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From major cities like Oslo and Bergen to small cities and villages with unique museums and great local food, Norway has plenty of beautiful scenery and cultural appeal to make it a great cruise destination. If this type of cruise appeals to you, compare options across different lines to ensure the best experience. Such itineraries often include one fjord but some will include coastal cities that mean you don't actually see any of the iconic fjord landscape. In 2024, British-focused cruise lines will continue to have a prominent presence in the Norwegian fjords, with options available from numerous ports including Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. Tumbling waterfalls that you can almost touch, majestic mountains that seem to rise higher and higher, and oh-so serene waterways.
Remarkable Port CitiesCruises to Norwegian Fjords
For example, Norwegian Cruise Line visits the Geirangerfjord or Nordfjord on many of its itineraries billed as ‘Iceland & Norway’ or ‘Northern Europe’. MSC offers cruises to at least one fjord in many of its Northern Europe itineraries from Kiel, Germany. Some of the most commonly seen ships in the Norwegian fjords are British-focused lines sailing from Southampton or Newcastle. Risk takers have photos taken on Kjerag, which is famous for its rock stuck between two rocky walls.
Fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord from Bergen to Rosendal
Our cruises from Southampton let you skip the flight entirely, keeping stress levels low and your spirits high from the second you step onboard. Norway’s got plenty of that, and it’s unlike anywhere else in the world too. Nordic folklore, sparring Vikings and mythical beings can all be found here.
The Norwegian Fjords, 7 nights, Jun 2, 2024
The coast can see frequent rain and decent winds, and winters range from mild to just below freezing, so when you're packing for your cruise make sure you're prepared for anything. If you want the maximum amount of daylight and sun, the summer months (June-August) are best, but if you seek the Northern Lights then book your holiday between October and March. The fjords aren't the only treasure awaiting discovery in this magical region.
Protestors have put up notices telling cruise visitors to “go home” in popular destinations across the country in what has been a record year for cruise calls. Relive pioneering adventures on a magical sailing along the Norwegian coast and up to the edge of the world. Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port. You can also head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a lovely panorama. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” for the salted cod that’s dried on the surrounding cliffs, called klippfisk in Norwegian. Treat yourself to quality coffee and a Nordic patisserie in one of the Bakklandet district’s many chic cafés then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norway’s third largest city.
Day Norwegian Voyage: Northbound Bergen to Kirkenes
Bring an alarm clock.Many cruise ships enter the beautiful Geirangerfjord early in the morning. It's worth setting an alarm and getting up early to watch the ship sail in. While you'll retrace your steps at the end of the day, often with a slowdown by the famous falls, the light will be more photo-friendly in the morning, and fewer people will block your view. Plus, given Norway's notoriously finicky weather, there's no guarantee that rain won't set in before the ship departs.
History and Charm
If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise. Discover the unique sights and experiences you can expect to savour on a cruise to Norway, and how to get the most from your voyage to this fairy-tale destination. This is a private and unofficial website with information about the fjords in Western Norway.
(Don't think that means you won't get wet -- Norway is still a rather damp place, even in the summertime). At Norway's northern extremes, you can view the midnight sun if you cross into the Arctic Circle during the summer. Norway's weather in May and September can be a bit chillier and rainier. These mineral-rich waters are said to be Iceland’s health and beauty secret. Formed after an accidental overflow from an adjacent geothermal plant, the original lagoon has been expanded into a dozen steaming, milky-blue pools with a lava wall looming almost four metres above.
Back to Bergen
Be flexible with your Norway shore excursions.Norway is a terrific place for outdoor activities like kayaking, biking and hiking. However, rain is an often-unavoidable fact even during the country's drier summer months. Always have a backup plan for onshore activities and shore excursions in Norway in case of inclement weather. Take advantage when the sun is out, and, if it's raining, don't be afraid to push back an activity to later in the day -- often a rainy morning will turn sunny later on (or vice versa).
