Norway - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:24 PM

Top Ten Selling Points

1. The cruise history

The first commercial cruise to Norway took place in 1882 as P&O`s “St. Sunniva” visited the Norwegian fjords and North-Cape and since then Norway has been a popular destination for all the major cruise lines.

2. The variety of itineraries

The possibilities for creating interesting itineraries are unique along the 1.300 nautical miles long coastline. More than 30 Norwegian ports are being visited by cruise ships every year. The most popular areas for cruising are The Fjords, North- Cape, Spitsbergen and the Artic, Coastal cruises including the Lofoten isles as well as Southern Norway including Oslo. Oslo is often included in itineraries with other Scandinavian capitals and destinations in the Baltic.

3. Cruising Norwegian waters

The Norwegian coastline has more than 67.000 islands and the cruise ships are sailing in sheltered waters. The longest fjord is 200 kilometers long and the fjords also have several smaller fjord-arms providing genuine cultural landscape of farms and villages still populated.

4. Popular shore excursions

Cruising is probably the best way to see Norway. In the many ports along the coastline it is possible to arrange a great variety of shore excursions. The percentage of cruise passengers participating on shore excursions in Norway are very high compared to other destinations. The Norwegians are well organised and the overland tours secures the passengers the ultimate experience of sailing combined with excursion by rail, bus and boat - experiencing the dramatic changes in the scenery.

5. Not nature based attractions

Beside the genuine nature based attractions, Norway have many attractions to show visitors, especially in the field of famous composers, painters, polar expeditions as well as traditional art. New and modern attractions are being developed and new niche products are developed to meet the needs of younger cruise passengers.

6. Shopping - well organised VAT refund

Norway might have an image of being an expensive country, but the well organised tax-free shopping for tourists keeps the prices down. VAT refunds are offered at most Norwegian ports. Typical Norwegian items like knitwear, fur products and local craftworks are popular to bring home. All kind of international well known trade marks are sold in Norway as well, and you might do a bargain buying high profiled items.

7. Norway and the Norwegians

Norway is a modern Western European democratic country with a long history. The Norwegians are friendly and well educated and most Norwegians speaks foreign languages. The 4,4 mill. Norwegians are proud of their country, their history and like to show the tourists the magnificent nature and the Norwegian lifestyle. Norway is 323 758 square kilometres and in average each square kilometre has 14 inhabitants. Additionally many National Parks have been established since the early sixties.

8. A relatively mild climate

The Gulf Streams warms the Norwegian coast and ensures a mild climate even this far north, and the Midnight Sun can be experienced north of the Artic Circle. Even south of the Artic Circle the passengers can enjoy the magnificent and genuine nature in daylight - 20 hours per day.

9. The cultural heritage

The Vikings are well known, and Norway has a long history. The oldest towns have a history stretching back more than 1000 years. Norway have a lot to offer in terms of cultural heritage like the famous Stave Churches, many museums, well preserved wooden buildings and the many picturesque villages by the fjords and in the mountains.

10. Norway - a safe tourist destination

Norway is - at least until today - situated in a calm corner of the world. Many tourist look upon Norway as a safe tourist destination. The Norwegian system of pilot service and the national Coast Guard are internationally recognized. The public health care is well organised. The implementation of the ISPS security code per 01.07.2004 has been successful and the ISPS security code, have had top priority among Norwegian ports.

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:26 PM

The city of Bergen was founded on an old Viking settlement in the year 1070.

The city has a proud history and many interesting cultural monuments. Today Bergen has about 230,000 inhabitants. The city is famous for its exciting mixture of old and new architecture. Bergen has a good infrastructure that combines a range of international facilities with a pleasant, small-town environment. Bergen has a number of natural advantages that have helped the port to develop into one of Europe’s busiest and most important commercial and trading centres.

Bergen is a very popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway, and is regarded as one of the most important centres for the cruise business in Europe. Bergen has each year more than 200 cruise ship calls with more than 150,000 passengers.

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:27 PM

Bryggen - The World Heritage Site

The very first buildings in Bergen were alongside the harbour called Bryggen, dated back to the 11th century.

