Norway Cruise Excursions Review: Which tours are worth the high cost?

I’ve cruised to Norway twice aboard Celebrity Apex and once with Royal Caribbean several years ago. I’ve also taken a land trip through Norway, giving me the chance to experience the country in a few different ways, along with a variety of Norway cruise excursions.

Norway is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever cruised and continues to be one of my favorite itineraries. The scenery is unreal, and in my opinion, it’s a must-do sailing for cruisers.

My first Celebrity Apex cruise to Norway was in June 2024 with my husband, and we stopped in Bergen, Flåm, Olden, and Bruges. In July 2026, my second Norwegian Fjords sailing on Celebrity Apex visited Flåm and Bruges again, along with Geiranger and Haugesund.

Across the two sailings, I booked a mix of Celebrity shore excursions, independent tours, and days exploring on our own.

Even after doing a lot of research for every port, I learned that not every excursion is worth the cost. Cruise line excursions can be extremely expensive, and it’s easy to spend $1,000 or more on tours during a 7-night Norway cruise.

Here’s an overview of the Norway cruise excursions we tried, along with my honest thoughts on which ones were worth the money.

London to Southampton: Private Transfer

It’s easy enough to take the train from London to Southampton for a cruise, but I prefer booking a private transfer for a more relaxing start to my vacation.

My husband and I took the train from London before my first Celebrity Apex cruise to Norway, but an hours-long delay had me sweating bullets. Also, don’t forget that you’ll need to handle all of your luggage and then take a taxi or walk from the train station to the cruise terminal.

For our most recent summer sailing, we opted to book a private transfer through Viator in a luxury van. With a group of six and a lot of luggage, the price ended up being similar to train ticket prices.

Because the drive takes about 2.5 hours, we left London at 9:00 a.m. to give ourselves plenty of time. It was a truly fantastic experience and a great way to start our vacation. This was super relaxing, convenient, and completely door to door, with pickup at our hotel and drop-off at the terminal.

Worth it? Highly recommended, especially for a group or anyone traveling with a lot of luggage. The convenience and peace of mind were absolutely worth it.

Flåm: The Flåm Railway

Flåm is a stunning port tucked into the fjords, and the Flåm Railway is a must-do for many visitors. On both of my visits, I took the train to Myrdal.

The scenery is truly beautiful, although the ride goes by quickly. The stop at Kjosfossen waterfall is also very rushed, especially if you’re hoping to take photos without a crowd in the background.

First Visit: Celebrity’s Norway in a Nutshell Excursion

The first summer, I booked Celebrity’s Norway in a Nutshell excursion, which included the Flåm Railway and a second train to Voss. We wanted to make the most of our day in port, but the excursion cost $545 for two people, so it was quite pricey.

We quickly learned that the Flåm Railway is extremely easy to book on your own because the station is only about a 5-minute walk from the cruise port. On the cruise line’s excursion, we were also packed into the train car and ended up with a less than desirable view.

The second train from Myrdal to Voss was pretty (it’s Norway, of course!), but it didn’t compare with the Flåm Railway. In Voss, we had a mediocre lunch at a hotel, did some local shopping, and walked along the water. The town of Voss and surrounding scenery were beautiful.

We also made a roadside stop along the fjord on the return trip, and the view was stunning. The excursion made good use of our day in Flåm and allowed us to see a lot, but I’m still not convinced it justified the high price.

Worth it? If you want to make the most of your time in Flåm without planning a bunch of logistics, this is a good way to maximize your time. However, I’m not convinced the expensive price is worthwhile, as the Flåm Railway was the main highlight, and you can easily do this on your own.

Second Visit: Booking the Railway Independently

This summer, I booked the Flåm Railway independently to save money. We paid about $85 per person through Norway’s Best, which is roughly $150 less per person than Celebrity’s price for just the Flåm Railway.

I recommend booking as early as possible to get the best departure time because tickets can sell out quickly. Keep checking back for tickets, as we were able to get tickets even after they appeared to be sold out.

It’s a super easy walk from the cruise port, so you can’t miss it! I recommend arriving early to the station to get the best spot on the train and sitting on the right side to have the best views!

If I return to Flåm, I’ll choose a different tour simply to experience something new. For a first visit, though, the railway is a must-do and the scenery is breathtaking. For those with mobility concerns or older folks, this is a great way to comfortably see the fjord.

Worth it? Yes for the Flåm Railway itself, but I’d book it independently if the schedule works for your port day. The longer Celebrity excursion was enjoyable, but the value is harder to justify.

Flåm Railway from the cruise port: How to do it on your own and save money

Geiranger: Mount Dalsnibba Summit

Geiranger, Norway, is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited. Our ship docked directly in the fjord beside the small village, where a handful of souvenir shops and scenic walking paths make it easy to explore.

Because Geiranger’s beauty is best appreciated from above, we booked Celebrity’s Mount Dalsnibba Summit excursion for the afternoon. We spent the morning wandering through the village, walking uphill to visit the church, soaking in the incredible scenery, and browsing the local souvenir shops.

Once our excursion started, the drive from the port took about 45 minutes along a very winding road. I almost never need Dramamine, but I took some after we arrived to ensure I didn’t feel sick on the way back. The scenery from above was unreal, and we took as many pictures as possible!

