Norway Coastal Cruise: which way should I ---or should I not-- go?
 

Hi all, I did peruse the other posts relating to this topic, but I didn't find the exact advice I was looking for so I figured that I'd ask my specific question.

The situation is this: I will be in Trondheim for a conference at the end of August and unfortunately I have limited time available to fit sightseeing in. I've been thinking of a couple of options.

A. The first is to fly into Bergen and do the coastal cruise north from Bergen to Trondheim before the conference.

B. The second is to fly into Trondheim and do the coastal cruise north from Trondheim to Bodo (or somewhere else that might be recommended) after the conference.

C. The third is not to do any of them because they will be so rushed and, at least for the first trip, a lot of it will be over two nights. Options here are to visit certain specific places, and help on which would be best is also appreciated.

My main question is whether there are particular parts of the journey that really should not be missed so that, for example, it would be foolish to do option B instead of option A because the scenery is so different that I'll miss the most lush and beautiful part of the journey if I skip the Bergen to Trondheim bit. Or is seeing the change in scenery going farther north what shouldn't be missed? Since I won't have time to do anything but ride the ship between ports, should I skip it altogether and do something else? Rent a car? Norway in a Nutshell?

Basically, I have to be at the conference between 27 and 29 August, and I therefore will have a few days before where I can travel and a day or so afterwards when I can travel. This is all complicated by flight and ship arrival and departure times and needing to fly in and out of Stockholm... Help! Any information, advice, and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

you have already posted this and got a response. To find your threads = click on your name . . . .

If going on Hurtigruten in summer, go for option A, on it's way north it goes into the Geiranger fjord in summer. This is 'a not to miss destination'

As for option B, It would be nice if going as far as Lofoten and spend a few days there. Bodø is not that special. If doing option B, I would probably just fly into Lofoten, rent a car for a day or two and fly back south.

Then it's option C, maybe taking the train south from Trondheim to Åndalsnes and continue with the Golden route bus taking you up Trollstigen (very scenic road), Eagles turn ending in Geiranger. Do a short 1,5 hour cruise of the Geiranger fjord. From Geiranger the bus will take you up the steep road and will continue to Otta and finally Oslo. This will show you the best of Norwegian fjords. The bus only runs until Aug. 31st, but you will just be there in time.

http://www.fjord1.no/bussmore_en/default.asp?page=2404

http://www.fjord-tours.com/geiranger/

Just to add, any of the 3 would be nice - it depends on what suits you.

<i>My main question is whether there are particular parts of the journey that really should not be missed</i>

For me the short answer to that question is Bod&oslash; to Honningsv&aring;g (although it is debatable which direction is better).

The Bergen/Trondheim section is relatively tame. I think the Geiranger diversion in summer is over-rated. Geirangerfjord itself is good, but it's a long way up there from &Aring;lesund and back through some fairly ordinary scenery.

Do this - Option D ...

Fly to Bergen and get on one Hurtigruten ship north to Trondheim, and get off there to go to conference. Then when the conference is over get on another (different) Hurtigruten ship at Tondheim and go north to Bodo!!

Hurtigruten's round-trip voyage (Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen) lasts 11 days and there are 11 ships - one ship per day!

Ship calls at Trondheim at 8am from Bergen and leaves at noon for Bodo - every day!

Hope this helps!!

How many days do you have?