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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. While they lack the entertainment extravagance of mainstream cruise liners, the coastal cruise ferries compensate with the charm of an authentic Norwegian experience and ever-changing scenery. Dating back to 1893, dual-purpose vessels have traversed the Norwegian coastline, offering both cargo and passenger services.
Included in your voyage
Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord — one of the world’s longest fjords — and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls. If you visit the country in the summer, you'll avoid the chilly temperatures, you'll be able to witness the Midnight Sun and will find that more attractions are open. In winter, however, you'll be able to see a northern wonderland covered in a magical layer of snow, which you can enjoy by snow shoeing, skiing or snowboarding. Between late September and late March, it's dark from early afternoon until late morning, and this is the best time to see the Northern Lights. Set off for the north to see the sparsely populated, mountainous country of Norway. Among the thousands of pristine lakes, isolated islands and stunning fjords, you'll feel like you've stepped back into the Ice Age.
Bergen & the Fjords
Uncover the ultimate guide to eating locally in Italy as you make the most of your vacation travels. Explore the Salvador Dali Museum and Garden in Spain as you make the most of your cultural traveling adventures. Take a moment to make the most of your Greek island hopping travels, reveal the best places to visit in Greece. Uncover the history of Italy through Italian architecture and art tours as you travel to Rome, Florence, and Milan. Discover the best things to do as a local while traveling to Spain for your own Barcelona vacation experience with these helpful ideas & travel tips. It can bring you to some of the most beautiful port cities in the world.
Leknes, Lofoten Islands, Norway
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. This initiative, aiming at environmental preservation, essentially excludes the vast majority of traditional cruise ships from accessing some of Norway's iconic fjords. See unspoilt nature on this cruise from Ålesund to Øye, through the 35 km long Hjørundfjord! The Hjørundfjord is surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, with mountains streching up to 1700 m.a.s.l. Pass villages along the way, some without road connection. You can disembark at Trandal, where you can try the world's most instagrammable swing.
After a brief stop in Hammerfest, we arrive in Havøysund the world’s northernmost fishing village. One of the most popular excursions is a visit to the North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent marked by the photogenic globe monument. Molde is known as the ‘City of Roses’ because of its lovely municipal gardens. This attractive coastal town has an amazing view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called ‘the Molde Panorama’. In the summer, we set our course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, passing sheer, 800 metre-high cliffs and dramatic waterfalls. The fjord’s pristine natural landscape of steep rock walls, lush green meadows, lonely mountain farms and tiny villages is unforgettable.
No matter which 7-day cruise to Europe you end up booking, here's how to plan a European vacation that's high on adventure with low added stress. A Barcelona vacation is always a good idea, but arriving at this iconic port of call by sea is a truly unique experience. Turkish desserts are as pivotal to the experience of traveling in Turkey as a cruise through the Bosphorus Strait. Plan a cultural vacation to Italy by setting sail for the Roman Colosseum. Enjoy a tour guide tailored to you on the history of Rome & its gladiator.
While you (hopefully!) won't need as much cold weather clothing, it may still prove useful when planning what to bring to Norway. Cruising the Norwegian fjords is more than just ticking off a bucket list adventure; it's about selecting the right experience. First and foremost, it's important to understand that there is no such thing as a “typical” cruise.
Norway cruise: Fjord and glacier viewings in Geiranger and Olden - Royal Caribbean Blog
Norway cruise: Fjord and glacier viewings in Geiranger and Olden.
Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Flam
If art’s your thing, then be sure to visit Gallery Bi-Z, the region’s largest private art gallery. Or for some up-close animal attractions, head to Kristiansand Dyreparken and Zoo, where the likes of wolves, lynxes and moose can all be seen. There’s even an open area where monkeys swing across ropes situated above you. Tucked away in its own little world, a cruise along the fjord towards Geiranger is like cracking open a fairy tale of your own. Waterfalls cascade from the snowy peaks above, down their green mountainsides.
The fjord cruise consists of a guided tour to destinations such as Flor & Fjære, Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri and Espevær. When you arrive at your destination, you will be given a tour by a local guide, followed by a delicious dinner. The most beautiful and fastest way to travel from Bergen to Hardanger! A day trip to charming Rosendal - or the perfect starting point for the trip on to Trolltunga.
Whether you're looking to feast on traditional Nordic king crab or hoping to see the massive glacial walls of the Svalbard Islands, you can do it all in this northern paradise. Stroll through Bergen's Bryggen neighbourhood, with its medieval cobblestone alleyways and colourfully painted houses or go shopping in the small boutiques that offer handmade Sami crafts. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers five-night to eight-night cruises from Southampton and Newcastle in the spring, summer and early fall. Occasionally there may be fjord itineraries from other ports such as Southampton or Dover. During the winter, Fred Olsen's focus switches to northern lights cruises to the north of Norway.
As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you’ll see the strange mountain Torghatten, famous for its distinctive hole in the centre. The opening is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age. If the weather allows, join a hike with your guides up the mountain. We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a concert at the Arctic Cathedral under the Midnight Sun or explore the city by boat for a unique view of the sights and landmarks. You may want to drop by Ølhallen, a classic pub for a friendly beer.
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. Book confidently with our Northern Lights Promise – get a free trip if the lights don't appear on select voyages (Ts&Cs apply). UK, Germany, Australia and US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Norway for holiday purposes. The word 'fjord' comes from the Old Norse fjǫrthr and refers to a long stretch of sea between high cliffs.
View our cruise itineraries to find more magical places you can explore. Our ships are regular visitors to this magical region, calling at many of its stunning ports and sailing past some of the world's most jaw-dropping scenery. Enjoy front-row seats to incredible vistas while cruising Norway’s dramatic fjords. Serene waters, rugged cliffs rising from the sea and unlimited outdoor adventures await your discovery. View Europe’s largest mainland glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, located outside Måløy.
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. That’s why we’ve launched Sea Zero – a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop the world’s most energy-efficient cruise ship. Relive pioneering adventures on a magical sailing along the Norwegian coast and up to the edge of the world.
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 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. AIDA and MSC Cruises are among the European Lines to visit the fjords, although these lines often depart from Germany or Denmark.
The small trendy design stores are stocked with gifts and souvenirs like Norwegian brown cheese or knitted jumpers. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. June through August is the best time for a Norway cruise due to warmer weather, but voyages begin in May and run into September. Check out our article on everything you need to know about cruising to Norway. If seeing the fjords from a ship intrigues you, consider adding in one or more of these trips into a road trip itinerary.
