Some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes can be found on the west coast of Norway, and a Norwegian fjords cruise is the perfect introduction to this scenic coastline. Get your camera ready for sights such as waterfalls cascading off sheer cliffs, and tiny, colourful villages flanked by majestic mountains. The season in which you travel makes a huge difference too. The midnight sun banishes any hint of night on summer sailings while the winter months welcome the possibility of glimpsing the northern lights; go in spring for the first bursts of greenery, or autumn for golden-coloured foliage. Whether you’re looking to travel in luxury or on a budget, planning a solo adventure or a family-friendly break, these are the best Norwegian fjords cruises to choose from.
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1. Hurtigruten
££ | Best suited to 14+
Hurtigruten is a pioneer in cruising the Norwegian fjords. Its history goes back to 1893 when the company was founded to provide a daily passenger service for locals and deliver freight to inaccessible towns and villages along the length of the coast. These days its passenger vessels pass about 100 fjords with many stops along the way. Ships hug the coastline so there’s always something to see and, on selected sailings, Hurtigruten’s northern lights promise means you get another sailing for free if the aurora borealis don’t put on a show.
Make it happen
The 11-night Coastal Express sails round-trip from Bergen to Kirkenes and has multiple dates throughout the year. It’s still very much a commuter route, which means some of the 34 port stops are just 15 minutes long while others will give you several hours to explore.
2. Scenic
£££ | Best suited to 18+
The all-inclusive line Scenic’s two 228-passenger vessels, Scenic Eclipse I and II, combine all the trappings of luxury with the thrill of expedition sailing in Norway. Soar above cascading waterfalls in one of the two onboard helicopters or dip underwater to get a different perspective of the fjords from the Scenic Neptune submarine, which can carry six passengers and dive to depths of nearly 300m (1,000ft). Back on the ship, chill out in the champagne bar or back in your spacious suite — some have private hot tubs.
Make it happen
The 15-night Norwegian Fjords, Wildlife of Svalbard & the Arctic cruise is a one-off sailing from Bergen to Oslo departing on June 15, 2027. You’ll visit Sognefjord, Naeroyfjord and Geirangerfjord before sailing on to the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and Svalbard, returning to Oslo from Longyearbyen by air.
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3. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
££ | Best suited to 50+
This line is a natural choice for a fjords itinerary just as it was in 1848 when the Olsen family started sailing commercial ships in their homeland. The Olsen Art Studio has been introduced on two of the newest ships, Borealis and Bolette, and they’re used for classes such as painting the northern lights. Fred Olsen’s smaller ships are perfectly proportioned for navigating the narrow waterways, and passengers can get even closer to the scenery with an exhilarating ride on the inflatable Ribs carried on all of its vessels.
Make it happen
For those short on time, the one-off Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights cruise is a great option. It departs from Newcastle on August 28, 2026, with stops in Alesund and Olden and a scenic sailing through Nordfjord and Innvikfjord.
4. Viking
£££ | Best suited to 18+
As its name suggests, this is another line with a Scandinavian pedigree. Viking’s carefully curated Norway cruises feature longer port calls and overnight stays that take advantage of the midnight sun in summertime and northern lights-spotting opportunities in winter. The fleet of near-identical adults-only ships all feature a Mamsen’s restaurant, named in honour of owner Tor Hagen’s mother.
Make it happen
Try the 14-night Viking Homelands cruise, which sails between Stockholm and Bergen in both directions, with multiple dates throughout the year. Stops en route include port cities in Estonia, Poland, Germany and Denmark. In Norway, you’ll visit the capital Oslo before a scenic sailing north to Stavanger, Eidfjord and Bergen.
5. Windstar Cruises
££ | Best suited to 21+
After a bow-to-stern renovation on Windstar’s all-suite 312-guest Star Legend, passengers can now glide through the fjords in refined comfort. Kayaking, biking, walking and small-boat excursions are among the options to fill your lungs with fresh Norwegian air. View one of the country’s most famous landmarks, Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock, on a Rib excursion along the Lysefjord. Look out for sea eagles, seals or porpoises before gazing at the vertiginous projection from the rock face 600m (1,969ft) above the fjord.
