Table Of Content
Horseback riding is popular, too, with Nordfjord famous for its mild-mannered fjord horses, one of the world’s oldest horse breeds. With marvelous apple orchards blooming around Hardangerfjord’s verdant slopes, apple juice and apple cider are among the popular local libations. Norheimsund is a notable village on Hardangerfjord, with a pretty waterfront with a wide-open grassy promenade dotted with silver birch trees on the fjord’s north shore. A 10-minute drive south of Aurlandsvangen, Flåm lies at Aurlandsfjord’s innermost point.
Day Norwegian Voyage: Southbound Kirkenes to Tromsø
Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages and exciting Viking history. Dive into our useful guide to cruising in the Norwegian fjords, and discover the wonderful places we visit. The Norwegian Fjords are beautiful throughout the year, but we think especially so in the bright spring and summer months. Sail with us from April to September to enjoy blooming wildflower meadows and long summer days. The Norwegian Fjords is an astounding landscape made of many narrow deep seas, framed by dramatic mountainous land. The Norwegian fjords were created by moving glaciers over a period of 2.5 million years – Mother Nature certainly took her time to make these marvels.
Where we sail in Norway
Of course, you don't have to spend all 12-days aboard the vessel. One-way journeys from Bergen to Kirkenes are popular, as are much shorter trips from Bergen to Trondheim. Another example of what's possible is from NCL on their new ship Norwegian Prima. An 11-day itinerary from Southampton includes stops at Zeebrugge and Amsterdam on the way to Norway's Geirangerfjord, before the ship makes its way to three ports of call in Iceland. For instance, NCL and Viking feature fjords in their larger Northern European tours, giving travellers a more expansive experience. We then sail along the beautiful coast of Helgeland to Bodø, where you can experience Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom, by small boat.
The Svalbard Express
Visitors don’t have to take the ferry to enjoy the Oslofjord, though. If you’re a fan of sea swimming, head for Sørenga Seawater Pool, with a beach, a children’s pool, and a diving platform. Due to Hjørundfjorden’s steep landscape, there are very few villages on the fjord. The majestic Hjørundfjorden lies south-southeast of Ålesund, branching off the sprawling Storfjorden.
But if you're visiting again and would like something different, a river cruise could be the perfect alternative. Cruise Scandinavia, Russia & the Baltic like never before on board the newest ships in the NCL fleet, the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Breakaway. NCL now offer an all-inclusive package on most of their cruises, so you'll know what you'll be paying up front.
Related Itineraries
Most major cruise lines and many expedition lines also visit Norway; the notable exceptions are Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line. You might find a Disney cruise to Norway (sometimes including Iceland), though they are few and far between. Some major cruise lines only offer a few departures, while others -- such as Celebrity Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Holland America, MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises -- provide multiple sail dates and itinerary options. Cruise ships offer a unique way of seeing the best of the Norway.
After breakfast, make your own way to Oslo Central Railway Station to commence your ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ adventure by boarding the train to Myrdal. Enjoy one of the world's most scenic rail journeys as you travel from Oslo through farmland, past lush green forests and majestic peaks. 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. Experience the ultimate immersion in Norwegian coast and culture, between the capital and capes. Book confidently with our Northern Lights Promise – get a free trip if the lights don't appear on select voyages (Ts&Cs apply).
Sailing up Norway's fjord coastline packs plenty of surprises - The Globe and Mail
Sailing up Norway's fjord coastline packs plenty of surprises.
Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Leknes, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Rousing green-covered mountains loom over Nærøyfjord, while the attractive village of Bakka and its good-looking white timber church sits on the fjord’s west shore. Another UNESCO-listed Norway fjord, Nærøyfjord is a spectacular arm of the Sognefjord. At ten and a half miles long and just 820 feet at its narrowest point, Nærøyfjord is small in size but big on drama, and sailing along here is one of the best things to do in Norway. Towering almost 2,000 feet above the sapphire-blue fjord, Preikestolen is a leaden-hued rock formation with a massive flat-top ledge. Travelers can reach the top to take in the far-reaching views on one of Norway’s most famous hikes. Opened in 2016, Geiranger Skywalk seemingly floats in the sky, high above the fjord.
As an Arctic wonder, Norway offers adventure, attractions and charm all year round. Explore the remains of medieval Oslo in Gamlebyen (Old Town), and admire the charming wooden houses. In Bergen, wander alongside the wharf and through the narrow alleyways of Bryggen, the oldest part of Bergen founded in 1070. Here you'll walk amongst colorful UNESCO-listed wooden buildings, preserved or rebuilt in their original Medieval style.
To get a bird’s-eye view of Romsdalsfjord, consider a hike to the top of Mount Nesaksla, rising 2,328 feet above Åndalsnes. Sections are fairly steep, though overall it’s a moderate-level hike. Notice the handiwork of Nepalese sherpas, who constructed the stone steps where the trail steepens. Picturesque Romsdalsfjord lies south of Molde in western Norway, with several outlying islands separating the fjord from the Atlantic Ocean.
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. The dramatic landscapes of Norway are best appreciated from the water, letting travellers grasp the true grandeur of the fjords. Some itineraries focus on one fjord, and visit some of Norway's coastal cities in addition. We now reach spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long, 100 m wide and surrounded by majestic mountains.
Norway is famous for its fjords, the narrow, steep-sided inlets formed by retreating glaciers at the end of the Ice Age. Head to Geiranger to see Europe's highest fjord, or explore Molde's 12-mile fjord that winds through the archipelago. No matter how you choose to ford the fjords, you'll see why Norway is known for these natural wonders. I can't answer this for you as people's expectations differ wildly. You won't get a luxury experience, but you will get to spend time in more communities and get closer to the coastline than with any traditional cruise line.
Join an excursion to visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are welcomed into the chieftain’s house for a real Viking feast. In summer, we continue to Ringve Museum of Musical History, where Norwegian music´s past is brought to life in a grand manor with a fantastic view. Enjoy the early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast.
Explore the surrounding fjords on an unforgettable kayaking or hiking adventure. While Norway's coastline and fjords are idyllic emerald green and rock landscapes, pairing a cruise to Iceland with your Norway itinerary is a study in contrasts. The nearly vegetation-free, volcanic island nation is included on itineraries as short as 11 days, though some last two weeks or more.
It's worth setting an alarm and getting up early to watch the ship sail in. Plus, given Norway's notoriously finicky weather, there's no guarantee that rain won't set in before the ship departs. Norway cruise itineraries depart from a variety of cities, though most begin in Bergen or Oslo. Other popular departure cities are found across northern Europe, including Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Hamburg and a variety of U.K. Viking history, sky-high breathtaking fjords, the northern lights, and cozy costal towns all complete the vibrant picture of a Norway Cruise. Make your way to ports like Skjolden, Geiranger, Flam, and Bergen.
