Scandinavia Cruise: Norway by Sea
Fjords, waterfalls and the midnight sun on the most scenic coast in cruising.
Get Fjord Cruise QuotesA Scandinavia Cruise Along Norway’s Coast
A Scandinavia cruise along the coast of Norway is one of the great scenic journeys at sea. Ships slip between mountain walls into fjords barely wider than a river, pass waterfalls close enough to hear, and in early summer sail north past the Arctic Circle into a sun that does not set. It is a trip where the time between ports is as memorable as the ports themselves.
This site is about that coast: the fjords of western Norway, the long route north to the North Cape, where the cruises leave from and when to go. For the Baltic capitals — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn — see Northern Europe Cruises; for a side-by-side look at the fjords, the Baltic and Iceland, see Cruising Scandinavia.
Norwegian Fjords Cruise
Geirangerfjord, Naeroyfjord, Nordfjord, Hardangerfjord and Lysefjord: what each one is like from the deck.
North Cape Cruises
The voyage beyond the Arctic Circle to the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and the North Cape under the midnight sun.
From Southampton
Round trips from England and the other departure ports, compared for North American travelers.
Best Fjords Cruise
How to choose: route, length, ship size, daylight sailing and the new emission rules.
Weather & Best Time
May to September month by month, what to pack, and northern lights voyages in winter.
Why Norway Is Different
Most cruise regions are about the ports. Norway is about the passage. Its fjords were carved by glaciers and flooded by the sea, so ships can sail deep inland between walls of rock that rise straight from the water. Two of them, the Geirangerfjord and the Naeroyfjord, are inscribed together by UNESCO as the West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.
The coast also runs a very long way north. A ship leaving the fjords and heading for the North Cape crosses the Arctic Circle and reaches latitudes where, in midsummer, the sun stays above the horizon all night. Few cruise routes give you that kind of change in a single voyage: from green orchards in the Hardangerfjord to bare Arctic plateaus.
Fjords Only, or All the Way North?
| Route | Typical length | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian fjords | About 7 nights | Geiranger, Flam, Olden, Bergen, Stavanger, Alesund | A first look at Norway; shorter vacations |
| Fjords and North Cape | About 12–14 nights | The fjords plus the Lofoten Islands, Tromso, Honningsvag for the North Cape | Midnight sun and the full length of the coast |
| Norway with the British Isles or Iceland | Longer voyages | Fjords combined with Scotland, Ireland or Iceland | Travelers with time who want variety |
Whichever you pick, plan your time ashore with our network’s Bergen shore excursions guide and the wider Northern Europe port guides.
Plan Your Norway Cruise With Us
Scandinavia Cruise is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare the fjord and North Cape sailings for you and book everything, flights and hotels included. Meet Mister Cruise →
Scandinavia Cruise Questions
What does a Scandinavia cruise on this site cover?
Norway’s coast: the Norwegian fjords, Bergen and the west coast towns, and the far north to the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and the North Cape. For the Baltic capitals see our sister site Northern Europe Cruises.
How long is a Norwegian fjords cruise?
Many fjord sailings last about seven nights; North Cape voyages usually run around twelve to fourteen nights because of the distance up the coast.
Do I need a balcony?
It is not essential, since the open decks are excellent for scenic sailing, but on a fjords route a balcony is one of the most worthwhile upgrades in cruising.
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Fjords, North Cape or both? Tell us your dates and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the Norway sailings, free.
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