Norway Fjords Cruises

Your Complete Guide to Norway Fjords Cruises

A Norway Fjords cruise is widely regarded as one of the most visually spectacular voyages on Earth. Towering granite cliffs rise vertically from mirror-still waters, thundering waterfalls cascade hundreds of metres from snow-capped peaks, and tiny fishing villages cling to shorelines at the foot of vast mountain ranges. Norway's western coast features more than a thousand fjords, carved by glaciers over millions of years, creating a labyrinth of deep-water channels that large cruise ships can navigate in remarkable proximity to the landscape.

The Midnight Sun and Northern Lights

Norway offers two entirely distinct cruise seasons, each with its own natural phenomenon. During summer months (May through August), the Midnight Sun bathes the landscape in continuous golden light above the Arctic Circle, allowing 24-hour deck viewing of the fjord scenery. Winter voyages (September to March) bring the chance to witness the Aurora Borealis — the Northern Lights dancing across Arctic skies in shifting curtains of green, purple, and pink. Tromsø, often called the Gateway to the Arctic, is one of the premier locations worldwide for aurora viewing.

Geirangerfjord: A UNESCO Masterpiece

Geirangerfjord is the crown jewel of Norwegian fjord cruising and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. At just 15 kilometres long, this narrow fjord delivers an overwhelming concentration of natural beauty. The Seven Sisters waterfall plunges in seven separate streams from 250 metres, while the Suitor waterfall faces it from the opposite cliff — local legend says he perpetually courts the Sisters across the water. Ships navigate so close to the cliff faces that spray from the waterfalls can reach the open decks, creating a truly immersive experience.

Sognefjord: Norway's Deepest and Longest

Sognefjord stretches 204 kilometres inland and plunges to 1,308 metres depth, making it Norway's most impressive fjord by scale. Its branch fjords include Nærøyfjord (another UNESCO site) and Aurlandsfjord, where the village of Flåm sits at the terminus of the world-famous Flåm Railway. This engineering marvel climbs 866 metres through 20 tunnels, offering passengers one of the steepest standard-gauge railway journeys on the planet.

Charming Coastal Towns

Between the fjords, Norway's coastal towns offer warmth and character. Bergen, with its UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf of colourful wooden buildings, serves as the traditional gateway to the fjords. Ålesund, rebuilt entirely in Art Nouveau style after a devastating 1904 fire, presents one of Europe's most architecturally distinctive waterfronts. Stavanger provides access to Lysefjord and the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat-topped cliff 604 metres above the water.

Planning Your Norway Fjords Cruise

Browse and compare Norway Fjords deals using our cruise comparison tool. Many UK departures offer no-fly options from Southampton or Liverpool. Book flights if you prefer to embark from Bergen or other Norwegian ports. Protect your voyage with travel insurance — winter cruises particularly benefit from cancellation cover. Find hotel deals for pre-cruise stays in Bergen or Oslo, explore independent shore excursions at each port, and arrange airport transfers for seamless travel to your ship.