Oceania Insignia and Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway is one of the more incredible places I have ever seen. Straight out of a fairytale is all you can think of when looking at the old wharf.

From my Oceania luxury cruise ship, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the first main area you will want to spend time in. Bryggen is wonderful, charming and straight out of another time. You can browse shops and visit museums like The Hanseatic Museum and the Bergen Museum, which covers the town’s history back to the middle ages.

If you are lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday, you can enjoy the local farmers market. My immersion into Norwegian culture included sampling a pancake with fresh preserves, deer sausage and plum lemonade. The highlight of my day was the funicular to Mt. Floyen.

Located at the end of the wharf, this 3-minute journey up the mountain is beautiful. From the top you get a stunning view of the entire Bergen area and the surrounding fjords. From here you can hike as far as you would like including hiking back down the mountain to town if you choose. I hiked up to a beautiful alpine lake; watched baby ducklings and enjoyed one of the most stunning spots in the world before taking the funicular back down.

For dinner tonight aboard my luxury cruise ship, I had the pleasure of enjoying Toscana, the alternative Italian restaurant onboard. The service is attentive, the menu extremely extensive and the food wonderful. Top this off with an ocean view, and it doesn’t get much better.

Tonight I decided not to attend the show, as we enjoyed dinner with new friends and stayed past closing. Instead we took our chances and played some blackjack in the ship’s casino. The casino staff is friendly, helpful and inviting. Though the casino is small, it feels intimate and is extremely enjoyable.

When looking for your next European cruise, I would certainly recommend a Baltic cruise itinerary and Oceania Cruises.