We did feel like the visit felt a little rushed because there wasn’t much time to take photos, browse the shop, use the restroom, and visit the small café. But, the views were truly magnificent. Seeing the entire fjord from above was unforgettable!

Worth it? Yes. Even with the rushed pace and winding drive, the views made this excursion completely worthwhile.

Olden: Briksdal Glacier

My husband and I visited Olden, Norway while cruising aboard Celebrity Apex. He tends to gravitate toward off-the-beaten-path adventures, while I’m more cautious and prefer paved trails with manageable inclines (in other words, nothing resembling a serious hike).

Briksdal Glacier looked spectacular in the photos, and the walk appeared manageable, so it felt like the perfect compromise for both of us.

Along the way, we stopped for photos beside the fjord, surrounded by tranquil water, towering mountains, and low-hanging clouds. The drive was relatively short, although rain began to fall as we made our way toward the glacier.

Once we arrived, we were free to complete the walk (or hike, if you want to call it that) at our own pace. Thankfully, the route was paved, and the incline wasn’t too bad.

The scenery made every step worthwhile. We took some incredible photos and spent time admiring the natural beauty surrounding the glacier. This ended up being one of my husband’s favorite excursions in Norway!

You can also arrange this experience independently to save money, such as this tour option from Viator. Additionally, Troll Cars are available for travelers who prefer not to walk the entire route. That option was sold out during our visit, but we ultimately enjoyed the exercise, fresh air, and opportunity to take in the scenery along the way.

Worth it? Yes. The glacier views were spectacular, and the walk was manageable even for someone who doesn’t consider herself a hiker.

Norway Cruise Outfit Guide: What to Wear and Pack

Bergen: Exploring on Our Own

In Bergen, we decided to spend the day exploring on our own. It’s a charming, walkable city with plenty to see, and the center is easy to reach from the cruise port.

After disembarking, we went straight to the Fløibanen funicular and rode to the top of Mount Fløyen. We loved the panoramic views, and there was a nice souvenir shop at the top.

The funicular is easy to reach from the city center. We went early, before the organized excursion groups arrived, and it was very busy by the time we left. We were glad that we arrived early before it was too crowded!

In the afternoon, we wandered through Bryggen, Bergen’s historic Hanseatic wharf, known for its rows of colorful wooden merchant houses and warehouses. We explored the narrow passageways between the buildings, browsed the small shops and boutiques tucked inside, and enjoyed the sunshine before stopping for lunch along the waterfront.

Worth it? Absolutely. Bergen is easy to explore independently, so a paid excursion isn’t necessary. Go early to beat the crowds at the funicular.

Haugesund: Scenic Skudeneshavn

Haugesund was the least scenic port on our fjord cruise, although the town is still very quaint and easy to reach from the port. You’ll find a variety of shops and waterfront views, but we wanted to see more of the surrounding area during our visit.

We booked the Scenic Skudeneshavn tour, which took us to a historic coastal town at the southern tip of Karmøy. Skudeneshavn is known for its narrow streets, picturesque harbor, and traditional white wooden houses. Compared to some of Norway’s larger and more popular cruise ports, Skudeneshavn definitely felt more authentic.

We arrived in the morning, when many of the businesses were still closed, so the town was quiet and sleepy. Norway had just won a World Cup match, and Skudeneshavn had hosted a festival over the weekend, so it seemed as though the whole town may have been recovering from a late night of celebrating.

During our visit, we enjoyed the small museum, browsed the few shops that were open, and stopped at a beautiful fishermen’s memorial along the coast. I appreciated the chance to see a different side of the region, and we still had time to shop in the city after returning.

Worth it? Yes, if you’re looking for a quiet, authentic glimpse of coastal life beyond Haugesund. Just keep in mind that an early-morning visit may mean limited shopping and fewer open businesses.

Bruges, Belgium: Bruges on Your Own

Bruges is a common stop on Norwegian fjords itineraries, even though it is not actually in Norway. Cruise ships dock in Zeebrugge, which is an industrial port located about 30 minutes from Bruges, so getting into the city requires a little planning.

Before my first visit, I researched the transportation options and decided that Celebrity’s Bruges on Your Own excursion was the easiest and most convenient way to reach the city. This is not the kind of port where you can walk off the ship and expect to find a long line of taxis or a complimentary shuttle waiting to take you into Bruges, so it’s best to arrange transportation in advance.

We booked the same excursion again on our most recent visit, and I was glad we did. Since Bruges is usually a shorter port day, you don’t want to waste valuable time figuring out logistics once you arrive.

On this visit, I ended up serving as the unofficial tour guide for our group, leading everyone through the main sights and helping us make the most of our limited time in the city.

We tried waffles from Mr. Waffle and Laurence Take Away, which were both both excellent. Of course, we had to try some world-famous Belgian chocolate in the city center, along with crispy fries at a pub. We also explored the Markt, did some shopping, and browsed the many small local shops.

Bruges is very busy, and both of my visits did feel rushed. I wish the ships stayed in port longer, and I still don’t understand why the ship needs to leave early!

Cruise Express is another popular transportation-only option between Zeebrugge and Bruges with shuttles that leave every 30 minutes. Many passengers on our cruise used this option, and I would probably try it the next time I visit!

Worth it? Yes. The Celebrity excursion is essentially transportation, but it’s a low-stress way to reach Bruges and return to the ship on time. Cruise Express may be worth comparing for a future visit.