Flam Railroad Trip - Should it be a deal breaker?
 

Am thinking of cruising through the fjords on a major cruise line. I've narrowed it down to two options - one that offers an excursion to include the Flam railroad trip - one that does not. I just keep reading so much about it and would hate to get all the way to Norway to miss it.
Is the Flam railroad trip a must see.
Comments? Opinions?

My wife and I enjoyed the trip last fall. The train is great, but IMO the Swiss rail trains are more scenic. What is better is the boat and bus ride after the rail portion. The town is very small and touristy but we had a wonderful lunch at Fretheim hotel. We stayed in Bergen but wished we had instead spent the night in Flam versus Bergen.

Is it a requirement when you visit Norway, no, but I am glad we took the trip.

The train is good but not exceptional. Being on the fjord itself in a boat is the best part. I'm glad we did it, but I wouldn't call it a deal breaker.

More important to me would be the size of the boat. If it's huge, I'd say 'no thank you.'

EduTravler,
Do you mean that the two cruises you are considering are on the same fjord and both stop at Flam, but that one just throws in the railroad trip cost?

If the other ship also docks in Flam, you can easily book your own ticket on the train. It is only a few hundred yards from where the ships dock. No guide or transportation needed.
We did see the tour groups leaving the ships each day following their guide's flag and sitting in their separate cars to hear the guide's talk. We were told that some trains do fill up during the cruise season so we purchased our tickets in advance, but then had no trouble getting on.

Does the alternative cruise go somewhere different or offer a day somewhere other than Flam?

Only one cruise stops in Flam with opportunity to do the railroad. Other goes to Alesund instead.

So you are choosing between cruises that visit different fjords?
Geirangerfjord or Sognefjord?
I have only been on Sognefjord, so I cannot compare the two and whether one is a better overall fjord experience.

The Flam railroad trip up/down the valley was scenic, but I wouldn't choose the one cruise/fjord over the other just for the couple of hours up/down on the train.

Maybe some folks who have been on both fjords will chime in.

Actually both cruises go to Geirangerfjord.
Would anyone recommend Alesund versus Sognefjord. I have read that Sognefjord is a must see.