What Is There To Do In Alesund On A Cruise
What Can I Do In Eight Hours Or Less
Although you could easily spend a full day exploring Bergen there are good country walks from the top of the funicular, for example a few excursions are well worth considering.
Half-day trips give to the chance to see the city sights too a combined stave church/Grieg museum tour is offered by most cruise lines. Royal Caribbean has a cruise on a sailing boat MSC Cruises and Cunard are among those listing a fast RIB boat ride Viking has a fishing trip on a traditional vessel.
If you wish to take the cable car on an organised tour, your cruise line will often throw in a snack and a quick look at Bergens highlights.
For a longer day out, a coach drive to the spectacular Hardangerfjord region is recommended and featured by most ships. A stop at the 150ft Steindal waterfall is usually made. Mountain farms are another popular destination for Norway excursions in this case, on the shore of Jordal Lake. Expect a chat with the owners and samples of local fruit and cheese.
Costa Cruises and NCL offer a full-day railway adventure, taking the train to Myrdal and then the steep line down to Flåm.
Food And Drink Spots Near The Bergen Cruise Port
Restaurant Cornelius
Address: Strandgaten 203, 5004 Bergen, Norway
Seafood is what Restaurant Cornelius does best, and with fjord views and passing ships just beyond the restaurant, its hard to go wrong with this kind of ambiance. The restaurant offers a culinary journey through Norway. The five-course meal is perfect for an upscale, slow evening meal featuring some of the regions freshest seafood, from fresh-shucked oysters to ceviche, scallops, king crab, and more.
Address: Fosswinckelsgate 18, 5007 Bergen, Norway
The trendy Marg & Bein has decadent mains like white fish and mussels in a cream sauce or braised ox and potatoes cooked in duck fat. Creative spins on seafood dishes and an attention to detail make Marg & Bein worth checking out. The atmosphere is modern and Scandinavian sleek, and the menu changes seasonally.
Horn of Africa
Address: Strandgaten 212, 5004 Bergen, Norway
Looking for something other than seafood? Head to Horn of Africa, which caters to your cravings for Ethiopian and African dishes, plus offers plenty of vegetarian options. The injera, or Ethiopian savory pancake, pairs perfectly with both vegetarian and meat options. The cozy restaurant makes for a laid-back atmosphere.
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Cruise Ship Shore Excursions In Bergen
Each year Bergen and its passenger port is visited by many cruise ships, and they all seek for good shore excursions in Bergen, Norway. The time that is available during your visit in Bergen, is probably quite short. Meaning, its probably not more then 6-8 hours, in best cases 1 day or even if your stay is longer than 2 days, its likely that you will not be able to see everything and all attractions. But, with our help, we can take you to the most popular places and show you the Highlights of Bergen and Norway.
Private Cruise Ship Tours In Bergen
If you decide to go with our Private shore excursion in Bergen, we will make sure that you wont need to worry about missing the ship or even getting lost. Our tour guides will plan the time accordingly, and make the best out of it.
Our tour guide always meets our guests at the port, before the excursion and take them back to ship after the tour!
Since OsaBus is a tour operator, we have all necessary ingredients for that perfect cruise ship shore excursion. All you have to do, is get in touch with us, and we will find the right solution for you or your group.
Probably, the best Bergen shore excursions in town OsaBus.
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Bergen And Several Other Norwegian Ports Halt Cruise Shore Visits
Frederik Erdmann | Mar 12, 2020
The policy is in place for Bergen, where cruise ships can dock and take on provisions, but passengers must remain on board. Bergen Municipality took the decision Wednesday, with immediate effect.
Hurtigruten, Fjord Line continue normal operations
Robert Rastad, kommunaldirektør , said the measure is to limit the risk of coronavirus spreading.
Operators calling Bergen in regularly scheduled traffic are allowed to continue embarking and disembarking. These include Hurtigruten and the ferry operator Fjord Line. Both continue normal operations and are conducting passenger turnarounds at Bergen.
The first impacted cruise ship is AIDAaura, which was underway from Trondheim to Bergen on Thursday morning, and scheduled to call around noon. The next cruise call was to take place in five days.
Bodø, Oslo, Stavanger, Ålesund
According to Norwegian radio station NRK, the ports of Bodø, Oslo and Stavanger are implementing regulations in line with Bergen’s. NRK noted the ban on shore visits also applies to the crew.
Late Wednesday Ålesund suspended shore visits until May 1. At Ålesund, Hurtigruten passengers traveling in transit are not allowed to go ashore, while liner passengers traveling to or from the port are permitted to embark or disembark.
No general ban
Official Taxis In Bergen
There are usually a limited amount of taxis available on the cruise dock in Bergen. You will find them on the parking lot where it marks taxi on the ground. Keep in mind that taxis are pricy in Norway. Rule of thumb is you usually pay around 700 NOK per hour. Expect a short ride to the city centre to cost you around 15 euro.
