Cruising is one of the best ways to experience the Norwegian fjords. Between the towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and picturesque villages, the natural beauty of Norway is unbelievable.
In fact, some of the best scenery during a Norwegian fjords cruise can be seen right from the cruise ship! Instead of driving for hours between destinations, cruise ships sail directly through the fjords while transporting passengers from one port to the next.
Last summer, my husband and I recently sailed on a 7-night Norwegian fjords cruise onboard Celebrity Apex. Our itinerary visited Bergen, Flam and Olden in Norway, along with one stop in Brugge, Belgium. I loved the itinerary so much that we booked another cruise this summer.
Norway had been at the top of my travel list for a few years, as my husband and I both have Norwegian heritage. In addition, Norway was the first country I ever visited in Europe with my grandparents back in 2007.
Naturally, I have really special memories of the country. My first trip to Norway opened my eyes to the thrills of international travel. After visiting again with my parents more than 10 years ago, I had been looking for the right time to return.
Initially, my husband and I considered taking a land-based trip through Norway. However, the cost of hotels, food, airfare and a rental car quickly started to add up. We ultimately decided to book a cruise through the Norwegian fjords instead.
After traveling to more than 70 countries and taking over 55 cruises, I would consider myself a destination-focused cruiser. For me, the ports of call are usually more important than the cruise ship itself.
However, choosing the right cruise ship and itinerary can have a major impact on your experience, especially in Norway. Here are seven things I would consider before booking a Norwegian fjords cruise.
1. Choose your itinerary before the cruise ship
For a Norwegian fjords cruise, I would choose the itinerary before deciding which ship you want to sail on. The ports of call should be one of the most important factors when comparing your options.
I have now taken multiple cruises through the Norwegian fjords, including two sailings onboard Celebrity Apex that visited Bergen, Olden, Geiranger, Haugesund and Flam. Although all of these ports were in Norway, each destination provided a completely different experience.
For instance, Geiranger was surrounded by the dramatic scenery that most travelers envision when planning a Norwegian fjords cruise. Sailing through the fjord was part of the experience itself, with towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and picturesque landscapes surrounding our cruise ship.
Meanwhile, Haugesund provided a completely different perspective of Norway. The coastal destination felt very different from the smaller villages located deep within the fjords. Finally, Flam delivered the quintessential Norwegian experience with its mountains, waterfalls and famous railway.
During an earlier Norwegian fjords cruise, we also visited Bergen and Olden. In Olden, we hiked to the unbelievable Briksdal Glacier, which was one of the prettiest sights I have ever seen! On the other hand, Bergen provided a combination of history, colorful buildings and gorgeous coastal landscapes.
Visiting Norway more than once has shown me how much the itinerary can shape a Norwegian fjords cruise. Some ports are best for dramatic sail-ins and natural scenery, while others provide more history, culture and opportunities to explore a larger city.
Not every Norwegian fjords cruise visits the same ports of call. If you have a particular excursion or destination on your travel list, make sure the itinerary includes that port before booking.
For instance, travelers who want the best fjord scenery might prioritize an itinerary visiting Geiranger or Flam. Those hoping to hike to Briksdal Glacier should look for a cruise visiting Olden. In comparison, Bergen or Haugesund can provide a different look at Norway beyond its smaller fjord villages.
Above all else, you should not choose a cruise just because it sails on the newest ship. When cruising somewhere as beautiful as Norway, the itinerary is more important than having endless onboard thrills.
2. Consider the departure port and cost of airfare
Another important factor to consider is where your Norwegian fjords cruise begins and ends.
Many cruises to the Norwegian fjords depart from Southampton, England, which is the closest major cruise port to London. Other itineraries might depart from cities in Northern Europe or Norway itself.
Both of my cruises to Norway departed from Southampton, England. Since London is one of my favorite cities in Europe, I always fly in a few days early. I can’t resist spending a few extra days vacationing in London!
Surprisingly, the cost of airfare was one of the biggest advantages of choosing a cruise from Southampton. For our travel dates, airfare to London was around $300 cheaper per person than flying directly to Norway. This saved us approximately $600 between the two of us.
Even better, flying to London was more convenient from our small airport in Florida. We only needed to make one connection, while most flights to Norway required multiple layovers.
We were saving both money and time with this decision. Before booking a Norwegian fjords cruise, I would compare the cost of airfare for each departure port. A cruise fare might seem affordable, but expensive flights could quickly increase the total cost of your trip.
3. Consider booking a balcony cabin
I frequently book interior cabins when I want to save money on a cruise. However, Norway is one destination where I would strongly consider booking a balcony cabin.
One of the biggest perks of cruising through the Norwegian fjords is being able to enjoy the scenery right from the ship. Having a balcony allowed me to take in the natural beauty of Norway from the comfort of my cabin.
My first morning in Norway, I woke up early to grab coffee while the ship sailed into Flam. Being able to see the fjord from the water was breathtaking. Mountains towered above the cruise ship while waterfalls and tiny villages appeared along the shoreline.
Of course, you do not need a balcony cabin to enjoy the scenery. Cruise ships have plenty of public decks where you can watch the sail-ins and sailaways.
If you are cruising on a tight budget, I would not hesitate to book an interior cabin. However, I would compare the cost of upgrading before making the final decision. For me, the balcony was worth the extra money. Norway has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and my cabin provided a private place to appreciate the views.
4. Don’t overlook the scenic sailing
When choosing a Norwegian fjords cruise, don’t focus only on the ports of call. You should also research the scenic cruising included with the itinerary. Some of our favorite moments happened while we were sailing to and from the ports.
