Bergen & Norwegian Fjords Cruise
I flew with Norwegian Airlines from Gatwick and was very impressed with the efficiency and comfort of the flight. Norwegian is a low cost airline but I had a baggage allowance of 20kg and was able to buy food and drink on board. The flight was on time and took 1hour 45 minutes to reach Bergen.
Bergen is a beautiful city. I enjoyed a walking tour which took in all the highlights and was at a comfortable pace with an engaging guide. Make sure you take a trip on the funicular railway to the top of Mount Floyen - the views are amazing and there is a restaurant at the top serving snacks and drinks. The funicular runs all day long and the last one departs from the top of Mount Floyen at 23.00hrs.
I boarded the Hurtigruten Kong Harald for a 2 night sailing through the Fjords. The ship is comfortable and a good platform for experiencing the real Norway. Whilst it isn't a traditional 'cruise line' and doesn't come with the bells and whistles which you might associate with other cruise lines (formal nights, swimming pools etc), I would highly recommend it. The food onboard was amazing - they have a close association with local fishermen and use local freshly caught fish which is often taken onboard whilst sailing along! The crew are mainly local people and have a passion for their country which is infectious. The cabins are small and fairly basic but please don't let that put you off. This type of trip is not about being on a luxury ship, but about having a comfortable base from which to explore - the ship is small and can easily get to places the larger tourist ships cannot.
Hurtigruten ships enable you to have a completely flexible itinerary; you can book a one night, two night or even the roundtrip 12 night sailing. I can help you put together a bespoke trip to this stunning destination.
So if you are looking for a truly authentic Norwegian experience, I would strongly recommend you consider travelling with Hurtigruten.