Calling On Norway Residents & Norwegian Port Visitors

Will be doing Celebrity Norwegian Fjords RT Amsterdam 26 June 2014 and I (and others on this annual cruise) are looking for suggestions for our eight Norwegian ports (see below). In addition, would appreciate evaluation regarding which port would provide the best of any category of experience (like where to experience a Norwegian glacier; where to visit an art museum; identity of private guide or driver at any port and contact email, where the use of a HOHO bus would provide an excellent experience, etc.). Understanding that the holidays are near, but hope to start and keep this very broad discussion active into the new year.

Much thanks,

DJ:)

Sat 28 June Stavanger 7-5

Sun 29 June Olden 10-7

Mon 30 June Molde 8-6

Tues 1 July Alesund 7-10

Wens 2 July Geiranger 7-4 (tender)

Thurs 3 July Flam 8-6

Fri 4 July Bergen 8-5

Sund 6 July Oslo 7-5

Oslo has several museums as well as a HOHO bus

Bergen has a HOHO bus but easily walkable

Flam & Geiranger ..I would consider the ships tour

Lots of info at http://www.visitnorway.com/us/

Depends on what interests you

I did a detailed review of a shorter fjords cruise on RCI's Brilliance of the Seas out of Amsterdam last year, which I hope you may find useful:

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

We visited four of your ports of call - Geiranger, Ålesund, Molde and Bergen.

I did a detailed review of a shorter fjords cruise on RCI's Brilliance of the Seas out of Amsterdam last year, which I hope you may find useful:

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

We visited four of your ports of call - Geiranger, Ålesund, Molde and Bergen.

From one David to another, much thanks for the pictures and narrative. I guess while you were on this adventure, MDW and I were on a RT Southampton British Isles on the Caribbean Princess (26 May/7 June) right before the Olympics. Really loved the "new" (less for tourists) days at Kew Gardens, Hampton Court, and our first trip to the British Museum. I guess we lucked out that we met all of our ports, as the next sailing missed Guernsey, Liverpool, and Edinburgh. The Brits take their history and quality of tourism most seriously and to great benefit of us visitors.

[An Aside: Perhaps you can reference one or more of your Caribbean adventures that include British Virgin islands, St. Maartin, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, & San Juan PR that we will do next month on the Jewel of the Seas?]

Much thanks,

DJ:):)

Will be doing Celebrity Norwegian Fjords RT Amsterdam 26 June 2014 and I (and others on this annual cruise) are looking for suggestions for our eight Norwegian ports (see below). In addition, would appreciate evaluation regarding which port would provide the best of any category of experience (like where to experience a Norwegian glacier; where to visit an art museum; identity of private guide or driver at any port and contact email, where the use of a HOHO bus would provide an excellent experience, etc.). Understanding that the holidays are near, but hope to start and keep this very broad discussion active into the new year.

Much thanks,

DJ:)

 

Sat 28 June Stavanger 7-5

Sun 29 June Olden 10-7

Mon 30 June Molde 8-6

Tues 1 July Alesund 7-10

Wens 2 July Geiranger 7-4 (tender)

Thurs 3 July Flam 8-6

Fri 4 July Bergen 8-5

Sund 6 July Oslo 7-5

Olden would be the port to visit a glacier, and excursions to Briksdal Glacier are mentioned frequently on the board (both ship's excursions and DIY).

Art depends a bit on what kind of art you're interested in, but your best bet is going to be Oslo. The National Gallery covers the history of Norwegian artists (including a nice room outlining the evolution of Munch's work over the years) as well as a few token pieces from some of the big international names. There are also some fine modern art museums, including the newly built Astrup-Fearnley museum on Tjuvholmen, the Henie-Onstad Kunstsenter, and the contemporary art museum that's part of the Nasjonalmuseet. Add in the Munch museum, Vigelands Sculpture Park (highly recommended) and museum, and even more, and you could easily fill more than a day in art museums alone. Oh, I forgot the International Museum of Children's Art! And the Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum, which is only open on Sunday afternoons and is one of the creepiest but most interesting installations I've visited.

