Itinerary advice - deciding between two

[sppunk]

We want to take a "smaller" ship cruise to Norway next September and are looking at these to on HALs Rotterdam.

 

They leave in consecutive weeks. I know the "cruising fjords" text is marketing hype, but which has the edge here? Never been to Norway!

 

Option 1

Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Depart 04:00 PM)

Oslo, Norway (08:00 AM - 05:00 PM)

- Scenic Cruising Oslo Fjord

Kristiansand, Norway (08:00 AM - 05:00 PM)

Stavanger, Norway (08:00 AM - 04:00 PM)

Flam, Norway (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)

- Scenic Cruising Sognefjord

At Sea

Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Arrive 07:00 AM)

 

Option 2

Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Depart 04:00 PM)

At Sea

Bergen, Norway (08:00 AM - 04:00 PM)

Geiranger, Norway (08:00 AM - 05:00 PM)

- Cruising Geirangerfjord

Alesund, Norway (07:00 AM - 04:00 PM)

Eidfjord, Norway (10:00 AM - 06:00 PM)

- Scenic Cruising Hardangerfjord

At Sea

Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Arrive 07:00 AM)

[CruiserBruce]

Both have some wonderful scenery. You won't go wrong with either. Why not do a B2B?

[sppunk]

Wish I could, but I cannot miss two consecutive Tuesdays at work. Work always getting in the way of fun!

[kaisatsu]

Option 1: Oslo, Kritiansand, Stavanger, Flåm

Option 2: Bergen, Geiranger, Åleund, Eidfjord

 

I would say 2, because Geiranger and Bergen are two of the best port calls for a Norwegian coastal cruise. If your goal is to visit the fjords, Option 2 has two fjord calls, whereas in Option 1, Flåm will be your only iconic fjord sailing.

 

Oslo and Stavanger are more city/culture ports, and while the sail-in to Oslo is very pretty, it's not the typical Norwegian fjord scenery as the waterway is still quite wide and there are no mountains. Plus, Oslo fits better with a Baltics sailing, both in terms of port experience and location.

[sppunk]

Option 1: Oslo, Kritiansand, Stavanger, Flåm

Option 2: Bergen, Geiranger, Åleund, Eidfjord

 

I would say 2, because Geiranger and Bergen are two of the best port calls for a Norwegian coastal cruise. If your goal is to visit the fjords, Option 2 has two fjord calls, whereas in Option 1, Flåm will be your only iconic fjord sailing.

 

Oslo and Stavanger are more city/culture ports, and while the sail-in to Oslo is very pretty, it's not the typical Norwegian fjord scenery as the waterway is still quite wide and there are no mountains. Plus, Oslo fits better with a Baltics sailing, both in terms of port experience and location.

Thank you for this! We actually are booked on Option 2, but I saw Option 1 and was wanting feedback about the differences. Your post nailed exactly our priorities ... we picked correctly originally. :)

 

Now I can't wait until I get to eat a $40 Norwegian hamburger.

[TLCOhio]

Option 1: Oslo, Kritiansand, Stavanger, Flåm

Option 2: Bergen, Geiranger, Åleund, Eidfjord. I would say 2, because Geiranger and Bergen are two of the best port calls for a Norwegian coastal cruise. If your goal is to visit the fjords, Option 2 has two fjord calls, whereas in Option 1, Flåm will be your only iconic fjord sailing. Oslo and Stavanger are more city/culture ports, and while the sail-in to Oslo is very pretty, it's not the typical Norwegian fjord scenery as the waterway is still quite wide and there are no mountains. Plus, Oslo fits better with a Baltics sailing, both in terms of port experience and location.

 

Agree above with Meg's excellent analysis. Oslo is nice, but the better line-up involves Bergen, Geiranger and Alesund. We have not been Eidfjord, but I am sure that will work, too.

 

Below are some of my visuals and other notes to "prove it"!! More details below on my live/blog, etc.

 

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

 

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.

 

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 119,410 views.

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

 

 

This is the dramatic overview of Alesund from the Aksla vantage point along the western coast of Norway. 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.:

 

 

 

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

 

 

 

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 picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

 

 

 

This is the super scenic view from immediately above Geiranger that shows the Silver Cloud and Costa ships tendered. A little before this picture, we were to go to Mt. Dalsnibba as a photo stop from this 4,920-foot vantage for the snow-covered surrounding mountains, icy glaciers, crystalline lakes and Geirangerfjord far below. We went there, but it was totally “socked in”. It was so thick, you could barely find your bus on this day on top of the big mountain crowded with lots of buses from the Costa ship. But this view, at a lower level, makes up for that problems and provided a wonderful vista.:

 

 

 

After being tendered in 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”. Here is the “Seven Sisters”. Directly opposite it in this narrow fjord, there is another “biggie” called several names, including “The Suitor”. The majesty for these feats of nature is pretty amazing.:

 

[sppunk]

Great post, thank you! These ports all look mostly DIY which we muuuuuuch prefer, so double bonus. Only 11 months to wait, ha!