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The Bite of Belgium & Feast of Fjords is a great no-fly option. The one-off sailing departs from London Greenwich on May 19, 2026, for a mini-break in Belgium. It then sails north towards Norway; the ship returns to the UK, to Leith near Edinburgh, 13 nights later. In Norway, you’ll call at well-known ports such as Alesund and Trondheim as well as small-ship exclusive ports like Egersund.
6. Cunard
£ | Best suited to 12+
Upmarket Cunard is renowned for cultural immersion. Expect shore excursions in Bergen to include a visit to the former home of the composer Edvard Grieg with a concert in the unusual, turf-covered Troldsalen concert hall. Sailings are available on Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne, including a week-long Southampton round-trip fjords itinerary. Cruises follow Viking trading routes along the 1,300m (4,300ft) deep Sognefjord — dubbed King of the Fjords because it’s the largest and deepest in Norway.
Make it happen
The 12-night Norwegian Fjords cruise is a round-trip itinerary from Southampton with multiple dates available. You’ll go as far north as the Lofoten Islands, and stop in ports including Kristiansand, Bergen and Trondheim with plenty of time to explore. For those less mobile, the scenic sailing through Hardangerfjord and Romsdalsfjord will offer the perfect opportunity to take in the sights.
7. P&O Cruises
£ | Best suited to six months+
Sail from Southampton on a choice of four P&O Cruises ships, including the 5,200-passenger Iona, which is one of the largest cruise ships built specifically for UK cruisers. Families and multigenerational groups can opt for a school holiday cruise and there are also sailings on the line’s adults-only vessels Arcadia and Aurora. Scenic sailing is combined with plenty of opportunities to go ashore with stops including pretty Stavanger, the gateway to the fjords.
Make it happen
The seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise is a no-fly option suitable for those short on time. Departing on multiple dates from Southampton, you’ll stop in ports such as Alesund and Stavanger, as well as enjoy scenic sailings through Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord.
8. Seabourn
££ | Best suited to 21+
Seabourn is another line with a Norwegian heritage that specialises in ultra-luxury cruising on its fleet of small ships. Available on a range of Norwegian itineraries, the Ventures by Seabourn programme provides exciting excursions such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog and reindeer sledding, and an exhilarating Zodiac boat trip to Storstappen Island, home to thousands of puffins.
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If you have more time, the 21-night Norwegian Fjords & Icelandic Intrigue cruise is a good one-off itinerary to try. Departing from Dover on July 17, 2027, the ship hugs the Norwegian coast as it sails as far north as Honningsvag. It then briefly sweeps south to Amsterdam, Dover and Kirkwall before spending the rest of the journey circumnavigating Iceland.
9. Princess Cruises
£ | Best suited to six months+
Princess has round-trip sailings from Southampton on its cruise ships Sky Princess and Island Princess, with a range of quirky excursions. Our favourite? The chance to take a leisurely walk with llamas through fjord meadows from the hamlet of Skjolden, following trails set against a backdrop of some of the highest peaks in Europe. For something more conventional, there’s a stroll around the Unesco world heritage site Bryggen, a medieval port founded by wealthy merchants and lined with paintbox-coloured wooden buildings.
Make it happen
The seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise is a compact itinerary with multiple sailings departing round-trip from Southampton. Stops in Norway include Haugesund, Skjolden, Sognefjord, Olden and Stavanger, with just two at-sea days in total.
10. Celebrity Cruises
££ | Best suited to 3+
Get a unique panoramic view of the fjords from the 2,900-passenger Celebrity Apex. An innovative feature on this ship is the Magic Carpet, a glass-sided cantilevered platform on the side of the vessel that can be raised up and down between different decks and is variously used as a bar and restaurant. Alternatively, sail out of Southampton on round-trip Norwegian cruises on Celebrity Silhouette. Both vessels feature the Retreat, an exclusive area for suite passengers, with its own sundeck, restaurant and lounge.
Make it happen
The 14-night Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Circle cruise will take you all the way north to Honningsvag, the northernmost town on the Norwegian mainland, before a scenic sailing through Arctic waters. Round-trip departures from Southampton are available throughout the year.