Private drivers and guides are generally cost-prohibitive in Norway given the high labor costs. Luckily most of the cities can easily be visited on foot or by public transit.

Will be doing Celebrity Norwegian Fjords RT Amsterdam 26 June 2014 and I (and others on this annual cruise) are looking for suggestions for our eight Norwegian ports (see below). In addition, would appreciate evaluation regarding which port would provide the best of any category of experience (like where to experience a Norwegian glacier; where to visit an art museum; identity of private guide or driver at any port and contact email, where the use of a HOHO bus would provide an excellent experience, etc.). Understanding that the holidays are near, but hope to start and keep this very broad discussion active into the new year.

Much thanks,

Sat 28 June Stavanger 7-5

Sun 29 June Olden 10-7

Mon 30 June Molde 8-6

Tues 1 July Alesund 7-10

Wens 2 July Geiranger 7-4 (tender)

Thurs 3 July Flam 8-6

Fri 4 July Bergen 8-5

Sund 6 July Oslo 7-5

Can offer some suggestions for Alesund, Geiranger, Flam, Bergen and Oslo. Lots more details from the live/blog connected below with many pictures, etc.

Oslo does not have the history associated with Bergen, but offers some good arts options. July is the best time to be visiting these areas in getting the best weather. Around Geiranger, I would strongly suggest getting "up country" to see more than just what is there in that small, water-side village.

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 73-year-old Flam Railway. 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. In 2010, this railway was chosen as one of the top ten most beautiful train journeys in Europe by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. In 2012, there was a new passenger record of 635,368 riders carried. That is a big jump up in ridership from 475K in 2005 and 380K in 1994.

Railroad website with more history and technical details for its construction, operations: http://www.flaamsbana.no/eng.

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. Here is the link to this rail option:

http://www.floibanen.com

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.

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, tourism options at:

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

Added questions, reactions, interests?? Don't be shy!! Happy to share more.

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 125,642 views.

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

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background of this charming Norway coastal town with so much great history and architecture. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor.

In Bergen’s historic Hanseatic warehouse area, this folk music group is entertaining as people sit outside, drink beer (at $13.25 each) and enjoy the great weather day.:

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.:

For Flam, you can see great views of the fjord mountains, waterfalls. Below are are two pictures and highlights from this day in the Sognerfjord that is rated as the best in all of Norway for these views. This includes a spectacular train ride up the mountain, seeing the valleys, waterfalls, etc.:

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 and moving 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.:

We did that cruise in 2012 and hit most of the same ports. If you'd like some ideas of what we did and saw, I have our review on this page: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1671304

We did that cruise in 2012 and hit most of the same ports. If you'd like some ideas of what we did and saw, I have our review on this page: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1671304

Especially enjoyed pictures! The difference between 2013 and 2014 appears to be that Geiranger and Alesund are reversed in order and that Skjolden was replaced by Flam (so we have the new challenge of understanding railroad options). Picked up on the possibility of rain and variable visibility. Perhaps difference between long day outside, down fjord at at Stavanger and up the mountain at Geiranger dependent on weather of the day, or the need for shorter and perhaps inside options.

Need to better understand at Olden the walk from village to Briksdal Glacier (need to review short films on utube). I see very nice views, a lake, waterfalls, etc. Have read warnings about walk and the cruiseline's "strenuous" rating. Will consider we are 67 years old, but can do a treadmill for two miles (not fast) with no difficulty and can walk around rocks, deal with inclines and declines, etc. If we take some local transport and have 3 or more hours on a sunny afternoon, this isn't a problem (except for bad weather, or for folks with locomotion issues, common enough in the elderly). So far, the walk looks enjoyable and not a challenge? What am I missing?

[syrreal, seems that your significant other would be interested in the varied urban scenes provided in the Constellation's frequent Baltic + Russia itinerary?]

DJ:)