NORWAY CRUISES

Cruise ship moored in the Norwegian Fjords with dramatic cliffs rising behind

Photo by James Armes on Unsplash

Norway is one of the most varied cruise destinations in Europe, from dramatic fjords and colourful coastal towns to Arctic landscapes and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

But a Norway cruise can mean very different things depending on the itinerary. A classic Norwegian Fjords cruise focuses on spectacular scenery and small fjord ports, while Coastal Norway travels further north and Arctic itineraries bring opportunities for the Midnight Sun, Northern Lights and North Cape.

This guide explains the different types of Norway cruise, where they go, when to travel and what to expect from the main ports and experiences.

Complete Guide to Cruising in Norway

Read this first!

Popular Cruising Regions in Norway

Norwegian Fjords

Dramatic scenery, spectacular waterways and some of Norway’s most recognisable cruise ports such as:

  • Bergen

  • Flåm

  • Geiranger

  • Olden

  • Ålesund

  • Stavanger

  • Eidfjord

Coastal Norway

A longer journey along Norway’s coastline, combining ports, scenery and a greater sense of travelling through the country. These itineraries include some alternative ports of call such as:

  • Ålesund

  • Trondheim

  • Bodø

  • Tromsø

Arctic Norway

Northern landscapes, Arctic ports and seasonal opportunities to experience the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights. Opportunities to visit remote places by regular cruise or on an expedition ship.

Norway Cruise Comparison

Choosing the right Norway cruise starts with deciding what you most want to see. The table below gives a quick comparison of the three main types of Norway cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Destination Comparison Table

Cruise region Scenery Typical ports Best season Standout experiences
Norwegian Fjords Dramatic fjords, mountains, waterfalls and glaciers Bergen, Flåm, Geiranger, Olden, Ålesund May to September Scenic cruising, fjord viewpoints, rail journeys and waterfalls
Coastal Norway Rugged coastline, islands, mountains and fishing communities Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø May to September Longer coastal journeys, local culture and scenic sailing
Arctic Norway Arctic landscapes, mountains, islands and winter scenery Tromsø, Alta, Bodø, Honningsvåg September to April for Northern Lights; June to July for Midnight Sun Northern Lights, Midnight Sun, Arctic wildlife and North Cape