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The Gateway To The Fjords Of Norway
The city of Bergen was founded on an old Viking settlement in the year 1070, and has a proud history and many interesting cultural monuments. Today Bergen has more than 270 000 inhabitants. The city is famous for its exciting mixture of old and new architecture, its charm and atmosphere. Bergen is surrounded by one of the worlds most spectacular tourist attractions – the Norwegian Fjords, which are included on UNESCOs World Heritage List. Bryggen in Bergen is also listed on UNESCOs World Heritage List, and the city is a designated World Heritage City. Bergen is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway.
Opening Hours And Holidays:
Opening hours in Norway are better than they used to be, but many smaller stores still close early on Saturday and nearly everything is closed on Sundays. You’ll often see opening hours written as “9-21 ” on doors, meaning 9 AM to 9 PM weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday.
For public holidays click here.
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Environmental Issues Will Feature Heavily In The Upcoming Election
With an election due in September, the differentiation of environmental policies will be of key concern to many voters. One only has to look at how the environmental messaging, typified by parties like Miljøpartiet De Grønne , has permeated the political debate in recent years. Protecting the blue economy is now considered a strategic national interest.
Seeing as though much of the cruise ships enter into fjords and other unique marine environments, are there levels of protection adequate to safeguard these natural wonders?The government, along with various municipalities nationwide, already have a somewhat questionable record about the adequate protection of marine environments throughout Norway. If vast areas of so-called protected marine parks, natural reserves, seas, and rivers are already blighted by commercial and personal fishing, on the governments watch, what is happening to one of Norways most precious natural wonders?
Are there adequate levels of regulation and protection to ensure that these city-sized cruise ships, and their daily dose of thousands of tourists, arent damaging the precious eco-systems of the west Norwegian fjords and in other Norwegian waters?
Crystal Clear Political Message
In 2018, the Norwegian parliament decided that no tourist or cruise ships should use fossil fuels in the fjords in Western Norway from 2026 onwards. Under the Action Plan for Green Shipping, the government aspires for all Norwegian ports to be zero-emission by 2030.
The political message is crystal clear. For there to be continued growth in shipping and tourism in Western Norway, their climate impact must be significantly reduced. Our plans will enable and facilitate the kind of sustainable development of the regions shipping and tourism that is wanted, while simultaneously creating hundreds of new jobs, says Rygg.
Bergens municipal master plan sets out a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Since March 2020, Vy Fjord1 Reiseliv has already been operating hybrid electric vessels, and from the turn of the year it will start using fully electric, zero-emission vessels.
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Fred Olsen Fleet Meet
For the first time ever, on July 28, 2015, all four Fred Olsen ships came together in Bergen. At the following YouTube video, you can also see an aerial view of the cruise port and the terminals.
The four vessels arrived at 8 am and left the port at 6 pm.
- MS Balmoral was on an 8-night “Norwegian Fjords” cruise from Southampton UK . Arriving from Stavanger, it docked at Bontelabo Terminal.
- MS Black Watch was on a 9-night “Cruising the Fjordland” cruise from Liverpool UK . Arriving from Flam, it docked at Skolten South Terminal.
- MS Boudicca was on a 7-night “Glaciers, Fjords and Waterfalls of Norway” cruise from Newcastle UK . Arriving from Newcastle, it docked at Skolten North Terminal.
- MS Braemar was on a 14-night “Falls, Fjords and Faroe Islands” cruise from Dover UK . Arriving from Akureyri Iceland, it docked at Festningskaien Terminal.
The day-long festivities in Bergen included quayside live music performances , onboard entertainment , onboard treasure hunt, “water cannon” send-off show as all Fred Olsen ships were leaving the port.
All four Fred Olsen ships visit Bergen every year since 1997. Following the “fleet meet” day, Balmoral continued to Flam, both Black Watch and Braemar to Eidfjord, Boudicca – to Alesund.
Popular Things To Do In Bergen
Food and Drink in Bergen
Bergen, like most places in Norway, is heavy on seafood, given its proximity to the sea and access to fresh fish, shrimp and even whale. Reindeer is also a staple. True to its personality as a city with a welcome mat out to all nationalities, it also offers a dizzying range of international cuisine choices:
Bolgen & Moi: Set in an old bank, this establishment offers an upscale ambience that’s equal parts trendy and classic. You can sit directly in front of the building’s original vault as you dine on delicious fish selections and scrumptious desserts.
Pygmalion: This little cafe has a personality all its own, complete with checkered tablecloths and art hung on exposed brick walls. Set on a cobblestone side street, just a five-minute walk from the port area, it offers an organic menu of salads and sandwiches that are ideal for lunchtime. Plus it offers outdoor seating for use on nice days.
Sostrene Hagelin: If you’re craving something quick, this is Norwegian fast food, but it’s delicious . Choose from items like wraps, burgers, balls, soups and cakes — all containing some type of fish.
