Table Of Content
Since 1893, combined cargo and passenger vessels have served the Norwegian coastline providing a vital transport link to small communities. To this day, such vessels still operate but they are best-known internationally for the cruise-like roundtrip package deals. Our ships are an experience in their own right, built to enhance your voyage and overall experience by focusing on sustainability, space and comfort at sea. Explore the fjords and the midnight sun in the peak season along the Norwegian coast. The Flåm to Gudvangen trip can be reached by train relatively easily (albeit slowly) from Oslo or Bergen thanks to the Flåm railway. For the Lysefjord trip, daily departures run from central Stavanger during high season.
Book port-to-port
Finally, it's not uncommon for some cruise lines to advertise fjord cruises that predominantly dock in major cities such as Bergen and Stavanger. While you'll still experience scenic coastline, it may not be the fjords experience you're imagining. Determine the number of fjords the cruise will traverse and at what times. Some itineraries focus on ports, while others incorporate scenic cruising into the itinerary that might mean you spend a day sailing up and down a fjord but without a port call. Our travel consultants understand that you may want more time in the charming fjord villages and cities.
Norway in a Nutshell® Classic - Winter
As we visit the Norwegian Fjords in the summer months it is highly unlikely that you’ll see the Northern Lights, but fear not, you’ve a chance to spot the mesmerising phenomenon on our winter holidays to Norway. The Unesco Nærøyfjord is one of the most spectacular fjords in Fjord Norway. Due to the steep mountain sides there are no roads along the fjord, hence a fjord cruise is the only way to experience this amazing, narrow fjord. Our trips are based on our goal of sustainable tourism, with eco-friendly travel that leaves as small an environmental footprint on nature as possible.
Day Norwegian Voyage: Northbound Bergen to Kirkenes
Waterfalls cascade from the snowy peaks above, down their green mountainsides. Dubbed the ‘Gateway to the Glaciers’, a trip through Olden is like transporting yourself to a totally different world. Mesmerising to behold, this little town is surrounded by such a vast amount of magnificent scenery, it feels like a secret part of the world that only you, your fellow cruisers and the locals are in on.
Fjord cruise packages w. Arctic Norway:
For the more adventurous, a Norway cruise to the Arctic just might be the best option. However, you don't need an expedition ship to visit Norway's Arctic destinations, which include Tromso, Honningsvag and the North Cape, Svalbard (Spitsbergen) and the Lofoten Islands. 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. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday. The Norwegian term Friluftsliv, which translates roughly to "open-air living," refers to the enjoyment of being outside and in tune with nature.
Any one factor can drastically alter the cruising experience, for the better, or for the worse. Having been on several such trips myself, I'll also provide tips and advice for choosing the best itinerary for you, and how to make the most of your experience. Mid-sized Aurora is a world-class ship, bringing the joys of classic cruise travel to all. 1893 Ambassador is open for all travel enthusiasts, regardless of if you have travelled with us or not. And of course, it's free to join.As a member, we bring you exclusive offers, benefits, discounts, and newsletters packed with inspirational articles. To be able to sail for another 130 years, we need to change the way we do things.
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. The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise. Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special. As well as our Signature Experiences, there are a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships. Sailing into Olden port early in the morning is a real wake-up call, complete with unbelievable views and cool, cleansing Norwegian air.
Live the Legend of Norway: Book Now and Save!
10 Reasons Why Cruising Is The Best Way To See The Norwegian Fjords - TheTravel
10 Reasons Why Cruising Is The Best Way To See The Norwegian Fjords.
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You will have the chance to explore some of these technical marvels for yourself during this Balmoral cruise. Take the Loen Skylift in Olden to the summit of Mount Hoven, a nearly vertical climb that grants access to immaculate hiking paths with remarkable views of Nordfjord's scenery. Meanwhile, Åndalsnes is the starting point for the Rauma Railway, the famed Atlantic Ocean Road, and Trollstigen, a well-known mountain pass in the Sunnmøre region. 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.
Summertime Norwegian Fjords, Landscapes & Vikings
You wouldn’t know that thousands of people get the bug to go here every year. With a name that means ‘little place with big mountains’, Flam’s moniker couldn’t be any more fitting. Chockful of insane scenery and quaint, colourful towns, the Fjords offer up some peak (see what we did there?) sights to see. And really, there’s no better way to witness the wild, enchanting beauty that’s all around you than by cruise ship. The ships call at many of the 34 port calls for just a few minutes, enough time to unload and load cargo and passengers. Passengers do get a few hours to wander around bigger ports like Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø.
While not cruise ships, the vessels of Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages are well fitted out with several relaxing lounges and excellent dining. They don’t offer the entertainment options you’ll find on more typical cruise lines, rather letting you focus on the ever-changing scenery. Some ships stay in port all day and sail down the actual fjords very early in the morning or late at night. While Norway’s long summer days will help you see the scenery, this may not be what you want from the experience. Some ships spend all day in tiny ports, only cruising the fjords very early in the morning or late into the evening. Though Norway's prolonged summer daylight provides ample viewing opportunity, it might not be the immersive experience some seek.
Norwegian Fjords cruises generally range in length from seven to 14 nights. 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.
In the meantime, here is some general packing advice for such a trip. However, many potential cruisers might be unaware of recent developments regarding cruising these waters. Combining the chic with the classic, Arcadia offers a relaxed pace, stylish surroundings and more than a hint of extravagance. When shipping pioneer Richard With founded The Original Coastal Express back in 1893, little did he know that it would forever change the future of the Norwegian coast.
A summer-time jaunt sees Bergen even more laid back than usual thanks to its almost endless hours of sunlight, which means plenty of time to see the place in all its natural sparkle. 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. And let’s not forget two Hollywood heavyweights you’ll have definitely heard of. Long before they jumped onto the silver screen, Thor and Loki’s age-old stories started here, and they’re ready to captivate you all over again too. This spring, we are excited to present nine new and sustainable excursions, each thoughtfully crafted to enrich your travel experience.
Norwegian fjords cruises are top of the travel bucket list of so many people around the world. Here's how to plan yours, including what to know and what to avoid. †Early Saver price of £699 per person is based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of Inside cabin available on cruise G527.
