10 reasons to book a Norwegian Fjord Cruise
Tuesday 1 February 2022
The towering cliffs and deep blue waters of the Norwegian Fjords draw travellers from all over the world. With a fascinating Viking history, remote villages and some of the best views on earth, it’s easy to see why visitors flock to this spectacular part of the world. If you’re not quite convinced, we’ve put together a list of 10 reasons to book a Norwegian Fjords cruise.
Sail through unbeatable scenery
Mountains rise from the still waters of Norway’s fjords, dwarfing anything travelling beneath them. As your cruise ship enters the deep blue waterways, winding between the immense cliffs, you’ll get a chance to truly appreciate this majestic landscape. Only by travelling by water can you experience this dramatic viewpoint. No road will ever bring you close enough to the plunging waterfalls and vast glaciers of the fjords.
Between the expanses of wilderness and snow-capped mountains, small villages and towns come into view. The remote communities within the fjords are spectacular in their own right, with vibrant red, orange and blue houses lining the water’s edge. Once you hop off the cruise ship, you’ll get the chance to explore on foot and take in the scenery from new perspectives.
Enjoy the blissfully peaceful surroundings
Your cruise to the fjords will be blissfully peaceful. While there’s still plenty to do onboard the ship, once you step outside, you’ll be met with an eerie yet tranquil silence as you make your way through the fjords. When you pass cascading waterfalls and glance at eagles soaring overhead, we’re sure you’ll be transfixed by the landscape. That’s not to say that there will be nothing to do when you arrive at some of the towns and villages such as Flåm or Eidfjord. On the contrary. These calm communities are home to restaurants, bars and cafes, ready to serve curious travellers passing through.
Keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife
Wildlife enthusiasts won’t be disappointed on a Fjordland cruise, as this Scandinavian country is home to some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet. When stopping off to explore the towns, be sure to take some time to wander on the trails. Cutting through the valleys, these woodland-lined paths offer the perfect setting to spot a cousin of North America’s moose – the Eurasian Elk. Growing up to three metres in length and two metres in height, the elk is fairly easy to spot walking through the wilderness of the fjords. In open spaces, turn your attention to the skies to spot white-tailed eagles. With a wingspan of up to eight feet, this particular bird is a sight to behold. On the cliffs, you may even spot a colourful little puffin nesting above the water.
It's heaven for hikers
Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a fresh perspective of the fjords, there are plenty of hiking routes on your stopovers. Set off on a woodland trail to look out for local wildlife or embark on a hike to the tops of the cliffs to get a bird’s eye view. The beauty of the varied and towering landscape here is that you’ll easily be able to get a unique view of your surroundings, and, as many towns are built on flats between fjords, you’ll not have to travel far to find a route.
Experience a different way of life
It can be difficult to imagine how the locals survive in such a remote location. On your Norwegian Fjords cruise, you’ll pass by and stop at many towns and villages, giving you the chance to experience what it’s like to live amongst this incredible scenery. Day-to-day life in Norway, especially in the Fjord towns and cities is much more relaxed and laid back, and you’ll be able to take a piece of that away with you after your visit.
You’ll be in Northern Light’s territory
Due to Norway’s proximity to the Arctic Circle, the Northern Lights can often be seen in the fjords. Depending on what time of year you embark on your cruise, you may get the chance to spot the aurora dancing overhead. Generally, the best time to see the lights is between September and April. On your journey through the fjords, you may be spending around 7-10 nights in the area, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the lights. All you need is patience and a clear sky.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the Northern Lights
Retrace the steps of the Vikings
Vikings were Norse seafarers who raided and traded in their Northern Europe homelands between the 8th and 11th centuries. Although they are often represented (accurately so) as fearsome invaders, the Vikings were also skilled traders and craftsmen. They are noted as some of Europe’s best storytellers, and their journeys through the fjords have fuelled many exciting tales.
Vikings were experts in navigating the seas and honed their skills in their native fjords. Their longships were narrow, light wooden boats with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed and easy navigation in shallow waters. As you sail through the fjords on your cruise, it’s easy to imagine the powerful Vikings keeping a watchful eye over the shores. Whilst in Haugesund, we suggest taking the short trip to Avaldsnes, the Homeland of Viking Kings, if you want to learn more on your cruise holiday.
READ MORE: A guide to Norway’s Cruise Ports
The residents are some of the happiest people
Norway often features highly in the World Happiness Report, coming in 6th in 2021. Measuring ‘subjective wellbeing’ (how happy people are and why), the report relies on answers from more than 1,000 people each year in more than 150 countries. The report looks at factors including social support, life expectancy, freedom of choice and generosity, as well as economic aspects. Participants are asked to imagine a ladder with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top, with the top representing the best possible life and the bottom, the worst. Who wouldn’t want to visit one of the happiest countries on Earth on their next cruise holiday?
Unique and delectable gastronomy
When thinking of cuisine around the world you may like to try, we’d not be surprised if Norway wasn’t included, or if you didn’t even know Norway had its own culinary offerings but, there is plenty here to enjoy. The landscape and weather here mean that, over the years, Norway has had to adapt to what it can source when thinking about food and as so, there are some really unique dishes to try here that are sure to warm you during your visit.
READ MORE: What to eat in the Norwegian Fjords
Incredible photography opportunities
Norway is one of the most picturesque countries in the world. On your journey through the fjords, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to subjects to photograph. Whether you’re a budding wildlife photographer hoping to snap a white-tailed eagle soaring over the fjords, or to capture the magical light on the landscape, this is the ideal area to practice capturing your dream photograph.
10 reasons to cruise the Norwegian Fjords
Sail through unbeatable scenery
Keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife
Enjoy the blissfully peaceful surroundings
You’ll be in Northern Light’s territory
It's heaven for hikers
Experience a different way of life
Retrace the steps of the Vikings
The residents are some of the happiest people
Unique and delectable gastronomy
Incredible photography opportunities
Norway is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, and these are just ten of the reasons why people have fallen in love with it. So, why not browse our 2024 cruises and find your reason to fall in love with the fjords?
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog page.
