Cruise to Norway & the Norwegian Fjords

Norway Cruises

Norway cruises can be an excellent chance to see whales - right from the comfort of your ship! Itineraries mix fjord villages with coastal towns putting you at the heart of Norway’s nature and fascinating culture, history and cuisine. 

History & culture

The home of the Vikings, Norway’s culture rests heavily on hardiness, a strong resolve and a deep sense of community. With a history of conflict against the other Scandinavian countries, it’s been a long time since any feuds broke out (however a deep rivalry still exists.) After losing much of its population to a mass emigration to North America in the 19th century, this rugged country had a brief downturn, however with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, Norway put themselves on the global market, making a name for itself as a hotspot for tourism and at the forefront of social and technological innovation. 

Food & drink

Norwegian cuisine can be as simple as enjoying the country’s fresh seafood or as adventurous as tucking into the mysterious brown cheese and cloudberries. Bold flavours from cured meats, tender cuts from game reared in the untouched wilds and slow grown vegetables combine in recipes handed down through the ages. Pair your meal with Norwegian cider, also known as ‘happy bubbles’. Praised globally for producing the ‘world’s best apples’ - it pays to try at least one glass of apple juice or cider during your Norway cruise.

Geiranger

No port on a Norway cruise is more worthy of an early wake up call. Set your alarms for 5am to watch the waterfalls and steep slopes of Geraingerford drift by. After breakfast, head ashore to immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of this UNESCO world heritage area. Explore by boat, car, kayak or on foot to see as much as possible. The waterfall hike to the Norwegian Fjord Centre mixes scenery and local history making it a worth while option.

Alesund

If the climb up the 418 steps of Alesund’s Fjellstua feels daunting, take a seat on the local Hop On, Hop Off bus to take in the spectacular views over the surrounding fjords. In the city, the shade dappled park below Fjellstua’s steps is an ideal spot to cool off in summer. Meanwhile, Alesund’s iconic harbourfront, interesting museums and bustling streets provide an eclectic mix of everyday Norwegian life and stunning scenery.

Fish Market - Bergen 

Take a stroll around Bergen’s famous fish market to admire the daily catches and pick up a jar of cloudberry jam before tucking into a seafood feast. Check out the al fresco menu and grab giant crab legs atop succulent salads for a true taste of Norway. 

Flåm Railway  - Flåm

Climb aboard the Flåm train to experience one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. Carrying you high up into the mountains, this train journey delivers all the stunning scenery you’d expect from a Norway cruise - minus the leg work!

Briksdal Glacier - Olden 

Hike - or take a troll car ride - to Olden’s Briksdal Glacier. You’ll travel a winding path through the Norwegian countryside, alongside the glacial melt waters, waterfalls and wildflowers. The river, coloured a turquoise from the minerals, is matched only by the beauty of the huge glacier.

Currency considerations

While debit cards and credit cards have become more popular than cash across almost all of Norway, it helps to have some Norwegian Krone (NOK) with you on Norway fjords cruises for small purchases or the rare occasion when cards aren’t accepted. 

Customs & traditions

If you’re looking forward to sampling some Nordic cuisine on your Norway cruise, it pays to know that tipping is common in restaurants and bars, though tips can start at just 5% for good service. Elsewhere, Norwegians value personal space and always appreciate an arm’s length of distance.

Making the most use of short durations in port

Towns, and even some cities, in the fjords can be small. Leave your ship early and head to the most popular attractions first to avoid long queues. This is particularly important for the funicular in Bergen or climbing the 418 steps of the Fjellstua in Alesund.

• Northern Lights Cruises
• Scandinavia Cruises
• Baltic Sea Cruises
• Iceland Cruises
• Arctic Cruises

We have put together the following FAQs. We hope that you will be able to find an answer to your question below, but if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team. 

What to wear on a cruise to Norway?

Flexibility is the key to deciding what to wear on a cruise to Norway. Throughout spring and summer weather can range from sunny days to cloudy spells and rain. Thin layers and a waterproof jacket allow you to explore ports in comfort. Good walking shoes are ideal for exploring the fjords or navigating through the streets of Bergen and beyond.

Where do cruise ships dock in Bergen?

The majority of cruise ships dock in Bergen in Vagen Harbour, at the Skolten cruise port. The port is just a five minute walk to the popular, historic harbour area known as Bryggan. Occasionally, ships will dock at Jekteviken in Dokken, where a shuttle bus will take you to the centre of Bergen.

Which cruise lines go to Norway?

All of the major cruise lines go to Norway, including Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O, Fred Olsen, Carnival Celebrity and MSC. Luxury cruise lines sail to Norway too, such as Seabourn and Cunard.