Fjords - a word that sounds as magical as the scene it paints. Picture steep, pine-covered cliffs rising out of the blue waters with eagles soaring overhead and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, Hardangerfjord… Norway boasts of over a thousand fjords. And, the best views of these fjords are from the sea- it’s no wonder you’ll see a Norwegian Fjord cruise on so many bucket lists. So, what can you expect from these cruises and what are the best options out there - let’s find out.

What to expect on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords?Cruise itineraries around this part of the world vary widely. Some cruises depart from the UK while others leave from Scandinavian cities. You might even find a few cruise ships home-ported in Norway. Some cruises stop only at Norwegian ports while others combine the cruise through the fjords with a visit to other Baltic cities.

Take the 10-night Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway & Belgium cruise for example. The cruise spends 3 days around Iceland before making it to the Norwegian fjords. You’ll visit the famous Alesund, Maloy, and Geiranger ports before moving on to Amsterdam, Bruges, and finally to London.

Irrespective of the ports included and the duration of the cruise, be prepared for unpredictable weather and days where the sun never seems to set. If you’re cruising between mid-May and late July, you’ll probably experience the midnight sun. Longer days give you more time to explore the ports but there is a flip side- your chances of spotting the northern lights are minimal in this season. You’re more likely to see that magical phenomenon if you’re on a cruise between September and March. Check out our guide to Northern Lights Cruises here. 

Picking a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords
Most of the major cruise lines offer Norwegian cruise itineraries. These are big ships where you’ll have as much fun onboard as you will while exploring the ports.

For example, Celebrity Cruises operates a 12-night Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Circle cruise on the Celebrity Apex. This roundtrip cruise from London takes you to Bruges and gives you 7 nights in the Norwegian fjords. It also includes 3 days of cruising on the sea where you can explore the ship’s 29 restaurants and bars, have a dip in the pools, indulge in spa treatments, watch experiential shows at the theatre, and more.

Holland America gives you a similar activity-packed experience with their 7-night Norwegian Fjords with Copenhagen cruise itinerary. This round-trip cruise from Rotterdam includes 2 days of cruising on the sea and stops at Stavanger, Kristiansand, Oslo, and Copenhagen. 

Or, you could join an expedition-style cruise for a more immersive experience. Hurtigruten is one of the most popular expedition cruises operating in this region. You can opt for a short 4-night West Fjords to the Arctic Capital Cruise or a longer, 11-night Classic Roundtrip Voyage. These expedition cruises have a lower capacity and fewer frills. But, you’ll be sailing along with a team of experienced explorers to give you an in-depth insight into the history and culture of the passing ports.

Shore Excursions on Norwegian Fjord Cruises
The ports along the Norwegian coastline are breathtakingly beautiful and offer unlimited opportunities for adventure. You can go for a long hike along the Briksdal glacier, take a Funicular ride to Mount Floyden, explore National Parks, wander through fishing towns, shop at quaint boutiques, and more. These cruises offer something for everyone.

If you’ve ever wondered how apples are turned into cider, you’ll enjoy the factory tour and cider-tasting experience at Eidfjord. You can book this excursion as part of the 7-Night Norwegian Fjords with Scotland cruise by Holland America.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more adventurous holiday, take a look at the Quark Expedition cruises. Their 9-night Svalbard Explorer cruise is inclusive of zodiac cruises, helicopter flightseeing, camping, and more.

At Olden, one of the ports of call for the  P&O Cruise’s 7-night Norwegian Fjords Cruise, you can enjoy more laid-back excursions like a visit to the Sagastad Viking knowledge center. Here you’ll see a dazzling array of audio-visual displays and multi-sensory interactive exhibits that tell tales of erstwhile Viking kings and their expeditions.

Planning Your Norwegian Fjords Cruise
You might be surprised to learn that many places in the Norwegian Fjords have just about 200-300 permanent residents and very few hotels – another reason why cruises are a good choice! And there are plenty of cruises to choose from. So many, that it may be overwhelming to pick just one. That’s where we come in.

At Cruisebay, we can help you sift through itineraries, pick a cabin that’s just right for you, plan excursions, and even take care of visas and other administrative paperwork. It’s the most stress-free way to plan a vacation. Tell us how you envision your holiday and we’ll get started planning it for you.