We will be departing on a Baltic States cruise August 2018, leaving out of Stockholm. We plan to spend about 9 days prior to the cruise starting to see some of Norway and have a couple of days in Stockholm.

Currently, our thought is to spend 3 nights in Oslo, 4 nights seeing the fjords, and then 2 nights in Stockholm, . Is that a reasonable amount of time for fjords? I have read quite a bit about NiN, and though it sounds stunning, I am a bit put off by the talk of lines, crowds, tunnels, lack of control, etc. and think we would be happier driving. Maybe we would drive from Oslo to Bergen (realizing the drop charge potential), and then fly from Bergen to Stockholm. If we did drive, can you please suggest a good route? Would also like to have a fjord cruise. There seems to be so many sites to see, I am not sure how to select.

Thank you.

NiN is not convenient with a car, but there is plenty of stunning scenery away from the crowds. One way Oslo - Bergen would be the most effective. Try and keep net driving times down to 4 hrs leaving you plenty of time for stops ans explorations. Try something like Oslo - Øvre Ådal (overnight) - Tindervegen to Turtagro and continue to Solvorn via Urnes stave church (overnight - Wallaker hotel!) - Balestrand (Kviknes hotel and Ciderhouse restaurant) - Bergen via Gaularfjellet.

THanks dyoll, I will check this out today.

Quick other question, we have a choice of doing this Norway portion before the cruise in early August or after the cruise in early September. I am thinking Sept may have less crowds. Is there a good reason to stick with August, such as more daylight or kess chance of rain? Which woukd you recommend?

Weather is pretty much luck of the draw. I'd go for the less crowds in early September which is when I did part of this tour this year - few tourists around, most things still open. Lovely blue skies in Bergen (rare) but pretty much overcast and occasional rain other days - but that you have to expect in west coast Norway.
You have a slightly better chance statistically of better weather in August, but a couple of weeks is going to make an insignificant difference.

OK, thank you.

It is interesting to know that to optimize vessel’s operating expenses http://www.shipcosts.com/ is difficult, that why cruise fjords are so expensive, isn't it?