ashore in Norway

Hi, we're going to Norway in August, first time on the QE2...stopping off at Bergen, Gerainger, Skjolden and Stavanger. Does anybody know if these ports are easily accessible from the ship, or would you advise booking the excursions. Thank you.:)

In order...

Bergen used to be a free (mandatory) shuttle bus ride into town, but when we were there in May QV had changed to a mooring near the fish terminal, which was walkable into town, maybe half a mile at most. It is Norway's second largest town so there are lots of shops and a very nice harbour. The funicular railway to the top of the mountain is a worth the trip but get there early, later on the queues are long and it is too crowded at the top to get a decent photo.

Gerainger is a tender only port. Really beautiful, but very little to do once you have spent the first hour there. A sightseeing trip is recommended.

Skjolden - no idea, never been there on any of our Cunard trips to Norway.

Stavanger - a very short walk into town from the quay, maybe 200m. It is a nice spot to walk around, the local food is excellent and there is a hop-on hop-off tour bus. If you are technically minded the oil museum is worth a look, also there is a fish canning museum if you are into that sort of stuff. The recommended trip is the fjord ferry to see pulpit rock, which goes from very close to the ship but you don't have to pay Cunard prices, you can just go and get a ticket yourself.

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Thanks for the info, we are on the QE for the first time in August. First time in Fjords too! No plans to take any tours, having researched options it seems all very easy to DIY.

Hi, we're going to Norway in August, first time on the QE2...stopping off at Bergen, Gerainger, Skjolden and Stavanger. Does anybody know if these ports are easily accessible from the ship, or would you advise booking the excursions. Thank you.:)

Make sure that you are up about 3 hours before your arrival time at Gerainger as the sail in is spectacularly beautiful.

Thanks Cap'n - I followed your latest blog with great interest. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You've whetted my appetite for the odd martini too.

Geiranger has a good museum about the history of the area. It's a bit of a hike up to it, but very interesting. The first time we were in Geiranger, we took a bus ride up to Mt Dalsnibba (ship's tour). On our second visit, we went to the museum.

The Cap'n is right--be on deck for the sail up the fjord. This is probably the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, edging out Yosemite Valley and Alaska.

Stavanger has several musuems, more than you can see in one day. We went to the sardine cannery museum, and it was excellent. We had a great guide, who brought to life the experiences of the people who worked there. At one point, you can try packing sardines into cans, just as the workers did (except the sardines are plastic). It has to be done "just so," and she stood over us like a boss, saying "Go faster! This is piece work, you'll never feed your family if you work so slowly!"

Norway has an excellent tourist website.

http://www.visitnorway.com/us/

Thanks Cap'n - I followed your latest blog with great interest. Thoroughly enjoyed it. You've whetted my appetite for the odd martini too.

I suggest that you drink them on board as a small beer is £5 to £6 and a martini is probably the price of a small car.:)

In order...

 

Stavanger - a very short walk into town from the quay, maybe 200m. ..

My memory ain't what it used to be, but I'm pretty sure that in May there was a shuttle bus from where we docked into the town centre?

Mary

Thank you for the information and quick reply - much appreciated

Hi, we're going to Norway in August, first time on the QE2...

QE2 is sailing again? When did that happen?????? :D

Hi Kirsty,

Everyone probably agrees that the sail into Geirangerfjord is spectacular and worth getting up early for. If it's a cold morning ask your steward for a couple of extra blankets and sit outside to get the best views of the Seven Sisters waterfall or the Suitor on the other side of the fjord.

I recommend a trip to Dalsnibba with the ships excursion. Weather permitting the views will be amazing from the top of the mountain and although it seems quite expensive it is woth every penny for the scenery along the way and don't be put off by the warning of multiple hairpin bends, the coach drivers do this drive every day in the season when the pass is open and it's very safe in August. The trip we did stopped for lunch at a nice hotel with a beautiful waterfall beside it. You also make a photo stop to view your ship anchored in Geiranger.

Another suggestion if you are more adventurous is kayaking on the fjord. Our son and his girlfriend did the kayak trip when we went in August last year and loved it. Us oldies prefered the Dalsnibba trip.

Oh, and don't forget to get your photograph taken beside the troll!

Enjoy your cruise and the scenery

Thanks for the info, we are on the QE for the first time in August. First time in Fjords too! No plans to take any tours, having researched options it seems all very easy to DIY.

Just got back from the Fjords on QV, highly recommended. DIY is the best option as Dick Turpin appears to be alive and well and is currently employed by Cunard organising the tours:eek:

Here are some suggestions:

Stavanger-If you like gardens take the Flor & Fjaere boat to a small island with the most amazing display of plants and a nice cafe.

