What to expect on a cruise to Norway's fjords

There’s no better way to appreciate the epic scale of this landscape and the grandeur of the scenery than aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise, discovering destinations which have remained almost unchanged for centuries, and traditional towns and villages dotted along the water’s edge. Along the way, you can discover nine centuries of history in Stavanger, the gateway to the southernmost fjords, as well as picturesque Bergen, with its historic cobbled waterfront, and the village of Flåm, set against a watercolour backdrop of idyllic farms, orchards, lakes and rivers.

Unlike other ocean cruises, visiting the Norwegian fjords is a unique experience. So to get the most out of this unforgettable holiday, here’s what to expect on a Norwegian fjord cruise.

What are the Norwegian fjords?

Norway’s iconic fjords were carved out by glaciers over around 2.5 million years, resulting in the dramatic landscapes we see today, with U-shaped valleys transformed into waterways curving under sheer cliffs. They vary in size, so you can find wide, majestic fjords along with narrow, winding waterways, with more than 1,000 across Norway, although only around 10 are regularly explored on any Norwegian fjords cruise.

Most fjords are saltwater as they’re connected to the ocean, including all the biggest Norwegian fjords. However, some are connected to freshwater lakes, so the water in those fjords is also fresh water.

The word itself comes from the Norse word ‘fjǫrðr’, which is related to the word ferry or crossing point, as well as fare, as in the payment for travel.

Are the Norwegian fjords rough?

The fjords themselves tend to be protected from any wind and storms, making them generally smooth and sheltered year-round. If you are cruising to the fjords from another destination in northern Europe or Scandinavia, the seas around the coast can be rough, and there’s more chance of bad weather which might affect the fjords themselves in midwinter, but otherwise it’s a great option if you’re looking to avoid rough seas.

Best time to cruise the Norwegian fjords

There’s no bad time for a Norwegian fjords cruise, but you’ll enjoy a different experience depending when you travel. So if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit the Norwegian fjords, here’s what to take into account.

You’ll enjoy the best weather during the summer months of June, July and August, with lusher trees and plant life, more chances to hike along the coast, some of the best views and even a chance of getting into the water. However, these are also the busiest months, so if you’re hoping for a tranquil experience, you might find it more crowded at this time of year. You also have little chance of seeing the Northern Lights during these months and even during summer, Norwegian weather can be changeable.

Visit during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn and you’ll escape the worst of the crowds, with deep red and orange foliage during September and October adding colour to the fjords, while March and April see new growth for spring. March and September are also a great time to see the Northern Lights around the equinoxes, and the temperatures are milder than in winter, although with a chance of rain.

Winter has its own temptations. The longer dark nights are ideal for spotting the aurora borealis, seeing those eerie swirls above the water, and while the west coast of Norway tends to experience milder winters than other parts of the country, you could get clear blue skies and crisp frost turning the landscape into a winter wonderland. If you’re taking a Norwegian fjords cruise which continues on to northern Norway or exploring the arctic fjords, there’ll also be snowy landscapes to enjoy.

Andalsnes City

Are Norwegian fjords good for whale watching?

You’re unlikely to see whales in the most popular areas visited on Norwegian fjord cruises, around the stretch between Stavanger and Alesund, as they don’t tend to come inland from the open seas. However, there’s a chance of seeing some species of dolphin and porpoise in these fjords in western Norway.

In order to see whales, you’ll need to travel to northern Norway where they can often be spotted around Tromso. The best season for whale-watching is the winter, between around November and January, when humpback whales and orca come closer to land following shoals of herring.

What to wear on a Norwegian fjord cruise ship

If you’re setting off on a Norwegian fjords cruise, your choice of clothing is going to depend partly on the activities you have included as well as the time of year that you’re travelling. What to wear on a Norwegian fjord cruise in July and August is inevitably going to differ from a cruise in October or February. If you’re heading further north to the Arctic Circle after exploring the fjords, you’ll also have to consider the harsher climate further north.

However as a general rule, the dress code on board a Norwegian fjord cruise ship tends to be casual, so you don’t need to worry about dressing up, formal evenings or looking smart on board. Havila Cruises has a casual policy as the focus is on the natural surroundings rather than the fashion aboard ship, while Hurtigruten follows a similar approach. If you want a smarter option for the evening, smart casual clothing isn’t uncommon, but eveningwear is unlikely to be practical in the chiller climate, and you certainly won’t be alone if you prefer to dress down.