The Hanseatic Wharf, a maze of wooden buildings, attracts visitors from all over the world and acts as a landmark of the city centre. Bryggen is perhaps the most familiar image in all of Norway.

Bryggen is now on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the city of Bergen is a designated World Heritage City.

Duration: 2-4 hours
Distance from Bergen Port: 500 m

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:28 PM

Troldhaugen

Built in 1885, "Troldhaugen" was the home of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, world famous for his Piano Concerts and Norwegian folk music.

He lived here for 22 years and composed many of his best-known works in the little garden hut.

The garden now includes a modern concert hall as well.

Mount Fløyen

Duration: 2 hours +
A 6-7-minute exciting funicular ride to the top of the Mount Fløyen (320 m). Take a look at the magnificent view of Bergen and the suburbs. Ideal for mountain walks.
Distance from Bergen Port: 2 km

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:30 PM

Flåm Cruise Port is one of four harbours who welcome ships to Aurland Harbour Authority.

Flåm with its 400 inhabitants is nestling securely on the innermost part of the famous Sognefjord and with its good communications you can reach Flåm by car, boat, train or by bus. Large cruise ships in the harbour are a daily site throughout the spring and summer months.

Big cruise ships squeezing through narrow fjord arms surrounded by snow-covered peaks and waterfalls cascading down the mountainside, are a beautiful but usual sight. The 204 kilometre long Sognefjord, which is the longest and deepest fjord in the world, has been a highlight and a main attraction for cruise tourists along the Norwegian coast for many decades.

The Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway is one of the most famous and spectacular train journeys in the world, with beautiful mountain scenery, magnificent waterfalls, fertile heritage landscape and historical traditions.

The Flåm Railway is a masterpiece of engineering.

More info: www.flaamsbana.no

Time: 2 hours
Distance from Flåm Port to attraction: 200 metres to train departure.

Aurlandsdalen

The well-known and historical valley was once one of the main routes between the eastern and western parts of Norway.

Bus journey winding up the mountainside with a fantastic viewpoint to the Aurlandsfjord. Stop at one of the mountain lodges for traditional Norwegian cuisine.

Time: 3 hours
Distance from Flåm Port to attraction: 40 - 50 km (Driving time 50 - 60 minutes).

Norway in a Nutshell

A round trip giving you the chance to combine some of the best Norway can offer on one and the same journey.

The fantastic trip on the steep and dramatic Flåm Railway and an equally memorable boat trip in unique setting on the Nærøyfjord. Continuing by bus through beautiful landscape to Voss and returning by train to Flåm.

More info: www.fjordtours.no

Time: Whole day
Distance from Flåm Port to attraction: The round trip can start with train or boat, approx. 200 metres from the harbour.

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:33 PM

Untamed Norwegian Nature

Geiranger Fjord - wild and beautiful - the epitome of a Norwegian fjord, with its characteristic S-shape, towering majestic mountains, rushing waterfalls, and tiny farms clinging to rocky ledges. Tourists have been overwhelmed by the beauty of this region since the arrival of the first cruise ship in 1869. No wonder, for it is here in the friendliest surroundings that the most magnificent scenery imaginable is found. In Geiranger, you will quite literally become part of nature.
The scenery is the main attraction of the area, and can best be seen on a tour.
Geirangerfjorden - Norwegian tentative World Heritage site.

Harstad is the culture capital of north Norway. With its population of 23,000, it is situated on the largest island in Norway, Hinnøya, in one of the most beautiful coastal areas with skerries and islands. Commercial and shipping industries are economically important, and the borough is also a base for the oil industry of the north.

Harstad is a communication centre in a densely populated region with Lofoten to the west, Narvik to the east. Tromsø to the North and Bodø to the south. Harstad never sleeps when lit up in the sunshine of midsummer nights. During summer, the town is teeming with people along the quayside. Around midsummer eve, with the Festival of Northern Norway, there is music in the streets, in the square, in pubs, in the concert hall and churches.

Leisure time activities are many and varied, and boating is a favourite past time. The new marina can harbour 25-30 boats. Central to the harbour is also one of the country's biggest and most modern concert halls, with up to 1000 seats.

