Did you appreciate doing the Nutshell tour round trip from Bergen in 1 day??

I took the 1 day Norway in a Nuthell adventure with Bergen as the starting and ending point in July 2017. As you know, the Norway in a Nutshell involves transportation by rail, bus and ferry. It is a very beautiful adventure. Eight years is a long time in the travel industry and things change.
Regarding your questions.....
Did it seem too rushed? No
Was it too crowded to enjoy? No
Was it worth it? No

I would answer the same way for Iceland's Blue Lagoon.

Both Norway and Iceland have no shortage of spectacular activities at far more reasonable prices.

Interesting question. I can't help answer it for you but will be watching this thread for insights.

My situation is similar to yours: We have one full day to spend in Bergen. I'm suddenly realizing this - the famous "NIN" tour - might be an option for us and would be asking many of the same questions (and have the same preferences) as you.

I have some basic questons about the NIN adventure, which I'll post in a separate thread to avoid hijacking this one.

Disclaimer: I have not taken the NIN roundtrip from Bergen.

In 2023 we did a DIY Nutshell from Bergen to Oslo. Answering your questions, No, it did not feel rushed. No, it was not too crowded to enjoy. Think of the trip as a progression. The journey is your goal, not the short stops transferring from train to bus to ferry.... It's all about the views.

You say this summer, but you also say the weather is looking rainy everyday. When would you be traveling? Next week? The weather in the interior of Norway can be totally different from coastal Norway.

If you do the "traditional" NIN, yes, there will be a lot of people around you. You are on public transportation whether by train, bus or ferry. Obviously you will have seats on the train and bus portions. The ferry is large enough that you can move around, inside or outside, front or back. This is an independent tour, so no one is herding you anywhere. It is up to you to make all of your connections.

Food and drink can be purchased on the ferry, in Flåm or at the Myrdal station, probably Voss station but we never went inside. You can also bring a picnic. There are picnic tables near the Gudvangen pier.

Is it worth it? We enjoyed it and it meshed easily with our 2 and a half weeks in Norway.

You say you are heading North. Will you have the opportunity to see something similar in that area?

Enjoy your trip!

I have not done this round trip in a day, but we have done NIN twice. The first time was October 2015 and we went from Oslo to Bergen in a day. This was wonderful as there were so few people around. Even though we did not go back to Oslo that same day, it was a long day, but enjoyable.

Fast forward to August 2024 and we did a loop of the NIN for over a week. Wow, what a difference from the first time! SO many more crowds, partly due to time of year but also just popularity and partly due to massive cruise ships (2) in Flam. We did feel like we were being herded though, so I am glad we took a few days here and there and did not do it all in one day. I think that would not have been enjoyable for us.

The NIN timeline is short stops along the way. That isn't too bad, but it is harder when the places are busier.

Last summer we did have a few days of rain, and it did not detract from the trip at all, but we are from the PNW so used to it.

Hoping that a day without cruise ships in Flam will make a difference as we will be doing the Nin in August.

With only a day, I would opt to take a shorter fjord tour out of Bergen or rent a car and explore all on your own.

Everything I've read suggests shorter fjord tours from Bergen are not as scenically spectacular as the trip through the Naeroyfjord and the Flamsbana. Unless you want to rent a car (a topic about which I know nothing), I'd stick to the tried-and-true Nutshell route if it's affordable for you. Booking the components individually will save some money.

As others have said already, NiN is all about the scenery en route. On a one-day trip there isn't time to explore the villages serving as transit points, so to me it doesn't make much difference how many people are on the same trains and ferry. I would agree that the view of the fjord at Flam from the Flamsbana is nicer without a monster ship in port.