Norway is a very scenic country. The fjords are well worth seeing especially Geirangerfjord.
Most people speak English fluently and you should have no problems being understood. Prices are quite high in Norway, but if you shop at the marked 'Tax Free For Tourists' outlets, all goods purchased on the same receipt over NKr308 ( approx £27) are eligible for a tax refund of around 10-17%. Ask for a Tax Free Shopping receipt and this can be presented on board to the Norwegian Official who comes on board in the last Norwegian port of call who will refund your tax. Bear in mind is that you pay for nearly everything in Norway from Parking and coffee refills to bridges, tunnels and toilets. It is one of the few places to charge for entry into churches, although I believe Stavanger was free but we had to pay for Trondheim. When shopping with credit cards note that they will probably ask for separate photographic identity such as a passport or new type driving licence. Tips are included on restuarant bills and taxi fares so there is no need to tip unless you wish to tip. Norwegian currency is available on board and is also available in the UK from the Post Office as well as the usual sources.
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is also the wettest place in the country. You can expect rain on 275 days a year at least.It has 4 times the rainfall of London. The rain did not disappoint when we were there. as in any large city there is not a lot to see in respect of tourism. There are some nice traditional buildings along the waterfront. When we were there there were 5 other cruise ships in port and we tied up in the Puddefjorden in the dockland. There was a shuttle bus running to the city which you would be advised to use rather than walking as there is a lot of heavy goods movement within the dock area and is unsafe for pedestrians and it is quite a step to the city centre. A further visit in 2004 blessed us with fine weather. Plenty of old buildings to explore around the Bryggen. There is a road train starting at the harbour doing round Bergen trips. Visit the fish market on the quayside (The Torget) to see many varieties of fish for sale.
Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg's House, was the destination we headed for on a half day trip out. Unfortunately we felt the whole trip was a shambles, mainly because of the appaling weather, too many other cruise ships in port and the guide was not the best. This is not to the detriment of the venue. The coach park is about 5 minutes walk up a concrete road with a slight incline. We were entertained to an excellent piano concert of Grieg's works in the concert hall. after that we took a tour of the grounds. These are not suitable for those with walking difficulties as there are narrow narrow footpaths and steep slopes. There is a gift shop and toilets at the concert hall. Grieg's house. itself, lies on a level with the concert hall but we were unable to get in due to the sheer number of people. Our guide had disappeared so we made our way back to the coach ourselves. We carried on on the coach to view Bergen from a hill overlooking the City but, due to the weather, we couldn't see much. Under different conditions it might have been a good tour but we would have chosen something else or even just stayed on board.
Eidfjord lies at the end of Hardangerfjord. It is a small village on the main Oslo to Bergen road and comprises a small shop and one or two other amenities but is the base for some spectacular scenery. You go ashore by tender.
Vöringfoss waterfall is a pleasant morning excursion. It is the highest waterfall in Norway. You travel by coach up through the many tunnels cuts through the mountainside to the Hardanger Plateau, the largest mountain plateau in Europe, followed by a trip to the Sysen Dam which was uninspiring as it rained here. further on we stopped at the Fossli Hotel for cakes and coffee. There are toilets here. From here you can walk a few yards down a muddy slope to the Fossli viewpoint overlooking the Vöringfoss waterfall. Then we returned to Eidfjord. A better similar trip may have been one incorporating the falls and the Hardangervidda Nature Centre.
One of best day trips from here, we understand, is to Voss and Geilo but we did not sample it.
Flåm lies at the end of Aurlandsfjord which is a branch of the mighty Sognefjord. Cruise ships regularly visit, facilities allow for one ship at the quayside but facilities exist for tendering passengers to the shore. Basically Flåm is a quayside with souvenir shops and a railway station and at peak periods heaves with tourists.
The attraction of Flåm is the tours from there through some of the most fantastic scenery in Norway. The most popular trip is The Norway In a Nutshell tour. This is a circular tour which can be done in either direction. From Flåm take the famous Flåmsbana railway to Myrdal Junction. There is a running commentary during the journey and and stop is made for photos at Kjossfossen waterfalls where you get out of the train to view. At Myrdal join the Oslo - Bergen express to Voss where you travel by road to Gudvangen via the Stalheim hotel. At Gudvangen you join the ferry for the 2 hour trip through Nærøyfjord back to Flåm. On a cruise there may not be time to do the full circle but either the Flåmsbana or the Gudvangen ferry are great. Another possibility is travelling to the Sognefjord and Sogndal. Leaving Flåm you travel along the fjord to Aurland and through the longest road tunnel in the world at 24.5Km long to Laerdal and then on to Fodnes and ferry to Mannheller and Kaupanger.
