Bergen, Norway - Norway, Fjords & Baltic Cruises

Step aboard your boat for a scenic cruise, lasting approximately 1½ hours, along the beautiful fjords. Beginning on the Byford, you’ll travel between the surrounding archipelago of the Bjorøyna, Lerøyna and Tyssøyna islands, under the Askøybridge and along the Lysefjord. After relaxing and soaking up the scenery on board, a coach awaits to take you on a drive through the suburbs and city centre to Bryggen.

Bryggen is a living illustration of the city’s history, with 61 protected Hanseatic buildings. Enjoy a guided walk through the alleyways and colourful, picturesque warehouses lining the street and waterfront. These once housed German merchants belonging to the Hanseatic League who settled in Bergen around 1350.

As you stroll through the narrow passages and along the dark covered balconies, you’ll be transported back through the centuries. Bryggen is not a museum, it is living cultural heritage. Today these buildings, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, house shops, restaurants, cafés and artists’ workshops.


This excursion will operate by boat and on foot. The guided walk is approximately 30 minutes over level cobbled terrain. There are a few steps and a steep gradient to board the boat.

Take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløien, which at 1,000 feet offers panoramic views across Bergen and the surrounding area. The Fløien hills are a very popular recreation area with picturesque lakes and mountains, which is used by the population of Bergen all year round. Walk on one of the many gravel roads, through slightly hilly woodland and down to the little, idyllic lake called Skomakerdiket. Walking uphill you’ll join the main path, Blåmansveien, where the views get more impressive the higher you get.

In clear weather the route heads up the Rundemansveg Road, emerging into an excellent panoramic view as you reach the highest point, Rundemanen, at 1,800 feet. There are several trails and your guide will select the most suitable, dependant on the weather conditions.


ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS
You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by funicular and on foot. There will be approximately three hours of walking over uneven terrain with inclines and some steps. Enclosed, comfortable walking shoes and bottled water are recommended. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Long queues may be experienced at the funicular station, due to the popularity of this attraction. The views from Mount Fløien may be affected by adverse weather conditions.

The Old Voss Line is the only preserved railway in Norway where the steam locomotives and teak carriages still run on a main line track. It was originally constructed in 1883 as a narrow gauge line, which formed part of the Bergen to Voss railway. In 1904 the line was upgraded to extend to Oslo and then electrified in 1954. It continued to serve as part of the Bergen to Oslo main line until it closed in 1964 when the Ulriken Tunnel opened.

The railway is now run by volunteers of the local branch of the Norwegian Railway Society. The service operates with a 1913 steam locomotive, which was restored by the society between 1981 and 1993.

Enjoy a nostalgic 45 minute ride on this lovely heritage railway which travels between Garnes and Midttun. The 11 mile journey passes through the Arna Valley towards Haukeland, where the scenery undertakes a change toward a more typical western Norwegian nature.

There will be time at Garnes Old Railway Station to browse the gift shop or explore the museum and railway area.


This excursion will operate by vintage steam train and coach. The journey to the train station is approximately 50 minutes by coach. The walk from the coach to the station is approximately 220 yards and there are three high steps to embark the train. There is no place to store wheelchairs on the train. Guests are reminded that the train is vintage therefore the toilets will be basic and the windows may experience condensation in certain weather. The coach and train journey involves numerous tunnels.

See the old medieval city, including the 13th-century King Håkon's Hall, the 16th-century Rosenkrantz Tower, and Bryggen, a major trading centre for the medieval Hanseatic League. Pass the open-air fish market at Torget and Grieg Hall, the city's concert hall. Enjoy the surrounding sights of green slopes and ragged mountains as you drive through suburbs, with well kept houses and gardens, to Troldhaugen.

Troldhaugen, beautifully situated at the Nordås Lake, was home to the late Edvard Grieg. Grieg (1843-1907) was a composer, pianist and conductor with his first piano debut being at the age of 18. Norwegian folk music, nature and the delightful scenery of Norway inspired him to create the most beautiful pieces of music.