11. Ponant
£££ | Best suited to 3+
You’ll travel to this part of the world in style with the French line Ponant. Norwegian voyages feature a selection of no-fly cruises from Scotland and some sailings are run in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the travel offshoot of the renowned Smithsonian Institution. These cruises are specifically tailored for English-speaking passengers and include talks and discussions with world-class experts, plus a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that reflects the local environment and culture.
Make it happen
You’ll spend all of your time in Norway on this seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, which has several departure dates available. You’ll sail from Fredrikstad to Bergen, with excursions included to help maximise your time. Among the stops are the pretty town of Skudeneshavn and the Unesco world heritage site of Geirangerfjord.
12. Holland America Line
££ | Best suited to 16+
The Unesco-listed landscape of Geirangerfjord is lined with dramatic waterfalls and it winds for nine miles, plunging to depths of 500m (1,640ft). You can see it in style from the decks or balconies on Holland America Line’s music-themed, 2,668-passenger flagship Rotterdam, with itineraries that include midnight sun sailings. Shore trips include Eidfjord, with the chance to go kayaking or sit back and enjoy a scenic drive to a cider and apple brandy factory.
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Try the seven-night Norwegian Fjords & Sognefjord cruise, with an itinerary that’s specially curated by the History Channel. There are optional excursions that dig deeper into the history of the region, and you’ll enjoy scenic sailings of Oslofjord and Sognefjord. Multiple travel dates are available, all departing round-trip from Rotterdam.
13. Ambassador Cruise Line
£ | Best suited to 50+
The first new British cruise line in more than a decade when it launched in 2022, Ambassador provides a great-value experience on the 1,400-passenger Ambience and the 1,200-passenger Ambition. You can enjoy cruises to the Norwegian fjords, with no-fly departures from London Tilbury, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and more. These cruises are primarily aimed at the mature market, though you can expect the addition of special multigenerational cruises to Norway during the summer holidays.
Make it happen
The Fjordland Escapes & Nordic Traditions cruise is an 11-night itinerary that sails round-trip from Belfast, with several departures available. The fjordside village of Flam and the lesser-known Austefjorden are among the smaller ports accessed by this line.
14. Norwegian Cruise Line
££ | Best suited to six months+
One of the line’s newest vessels is Norwegian Prima, the first of the namesake Prima Class ships, which carries 3,099 guests. Features include infinity pools and a glass-walled thermal lounge in the spa — the perfect hot spot to watch the cool passing scenery. Among the Norway itineraries on offer are sailings from Southampton, calling at Bergen, Geiranger and Alesund among other stops.
Make it happen
The 11-night Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway & Belgium cruise departs from Southampton several times a year. It’s a highlights tour — after brief visits to Bruges and Amsterdam, the ship sails north for the Norwegian coast and then heads northwest to Iceland, with the journey finishing with an overnight in Reykjavik.
15. MSC Cruises
£ | Best suited to six months+
MSC’s bright and blingy cruise ships provide a perfect floating home for families, couples and friends looking for a fun-filled holiday while enjoying some of the world’s most striking natural landscapes. The wide age range of MSC passengers means there are plenty of shore tours to pick from, which span leisurely walking tours to exciting activities such as ebiking in Tromso and kayaking in Alesund. MSC offers the flexibility of being able to join cruises at ports located in Germany or sailing from Southampton.
Make it happen
There are several seven-night Norwegian Fjords itineraries available, each with slightly different ports of call. The round-trip departing Southampton on August 29, 2026, is a good option for those wishing to skip the bulk of school holidays. The ship stops at Haugesund, Olden, Alesund and Kristiansand, giving you most of the day to explore at each port.
16. Saga Cruises
££ | Best suited to 50+
Saga’s two 987-passenger ships, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, get brownie points for their size: they’re small enough to dock at towns and quays that larger vessels simply can’t reach. The adults-only line’s fjords cruises include visits to destinations such as Flam and Geiranger, providing plenty of time for excursions — one being a trip on the Flamsbana railway, which is one of the steepest in the world. Dedicated northern lights sailings visit at peak times and shore tours seek out viewing spots that provide the best chance of seeing them.
Make it happen
The nine-night Wonders of the Fjords cruise has multiple sailings, with round-trip departures from Dover. An excursion is included for every port, but you can also use the full day to explore on your own. Note that several of the ports, including Nordfjordeid and Skjolden, are by launch or tender-only so a good level of mobility is required.
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