Punctuated by a beguiling blend of steep-sided fjords, jagged mountains, colourful fishing villages and historic cities, Norway’s coastline – the longest of any European country – is awash with natural and cultural treasures. There’s no better way to explore it than by embarking on a cruise, affording you the opportunity to enjoy authentic Norwegian cuisine, spot spectacular marine wildlife and keep an eye out for the Northern Lights along the way. But, with so many options to choose from, deciding which cruise to go for can be a little overwhelming. Whether you’re well-versed in the world of cruising or you’re considering booking one for the very first time, our tips below will help you find your ideal Norwegian coastal cruise.
When to go
Summer in Geirangerfjord
Deciding when to go is the first port of call when planning a Norwegian cruise holiday, as each season offers a distinct kind of appeal. Summer cruises tend to be the most popular, and with good reason, as the weather is usually at its most settled, temperatures are mild and there’s perpetual daylight. If you’d rather skip the crowds and prices of peak season, however, late spring and early autumn are excellent alternatives. Winter, meanwhile, brings harsher weather and long hours of darkness, but seeing the mountains and fjords wearing a blanket of snow and ice is a magnificent sight to behold. If seeing the Northern Lights is high up on your list of priorities, aim for late August to early April.
How long to go for
Havila Castor, one of Havila Voyage's fleet of modern, eco-friendly cruise ships
Most Norwegian cruises last somewhere in the region of 7-12 days, giving you ample time to take in all the highlights from the western fjords all the way up to the Lofoten Islands, Tromso and the North Cape, deep inside the Arctic Circle. The longest cruises are round trips, often starting and finishing in Bergen, with Kirkenes as the turnaround point in the far northeastern corner of Norway. It is, however, entirely possible to do shorter sections of this classic route, with plenty of options lasting three, four or five days. Trondheim to Tromso, for instance, is a superb choice for a shorter break, passing through the Lofoten Islands en route.
Which cruise line to pick
Silver Dawn, part of Silversea's luxury cruise fleet
Depending on what kind of experience you’re after, you may find yourself drawn to certain cruise lines more than others. For full-spectrum luxury, Silversea impresses with its diverse range of restaurants, stylish suites, 24-hour room service (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) and array of onboard amenities ranging from a spa and a beauty centre to a swimming pool and a fitness centre. There’s also the option of tying in a couple of nights in Copenhagen at the start of Silversea’s all-inclusive Norwegian fjords cruise, allowing you the opportunity to explore another of Scandinavia’s most exciting cities.
Hurtigruten round-trip winter voyage
At a lower price bracket, Hurtigruten is a long-time favourite with 130 years of experience sailing along the Norwegian coast, offering outstanding service, comfortable cabins, outdoor hot tubs and a raft of onshore excursions to choose from. In recent years, Havila Voyages has also established its place at the vanguard of Norwegian coastal cruising with its four-strong fleet of modern ships featuring eco-friendly technology and sleek Nordic decor. Both Hurtigruten and Havila use fresh, locally sourced ingredients in their restaurants; Hurtigruten offers a buffet service for breakfast and lunch followed by three-course set dinners, whereas Havila offers à la carte table service for all meals.
It’s also worth noting that with all of the aforementioned cruise lines, the ships have a maximum capacity of around 550-650 passengers, so you can expect a more intimate, personalised experience than those provided by much larger cruise lines elsewhere.
Onboard dining
Fine dining at Havrand Restaurant, Havila Voyages
One of the great pleasures of a Norwegian coastal cruise is that all meals are taken care of throughout your time onboard, typically featuring seasonal ingredients from local producers. Fish and seafood feature prominently, but you’ll find that menus rotate daily and there’s usually plenty to suit a wide range of tastes and dietary requirements. Hurtigruten ships tend to have a main restaurant, an à la carte restaurant, a bistro and a cafe, while the standard Havila set-up features a main restaurant, a fine dining venue and a cafe. Silversea, meanwhile, boasts an eclectic line-up with as many as eight restaurants covering a wide range of cuisines from around the world.
Shore excursions
Exploring the Lofoten Islands is often one of the highlights of a Norwegian cruise
Although you’ll invariably spend much of your time onboard, shore excursions will really bring your Norwegian cruise to life, allowing you to delve deeper into extraordinary landscapes and fascinating cities as you go. These range from kayaking, hiking, e-biking and RIB boat safaris in the summer months to husky sledding, snowmobiling, king crab safaris and ice fishing in winter. Guided walking tours, introducing you to the rich history and eye-catching architecture of cities such as Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromso, are also well worth joining. Some cruise lines, such as Silversea, offer a package of included excursions as standard, while others, such as Hurtigruten and Havila, allow you to pick and choose excursions as add-ons to the base price of the cruise. It’s generally best to book these in advance to avoid the possibility of missing out onboard if they’re sold out.
Cruise combinations
A night at the Snowhotel Kirkenes is a superb addition at the end of a cruise
While a cruise may be the focal point of your trip, it's always a sound idea to extend your stay on either side. You could, for example, spend a night or two at the Snowhotel Kirkenes at the end of a northbound voyage, or take advantage of the plethora of exhilarating Arctic pursuits on offer in and around Tromso, which certainly warrants more than just a brief visit. With the ability to hop on and hop off with Havila and Hurtigruten, you can also incorporate overnight stays in standout destinations on land before returning to your cruise. Likewise, Bergen is a thoroughly compelling city break destination in its own right, so it pays dividends to factor in a longer stay here at the start or end of a cruise, in order to explore the UNESCO-listed wharf, Bryggen, and take a ride on the Floibanen funicular. A scenic journey on the iconic Flåm Railway, which winds its way between fjords and mountains east of Bergen, is another wonderful addition.