Bergen is the main city on most fjord itineraries, though some may include Oslo as well. Ships on these routes will head inland from Bergen, sailing between towering cliffs and mountains that plummet steeply into the sea. Cruises to Norwegian fjords generally include smaller, scenic ports like Stavanger, Geirangerfjord, Eidfjord and Flam. All the coastal ferries (often called coastal cruise ships these days) make numerous but brief port calls to transport local passengers and cargo. But there is time to explore the bigger ports like Ålesund, Trondheim, and Tromsø, and excursions are offered in several more. Cruises amid the vast wilderness of Alaska’s Inside Passage bring access to calving glaciers at the head of stunning fjords, whether the ship visits Glacier Bay, College Fjord or Tracy Arm.
Many mainstream and luxury lines offer itineraries to these ports, though the cruises typically last two to three weeks and may include some southern Norway destinations, too. Days are generally bright and long in the summertime - perfect for enjoying all of the region’s natural beauty. During the summer months the Norwegians enjoy spending as much time outdoors revitalising. Most of the snow in the mountains has melted away, so it makes hiking and cycling the terrain all the more easier. In the towns people like to relax with al fresco drinks and barbecues – you’ll find specialties of grilled fish, pork chops and potato salad. The weather in Fjord Norway is known to be particularly changeable, regardless of the season.
Ambassador cruise review: exploring Norway's stunning Fjordland - The Week
Ambassador cruise review: exploring Norway's stunning Fjordland.
Posted: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Several cruise lines integrate a visit to one or more Norwegian fjords within broader itineraries that encompass the British Isles, Northern Norway, Iceland, or the wider Scandinavian and Baltic Sea region. Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, AIDA, and MSC Cruises also offer a variety of fjord cruise itineraries from various ports in the U.K. From its base in Southampton, P&O Cruises provides more than 30 sailings to the fjords between April and September, with the LNG-powered Iona spending much of the year in the region. However, the most common 7-day itineraries are short and include just one or two days in the fjords. When evaluating different options, consider first and foremost the route plan to determine how many fjords are included and the timing of these visits. The Norwegian fjords region of Norway remains firmly at the top of itinerary wish-lists for Scandinavian travel.
June through August is the best time for a Norway cruise, but voyages begin in May and run into September. In general, Norway weather is the best in the summer months, with temperatures that are warm (and occasionally hot). Average daytime temperatures in Norway reach into the 60s and 70s and rain is less frequent than in the wet winter months.
Join an excursion to visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are welcomed into the chieftain’s house for a real Viking feast. We mark the occasion with a truly memorable traditional ceremony on deck. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the Kjeungskjær lighthouse, islets and rocky reefs and onwards towards charming Rørvik. Enjoy the early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. For those wanting a view to remember, take the Voss Gondola to the summit of Mount Hanguren (820 metres above sea level).
A mesmerising view at the perfect time of day, a natural phenomenon that must be seen to be appreciated, or a heart-pumping activity in a place rarely visited. Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you. One such trip is this 12-night itinerary from Celebrity Cruises, which includes a visit to both Visby and Tallinn. Other highlights include a visit to Stockholm and Copenhagen, including an overnight stop in the latter. Such itineraries tend to be shorter, and are a great introduction to both cruising and Scandinavia, with limited sea days and plenty to see and do while in port.
Try local foods in Norway's ports.You don't have to have big meals out to sample Norway's unique foods. Fish markets in many ports sell more than just fish, and you can get samples of elk, reindeer and whale from the vendors. Or find a cafe serving Norwegian waffles with jam made from local berries or the region's caramel-flavored brown goat's cheese. While the silent, all-electric ferry from Flåm is part of the popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, you can also take this sightseeing ferry independently. The 1.5-hour sightseeing trip taking in the stunning Aurlandsfjord and narrow Nærøyfjord is well worth the relatively high cost.
