Grand European & Viking Fjords

norway river cruise

Plus, given Norway's notoriously finicky weather, there's no guarantee that rain won't set in before the ship departs. When it comes to cruising Northern Europe, a Norway cruise should not be overlooked. 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. Cutting deep into Rogaland County, Lysefjord offers views of mountain farms, islands, waterfalls and Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock. In southeastern Norway Ålesund the unique natural landscape and the special architecture meet.

Other popular cruise destinations

Sail the North Sea, visit Denmark and witness Norway’s dramatic fjord landscapes and scenic cities. Our Journey Planners have designed this cruise to show you Norway’s awe-inspiring natural surroundings as summer turns to autumn, a time of year that’s renowned for the fruit harvest. Balmoral will also sail the picturesque Nordfjord, passing Hornelen – Europe’s highest sea cliff. There will be opportunities to admire the remarkable landscapes ashore too, during a visit to the Briksdal Glacier from Olden, accompanied by a local geologist; or on a boat tour from Haugesund. Get off the ship in Hellesylt and go kayaking on a discovery tour of the UNESCO World Heritage. Almost vertically falling waterfalls are fed by the snow-capped mountain peaks.

Cruising Norway's Coastline

Discover the highlights of the arctic such as Lofoten and Helgeland coast. Celebrate nature's awakening with blooming landscapes and festivities. UK, Germany, Australia and US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Norway for holiday purposes. Take the kids.Norway is family friendly, with lots of outdoor play structures and kiddie areas in museums and shopping venues.

Delightful Shore Excursions OnNorwegian Fjords Cruises

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. But if you want to be entertained in an evening lounge bar and spin the wheels at a casino, you should definitely look elsewhere. You should also think carefully if you have kids, as facilities for children are limited. I'll keep this post updated as and when I get more questions, as I'm sure I will! For now, I'll include answers to the most common questions I receive about Norway cruises. Last but definitely not least, this special cruise came as a result of the success of the movie Frozen.

10 Reasons Why Cruising Is The Best Way To See The Norwegian Fjords - TheTravel

10 Reasons Why Cruising Is The Best Way To See The Norwegian Fjords.

Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages and exciting Viking history. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Air fare offer applies to select gateways; air fare offer may vary across gateways and itineraries; call for details. Enjoy charming Bergen, a historic city full of colorful architecture and a lively atmosphere.

New, prize winning ships

From the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark, sail the North Sea to Amsterdam. Admire Cologne’s famous cathedral and tour Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Experience France’s multicultural Strasbourg and Germany’s storied Black Forest before disembarking in cultured Basel. You can expect stops in destinations like Alesund and Oslo on these itineraries, though you'll generally avoid playing the narrow waters of the inland fjords. There is something mystical about spending the Summer evenings on your cruise ship in one of Norway's many fjords and looking up to the sky. There are rarely stars to see, because the further North you come, the shorter the nights.

norway river cruise

Our excursions

Cruise Critic's Editors Pick Their Best Cruise Destinations by Itinerary - Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic's Editors Pick Their Best Cruise Destinations by Itinerary.

Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Balmoral retains a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open deck space. During a trip to the stave church Fantoft you will get to know the special architectural style of these buildings, which were built entirely of wood and without a single screw. The stave church here was modelled on the original building from 1150, after it was completely burned down. Originally the church stood in the Sognefjord and was moved to Fantoft in 1883, where it fell victim to the flames in 1992.

It can rain in the summer and there can be bright sunshine in the winter. The biggest problem comes in small communities like Olden and Geiranger. When hundreds of day trippers visit a village home to just a few hundred permanent residents day after day, the locals quickly feel overwhelmed. Local newspapers have been full of headlines through the summer 2019 season complaining about the impact of overtourism. Norway's most unique town and one of my personal favourites, thanks to its distinctive architecture and waterside location.

Our voyages

Almost all of Norway's towns and cities are by the coast, but Ålesund takes things up a notch. In addition to the major cruise companies, many smaller companies run multi-day boat trips around the archipelago. This could be a great solution if you are prepared to fly to Svalbard independently. For an idea of what to expect, you can listen to an episode of the Life in Norway Show all about adventure tourism in Svalbard. Cruise Scandinavia, Russia & the Baltic like never before on board the newest ships in the NCL fleet, the Norwegian Getaway and the Norwegian Breakaway.

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. Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord — one of the world’s longest fjords — and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls. Cunard currently visits Sognefjord, Ofotfjord, Romsdalsfjord, Lustrafjorden, Innvikfjorden, Nordfjord and Aurlandsfjord, to name a few, and you can visit even more on some of our port excursions.

The distinctive red, black and white Hurtigruten ships are a true icon of Norwegian travel, so much so that there's even a museum at Stokmarknes! For more than 100 years, the fleet of ships have worked the coastline providing a valuable cargo delivery and passenger ferry service. Our ships are an experience in their own right, built to enhance your voyage and overall experience by focusing on sustainability, space and comfort at sea. Explore the fjords and the midnight sun in the peak season along the Norwegian coast.

The fjords aren't the only treasure awaiting discovery in this magical region. Let us introduce you to the beautiful Lofoten Islands, the mysteries of the aurora borealis, and how our on board spa services take inspiration from the ocean itself. 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. Dive into our useful guide to cruising in the Norwegian fjords, and discover the wonderful places we visit. Join us on a richly rewarding 8-day journey to some of Scandinavia’s most scenic and historic ports.

Take a journey along Amsterdam’s network of canals or perhaps browse one of the city’s museums. The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise. Visit Syse Gard, a traditional family-run farm situated beside the Hardangerford. Gain an insight into the daily life and history on the farm, explore the orchard and sample produce such as apple juice, cider, and dried meats. Beautiful Balmoral is small enough to navigate some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways so guests can enjoy hours of scenic cruising.

The dramatic granite mountains of the Lofoten archipelago rise from the sea like a giant stone wall. Whether you stop at one of the small ports or simply sail on past, Lofoten is somewhere you'll want to make time for. In addition to their coastal voyages, Hurtigruten offer sailings to more remote places. Some of the world's biggest cruise ships call at Norwegian ports from time to time. Whenever a large ship is in dock, locals tend to come out to greet the ship. When the Adventure of the Seas called at Trondheim recently, guests were greeted with cannon fire and a local band.

Hurtigruten is a good option as there are daily departures throughout the winter. If you're taking the full voyage, the company offers a northern lights sighting guarantee. Just be aware that if you're travelling in December or January, you will experience darkness for much of the day.

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