Norway

Norwegian Fjords 2024

 

Ship: Celebrity Silhouette

 

In June of 2024 I ventured out for a massive 8 country European trip that started in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

 

The first night, started by staying at an Airport hotel (NintyNine Hotel) near the airport. This was a great place to stay.  The next morning, I took an UBER to Rotterdam, that was about $80USD.  I dropped my bags off at the ship and just walked around the area.  A few sights to see, coffee to be had and then onto the Silhouette around 1pm.

 

The cruise sails down the river for a while and passes by the beautiful Hoek Van Holland park and beach.  Don't miss the views!

 

The first day of the cruise is sailing in the North Sea towards the Fjords, so, its a good chance to rest and take in some of the scenic views. Enjoy the ship, eat well.

 

Molde, Norway. Our first stop. I did a coastal hike with the cruise line. They drove us out to Farstad to explore the coastline and the burial mounds at Nordnest.  An easy hike, beautiful scenery and some morning movement.  Once we returned, I walked around the small town and explored some of the shops and pubs.  Molde is a nice city to shop, eat and walk around.

 

Olden, Norway - Olden has to be one of my favorite places I have ever been.  Deep in the Fjords, the scenes are Majestic!  First, I did an excursion/hike to a glacier.  This was a walk in the park but a great sight to behold.  Once at the park, the hike to the glacial pool is easy because you take a trollcar up to the top!!  The trip in the trollcar is short and its fun.  Its hard to describe the majestic beauty of this area. You will see waterfalls, glaciers, beautiful blue waters and amazing mountains.  This port and this experience is what my minds eye says "this is Norway." See my instagram or flickr to see more pictures of this area.

 

After I got back to town, I went up the cable car to view the fjords from high above.  A beautiful clear day and you get to see both fjords converge for a wonderful sight.  Stop in at the pub afterward for a local beer, an elk burger and take a look at the tables!  The owner of the pub carved them by hand.

 

Alesund, Norway - Home of the famous Trollstigen! This is the famous switchback road you see in travel magazines and on internet pictures and videos from Norway.  I took a VIATOR excursion that took us about 90 minutes from the port to see the famous road.  There is a guest area, gift shop, food and a viewing area.  Such a beautiful walk and view from high up the mountain.  You'll probably see a few goats as well! Dont forget to look up, the mountain tops are majestic to behold.

 

Stavenger - I really wish the cruise line would have given us about 3-5 more hours in port.  I felt like they could have.  I went out to the Geysers, which was about an hour ride.  It was OK.  I would try and do something else if I had a second chance at it.

 

My favorite things to do on this itinerary were; 

1. Hike to Pulpit rock - Tough, but rewarding.  Please dont attempt if you have foot, leg or back issues!  The views were stunning.

 

2. Olden.  Really great views, sights, the cable car and Olden pub (Molla Guesthouse) really cool across the board.  My favorite port on this itinerary.

 

3. the Trollcars -  Briksdall glaciers and the trollcars were really fun and a sight to see.

 

I loved this cruise.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Id love to do it with a smaller ship, but the Celebrity experience was great.  I did see a Ponant vessel in Olden, that must have been a great cruise as well.  I only saw them once along our cruise.  Probably had a longer itinerary and could get even deeper into the fjords because of it being a much smaller vessel.  I highly recommend a Norwegian Fjords cruise!

 

To see pictures: Norway Pictures