Norwegian Fjords Cruise
A sequence of fjords, each with its own character, seen from the deck.
Get Fjord Cruise QuotesA Norwegian fjords cruise is really a sequence of fjords, each with its own character. Here is what to expect from the deck.
The Fjords on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
| Fjord | Port or village | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|
| Geirangerfjord | Geiranger, Hellesylt | Sheer walls, the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls, abandoned farms on ledges; UNESCO-listed |
| Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord | Flam | Among the narrowest fjords; the Flam Railway climbs from the fjord to the mountains |
| Nordfjord | Olden | Glacier valleys leading to arms of the Jostedal glacier, such as Briksdal |
| Hardangerfjord | Eidfjord | Orchards, the Voringsfossen waterfall and the Hardangervidda plateau |
| Lysefjord | Stavanger | Granite cliffs including Pulpit Rock, reached by a popular hike |
Between the fjords sit the coastal towns: Bergen, with its Bryggen wharf and the Floibanen funicular; Alesund, rebuilt in Art Nouveau style after a fire in 1904; and Stavanger, with its old wooden quarter. Day plans for those ports are covered by our sister site Scandinavia Cruises.
Scenic Cruising: How to Make the Most of It
On a fjords cruise the ship’s arrival and departure are part of the show. Check the daily program for sail-in and sail-out times, and be on deck early; the approach to Geiranger, in particular, passes the Seven Sisters waterfall on one side and the Suitor on the other.
- Choose the side of the ship with the best view, or find an open deck forward.
- Bring binoculars for farms, waterfalls and wildlife on the cliffs.
- Dress warmly even in summer; the air in a fjord can be cool and damp.
- In Geiranger, ships often anchor and use tenders, so allow extra time to get ashore.
The Zero-Emission Fjords
Norway is tightening the rules for ships in its most sensitive waters. According to the Norwegian Maritime Authority, passenger ships in the World Heritage fjords — the Naeroyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjord and Tafjord — must be zero-emission: from 2026 for ships under 10,000 gross tons, and from 2032 for larger ships. Until then, large cruise ships continue to sail these fjords, but itineraries may shift over the coming years. If a particular fjord is the reason for your trip, check that it is on your sailing’s day-by-day itinerary.
For more on how the fjords fit into a wider Europe trip, see Cruising Europe’s fjords page.
Norwegian Fjords Questions
Which fjord is the most famous on a cruise?
The Geirangerfjord, with the Seven Sisters waterfall and the village of Geiranger at its head. Together with the Naeroyfjord it forms a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Are big cruise ships banned from the fjords?
Not banned, but regulated. Norway requires passenger ships under 10,000 gross tons to be zero-emission in its World Heritage fjords from 2026, and larger ships from 2032. Lines may change which ships and routes they use as the deadlines approach.
Find Your Norwegian Fjords Cruise
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