A special piano recital in the ‘Troldsal’, a unique style concert hall with turf roof, will immerse you in the exquisite sounds of Grieg's music. After the recital, there will be a guided tour of Grieg’s house and gardens where you will see many of the original furnishings including a Steinway grand piano, which was an anniversary gift in 1892. Before departing Troldhaugen, there will be the opportunity to visit the information centre which sells books, CD’s and other Grieg memorabilia.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is a total of 30 minutes' walking with some steps and gravel terrain. Photography is not permitted inside the house. If the ship is berthed at Dokken or Jekteviken Pier the journey will include a tunnel.

Walk from the pier to Høyden, home to the University of Bergen Library and the Botanical Gardens. View some of the beautiful buildings in Bergen as you head to Grieg Concert Hall, built in the shape of a grand piano and inaugurated in 1978. Enter the city park, where many of the city’s art museums are located and pass the small Lille Lungegaardsvannet Lake and the city’s Town Hall.

Take a look at the fish market and the Byfjord, before reaching the famous Bryggen Hanseatic Quarters. Soak up the atmosphere in the narrow passages between the buildings. Continue past St Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen still in use, and one of the outstanding Romanesque churches in the country.

You’ll soon reach Bergen’s oldest street, Øvregaten Street, to board the funicular for a ride to the top of Mount Fløien. This is one of the most popular recreational areas with spectacular views at 1,050 feet above sea level. You’ll return to the base of Mount Fløien by funicular.

At the end of the tour you can either return to the ship or opt to remain in town to explore further.


This excursion will operate on foot. Long queues may be experienced at the funicular station, due to the popularity of this attraction. The views from Mount Fløien may be affected by adverse weather conditions. Flat, comfortable walking shoes and bottled water are recommended. Please dress according to the weather. The fish market may be closed on Sundays.

Leaving the port your drive will take you past the medieval King Håkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower. The route then continues along Bryggen, the hanseatic quarter of Bergen, with its old, picturesque wooden buildings to the funicular station of Fløibanen.

The funicular will take you on a short journey to the top of Mount Fløien, one of the seven hills that surround Bergen and stands at a height of around 1,050 feet. There will be around 15 minutes at the summit to purchase souvenirs or to just sit and enjoy the bird’s eye view of Bergen and the fjord, before taking the funicular back to the bottom.

Back on board your coach, you will head past the famous fish market and on towards the peninsula of Nordnes, with its typical 19th century, white-painted wooden houses and splendid views on both sides of the port.



This excursion will operate by coach and funicular. The walk from the coach to the funicular is approximately 100 yards up a slight incline. Long queues may be experienced at the funicular station, due to the popularity of this attraction. The views from Mount Fløien may be affected by adverse weather conditions. If the ship is berthed at Dokken or Jekteviken Pier, the route will include a tunnel.

Bergen is known as the city between seven mountains, and Mount Ulriken is the highest and most spectacular of these. At 2,109 feet above sea level, the view from the top offers a magnificent panorama of the city, coastal landscape, fjords and mountains.

As you take a leisurely drive through Bergen to the cable car, your guide will point out the interesting landmarks such as the Grieghallen, fish market, Bryggen and the Nordes Peninsula.

At the cable car station you will board your gondola for the seven minute ride to reach the top. As you ascend you will be able to see views of Norway's second largest city stretching out below you. On arrival at the summit of Mount Ulriken, refreshments of coffee or tea and a slice of cake will be served in the stylish new restaurant, whilst you relax and enjoy the panoramic views.


This excursion will operate by cable car and coach. There is a walk of approximately 200 yards over uneven terrain and 20 steps at the cable car station. There is standing room only in the gondolas, and each one will accommodate up to 25 people. The views may be affected by certain weather conditions, however the tour will still operate except when the cable car closes due to strong winds. There are 15 steps to access the toilets in the restaurant. If the ship is berthed at Dokken or Jekteviken Pier, the journey will include a tunnel.