We have several weeks in Norway starting in mid July. We are going to book a coastal cruise with Havila or Hurtegruten on the Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen route. Norway in a nutshell sounds delightful but busy in late July and slightly off our route. Should we try to stretch our route to include the Norway in a Nutshell venture or will the Coastal Cruise sate our appetite for fjords?
Posted by
West Coast
207 posts
Travel advice is so very subjective, but pre- Covid I did both, and also in July.
Where do you live? I ask because that would influence my choice/advice. I used the NIN from Oslo to Bergen, with the boat option on to Bergen. I am able to see snowy mountains from my neighborhood, so am quite spoiled. Perhaps because it was summer, while the views were lovely, for me they were not jaw- droppingly awesome (as compared to the Alps, when my jaw was always dropped!). Also, there is an online resource where you can see which cruise ships will be there, as far as big crowds.
The Hurtigruten ship remains one of my best travel memories, and I also went to Kirkenes. The offered shore excursions, while expensive, were all fantastic and being summer, the ship could also access fjords. I am not sure about doing it as a round trip. I was ready to disembark by Kirkenes. I stayed north but there was a transfer to the airport most passengers were taking.
I think if you were staying in the south and short on time the NIN provides a glimpse of Norway's beauty.
If you'd like more info about Hurtigruten you can message me :)
Caveat- this is only my opinion comparing the two!
Posted by
Northern Minnesota
786 posts
I would spend some time in the interior of Norway but probably using a car as opposed to the nutshell option.
Posted by
Berlin
3084 posts
During summer sailing plan on northbound Havila and Hurtigruten ships (except MS Midnatsol) will drive into Geirangerfjord and if possible Trollfjord. So, I would say that this is comparible. If you book an excursion from Geiranger e. g. to Molde by bus which stops at Ørnesvingen you will see a World Nature Heritage fjord from various perspectives.
In this case fjord wise you will not need NiN.
I agree that for much more hunger for northern fjords a (rental) car is the best way to see most of the country.
In the case of enough time and money I would rent a car in Bergen and put it onto journey to Kirkenes. The way back I would drive either from Honningsvåg (getting one midnight sun at North Cape) or from Havøysund. See official scenic routes. Give the car back in Bergen and fly out - alternatively direct train to Oslo and fly out there.
You can use Hurtigruten with a car like a HoHo tour - looong pre-booking needed. Havila does not support this - car transport only between Bergen and Kirkenes.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA
82 posts
My preference would be the Coastal Cruise. Would not go out of my way to include NIN. We have done both and you will see plenty of beautiful scenery, including fjords, on the Hurtigruten Coastal Cruise in July. Coastal Cruise will also be a far more relaxing experience than NIN.