Which are the "Must See" POC on a Norwegian Cruise

Hi....we are booked on the Infinity next May going to the Norwegian Fjords...can anyone please me which are the "must see" excursions on this cruise.

Ports Of Call are

Oslo

Stavanger

Olden

Alesund

Geiranger

Flam

Bergen

Hi....we are booked on the Infinity next May going to the Norwegian Fjords...can anyone please me which are the "must see" excursions on this cruise.

Ports Of Call are

Oslo

Stavanger

Olden

Alesund

Geiranger

Flam

Bergen

If you need some help, you might want to hop over to my blog and check out my Norway posts. We've done the area twice and have been blessed with great weather both times.

A note about Geiranger. When we did the cruise with Crystal, they actually sailed down the fjord early in the morning and we were able to see all the sights from the ship. When we went with Celebrity, we woke up already anchored in the bay but there was a daylight sailout--at dinner time. Both times there, we have taken the ferry to Hellesylt and enjoyed the round trip at leisure. The ferry narrates there and back, has a little snack bar if you want something to eat. Very nice for a reasonable price.

We've gone twice. I could go again. It is a wonderful cruise!

I did a detailed trip report of my fjords cruise on RCL's Brilliance earlier this year, which called at three of your ports (Geiranger, Alesund and Bergen):

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1653948

Geiranger, Geiranger, Geiganger.

Hank

My personal opinion:

Oslo - Vigelunds statue park (it has another name, but google that and you'll find it)

Alesund - a walk up the hill overlooking the town

Flam - the railway.

No other "must sees", though in Bergen if you're intrested in music, both Grieg's house and Ole Bull's house are well worth a trip. On the other hand,m first time in Bergen, there's so much else to do in the centre.

I mentioned Gerainger since we thought it was the most picturesque fjord we have ever seen. Despite two lengthy cruises to the region neither of our ships went into the Gerainger. So on our last visit to the region we rented a car in Alesund and drove down to the fjord, put our car on a ferry to go through the fjord and then drove up the mountain at Gerainger on our route back to Alesund. The drive up the mountain (above the fjord was breath taking. And we do agree with the prior post about Vigeland Park (Oslo). Its easy and inexpensive to get there on the tram and the park is free. In Bergen the fish market is a don't miss place (within walking distance from the port).

Hank

Hi....we are booked on the Infinity next May going to the Norwegian Fjords...can anyone please me which are the "must see" excursions on this cruise. Ports Of Call are Oslo, Stavanger, Olden, Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, Bergen

YES! Lots of great locations and places in Norway that you will be visiting. In two different cruises, we have been in five of these wonderful locations. Below are some notes on Bergen, Flam, Alesund. You can check my live/blog from July 2010 for more visuals, details, etc.

As the seat of Norway’s medieval kingdom of Norway for six centuries, Bergen is a former Viking stronghold encircled by deep fjords, towering mountains, and sweeping glaciers. Today's Bergen has much of the medieval flavor remaining around Bergen's harbor. We explored the cobblestone streets, saw its pastel-color wooden houses, bargained in some of the many artisans' workshops and visited the famous and always-entertaining Fish Market. You can watch the locals haggling over today's catch and enjoy a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips.

Rated by Frommers as more scenic than Oslo, Bergen was the base of the medieval Hanseatic merchants. Those historic timbered houses are set around Bryggen or The Wharf, a center for crafts and workshops. Its prime row is mostly reconstructed 14th-century structures, some of which were originally destroyed by fire. Det Hansseatiske Museum depicts commercial life on the wharf in the early 18th century and is highly rates with well-preserved wooden structure. Its art museums are highly-rated with religious icons, local art, etc.

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen.

Their good and helpful Tourism Office can be accessed on the web at: http://www.visitbergen.com/en

We docked at the fairly handy Skoltegrunskaien Pier. This put us within about a 10-15 minute walk of the main attractions at the market and warehouse area.

Flam, with a population of about 500, is nestled in a tributary of the world's longest and deepest fjord. It is 128 miles long and has a maximum depth of 4,291 feet. On the question of how deep are these fjords, local say: “A mermaid could swim all the way to China.” The chief attraction here is the 66-year-old Flam Railway. It is widely known as one of the world's best railroad journeys. It includes twenty tunnels and eight stops as it goes up the mountain. This rail lines rises from Flam’s gingerbread rail station going up 2,835 feet to Myrdal and this "Roof of Norway" rail station. Railroad website: http://www.flaamsbana.no/eng.