During daytimes, plan to wear layers whether you’re staying on board or heading ashore as weather can vary throughout the day, with warmer and waterproof layers in winter, and more lightweight options in summer. If you’re planning a Norwegian fjord cruise in May or September, it’s very unlikely to be hot but you could easily experience cool, bright days or rainy ones. Mornings and evenings can be very chilly year-round, so hats and gloves are wise, plus a scarf which you can throw on if the Northern Lights are sighted unexpectedly.

What to pack for a Norwegian fjord cruise

You can easily experience four seasons in one day on a Norwegian fjords cruise, and you’ll often find different conditions on the west coast to other parts of Norway, with both Atlantic storm fronts and the Gulf Stream combining to make weather even more unpredictable.

But even in the height of midsummer, you’re unlikely to see temperatures much above 20C - although as with any Norwegian weather forecasts, it pays to check before you go. The key to packing for a Norwegian fjord cruise is to take layers year-round; in summer, it’s still worth bringing a raincoat and light jacket, as well as a warmer layer for evening. Winters aren’t as icy as you might expect on the west coast, but you’ll still want to wrap up against chilly temperatures, including thermal layers, jumpers, hat and gloves, a warm waterproof coat and cosy socks. Attitudes to dress on board and in Norway are casual, so athleisure wear such as leggings are both acceptable and practical, as are jeans if the weather is dry. That includes evening wear, as cruise lines such as Havila have a casual dress policy aboard; you may still want to include a few slightly smarter items, but you won’t need any formalwear or evening dress.

If you’re planning to hike any of the routes along the fjords, do bring sturdy, comfortable footwear – hiking boots or shoes are a good idea. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen, as the sunlight reflecting off snow and water on clear days can be dazzling.

You’ll also want spare batteries and memory cards for any cameras, or a portable battery for your phone, as you’re sure to be snapping endless photos of the wonderful scenery. Plugs on board are usually European outlets, so do bring power adapters too. For more tips, check out our packing guide.

Can you swim in Norway’s fjords?

Yes, you can swim in the fjords. If there are any restricted areas or stronger currents, you can expect to see signs but otherwise the water is open to anyone to swim. Do go prepared for chilly temperatures though; while water temperature can reach 20C during the summer, there’s often a cooler layer on top and outside the warmest months, temperatures will dip even lower.

Some areas even have sandy, white beaches by the side, but in some places the only way in is to jump from the rocks – watch the locals to see how it’s done!

Aurlandsfjord

Highlights of a Norwegian fjord cruise

Wherever you visit in the Norwegian fjords, you’re guaranteed some of the world’s most majestic scenery, with tree-lined cliffs rising up from the deep blue water of the fjords, snaking their way through the hills.

Head to northern Norway and the arctic fjords and you’ve also got a good chance of spotting whales and orca in the winter months, as well as the aurora borealis. The northern lights are regularly visible from September to April around Tromso, although it’s much rarer to see them further south around Bergen and Alesund.

The fjords themselves all have their own attractions, from the grandeur of the wider waterways to the thrill of the narrower stretches, but there are a few highlights to look out for on your Norwegian fjords cruise itinerary,

The deepest and longest fjord in Norway is the Sognefjord, just north of Bergen, known as the ‘king of the fjords’. Stretching for 205km, it measures 1,308 metres at its deepest point; enough to stack around 90 double-decker buses on top of each other. One of the ‘arms’ of the fjord is Aurlandsfjord, a 29km-branch which can be reached by the Bergen and Flåm railways, often listed among the world’s most beautiful train journeys. Another, the well-named Nærøyfjord, is Europe’s narrowest fjord, with some fabulous views between the hillsides.

The second-longest fjord in Norway is an impressive 179km long, leading from the Atlantic Ocean just south of Bergen to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Visit in spring and you can see blossom on the apple trees along Hardangerfjord, an area that’s famous in Norway for its fruit and cider. Sørfjorden also stretches off Hardangerfjord, home to the Trolltunga hike, with the Trolltunga (troll’s tongue) rock formation jutting out from the cliffs just like a tongue sticking out, around 1,100m above the water below.

One of the southernmost fjords, the Lysefjord, is an easy journey from Stavanger. But while the fjord itself is as captivating as those further north, it’s best known for another viewpoint known as Preikestolen (or Pulpit Rock), a flat-topped cliff which juts out above the water like a natural viewing platform.

Perhaps the most eye-catching of all is Geirangerfjord, often named as the most spectacular in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is everything you’d expect from fjordland scenery, with sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls and lush greenery clinging to the slopes above the deep blue water.

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