Norwegian Fjords Cruise - How accessible are the ports?

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Looking at the 8 night Norwegian Fjords cruise next year, we're thinking of taking my MIL who uses a scooter to give her one nice big trip while she seems like she can still do it (health has been deteriorating due to rheumatoid arthritis). She can walk but not for long distances. Wondering if this would be a big issue in the ports there - Brussels, Haugesund, Nordfjordeid, Stavanger, Kristiansand. Any thoughts?

I know Europe generally is not very accessible, we have traveled in France, Spain, and Italy extensively. But don't know about these ports/Norway specifically. Perhaps there are third party excursion companies that could accommodate her?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I did the Norwegian Fjords in 2022 on The Magic. I went to Nordfjordeid, Stavanger. My trip report is here https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...eptember-2022-updated-final-thoughts.3926775/

Both Nordfjordeid and Stavanger the ship docks right in the centre of the ports. I didnt do any DCL excursions in either ports.

Nordfjordeid is a tiny village at the end of a Fjord. The main village area is a bit of a walk from the ship. Its a really scenic area, with towering mountains behind the village. The day I was there we had great weather and I spent the day walking around the village, and in the small mall. This is the DCL excursion page, most of the excursions are either hikes up the mountains or boats out on the fjord. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/europe/list/nordfjordeid-norway/

Stavanger is the main city of the region. In 2022 we docked right in the city but in 2023 there were issues and The Dream was at an industrial port about an hour from the main city area. They were very bad with communication and didnt tell passengers there would be free shuttles to the city centre, so there were a lot of complaints. The city centre is very walkable, lots of great shops and restaurants. I did the Hop On Hop Off Bus, which I booked on the day direct with the company. They had a kiosk near the main square area. I also walked around the shops. This is the DCL excursion page https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/europe/list/stavanger-norway/ Again most of the excursions are either hikes up the mountains or boats out on the fjord. The main draw here is the hike to Pulpit Rock.

There were people on my cruise who used scooters on the ship. But for the most part, the people who got off the ship in the ports were all people who could walk or hike without issues. Many of the excursions say that guests must be ambulatory. Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) are not be permitted. Tour operators will deny participation to Guests arriving in wheelchairs or electric scooters.

Another thing to factor in is pre and post cruise. Disney Cruise has changed to Southampton. You need to work out how to get from Heathrow to Southampton, hotel accommodation and transport to the cruise port on embarkation and debarkation.

 

[Girl of the South]

Disney runs transportation between LHR and Southampton. $75 each way by bus. There are hotels in Southampton of course, but there is a Hilton Garden Inn right at T2 at Heathrow. Flat walk through a parking lot.

FWIW I did a Hurtigruten mail ship last December up and down the coast of Norway. Mostly in the dark - and I only got off the ship twice due to snow and ice. BUT the views out the windows were great! I don’t know about the Disney Cruise but perhaps she could still enjoy the cruise without doing tours? Scenery was stunning.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I did the Norwegian Fjords in 2022 on The Magic. I went to Nordfjordeid, Stavanger. My trip report is here https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...eptember-2022-updated-final-thoughts.3926775/

Both Nordfjordeid and Stavanger the ship docks right in the centre of the ports. I didnt do any DCL excursions in either ports.

Nordfjordeid is a tiny village at the end of a Fjord. The main village area is a bit of a walk from the ship. Its a really scenic area, with towering mountains behind the village. The day I was there we had great weather and I spent the day walking around the village, and in the small mall. This is the DCL excursion page, most of the excursions are either hikes up the mountains or boats out on the fjord. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/europe/list/nordfjordeid-norway/

Stavanger is the main city of the region. In 2022 we docked right in the city but in 2023 there were issues and The Dream was at an industrial port about an hour from the main city area. They were very bad with communication and didnt tell passengers there would be free shuttles to the city centre, so there were a lot of complaints. The city centre is very walkable, lots of great shops and restaurants. I did the Hop On Hop Off Bus, which I booked on the day direct with the company. They had a kiosk near the main square area. I also walked around the shops. This is the DCL excursion page https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/europe/list/stavanger-norway/ Again most of the excursions are either hikes up the mountains or boats out on the fjord. The main draw here is the hike to Pulpit Rock.

There were people on my cruise who used scooters on the ship. But for the most part, the people who got off the ship in the ports were all people who could walk or hike without issues. Many of the excursions say that guests must be ambulatory. Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) are not be permitted. Tour operators will deny participation to Guests arriving in wheelchairs or electric scooters.

Another thing to factor in is pre and post cruise. Disney Cruise has changed to Southampton. You need to work out how to get from Heathrow to Southampton, hotel accommodation and transport to the cruise port on embarkation and debarkation.

Thanks. The other option my MIL would like is the one-way Vancouver to Hawaii, which stops in several places in Hawaii. Sounds like that's probably going to be better for her

 

[Girl of the South]