Alesund’s architecture is characterized by its turrets, spires, medieval-romantic frontages . and other whimsical touches that give this town its distinctive style. It is like something from a fairytale. On the night of January 23, 1904, the town, built largely of wood, was totally destroyed at night by gale-aided flames. Only one person died, but more than 10,000 people were left without shelter. Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm vacationed nearby and sent four warships with materials to build temporary shelters. The town was rebuilt in stone, brick and mortar in Jugendstil or Art Nouveau, the architectural style of the time. This design reflects a “romance with the past” and highlights Nordic mythology along its winding streets. To honor Wilhelm, one of the most frequented streets of the city is named after him. The town has an unusually consistent architecture, most of the buildings having been built between 1904 and 1907.

More Alesund area info at:

http://www.visitalesund-geiranger.com/en

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 84,116 views.

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

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 107,441 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

This is the dramatic overview of Alesund from the Aksla vantage point. This spot allows a nearly 360-degree view of this setting for this island city and the surrounding mountains and islands. It is at a 597’ height overlooking the five islands making up the scenic town.:

This is the super scenic view from immediately above Geiranger that shows the Silver Cloud and Costa ships tendered. A little before this picture, we were to go to Mt. Dalsnibba as a photo stop from this 4,920-foot vantage for the snow-covered surrounding mountains, icy glaciers, crystalline lakes and Geirangerfjord far below. Here is this view, at a lower level, that provided a wonderful vista.:

After being tendered from Geiranger, we sailed out and passed by two super famous waterfalls. YES, yes, we saw lots and lots of waterfalls on this trip, but these two were among the “best of the best”. First is the “Seven Sisters”. Directly opposite in this narrow fjord, it is called several names, including “The Suitor”. The majesty for these feats of nature is pretty amazing.:

Below are a few quick samples for what we saw and did in Oslo. Their Norway capital does not have the character and charm of Bergen or Copenhagen, but it is an interesting city in a great setting. Loved the "Scream" and other art/design options and examples that are there. Really enjoyed the insides on their City Hall, the WWII Museum in the historic fortress, etc.

Reactions and questions??

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 84,116 views.

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

This picture shows the main, historic fortress next to where many cruise ships dock in Oslo. The fortress construction started around the late 1290’s. The very interesting Norwegian Resistance museum can be visited there. Norwegian Royalty have been buried in the Royal Mausoleum in the castle. A portion of this fortress was replicated at the Norway pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center.:

At the National Museum in Oslo, there is Munch art, including one of his two famed Scream painting that are in this Norway capital. At the separate Munch Museum, just a little distance away from central Oslo, there is the other Scream painting in Oslo. There are many other of his painting at this museum by the famed artist.:

Vigeland Park has a wide variety of outdoor sculptures in a super, wonderful setting that is a highlight for Oslo. There is a wide variety of art, water features, spectacular settings, etc. Its admission is free and the views and art are "priceless". It is open 24/7 so hours are not an issue.:

Here is Oslo’s City Hall exterior. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here annually in early December. On the inside are a wide variety of interesting art and design items.:

Norway’s Royal Palace and a main Oslo shopping area:

Oslo's National Theater in the heart of its downtown. Norway has had many famed authors and their statues are in front of this theater.:

Ports Of Call are

Oslo - take a city tour to get an overview. Make sure it includes time to walk thru Vigeland. At Akershus Fort is the Norwegian Resistance Museum which is very interesting.

Stavanger - easy to walk around. Visit the Workers Cottage Museum which is a house near the Cannery Museum in the old section of town.

Olden - great walking paths to the old and new churches.

Alesund - take the tourist "train" to see the sights and then walk all around the city. After a fire town rebuilt in Art Nouveau style. Enjoyed a visit to the Jugenstil Museum to learn more about the town and architecture.

Geiranger - took the "hop-on-hop-off" bus tour which will take you to several view points. Also stopped at the Fjord Center which we visited and then walked back to town.

Flam - didn't visit

Bergen - took hop-on-hop-off to get oriented. Take funicular up Mt. Floyen. Walk around the fish market.

Most ports, except Oslo and Bergen are small so you can easily do your own walking tours.

Enjoy! The scenery on this cruise is amazing!

I looove the pictures of Norway! Thanks Terry!

I looove the pictures of Norway! Thanks Terry!

THANKS! Appreciate the kind viewpoint on my pictures from our friend in Poland. Glad to know you're a person of such high class, great taste and wonderful judgment to make these generous comments. It's fun sharing!!

Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 109,664 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

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 86,327 views.

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

THANKS! Appreciate the kind viewpoint on my pictures from our friend in Poland. Glad to know you're a person of such high class, great taste and wonderful judgment to make these generous comments. It's fun sharing!!

 

Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Hmm ) well, glad to be considered a person of high class and taste :)