After our day in Flam, we sailed through the incredible Sognefjord at sunset. My husband and I sipped on cocktails for nearly two hours while our ship slowly made its way through the fjord. Even better, our captain completed a 360-degree turn near a waterfall so everyone could enjoy the view. It was one of the most beautiful sailaways I had ever experienced!
Of course, Geiranger is another incredibly scenic sailing in Norway. During my most recent cruise onboard Celebrity Apex, the ship sailed through the Geirangerfjord before arriving in port. Between the steep mountains, cascading waterfalls and picturesque villages, the scenery was unbelievable.
This was something we would not have experienced on a land-based trip. We appreciated being able to enjoy the breathtaking, panoramic views from the comfort of our cruise ship.
Before booking, make sure you also look at which fjords the ship will sail through. Although the port time might seem short, you can also expect to enjoy views from the ship for a few hours each day.
Once onboard, pay attention to announcements from the captain. You should also check the daily schedule to see whether any scenic sailing times are listed. You don’t want to be eating dinner inside while some of the best scenery of the entire cruise is passing by outside!
5. Determine how much time you want in each destination
Cruising is one of the most convenient ways to visit multiple destinations in Norway. However, you will have limited time in each port of call. This is one of the biggest tradeoffs of booking a cruise instead of taking a land-based trip.
On a land trip, you have more flexibility to spend multiple days in one destination. You can also change your plans, visit smaller villages, and explore at a slower pace. When cruising, you need to follow the ship’s schedule. You might only have eight or nine hours to explore each port before returning onboard.
Even so, the efficiency of cruising was worthwhile for us. According to my calculations, we would have spent approximately 20 hours driving from Oslo to the destinations included on our cruise itinerary.
Although road-tripping can be fun, spending 20 hours in a small rental car is not exactly my idea of a relaxing vacation. Why spend hours on the road when you could be decompressing on a cruise ship instead?
Our cruise ship transported us between destinations while we slept each evening. We woke up somewhere new without needing to pack and unpack our suitcases constantly. Without spending time struggling with navigation and logistics, we had more time to actually relax together.
If you want to spend multiple days in each destination, a land-based trip might be a better choice. However, if you want to experience several destinations without worrying about transportation, cruising is difficult to beat.
6. Determine which cruise ship matches your travel style
Although I would still recommend prioritizing your itinerary, the cruise ship is still an important part of the vacation.
After spending the day exploring, we always appreciated returning to the comforts of Celebrity Apex. Between the restaurants, spa and entertainment, the ship had so much to offer in terms of relaxation.
Each evening, we enjoyed delicious meals together while reminiscing about the day’s adventures over craft cocktails. We also booked a couple’s massage one evening, which was rejuvenating for both of us. In addition, Celebrity Apex had a variety of entertainment that included talented acrobats, aerialists and vocalists.
The cruise allowed us to explore during the day and relax in the evening. However, everyone has a different travel style. Families might want a ship with more activities for children, while couples might prefer an upscale atmosphere with sophisticated dining and entertainment. Not to mention, some cruises to the Norwegian Fjords are more like a ferry than a cruise ship.
Others might not care about the ship at all. If you plan to spend most of your time exploring the ports, you might prefer to save money by booking an older or smaller cruise ship.
For me, Celebrity Apex provided the right balance of relaxation and exploration. We were able to visit beautiful destinations during the day while enjoying the comforts of a newer cruise ship each evening.
7. Compare the total cost of the cruise with a land-based trip
Norway is one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe. I had always heard that Norway was pricey, but I did not realize just how expensive it would be to plan a land-based trip.
Before booking our cruise, I started pricing hotels, rental cars, fuel and food for one week in Norway. The cost of hotels alone added up to more than $2,000. And these were modestly priced hotels and did not include any luxurious, 5-star properties.
In addition, we would need to rent a car to visit the fjords and explore outside the countryside. The rental car was going to cost close to $500 for the week. This did not include fuel, which was around $9.00 per gallon during my most recent visit. As you can imagine, the cost of fuel could easily blow your budget when driving long distances through Norway.
Food is another major expense. Based on our research, the average meal for two in Norway was around $130. Even lunch could cost approximately $70 for two people at a typical restaurant.
I’m a major foodie when I travel, so I don’t like to be stingy with dining on vacation. You will not find me eating sandwiches from the gas station for every meal! According to my calculations, we would need to budget more than $200 per day for food. For a 7-night vacation, we planned to spend around $1,400 on dining alone.
Overall, we were already looking at spending more than $4,000 on hotels, a rental car, fuel and food. This did not include airfare, tours or excursions.
Comparatively, I could book a 7-night cruise on Celebrity Apex that included unlimited drinks and internet for about $5,000 total. And this wasn’t even the most affordable
Although our cruise was not necessarily cheap, it provided more value for our money. When comparing prices, make sure you calculate the total cost of your vacation. Do not compare the cruise fare with the cost of hotels alone. Food, transportation and fuel can add thousands of dollars to a land-based trip through Norway.
Taking a cruise to Norway vs a land-based trip
Overall, we had a fantastic vacation to Norway and never regretted booking the cruise. Our money was better spent on a cruise that allowed us to relax and explore simultaneously. Instead of spending hours driving between destinations, our cruise ship transported us through the fjords while we slept.
Even more, we were able to see Norway from a completely different perspective. Some of the most memorable views happened right from our cruise ship. Before booking a Norwegian fjords cruise, I would consider the ports of call, departure city, total trip cost, cabin category, scenic cruising, time in port and onboard experience.
The right cruise will depend on your budget and travel style. Above all else, I would choose an itinerary that allows you to experience as much of Norway’s natural beauty as possible.
I would not hesitate to book another cruise through the Norwegian fjords. The picturesque villages coupled with the natural beauty of the fjords is unbeatable. Being able to experience these destinations from the comfort and convenience of a cruise ship was the best choice for me.
