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Atop the mountains and high places, the snow doesn’t begin to melt until spring. It’s no surprise that many visitors come specially to admire the beautiful scenery. But Norway also boasts a rich cultural history that offers plenty for visitors to see and do.
Delightful Shore Excursions OnNorwegian Fjords Cruises
These cruises mix amazing views, peaceful sailing, and a special chance to feel close to nature. Before embarking on your fjords cruise, experience all Copenhagen has to offer. With 250 miles of bike lanes, the city is ideal for touring and riding alongside its peaceful canals.
DON’T LET THE WEATHER DICTATE THE TIME OF YEAR YOU cruise the Norwegian fjords
The biggest problem comes in small communities like Olden and Geiranger. When hundreds of day trippers visit a village home to just a few hundred permanent residents day after day, the locals quickly feel overwhelmed. From summer 2021, new operator Havila will take the place of Hurtigruten on some of the daily departures from Bergen. Four brand new environmentally friendly ships will service the route.
Our guide to the Norwegian fjords
Exploring the Norwegian fjords by cruise is already a magical experience, but especially more so when done with Hurtigruten, an expert local cruise company. We cruised from Bergen all the way up to Cape North and were fascinated by the beauty of the fjords and the midnight sun. Liefde Fjord Location Cruising in Northern Europe’s isles is a bucket-list experience. On the north coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, the Liefdefd Fjord has some of artic Norway’s most breathtaking backdrops. Extinct volcanoes and hot springs draw many visitors to the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park, as well as the abandoned whaling stations and glimmering, arctic-blue glaciers. Explore an area of natural landscapes with contrasting scenery on a nature hike, and marvel at the spectacular views of the Trondheimsfjord.
Port calls in the Norwegian fjords
However, if you fly, you will miss a lot of spectacular scenery, and it may be more expensive than other means of transport. If you want to go places fast, domestic flights are your best option. There are 52 public airports in Norway, an astounding number for a nation with only 5 million citizens. Before 10 pm, it is a quiet cocktail bar, but after that, it turns into an infamous local hotspot with frequent themed events and guest DJs. Because Oslo is the capital, the most populous city, hosts the main university, and is the location of many of the main tourist attractions, most of the nightclubs are found there.
With a wide variety of itinerary lengths and ship types, from mainstream to luxury and expedition, cruise travelers have a lot of choices to tailor Norway cruises to their interests. Read on for our expert tips and get inspired for your ultimate Norway cruise adventure. Although the villages all have pretty settings, there isn't a lot to do in the ports themselves. It's wise to book an excursion or at least make a plan to do something with your time off the ship. In 2023, more people took a Norwegian fjords cruise than ever before. In this article, I'll introduce these popular cruises in Norway and explain why so many people want to take one.
There’s plenty of refreshments available, such as water, coffee, and tea to keep you toasty. Along the way, you’ll learn all about the country’s varied wildlife, fishing, aquaculture, little villages around, and weather. Not only that, but they’ll relate it to historical accounts as well, which are always interesting. Enjoy some delicious hot drinks (tea and coffee) along with some freshly-baked biscuits while marveling at the gorgeous scenery surrounding you.
Choosing a Norwegian fjords cruise
This is a very convenient location for anyone staying in Tromsø, so not much planning is required to get there. Don’t miss taking going into the backcountry and seeing the northern lights while you are in Norway, see our reviews here of our favorite northern lights trips. Other cruise lines offering regular trips to the fjords from a variety of destinations in the U.K. And elsewhere include Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America and AIDA. The ban, which will mean only zero-emission vessels can use the fjords, will essentially ban most cruise ships from some of Norway’s most popular fjords from as early as 2025. Still not widely known among regular cruisers, Norway’s government have introduced a ban on many cruise ships visiting the UNESCO World Heritage listed fjords.
Small, brightly-coloured wooden cabins contrast against the green mountainsides, and birds circle overhead. Only in this way you can truly appreciate the sheer size and scale of these natural waterways. The onboard experience on Windstar is characterized by luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and gourmet dining, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Holland America Line is particularly praised for its extensive excursion program, which allows passengers to deeply explore the natural beauty and cultural richness of Norway.
Get a unique panoramic view of the fjords from the 2,900-passenger Celebrity Apex. Alternatively, sail out of Southampton on round-trip Norwegian cruises on Celebrity Silhouette. Both vessels feature The Retreat, an exclusive area for suite passengers, with its own sun deck, restaurant and lounge. Princess has round-trip sailings from Southampton on its cruise ships Sky Princess and Island Princess, with a range of quirky excursions.
Opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and even winter surfing appeal to the active traveller too. Norway’s western city of Bergen is known as the “Gateway to Norway’s Fjords” – and you won’t need to guess why. With Hardangerfjord to the south and the entrance to Sognefjord not far north, this ancient city is the perfect base for the best Norway cruises. If you choose to step off the boat, you can take a bus up the Ørnevegen, the “Eagle Road”, to a renowned viewpoint above the fjords. Or, if you prefer a walk, visit the ancient Viking farms that dot the forests alongside the shore. I was lucky enough to visit it in summer, when the fjords are green and the days are long.
Make sure to try the fresh, clear mountain water from the beautiful Hengjane Falls! Check out everything from the sundeck, which offers prime viewing of this legendary spot. Board the top-class boat, where you’ll have plenty of snacks and warm drinks to keep you comfortable. The guide will tell you what to expect on your cruise, and answer any questions you may have. If seeing the fjords from a ship intrigues you, consider adding in one or more of these trips into a road trip itinerary. Travelers should also be aware of the anti-cruise sentiment that has been building in Norway this year.
A few lines offer earlier spring or later fall cruises, and Hurtigruten sails year-round. Those off-season cruises will be the best time to take a Northern Lights cruise in Norway. When it comes to cruising Northern Europe, a Norway cruise should not be overlooked. You may also like to check out our packing list for a northern lights tour. While you (hopefully!) won't need as much cold weather clothing, it may still prove useful when planning what to bring to Norway. The fjords present a blend of chilly breezes, unpredictable rain, and awe-inspiring vistas.
Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are among the options. As Norwegian fjord cruising's popularity surges, so does local concern about overtourism. Recent years have seen an upsurge in anti-cruise sentiments, with notices in certain destinations urging cruise tourists to reconsider their visits. This initiative, aiming at environmental preservation, essentially excludes the vast majority of traditional cruise ships from accessing some of Norway's iconic fjords.
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