Monday, July 8, 2019 - 10:37 by ce-press
Eidfjord will introduce port fees based on the EPI system (DNV-GL) as from January 1 2020. Meanwhile Ulvik and Rosendal (tender ports) have no such plans so far.
Eidfjord and Ulvik are located in Hardangerfjord inside the Hardanger Bridge with an air draught of 55m, whereas Rosendal has no such restrictions.
Destination news for this season includes a new lift to the Voss mountains being opened on July 8. Voss is about 45 minutes by bus from Eidfjord and Ulvik. Following a successful 2018 season, Hardanger Fjord Safari has doubled its capacity and now has two RiBs available. The new Hardanger Guide Service offers a range of shore excursion products.
The demand for Eidfjord has increased dramatically. This year there will be 90 calls (nine inaugural) bringing 140,000 passengers, an increase of 5% on 2018. In 2020 121 calls (six inaugural) have been booked so far bringing 197,000 passengers, a significant rise of 40%.
Due to limited capacity, Eidfjord admits a maximum of two vessels per day in port. Hence 12 days in 2019 and 21 days in 2020 are already booked. The nearby Ulvik tender port is recommended as an alternative on these days.
“There is an internal guideline of a maximum of about 4,000 passengers a day, making Hardanger a romantic, harmonic destination with no stress and congestion,” commented Helge Moller, Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord.
Rosendal, with no air draught limits (situated outside the Hardanger Bridge) is a tender port. This year 19 vessels with about 14,000 passengers will be welcomed.
One new shore excursion which is recommended is that of snowshoe walking at Hardangervidda mountain plateau and Folgefonna glacier (from Eidfjord and Rosendal).
Also highly recommended is the day tour from the port of Bergen to Hardangerfjord, which includes Steinsdal waterfall, Kabuso art gallery and lunch at a farm restaurant or hotel buffet.
