Lois : 𝙽𝚘 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕

I ❤️ Norway.

If you’ve a week free and you fancy a cruise, a Norwegian cruise is ideal.

It’s the perfect short break away, in an absolutely beautiful, stunning country.

My first ever cruise was to Norway on P&O Oceana, I’ve been hooked since!

I try to cruise to Norway at least once a year, some years I’ve been lucky to be twice, unfortunately for 2019 my holiday from work is all booked off, however I’ll definitely be back!

I thought I’d write a post on my multiple Norway visits, focusing on the ports I’ve visited. If you’re planning to cruise to Norway or umming and ahhing about booking a Norwegian Fjords cruise, hopefully this will be the nudge you need!

Stavanger

Stavanger is a lovely city to visit by Cruise ship. You’ll dock quite centrally, so there is no need for any buses into town. I’ve never done a ship trip here, as I’ve always enjoyed just wandering around. There is an open top bus tour during summer months, however as half the ship try to get on it, go early or go during the afternoon.

You can’t visit Stavanger without a potter around town, I’m not at all religious but do like to appreciate beautiful buildings of worship and Stavanger Cathedral is worth a visit. You must also go for a walk amongst the beautiful white buildings of Gamle Stavanger.

Olden

Olden is fantastic. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, peace.

The cruise terminal is a shipping container…

On walking to shore, you can join trips to the nearby Briksdalbreen glacier and the Loen Skylift. (You’ll need to prebook with your cruise line)

Have a look at my previous post about a Walk I love to do in Olden. And if you don’t fancy walking, join the road train. It’ll pick you up on the dockside and you won’t need to pre-book.

Flåm

Another beautiful village in Norway…

The main attraction here is the Flåm railway, definitely worth a trip if it’s you’re first visit, or if you enjoyed your first visit so much you want to ride the train again! Book a trip on the train with your ship, as they’ll probably book out most of the train when you’re in port anyway.

Also enjoy having a potter around in Flåm and taking photographs of the ship from various locations around the Fjord.

Flåm train!

Geiranger

Sadly I’ve not been on a Fjord cruise that has stopped at Geiranger since my first ever cruise in 2009, so please excuse the dated, poor quality, photos!

I remember Geiranger being beautiful, it’s even listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The fabulous scenery even makes cruise ships look like tiny little toy ships! On sailing in and out of Geiranger you’ll see the magnificent seven sisters waterfalls.

I took a trip to Mount Dalsnibba with a stop at Djupvanet lake. Perfect photo opportunities to take photos of the ships at anchor. I hope to return there one day.

Ålesund

A lovely little town, which we just pottered around! If you’re feeling like you need something a bit more strenuous to burn off those calories you can climb the town Mountain, Aksla. Walk up 418 steps and be rewarded with beautiful view.

Åndalsnes

It’s a given, everywhere in Norway is beautiful.

I just walked around town in Åndalsnes, ended up near a lake in the town, then walked up a mound of land, to take photographs!

Last but by no means least,

Bergen

In Bergen you either dock in the dock area and will be given a bus journey to the city or you’ll dock in the City, a short walk into the City Centre.

On a visit to Bergen, you must walk around Bryggen, another World Heritage site, the quayside buildings are beautiful. You also must try to take the funicular railway up Mount Floyen. The view at the top is spectacular, a great opportunity to take aerial photos of your ship. I’m very lucky , a friend of mine lives in a gorgeous house on the side of Mount Floyen, I often visit her, when I visit Bergen.

There is also a beautiful lake, Lille Lungegaardsvannet in a central city park, it’s a lovely short walk around this lake!

Norway is expensive, so if you’re one who likes to eat and drink off the ship, make sure you’ve got a supply of Norwegian Krone with you!

In conclusion, you will never forget booking a Norwegian Fjords cruise.

It’s an ideal first cruise, and an ideal short break cruise.

Enjoy the peace, beauty and fresh air of fabulous Norway!