Oslo,the capital of Norway lies in the heart of Scandinavia and at the head of the Oslofjord. All visitors enjoy the entrance and departure sights along this fjord. Dominating the harbour is Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle and royal residence built in 1299. The cruise port is next to the medieval fortress and approximately 200 metres from the city centre and the City Hall with an exciting waterfront with shops, restaurants and entertainment.

For more than 1000 years people have lived in Oslo. Today the city has approximately 520.000 inhabitants and the city is the financial, political and cultural centre of Norway.

A revival of vibrant city life is remarkable in today's Oslo. The city centre is small and compact and easy to get around. Many museums and sights are within walking distance in the city centre. Oslo is a green and friendly city with a mild and pleasant climate in the summer (+20C/68F). Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the Oslofjord has pleasant bathing temperature.

Get to know Stavanger. Smiling, friendly Stavanger. Stavanger is a rich city - rich in culture, nature, experiences and good times! Lots of charm and sea breezes.

The region has long claimed to be the cradle of the Vikings, and it is also where the Great Norwegian Fjords begins. In east the landscape varies between fjords and steep mountains, like the Lysefjord with Preikestolen - “the Pulpit Rock”, is an hour boat trip from the city centre. South is Jaeren, the flat open landscape, with long sandy beaches.

Cruise ships dock in the middle of town next to the oldest part ”Gamle Stavanger”, and a ten minutes walk to the town’s lovely market place and the charming city centre with its pedestrian streets.

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:36 PM

Tromso is more than 200 years old, and is situated in the green and lush Tromsø island.
Tromsø has in history been a natural starting point for international polar expeditions and the city soon became known as "The gateway to the Arctic". Visitors during the city's early years said that Tromsø was a town with a lively and sophisticated population and it wasn't long before Tromsø was given a new nickname - " The Paris of the North".

Today Tromsø is a centre for education, research and culture in the North. Tromsø's cultural diversity has nerve, vitality and commitment. Natures own beautiful works of art takes on their own shapes, colours and sounds in the Polar light. Tromsø's cuisine carries the aroma of local raw materials and exotic spices. The city is full of intense, humorous and engaging conversation, with a backdrop of local or international rhythms. Museums, exhibitions and different architecture serve both to inspire and educate. Tromsø cannot be explained, only experienced, so welcome as our guest!

Every year thousands of tourists visit the local coastal area, enjoying its fjords and thousands of small islands. The Kristiansand area has more days of sunshine than any other location in Scandinavia, and the beaches and smooth rocks are ideal for sunbathing. The area is considered being the number one holiday area in Norway. By charter boats tourists can visit the unique scenery and the charming fishing villages with their traditional white wooden houses. Salmon fishing is popular at the river that runs through the city. At the Fisherman's wharf one can find an exciting fish market, lively restaurants, small boat traffic and sigthseeing boats.

Since the renaissance town was founded in 1641, Kristiansand has boasted one of the world largest fleets of sailing ships until the beginning of the last century. Often being the first port of call for ships arriving from Europe. Today, the city serves as the primary hub for ferry, shipping, air, road and rail traffic in southern Norway.

Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the world, is both an arctic and multicultural destination. For centuries three different cultures have been living side by side in this region. Hammerfest is a natural starting point for day-trips by bus to North Cape and Sâpmi.

Hammerfest has a long history of being an important hunting and fishing town in the arctic. Due to the ice-free harbor all year round, Hammerfest has been a natural starting point for expeditions to further arctic areas. The fact that Hammerfest was involved, and actually attacked during the Napoleonic War in 1809, emphasizes the world powers' interest in the town at the time. A small redoubt was built at Skansen after the event, and can be seen today. Today Hammerfest is a small, modern town with approximately 9,200 inhabitants. The main industries are service, natural gas, fishing and tourism. It is a natural starting point for travelers who want to explore this area.

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:37 PM

A cruiseship visitng a fjord

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:41 PM

Norwegian fjord country

PagodaSwan · 11-12-2005, 03:42 PM

SS Norway visiting Norway