Fjords, where to do excursions?

[bluedolph1n]

We are going on the 14 day Norwegian fjords collectors Voyage on MS Rotterdam from HAL.

We will visit: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam, Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund and Eidfjord.

 

Where do you think we need an excursion and do you have tips for excursions? At this moment I think Geiranger and Eidfjord after reading other topics, but I'm not sure.

We are with five people, my parents, my husband, and a son who will be 12 by then.

[screwcork]

At Flåm you have to take the railway!

 

http://www.flaamsbana.no/eng/Index.html

 

 

Screwcork

[bluedolph1n]

Thank you, this is one of the top things on our list. :) If I understand correctly, it is easy to do this on our own?

[TLCOhio]

We are going on the 14 day Norwegian fjords collectors Voyage on MS Rotterdam from HAL. We will visit: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam, Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund and Eidfjord. Where do you think we need an excursion and do you have tips for excursions? At this moment I think Geiranger and Eidfjord after reading other topics, but I'm not sure. We are with five people, my parents, my husband, and a son who will be 12 by then.

 

Agree strongly with screwcork that the Flam rail trip is well worth it. Below are some pictures for that interesting "adventure" and some of your other key stops that we visited in July 2010. From my below live/blog, you can see many more of my visuals, plus other details.

 

Don't miss the castle/fortress near where many ships dock in Oslo (see below picture), plus the wonderful Vigeland Park. It has a wide variety of outdoor sculptures in a super, wonderful setting that is a highlight for Oslo. Its admission is free and the views and art are "priceless".

 

In some of these smaller stops your on-your-options will be more limited. Ship tours are not best, but they do help solve your logistical challenges to get "up country" and see more than just is there by walking-around only in the port and a few shops there.

 

Tell us more specifics on your personal interest, past Europe travel experiences, etc. Is wilderness, countryside areas of strong interest? Reactions to these pictures and ideas?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Back from a June 7-19 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 54,182 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 55,835 views.

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

 

Appreciate those who have “tuned in” for these two posts. Don’t be shy and feel free to comment and/or ask any questions of interest.

 

 

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.:

 

 

 

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.:

 

 

 

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 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.:

 

 

 

Here is one highlight from the Flam train ride. The ride includes one stop in a stone tunnel to get out and then see a dramatic 305-foot-high Kjosfossen Waterfall half-way on this 12.4 mile trip. We exited the train at the Vatnahalsen Hotel, to see the grounds, nearby mountains, etc. Lots of great views on this routing, up and down. :

 

[screwcork]

Thank you, this is one of the top things on our list. :) If I understand correctly, it is easy to do this on our own?

 

Yes, the railway station is on a short walking distance from the port, and you don't need a reservation, unless you are a group (10 persons or more).

 

Screwcork

[TLCOhio]

Yes, the railway station is on a short walking distance from the port, and you don't need a reservation, unless you are a group (10 persons or more). Screwcork

 

The big "variable" would be how many ships are in port that day. Depending on the number and size of ships in port that morning, it could affect your reservation need. If your timing is tighter for when there, you might have a little wait to get space on the train. We were only a half-day in Flam and wanted to make sure there were not any timing problems for getting on the train, getting back, etc.. Here are a few more visuals for this great train trip.

 

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 55,835 views.

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

 

 

Arriving at Flam, the Captain is right there directing this process. You can see here some of the fjord mountains, waterfalls in the background. As you can see Flam is not a large town. Very small and compact, but beautiful. The Sognerfjord that is rated as the best in all of Norway for these fjord views.:

 

 

 

Here are some more highlights from the Flam train ride, including where you stop in a stone tunnel to get out and then see this dramatic 305-foot-high Kjosfossen Waterfall. Lots of great views on this routing, up and down. :

 

 

 

Here's a nice farm view along this great fjord and added views from the Flam train trip, train going into a tunnel, view from the hotel deck near the top on the train ride, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bluedolph1n]

Thank you for the great pictures, and the information. :)

We will leave 21 July from Rotterdam, I have to look into it, how much ships are there, when we will be in Flam. It is possible it will be busier then.

We are going for wilderness/nature, but also for the beautiful places, like Bergen.

This is our third cruise, our first one was 2 years ago to the Bahamas (a very short one), last year we were on the Carnival Magic for 15 days in the Meditteranean. (mostly Italian places, Rome, Naples, Venice etc.)

We live in Europe ( near Rotterdam, how convenient ;) ) , and have been to a lot of places in Europe, but in the northern countries we only have been to Denmark.

[TLCOhio]

Thank you for the great pictures, and the information. We will leave 21 July from Rotterdam, I have to look into it, how much ships are there, when we will be in Flam. It is possible it will be busier then. We are going for wilderness/nature, but also for the beautiful places, like Bergen. This is our third cruise, our first one was 2 years ago to the Bahamas (a very short one), last year we were on the Carnival Magic for 15 days in the Meditteranean. (mostly Italian places, Rome, Naples, Venice etc.) We live in Europe ( near Rotterdam, how convenient) , and have been to a lot of places in Europe, but in the northern countries we only have been to Denmark.

 

Appreciate the added background info and the nice comment on my pictures. Good to know you've had some cruise experience and are based in Europe.

 

Since you like wilderness/nature, you might consider getting a rental car and doing some independent exploring. With your group of five that could work out well. We did that for Alesund and headed south to Runde Island. Below are some pictures for what we did and saw there. YES, you'll love Bergen with its character, charm and history.

 

Keep researching and let us know your added questions.

 

THANKS! 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 54,373 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 55,835 views.

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

 

 

To the south of Alesund is Runde Island, famous for its birds and scenic views. This first picture shows a house on this beautiful island with the mountains on other nearby islands. Here also are some pictures from the ferry boat as we crossed south to Runde Island and its birdrock areas, at Runde with its huge coastal rocks, the famed Hurtigruten coastal ships, Alesund building details and the Norway banner, two Norway residents in their highly-detailed costumes with hand work done by her mother and another angle from the vista point at the top of Aksla.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the Vatnahalsen Hotell that we did during our morning visit to Flam, riding the super scenic railroad there, etc. Note their spelling for Hotell. Below is the interior for the small, charming hotel and dining place.:

 

 

 

[bluedolph1n]

Thanks again for the info and the beautiful pictures. I am going to research some more, and will be probably back for some more questions. :)