Help me choose an itinerary?

[NovCruisin]

We are looking to book a cruise on Holland America and need help choosing which ports would be best to visit (leaving out of Amsterdam)?

 

OPTION 1:

 

Day 0:

 

July 01, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Day 1:

 

July 02, 2018

AT SEA

Day 2:

 

July 03, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Departs 03:00 PM

Eidfjord, Norway

Day 2:

 

July 03, 2018

Scenic cruising Hardangerfjord

Day 3:

 

July 04, 2018 Arrives 10:00 AM

Departs 08:00 PM

Molde, Norway

Day 4:

 

July 05, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Geiranger, Norway

Day 4:

 

July 05, 2018

Cruising Geirangerfjord

Day 5:

 

July 06, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Bergen, Norway

Day 6:

 

July 07, 2018

AT SEA

Day 7:

 

July 08, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 2:

 

Day 0:

 

June 03, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Day 1:

 

June 04, 2018

AT SEA

Day 2:

 

June 05, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Departs 03:00 PM

Eidfjord, Norway

Day 2:

 

June 05, 2018

Scenic cruising Hardangerfjord

Day 3:

 

June 06, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 11:00 PM

Alesund, Norway

Day 4:

 

June 07, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Geiranger, Norway

Day 4:

 

June 07, 2018

Cruising Geirangerfjord

Day 5:

 

June 08, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Bergen, Norway

Day 6:

 

June 09, 2018

AT SEA

Day 7:

 

June 10, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 3:

 

Day 0:

 

August 19, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Day 1:

 

August 20, 2018

AT SEA

Day 2:

 

August 21, 2018

Scenic cruising Oslo Fjord

Day 2:

 

August 21, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Oslo, Norway

Day 3:

 

August 22, 2018 Arrives Noon

Departs 06:00 PM

Stavanger, Norway

Day 4:

 

August 23, 2018 Arrives 09:00 AM

Departs 07:00 PM

Flam, Norway

Day 4:

 

August 23, 2018

Scenic cruising Sognefjord

Day 5:

 

August 24, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Haugesund, Norway

Day 6:

 

August 25, 2018

AT SEA

Day 7:

 

August 26, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 4:

 

Day 0:

 

July 22, 2018 Departs 05:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Day 1:

 

July 23, 2018

AT SEA

Day 2:

 

July 24, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 06:00 PM

Flam, Norway

Day 2:

 

July 24, 2018

Scenic cruising Sognefjord

Day 3:

 

July 25, 2018 Arrives 09:00 AM

Departs 06:00 PM

Stavanger, Norway

Day 4:

 

July 26, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 05:00 PM

Kristiansand, Norway

Day 5:

 

July 27, 2018

Scenic cruising Oslo Fjord

Day 5:

 

July 27, 2018 Arrives 08:00 AM

Departs 06:00 PM

Oslo, Norway

Day 6:

 

July 28, 2018

AT SEA

Day 7:

 

July 29, 2018 Arrives 07:00 AM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[NovCruisin]

Guys, sorry that format is terrible! I hope this helps! (it wouldn't let me edit my original post)

 

OPTION 1:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Eidfjord, Norway 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Scenic cruising Hardangerfjord

Molde, Norway 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Geiranger, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Cruising Geirangerfjord

Bergen, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 2:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Eidfjord, Norway 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Scenic cruising Hardangerfjord

Alesund, Norway 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Geiranger, Norway 7:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Cruising Geirangerfjord

Bergen, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 3:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Scenic cruising Oslo Fjord

Oslo, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Stavanger, Norway 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Flam, Norway 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Scenic cruising Sognefjord

Haugesund, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OPTION 4:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Flam, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Scenic cruising Sognefjord

Stavanger, Norway 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Kristiansand, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Scenic cruising Oslo Fjord

Oslo, Norway 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[kitkat343]

I hope others chime in since I can only be of limited assistance because my cruise didn't quite overlap your options by much.

 

Geiranger has several lovely viewing platforms that you can drive to and view the fjords. Please note that road 63 which takes you to the most scenic parts of Geiranger (such as Mt. Dalsnibba and the Geiranger Skywalk) is only opened once the roads are clear, and a big avalanche occurs, which usually happens between May 15-June 1st. We chose our cruise since it went to both Flam and Geiranger but didn't realize we chose the dates poorly, and the road was closed on May 23 when we visited. Other lovely spots were open in Geiranger, but you might want to visit Geiranger when it is likely this road will be open.

 

If you love trains, you should consider visiting Flam. If you want to ride the amazing Flam railway, you shouldbook this excursion first, since the railway tickets tend to book up quickly during theheight of the tour season. The Flamrailway is a five minute walk from where you dock or tender, so this can easilybe undertaken as an independent excursion. We booked our tickets online at the Norwegian Railways site at https://www.nsb.no/en/?gclid=CMuvnubiitMCFYoy0wodZb8BnQ .

 

If that site is showing that everything is booked, othercruise critic posters have mentioned trying https://booking.visitflam.com/en/to-do/a585205/the-flåm-railway/showdetails, and other posters have stated that this site has access to different ticketsand sometimes has availability even when the Norwegian railway site lists noavailability. Also, people have reportedon the forums that when the train was initially sold out, they kept checkingand eventually tickets opened up due to cancellations. Another option is to check with your cruiseline – it will be more expensive to purchase this excursion through the cruiseline but worth it if you cannot purchase the tickets independently.

 

A quick online search seemed to recommend that you shouldsit on the right side of the train on the Flam to Myrdal journey. The view on that side was quite lovely, butmight also be on the other side.

 

In Flam, we had alovely afternoon visiting a goat farm, exploring the beautiful town ofUndredal, and then eating local cheeses (including brown caramel goat cheese)and a delicious lunch that was organized by Flam Guide Service (http://www.fjordsafari.com) . Fjord Safari's booth is located about a minute awayfrom the Flam railway platform, so you will have no problem finding your tour. You can combine this tour with a hike and boat ridealong the fjords if your group is all physically fit. It was a very pleasant and enjoyableexcursion, which I would highly recommend. We traveled in May, before the goats move to their summer farms so thisexcursion had to be individually arranged. Flam Guide service stayed in contact with us and gave us updates as theyworked to book this reservation, and they also helpfully provided car seats forour children. Our tour guide was highlyknowlegdable and helpful and this tour was one of the highlights of our cruise.

[puppycanducruise]

We did a cruise similar to Option 2 this past May. We sailed on the Rotterdam from Rotterdam.

We went early in the year because we wanted to visit Keukenhof near Amsterdam, and it closes mid-May. Later may be better weather-wise.

Cruising into and out of Geiranger was beautiful!

The scenery was fabulous.

We had visited Bergen a few years ago, and took the funicular up and walked down.

Alesund is a lovely place, very pretty and easy to walk around.

Whichever cruise you decide to take, please arrive in Amsterdam several days before the cruise (or stay after) and enjoy the sights. We visited the Van Gogh museum, the Rjksmuseum (sp), the Heineken experience, did a canal cruise, went to Zaanse Schans, visited Keukenhof and still wanted to see more.

Have fun choosing!:)