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When to cruise to Norway

Month	Cruise season indicator		Month	Cruise seacon indicator
January	No		July
February	No		August
March	No		September
April			October
May			November
June			December

Norway Cruise Season Guide »

All you Need to Know

by Travel Journalist Phil Davies

Fjordland in the west coast of Norway is hard to beat for sheer scenic wonder – you almost feel like reaching out to touch the steep cliff sides as your ship plies the deep sea lochs.

The pleasure of taking a slow boat through Fjordland has been a Norwegian tradition for years and one that cruise passengers are experiencing in growing numbers.

For unadulterated natural beauty Norway is unsurpassed, and by taking a cruise you get a perspective of the country land-based travellers would die for.

From the busy port of Bergen all the way up to Tromso, the gateway to the Artic, there is one dramatic vista after another as fjords unfold before your eyes. UNESCO has included Norwegian fjords on the World Heritage List and National Geographic has ranked Norwegian fjords as the most popular of all World Heritage sites.

The fjord valleys were formed by glaciers and filled with the sea to form steep-walled inlets. Carved out in a succession of Ice Ages, the ice retreated as much as 12,000 years ago to make Norway’s fjords famous worldwide.

Each is set against a backdrop of steep wooded cliffs and spectacular waterfalls plunging hundreds of feet to the deep.

You will find two of the world’s three longest fjords in Norway - Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord. The Hardangerfjord alone is almost 180 km long and plunges 800 metres at its deepest point.

To top it all, there is the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun - a uniquely spectacular experience when it reflects its eerie light across the lunar-like landscape of the North Cape.

The gateway to the fjords is the World Heritage city of Bergen, situated where the sea and the mountains meet. More than 900 years old, Bergen offers you the opportunity to combine nature, culture and bustling city life all in one easy to stroll around package.

Enjoy fresh seafood at the famous fish market or wander along the quayside and soak up the atmosphere of Bryggen, the old Hanseatic merchants’ quarter.

An absolute must is a journey on the funicular railway up to the top of Mount Floyen or the cable car up to Ulriken where the views of the city framed by the seas, fjords and mountains is one of the most breath-taking in the whole of Norway.

Museums, churches, art collections, and unusual architecture all add to Bergen’s enduring appeal. For example, it is possible to visit composer Edvard Greig’s home to hear his music where it originated.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Bergen took the title of European City of Culture in 2000 due to the extensive range of international music and cultural events which are hosted every year.

DOS and DON'TS of Norway Cruising

DON’T think that because you are sailing up towards the Artic Circle that Norway is cold in summer. Temperatures are mild along the Norwegian fjords and it should be warm and sunny for most of the time.

DON’T miss the incredible dockside market in Bergen or the funicular ride for the region’s most amazing views.

DO find a great position on deck as you sail up Sognefjord – the longest and deepest in Norway.

DO walk through the old town of Stavanger, Norway’s fourth largest city, and visit the Iron Age Farm to experience how people lived 1,500 years ago.

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