Geiranger lies at the end of the beautiful Geirangerfjord, arguably one of the best in Norway. It is worth geting up early to watch the passage of the fjord as you cruise down. It is often more difficult as you leave if you have the early dinner sitting. Look out for The Suitor and the Seven Sisters waterfalls which are on the port side as you approach the final bend into Geiranger. A lot of tourists visit the village and there is a large souvenir shop by where the tender lands you.
Many of the trips from here involve steep mountain roads and hairpin bends and are noted as such in the tours brochures for the benefit of those who suffer vertigo! The eagle's Bend viewpoint overlooks Geirangerfjord and you can see the ship way down below you in the fjord. Returning through the village to come to the Norwegian Fjord centre where you are treated to an excellent slide show followed by a walk through live size exhibition of life in the fjords. There is a shop and toilets here. Flydal viewpoint is a a good point to see the ship way down below you. Very little walking is involved on this trip. Also consider the trip to Mount Dalsnibba as a similar alternative.
Ny Ålesund is situated on Kongsfjorden on North West Spitsbergen. At 78 Degrees 55 Minutes North, it is only just over 600 nautical miles from the South Pole. There are no tours of Spitsbergen, but you can go ashore and walk around the small village that is primarily an Arctic Environmental monitoring and research centre. We visited on 29 June 2003 and the temperature was a “warm” 6 degrees. Whilst on shore, we did see some of the local wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes and arctic terns. Unfortunately, we did not see the “big” one, the polar bear. There is a small shop on shore that was full all the time we were there, together with the world’s most northerly post office. If nothing else, send yourself a postcard. On leaving Spitsbergen, there is a good chance that you will sail up Krossfjorden to Lilliehook Glacier. Wrap up warm and go out on to deck and listen to the commentary from the local guide, whilst you sail through an ice field. The face of Lilliehook Glacier is something to behold. The colours within the ice are vibrant and some of the blues look almost un-natural. Like a lot of Norway, it is very hard to describe the vastness of the scenery, and all you can really do is visit yourself.At Spitsbergen, you are in the land of the midnight sun. The photo of the sun was taken at 01:30 in the morning from the stern of Oriana. ( With Thanks to Paul Armstrong)
For more photos of Ny Ålesund click here
Stavanger was not considered by us to be one of the preferred destinations on the cruise but we were pleasantly surprised. The ship tied up alongside close to the city centre and just along the quayside were the fish and vegetable markets. The vegetables looked very clean and good quality far superior than we get in the Uk and the strawberries were some of the best tasting we have ever had. There are plenty of touristy shops in the cobbled streets at the back of the market past the statue of the lady shopper! Beyond the market, through the underpass lies Stavanger Cathedral, quite small but look inside and see the ornate pulpit. At the rear of the Cathedral lies the Breiavatnet, a large lake with fountains, an ideal place to stop and watch the world go by. Near the ship gangway is Gamle Stavanger, which is the old part of the city. It is worth a stroll through the streets.
Did not go on a trip from Stavanger but in hindsight a boat trip to Lysefjord and the Pulpit rock sounded good.
Our half day trip to Lysfjord and the Pupit rock was very enjoyable. We were fortunate to have a hot, clear day and could sit up on deck. The boat left from the end of the pier where Adonia anchored so it was a short walk to get there. It was quite spectacular to return to the same place going virtually under Adonia's bow. The boat used for the excursion is a fast catamaran with full toilet facilities on board and indoor seating for those who don't want to sit on deck. There is virtually no walking except at the waffle stop which is a stroll but some mobility is required for getting on and off the catamaran. The crew are very helpful with those who are less mobile. A stop is made enroute to feed some goats who live on the most amazing rocky ourcrop. The commentary is good throughout and there is plenty of time given for photographs. On some occasions the boat is slowed as it passes down the fjord for photographs along the route.If you choose to sit at the bow as we did, it can be breezy even on a hot day so take a warm jacket and be prepared to get rather wet when the waterfall is visited. Our photo of the rainbow at the waterfall was worth getting wet. You may also be lucky to see some seals so a pair of binoculars would be helpful. They are difficult to spot even with binoculars as they blend into the rock so well. A stop is made for tea and waffles The waffles are very good with jam and thick cream. There are toilets at this stop. The pulpit rock is interesting but you don't see the whole effect of the flat top from the Fjord. For us it was a memorable trip. (Thanks to Caroline & Steve Morrell )
Trondheim is a very pleasant city with a fine cathedral which is very much worthwhile visiting. There is a charge for admission. There is a shuttle bus service from the ship which drops you by an excellent shopping complex which is only 5 minutes from the cathedral.
Did not go on a trip from Trondheim but in hindsight a tour of the city sounded good.
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