxi ahead of time. We drove to the three overlooks for about 1/2 of the ship's excursion cost and in 1/2 time. Excellent.

[53sunset]

Hi everyone, we are due to go on a cruise in the Fjords next year and wondering if anyone has useful tips regarding excursions? We will be visiting (hopefully) Eidfjord, Flam and Geiranger. And Bergen but 'm sure we can just walk about and explore there. On previous occasions we have found the organised excursions not only pricey but they waste a lot of time and when we've organised our own trips, we see a lot more. We are interested in walks (up to about 10k is our idea of a 'nice walk') and sightseeing in general. I understand there is a scenic railway at Flam, is this easy to book and reach for yourself from a cruise ship? Are there any do-able walks at either of the other locations? Or is there a 'must see' excursion that is worth the money and waiting for other people to fiddle about getting on and off the coach!? Any advice gratefully received, thanks.

 

We cruised to Norway a few years ago and took the ship's train excursion in Flam, it was one of the best excursions we've ever done. It went winding up the mountain to a chalet on the top, had lunch there and then a bus took us back down. You can walk to a wonderful harbor in Bergen, there's lots of things to see and do. Norway is one of our favorite places. Enjoy your cruise.

[Kartgv]

The Flaam railway is very popular and must be booked well in advance. The first train (there are actually 2 - you take one part way, then change to another if you want to go all the way to the town of Voss) is right at the pier. You may be able to book the train privately on days the ship is in port, but it seemed to me that the ship's tour took up all except one car.

 

It was a madhouse when the tours left the ship (Caribbean Princess), as guides did not have microphones and it was almost impossible to hear their instructions. Once on the train, there were issues with couples getting seats together, as the configuration was 3 seats on one side of the isle, 2 on the other.

 

Even with the confusing, frustrating beginning, we'd definitely do the tour again. The scenery and the experience are worth being calm and patient at the start, and it ended up being one of our best days of the trip. Our tour furnished a good buffet lunch, then the return trip was by bus, with more spectacular scenery, waterfalls, a stop for coffee, etc.

 

One caution - if you don't like tunnels, don't do this tour. There are many short tunnels on the train route, but the bus trip back goes through 2 very long tunnels - I believe one was 12 kilometers long. Friends on the ship had their bus break down in the tunnel and had a very harrowing time getting out of the tunnel.