hallasm

Geiranger port information not yet available.

The answer depends on where your ship is located as explained in previous post. If you post ship and date we might be able so se where ship is located. It can easily take 20 minutes if tendering.

2025 is likely to be the last chance for visit to Flåm and Geiranger.

Thank you. Nice itinerary. Since frogfish12 was looking for 2024 itinerary I did not look at 2025.

Not sure if Oceania is visiting the deep Norwegian fjords - have not looked ant all itineraries.

Fjord sailing takes 5 to 6 hours - sunrise will be at 4:30 am - with early arrival you must be at upper deck at sunrise. In olden you’ll have time for the Skylift viewpoint and Flåm I’ll suggest the railway - sufficient time - Geiranger plenty of time. different experience - haven’t tried so can’t comment. Research hotels, train, bus and boat transportation- you should be able to book the individual transportation and hotels yourself.

In general I think there is long queue at 4pm in Bergen - for the other sailings didn’t board in Bergen - the option might to board a bit later. Coffee and tea included if you have Select fare but not items in the cafe. yes, Norway is very expensive.

With some planning it should be possible - otherwise prioritize the Skylift. Try to search the forum - many posts on shuttle bus options Link to some options https://www.oldencruise.com/shore-excursions/briksdal-glacier-shuttle-bus/ You might be able to arrange tour on your own. The museum is 45 minutes fro Kristiansand by public bus. link to the museum. https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/southern-norway/kristiansand/listings-kristiansand/setesdalsbanen-railway-line/87119/ https://www.vestagdermuseet.no/setesdalsbanen/

The weather will vary greatly from Bergen to Kirkenes - expect temperatures in the range of -5 to +10 C - possibility of rain and snow. Water and windproof clothing and layers - mittens and hat - waterproof shoes - no need for snowshoes. One of the highlights of the trip is the northern lights - it is very cold and windy on the outer deck when you see the northern lights at night - but warm inside the ship. It sounds like you have the right clothes. Many people wear the same clothes all day - special clothes for evenings are just not necessary. Many stops are 15 minutes - on longer stops of 30 minutes or more there is time to leave the ship but this only makes sense on the longer 3 to 4 hour stops. Be back for departure - no warning until the ship has sailed. You might get some inspiration from my January voyage - a bit colder than March https://northernlightscruise.blogspot.com

Not that huge difference - can be more from day to night and colder when you go further north. I don't think the weather can be formulated more precisely. Varies from day to day. Wind and rainproof outerwear. Hat and mittens. Sweater/Fleece. layer is as you say the answer. Which ship/voyage? You will see most of the northern lights from the ship. Sights will be announced from the bridge. Check port times, but I don't think there are that many opportunities to go on Northern Lights excursions in the evening. Most northern lights are around midnight (from 9 pm to 3 am).

@ontheweb & @gnome12 Off topic - this is the Norwegian Fjords topic!

You might consider to rent a car in Svolvær and explore the Lofoten Islands. Also check where the ship is docking - Some of the ports has multiple options.

You can arrange excursions yourself in all ports - note that Åndalsnes, Svolvær and Alta are small towns with very limited options. Tromsø, Stavanger, Trondheim and Bergen are larger cities with many possibilities. Proposals: Stavanger: Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock; Honningsvåg: North Cape and Olden: Loen Skylift Search for the individual ports in this Forum. You can find more suggestions. In general, the offer of excursions is limited and very expensive in Norway. Ask questions Here for the individual ports.

Yes, a complete stop for cruise ships in Geiranger and Flåm will cause challenges for many local’s in these areas. The Norwegian Maritime Authorities (NMA) has come up with proposals and ideas to help smooth out the consequences of this mandate. The NMA proposes to use electric tender boats to transport cruise passengers and enables, for example, LNG ships for a transition period. Regardless of when or how these new rules are implemented, the bottom line is that sailing in the Norwegian fjords will look different from 2026. It is possible that cruise lines will visit other shorter and less popular fjords. Or use of electric excursion boats from, for example, Balestrand to Flåm and from Hellesylt to Geiranger. This could become the new norm and will certainly increase the price of excursions to Flåm and Geiranger.

It’s not that easy to go from Hellesylt to Geiranger - there is a 1 hour ferry ride to Geiranger. The fjords into Hellesylt is not Heritage fjord - only the stretch between Hellesylt and Geiranger (Geirangerfjord) will be affected after 2025.

The itinerary in post #1 does not stop in Geiranger but Hellesylt.

I don't think you have all the details for the two Iona itineraries- also problem with spelling. Assuming that Haugesand is Haugesund? 'Sails bys’ are purely to make the itinerary look better - these are the fjords that are sailed through both in and out of a port in the fjords. Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord are the fjords into Olden and Sunnylvsfjorden and Storfjorden are the fjords into probably what is a stop in Hellesylt. Haugesund and Hellesylt are small towns with somewhat limited options. Olden, Ålesund and Stavanger have good opportunities.

Thank you for your kind comment. I’m happy to be able to help, especially now that restrictions on cruise ships' emissions in the deep fjords can be seen in ships replacing the deep fjords with less interesting ports. Your assessment of the given QM2 itinerary is absolutely correct. Personally, I would prioritize Geiranger or Flåm as 2025 is probably the last time these ports can be visited with an 'ordinary cruise ship'.

If the 90-day limit is passed between departure from Rome and arrival at another Schengen port in Spain or Portugal, you have a problem. Days at sea between Schengen ports count towards the number of days - only when you leave a Schengen port does the clock stop. If there are six days from arrival in Rome and the ship leaves the last Schengen port, it is OK. Also sea days between Schengen ports count.

Yes, it might be too optimistic - also fly into Bergen the night before your voyage to avoid problems - if a early direct flight from UK to Bergen it might be OK. Yes, very likely - but solid shoes/boots will be fine. BBC not available - I have no experience with using the WiFi for steaming, Data roaming will not be reliable when far from the coast but possible when close to the coast. Coffee and tea is included in the ‘Select’ fare (also WiFi)

If a visa is required to enter Schengen you will need a multiple visa if you are leaving the Schengen area on a cruise returning to Schengen again. You will not be able to board the Cruise ship in Greece without a multiple visa. For the cruise a Turkish visa not required. Your situation as a Cypriot citizen may be different but you cannot be sure that the guidelines you get here are correct.

Total of 39 cruises - but only 4 different cruise lines - ‘quite’ loyal to Royal. Ocean Cruises Royal Caribbean - 30 Celebrity - 4 Norway Coastal Voyage Hurtigruten - 3 River Cruises Uniworld - 2

Stavanger and Tromsø are two fine Coastal cities with good excursion opportunities. Olden and Flåm two deep fjord ports - Olden: Loen Skylift viewpoint and Briksdal glacier - Flåm: the railway and Stegastein Viewpoint. Sailing through the fjords to the ports is 5 to 6 hours - be at upper deck to enjoy the scenic cruising at sun rise (4:30 am). Honningsvåg: North Cape is a must. I have only visited Kristiansand on business - not the most interesting city. Anyway a good itinerary

‘Arctic Circle cruising’ is just another word for ‘Sea day’ - you are passing the Arctic Circle but nothing to see. There is an ‘Arctic Circle Globe’ at Vikingen island, but you’ll probably not be close enough. Inside Arctic Circle you’ll have midnight sun.