Don’t Miss in Bergen
Bergen Aquarium : There’s a for-fee ferry that crosses from the Fish Market to the aquarium two to three times an hour during the summer season. Found at the opening of the harbor, the aquarium features birds and sea life, especially animals found in and around the North Sea. Seal and penguin pools are popular features, as well.
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Shopping Near The Bergen Cruise Port
Because youre close to the city center on your Bergen fjord cruise, theres no need to worry about going out of your way to find good shopping. The best shopping is in the historic Bryggen area, and there are also boutiques selling wool goods and locally made ceramics nearby. The citys main shopping district, where youll find dozens of Norwegian name brands, boutiques, and local craftsmen, is just beyond Olav Kyrres Gate.
Not Worried About The Cruise Industrys Future
In April, an analysis by Menon Economics estimated that businesses in Bergen would lose out on up to NOK 750 million if the summer season were to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Of course some people have asked us whether now is the right time to launch a port project. But were thinking long-term. Im sure well learn lots from the pandemic, which we will incorporate into our plans for the new port. At the same time, we have listened to the Norwegian and international cruise and tourism industry, and although there is great uncertainty about how it will be affected, everyone we have spoken to is busy adapting to the new normal. They are also investing in the transition to a greener economy, which is another area where we think Kildn can play a big role. Im not worried, says Rygg.
According to a survey performed by Innovation Norway, cruise passengers spend NOK 1.8 billion in Norway over the course of the summer season.
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Stricter Regulation Needed In Norway
The center of tourism in Norway, during the warmer months, is in cities like Bergen and Stavanger. From these cities, many pleasure boats and cruise ships set out to sail in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Norwegian fjords. Like Venezia or other cities dotted throughout the Meditteranean and Adriatic seas, cruise ships are big business on the west coast of Norway.According to Innovasjon Norge, cruise ships were very much a part of unprecedented levels of tourism in the country. There was not only record growth in cruise-related tourism but also a record amount of cruise passengers. For the cruise season of 2019 , some 2,000 cruise ships carried both 850,000 cruise passengers but were also responsible for delivering a record 3.6 million day tourists to Norwegian harbors. These are huge numbers for a small country with such a uniquely precious marine environment. As cruise ships, and tourists, slowly start to make their way back into Norwegian waters, this is exactly the time to start to develop a national strategy for balancing the economic with the environmental.
Bergen Tours Shore Excursions Hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
- Hjeltefjorden
- Bryggen Wharf
- Mt Floyen
Port Bergen cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port’s schedule lists all ships with cruises going to or leaving from Bergen, Norway. To see the full itineraries and their lowest rates â just follow the corresponding ship-link.
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Local Currency & Tipping Customs
The official currency of Norway is the krone . Norway is moving gradually toward being a cash-free society, so debit and credit cards are commonly accepted here, unlike some other parts of Europe. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are widely used. ATMs in Norway are called mini banks, so look out for that if youre looking for a place to withdraw a little cash or check your balance. Dont worry about tipping your taxi driver or restaurant server, as the tip is usually already included in a service charge on your bill. When you pay with a credit card in Norway, there will usually be a blank line for leaving a tip if you wish to tip additionally.
Changing Tides For Cruise Ships
As the European summer heats up and rolls on, COVID restrictions slowly ease, many people will seek to board ships and cruise the many tranquil seas of Europe. However, in recent years, citizens in port cities, from Dublin to Santorini, from Amsterdam to Barcelona, are fed up with these buoyant behemoths of mass tourism.Whilst many European countries rely on tourism, especially those bordering the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, it appears that the public mood has swung wildly against cruise ships. Where once they were welcomed with open arms, seen as vital sources of economic and employment activity for local economies, they are now seen as an annoyance and a harbinger of cultural and environmental damage. As cruise ships are a common sight in Norwegian waters throughout the warmer months, what are the lessons can Norway learn from other countries to ensure that ever so delicate balance between the economic benefits to regional areas of this country whilst also seeing adequate protection of the natural environment, so envied and admired the world over?
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Securing Revenues And Jobs
Bergen is currently Norways busiest port of call for cruise ships, and fjord tourism generates significant revenues for businesses in the region. However, the city council has decided to reduce the number of cruise ships calling at Bergen city centre from eight to three per day. Alternative options are therefore needed.
As a home port for cruise ships, Kildn can be a complementary port to Bergen. It can make an important contribution to ensuring that the Bergen region has the capacity and flexibility to cater to the expected increase in fjord tourism and cruise passengers in the region, continues Rygg.
The area offers vast opportunities, and Rygg envisages a future with an underwater restaurant, hotel and conference centre, as well as research and other activities related to the energy and destination sectors.
The port also has the potential to become an attraction in its own right. The plans could generate significant wider economic benefits for the whole region, not just by creating new jobs on Askøy and in the rest of the region. He believes that the Bergen region, led by Askøy, can become a world-leader in sustainable development.
From a global perspective, a zero-emission port like this creates enormous possibilities. Not only will it help to electrify shipping and tourism, it will also enable green development throughout the region, as well as making us an attractive location for other industries, says Rygg.