Norwegian fjords question

[ErrolTheDragon]

DH and I (62, pretty fit) are doing a fjord cruise in august, we're wondering which (if any) of the excursions might be worth doing vs what we can do by ourselves at the various ports. Some of the excursions look a bit naff tbh, some look good but (of course) expensive. Downside of doing things solo is the risk of missing the boat I guess!

Does anyone have ideas on 'must do', good , or bad experiences at :
Bergen
Eidfjord
Skjolden
Olden
Andalsnes

Thanks!

I've never done a booked excursion, I do my own thing and build in leeway to make sure I'm back, but my parents are doing one at most stops this summer on the fjords. I've found that once you disembark there's usually plenty of local options eg private tour bus company for less than half the price

I don't remember where but we had an excursion on a bus they went around hairpin bends then ended up with a nice cream tea then went to see a frozen waterfall which was spectacular.

We walked around Bergen ourselves. Lots of little shops to go in.

We did Bergen and Olden last year. We didn't do any excursions at all. With Google maps you should be able to find your way round ok. I looked at Tripadvisor before I went for some suggestions and just made up the rest as we went.

I want to do a Fjords cruise. Who are you going with out of interest?

I know that wasn't to me, but we did ours with P and O. Would highly recommend them.

We’ve just come back from one. Used Norway excursions in Olden. Where we had docked was a hut for Olden Adventures & people used them also. Rarely do ships excursions. Go onto cruise critic & search the boards for advice

Following as going later in the year.

Link here
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/116-northern-europe-amp-baltic-sea/

Also search for your roll call & you may get people to share excursions with.

Its a fabulous cruise!

Hope you’ve got a balcony booked las scenery is stunning.

We went with Celebrity.

We went on Celebrity in August a few years ago. I hope you are going early as August is Autumn there and there was a lot of fog.
We booked an excursion through the cruise every day, they are then subcontracted to local companies.
Bergen was really interesting, as were all the other excursions but when we went to the top of one mountain by train to look at the view - fog.
Anyway I took another cruise on P&O and they were far inferior - food passable, decks dirty. Celebrity was the best (and I had lunch with a staff member who said they were one of the best to work for).

Did one with MSC at Olden - bus to Briksdal through beautiful scenery then walk up to the glacier. It was about 1 1/2 hours walk in total from visitor centre to the glacier and back. Easy walking - uphill at first but easy. I am sure you could probably arrange similar yourself - there was plenty of time for it. I think we left the ship around 9 and back by lunch. WE were so lucky with the weather - around 26 degrees - absolutely beautiful.

Should have added - the larger ports all have these hop on and off sightseeing buses which stop either just outside the cruise berth or a short walk away. The cruise also offered that option to book through them but cheaper to get off the ship and do it yourself. Although for Bergen I wouldn't bother - commentary was dreadful. Far easier to walk into the town and wander round yourself.

Bergen is a very walkable city - it's not big. The museum about the harbour area was very good (basically tells you all about how they kept rebuilding it when it kept burning down!), and the harbour itself is nice. The funicular up to the top of the mountain is a must do for great views and then walk down (or get the funicular again).
The Nordnes area is really lovely to stroll around - lots of lovely little narrow streets of very pretty houses. And a beach area at the end of the peninsular.

I wouldn't do an excursion there - I'd just spend the day walking in those areas.

I think the main 'excursions' people do from Bergen revolve around fjord trips. But you won't need those as you'll have plenty of fjord stuff covered.

Fred Olsen. Its not quite such an enormous ship as some so I think it can get into some places they can't.

So expensive though!!

Only one of those ports I have done is Olden where we did the Sky Lift - spectacular. Dead easy to do independently, they run a shuttle bus from the port.

Bergen - the funicular (Fløyen/ Fløyban) is right in the town centre by Bryggen. Wonderful views from the top and lovely walks. Don’t know how long you will have, but you can walk up and down - at the least, take the funicular up and walk down.

How long will you have in Bergen?

Shamelessly place marking as we are very keen to do this cruise .

Some great info, thanks! We've got 'early am to late pm' in Bergen, whatever that means - should be plenty of time to get the funicular and explore by ourselves, we'd got as far as figuring that out.

I think we were moored up before breakfast and had to be back on board for about 4-5pm. Plenty of time.

Getting the Ulriken cable car up to the top of Bergen's highest mountain is worth doing too, if you have time.

Just looked at a two week one which is £10,000 for two.

Price will depend on dates, ship & line, sailing category, what’s included etc

Our 7 night on Silhouette was just over £4000 for two in Aquaclass, including drinks & WiFi packages which I then upgraded. Did 1 nights speciality dining as well. Obviously excursions more.

Had we been in a suite it would have been easily £6000/7000 plus for entry level.

Have to say it was worth every penny as it’s so stunning & waking up at 5am to view the sail in into Olden!

Just looked at a two week one which is £10,000 for two.

It's under 6k. We've got holiday budget left over from the last few years, haven't been outside the U.K. since 2019.

With a balcony room it is over £10,000.