Flam-The Flamsbana train is a must do but avoid the tour as you get charged $69 for some soggy waffles and a coffee. Tickets can be purchased online for about $60 and the station is a 2 minute walk from the ship.

Bergen-Get up early and walk into town, jump on a no. 2 or 3 bus which takes you the 5km or so to a stop 200m from the cable car which opens at 09.00. Tickets are $20ish from a DIY credit card machine and the views from the top are stunning. Take some suitable walking shoes and go for a hike on the mountain, don't panic about getting lost as there is a huge aerial right next to the cable car station which you can use as a guide.

Geiranger-If you enjoy walking take the road out of town for about 1km, then look for the footpath on the left shortly after the big hotel. Continue walking past a cafe where the tour bus drops off, grab a free walking stick and climb up to a waterfall where you can walk between the rock face and the cascading water.

Olden-Take a bus 20km or so to the cafe at the base of the Briksdal Glacier which you can either walk to or take a Troll car then a 500m walk to the glacier.

The Norwegian Fjords are stunning and with the exception of the grumpy conductor on the Flamsbana train the people are extremely friendly and most speak good English.

Has the system for booking the Flam train changed recently? We checked before travelling there in May this year, and the only pre-bookable tickets available were for parties of ten or more. The only way we found of getting tickets was to hop off the ship smartish and queue up at Flam Station.

Two tickets cost 720 krone, aka £76.50 at the exchange rate then operating.

Mary

Apparently it can be done, there was a post recently. We ended up taking the tour as we were short of time having booked a last minute deal.

The price is still Nok360, £38 or $59 each, the tour price is $129, soggy waffles/coffee say $10, do the maths.....

Hello Kirsty,

Not been to Skjolden so can't comment, but regarding the other ports of call, my top advice is DON'T do Cunard tours. They're a bleedin' RIP OFF and you can do exactly the same tours, at a fraction of the price, and with much more fun!!

The rider must be though, if there are other ships due in port the smaller placed may be busy, so best get off early. This esp applies at tender ports, where Cunard give priority to those daft enough to pay silly money to go on their tours.

We're just back from the Fjords on QV so these are up to date observations and personal comments and experiences.

BERGEN. Docked not far from fish markets. Opposite the Fort which is well worth a look. Make a point though of going up onto the top of the walls to the south of a short stretch of railway. See the maps and you'll understand. Nice views.

The funicular is a MUST but be early to avoid the crowds. A tolerable but challenging walk up otherwise. Well worth the effort, as is a wwlk about the top of the hill. Avoid the crowds there and there are some nice walks down.

A lovely place, nice parks, but don't miss the Bryggen area.

GEIRANGER: Amazing. Just amazing. As per The Capn, get up early. This place is PHENOMINAL. It's a tender port so, if there are several other ships there get in the queue for tenders sharpish.

Tourist info is just by the jetties and they are loads of tours available there. Also at an independent operator on the 'main street', 25 yards down on the left. Do NOT do a ships tour.

The bus to Dalsnibba has to be done...but it's your call if it's cloudy. I suggest you still do it. We got tickets from geiranger-adventure.com for NoK 240 each. It's a 2 hour tour at 10, 12 and 1400hrs

Also, the RIB tour along the fjord is brilliant. You won't get wet unless it's raining and is deffo worth it. Tickets from tourist info. Also some great view points from higher up by foot.

If you're early sitting, ditch dinner and absorb the views on sail away.

STAVANGER: Boat trips to Pulpit Rock available on the quayside. Just get on an early one to give enough time. Oil museum worth doing. As in the Canning museum up in the old town. Nice for a wander there too.

Also, go and find the Fire Tower.

A nice town to potter about.

DIY is the way to do your itinerary. Far more fun.

Regrettably on our trip we had to resort to Cunard for the Flam railway due to bad planning on my part. Train up and halfway down, before biking the rest if the way. Good fun indeed. But easy to sort yourself with forward planning!!

Have a super time!!!! Do things yourself for more fun and flexibility! And far far cheaper!!

Regards,

MrH.

Hello Kirsty,

 

This esp applies at tender ports, where Cunard give priority to those daft enough to pay silly money to go on their tours.

 

Also those in Q4 and above who get a very useful priority tender pass:D

Hope you enjoyed the Fjords as much as we did, having the 3 Queens together at Soton was the icing on the cake.

We docked at the fish dock in June. Outside the gate we found two different HOHO bus lines. We chose the double decker one and paid around £12 each for a good hour and a half for the lap. Then we continued to hop on and hop off around the city for the rest of the day.

The cruise company wanted £25 for a 2 hour walking tour - robbery without violence!!

Happy cruising

Bob

Sorry

Didn't say we were at Bergen

Bob

Just to say sorry Im late thanking everybody for your great advice... my computer's had problems... but thank you everyone... i really appreciate it