Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are three ports that are very walkable with plenty to do without an excursion.

By Vis, I assume you mean Vik (in the Sogneford)?

Yes, Vik. Spell check must have adjusted. Thanks

Thanks Carol.

All mentioned towns and villages are small enough to self-explore, Oslo and Bergen with a little self-preparation. Some of them are so small that there is no "off the tourist streets".

Hamburg is not Norway and has four (!) cruise terminals. Some are closer to highlights than others. Check out the terminal location.

We want to ensure we see the beauty of this country and the fjords

I miss the real highlight fjords. Of course Vik in Sognefjord is a good one but not far enough into it such as its branches Aurlandfjord or Nærøyfjord. Just compare it with the list of the most famous fjords from VisitNorway.

I guess that the ship is too big to get deeper into the fjords where the highlights are. So, you might spend money to excursions which contains rides in smaller boats which will bring you more into the fjords.

Alesund has a HOHO bus and things that can keep you occupied. Depends on how long in port. I had bad weather in late September so wasn't able to see as much of Alesund as wished, but if timing works, there is an open air museum near(ish)...Sunnmore Museum. Also a Fisheries Museum, Aquarium and KUBE.

I agree with Carol and would add Alesund and Oslo to her list.

Maloy you do really need to do an excursion. If MSC don't do Selje island It may be worth trying to find a private one. It can be done independently, but is a bit tricky.
Vik in my opinion is an excursion port, whether with the ship or a private company.
Not sure if you are docking in Molde. If so it's a nice place to wander round. However I highly recommend a tour along the Atlantic road, preferably including Haholmen island- quite an interesting history as a fishing village with its more recent replica Viking ship.

Hi Mark
Appreciate the info and yes, I understand Hamburg is in Germany, not Norway. It’s just where we embark and disembark Have a great day!

Alesund has a great deal of Art Nouveau architecture as a result of a dreadful fire that wiped out much of the city. There's an historic museum to provide background information if you don't want to just walk around, looking at the pretty buildings. I believe a common excursion goes up to a view point outside town. I didn't take that trip, being more interested in the city architecture.

Thanks ACraven. Sounds like a good option! We'd be interested in the architecture too.

The architecture style came from the order to build new houses of stone only.

Germany's emperor Wilhelm II. sponsored from his private wealth immediate help (ships, money, engineers, material, ...) to Alesund. He also organized help provided by German companies. The ships were needed as interim homes for the people which became homeless by the fire. Still today one major street is named Keiser Wilhelms Gatan which is directly located near the cruise terminal.

Another present from the German emperor is the Statue of Fridtjov which stands at the Sognefjord, not far away from Wik.

He loved to spend his "Sommerfrische" (summer freshness) on his private yacht in Norway.

Thanks again to all who responded. I'll start working on my excursions! Mike

Hi Travel Friends!
I am on an MSC cruise, which started me asking questions on this site! For Bergin, there's a tour that is called Land & Sea, as described below in the asterisks. I'm interested in seeing the Fjords while In Bergin. The section below starting with 'Some time to decompress...' talks about 'small Lysefjord (not to be confused with the namesake-fjord close to Stavanger)'. Other options are Oster, Mostraumen, or Hardangerfjord. My wife wants to go on the MSC tour to 'small Lysefjord' as it is only 3 hours and run by the cruise ship. I am fine with an outside company. I just want to see the best options. Ever hear of 'small Lysefjord'? Thanks! Mike

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MSC DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive tour will introduce Bergen, a lovely city that nestles between the sea and the mountains. Having reached its commercial peak in 1100 through a profitable trade of dried cod, Bergen continued to flourish as the main trade centre in Norway. Its historic past can be seen at the German pier and in Bryggen, a traditional area with fine examples of hanseatic buildings and gabled wooden houses. The unglamorous days of the cod trade have been left behind, as today this area has been reincarnated as a fashionable hub, with trendy restaurants, tasteful souvenir shops and inviting pubs. However, one can still stroll through this historic district and gain a sense of what it was like to live here during the Middle Ages. Next up is a chance to savour the sights during a 1-hour coach ride through Bergen and the verdant Norwegian countryside en route to Lyse Island to board a ferry. Some time to decompress during the relaxing boat trip then follows, during which you can delight in gorgeous views of the so-called small Lysefjord (not to be confused with the namesake-fjord close to Stavanger) and the Bergen archipelago on your way back to the city. On this scenic cruise, you can view Bergen from a different perspective and fully experience the delights of this attractive town and its idyllic setting.

I wouldn't think of it as a fjord, really a sea inlet, but I suspect this is the body of water, whatever you want to call it, between Lyse Abbey (a ruined Cistercian monastery) and Buena Pier which you would use for Lysoen island. In typical cruise excursion style it sounds like they aren't taking you to the two places that are actually interesting.
On the positive side the boat trip seemingly back into the city is a chance to see another part of the Bergen archipelago you wouldn't otherwise see, never a bad thing.
If you wanted to see the Abbey or visit the island both are easy by city transit. A lot of fluff in that description.
But the fjord kind of exists, and if you are not used to Bergen city transit it is not a bad idea. Would I do it for the money MSC will be charging?- A big fat no.
But it is a nice enough trip, so for you why not.

How much time do you have in Stavanger? We stayed there for 3 nights last August and went kayaking on Lysefjord, did a rib boat tour, went to https://florogfjare.no/en/ one evening(amazing!!!), the canning museum, Ovre Holemgate (fun street, but very crowded), and wandered Gamle Stavanger.

Hi isn31c,

Thank you for your response. Glad to not be wasting my money on this excursion. I'm more interested in seeing the best scenery I can. Shore Excursions Group offers this one. I have to get to the middle of town I guess for it but that's fine. Interested in your thoughts. Thanks Mike

Join this epic Bergen tour to see the scenic Oster Fjord and the narrow Mostraumen. Board a comfortable, modern catamaran for the trip to the innermost part of the Oster Fjord, right into the narrow Mostraumen, with its strong current. Boats are just able to pass through, which is an experience in itself.
*This spectacular tour from Bergen takes you through the unforgettable scenery of western Norway's Hordaland province to tiny Modalen, all the way up the fjord. Enjoy the panoramic view of Bergen when leaving the wharf on the way to the fjord. This trip features many stunning waterfalls and narrow fjords surrounded by sheer mountains. You'll also have the opportunity to feel the refreshing spray on your face if they are at peak flow. Your captain will nudge the bow right up to a waterfall to catch a bucket of ice-cold mountain water for you to taste before turning back in Modalen and retracing our route through the magnificent landscape.*

Hi Mikliz97,
We are on a 13-night cruise on the MSC Preziosa. We'll be in port from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. We are older and aren't that athletic anymore :), but maybe a stroll through town or a boat ride to fjord would be good? We have a lot of ports on this one and want to mix the best fjord stops with wandering through other towns. Appreciate the recommendations! Mike & Sherry

That Bergen boat trip is way more like it. Chalk and cheese compared to the MSC excursion.
If you are docked at the main cruise terminal at what I call the old International ferry terminal I would hope the boat would be on that side of the harbour (maybe on the other face of the same pier) or that they would provide a shuttle van round the harbour.
If not, and it's at the domestic ferry terminal either take the cross harbour Beffen ferry across for 35Kr. or its maybe a 20 minute walk round the harbour via the fishmarket.

Hi INS31C,
I checked and the dock was on the same side, just a walk/taxi down from the cruise ship. So the second one is the one we will book. Thanks! One port down, many to go!