8 of the best Norwegian fjords cruise holidays for adventure, dazzling scenery and the northern lights
The majestic Norwegian fjords are best viewed from the water, and many cruise lines offer itineraries exploring this Norway and its scenic waterways – here are eight of the best to choose from
If picturesque views, magical light shows and crystal-clear waters float your boat, then a cruise in the Norwegian fjords could be worth considering for your next holiday.
There are more than 1,700 named fjords in Norway, where verdant cliffs, sparkling waters and dramatic waterfalls are the order of the day. The best views are undoubtedly from the water, and a cruise is the best way to tick off multiple incredible fjordic towns and destinations in one holiday.
You can watch the sunset out on deck in the winter or stay up later under the bewitching midnight sun in the summer. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness the natural phenomenon of the northern lights with its ethereal green tones that appear to dance across the night sky. There are clearer skies seen from a ship compared to on shore.
Passengers will visit colourful and historic villages and can opt for exciting excursions such as taking a rig boat to get up close to the waterfalls. You can even take a cable car up a mountain to experience dramatic aerial views.
Many cruise ships visit the fjords, from luxury lines and those with adult-only itineraries, to kid-friendly voyages that allow you to share the views and make memories with the family.
Here are some of the best Norwegian fjords cruises for 2025.
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Best for: Scenic views
Celebrity Cruises: Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Circle
Southampton – Haugesund – Flam – Olden – Arctic Circle (Cruising) – Tromso – Honningsvag – Arctic Circle (Cruising) – Molde – Stavanger – Southampton
Set off from Southampton for the Norwegian fjords via Bruges for a 12-night round trip. A day feasting on chocolate and waffles will help prepare you for a feast for the eyes once you hit the fjords.
The Nordic adventure starts in Flåm on the world’s longest and deepest fjord, and the voyage also includes a day sailing through the Arctic Circle.
This will give passengers social media-worthy pictures of both green and snow-packed mountains.
The 2,900-capacity Celebrity Apex is a great ship to experience the Norwegian fjords from, especially if you grab a table in the Magic Carpet restaurant and bar. Its glass platform goes up and down on the side of the ship, providing uniquely scenic views.
Departs 25 August 2025. From £1,079pp
Best for: Day trips
Saga Cruises: Northern Lights and Festive Delights
Portsmouth – Bergen – Ålesund – Narvik– Trondheim – Åndalsnes – Stavanger – Copenhagen – Bremen – Portsmouth
This 18-night adventure visits the fjords and the Christmas markets of Copenhagen and Bremen en route.
Sailing aboard Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery, you will enjoy two sea days before you arrive in Bergen to explore the town’s colourful buildings, followed by the northern lights hotspot of Ålesund.
The over-50s brand includes four excursions in its fares, such as a tour of the Art Nouveau buildings of Ålesund and a search for the northern lights during a stop in Narvik.
Legendary ice skating duo Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean will also be on board to entertain guests, alongside singer and soap star Claire Sweeney.
Departs 29 November 2025. From £5,757pp.
Best for: Convenient cruising
P&O Cruises: Norwegian Fjords
Southampton – Stavanger – Ålesund – Olden – Innvikfjorden – Nordfjord – Haugesund – Southampton
Depart from the convenient UK port of Southampton with P&O Cruises.
Many of the ships in the P&O Cruises fleet visit the Nordic region. But this seven-day sailing aboard Iona gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to the fjords.
Port stops include the former European Capital of Culture, Stavanger, and Olden, where passengers can visit the biggest glacier in mainland Europe, Jostedalsbreen. The sites and scenery of the fjords can be enjoyed on land or from Iona’s 41 metre-long luminous glass-roofed SkyDome.
The ship has four pools, a multiplex cinema and eight dining venues covering international flavours such as Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. There is even a British gastropub to make you feel at home, The Keel & Cow.
As a British brand, passengers also have the convenience of English plug sockets and being able to pay in sterling whilst on board.
Departs 6 September 2025. From £799pp.
Best for: Immersive experiences
Scenic: Norway to Portugal
Bergen – Stavanger – Skagen – Copenhagen – Kiel Canal – Scheveningen – Honfleur – St Peter Port – Vilagarcía de Arousa – Leixões – Lisbon
Start with scenery and end in the sun on this 14-day sailing with Scenic. This voyage starts from Bergen in Norway before visiting Stavanger, where passengers can take a three-hour boat ride through the majestic Lysefjord. The cruise finishes in Lisbon via Vilagarcía de Arousa in Spain.
With capacity for 228 passengers, Scenic provides a small luxury ship experience with suites and a personalised butler service for every cruiser.
The ship’s size means it can get closer to the fjords, and you can even enjoy views from the ship’s bridge.
Departs 11 September 2025. From £11,727pp.
Best for: Nordic experience
Hurtigruten: Lofoten to the West Fjords,
Svolvær – Brønnøysund – Trondheim – Bergen
Fancy a whistle-stop tour of Norway? Hurtigruten has four-day sailings that visit 16 ports along Norway’s west coast, including the Arctic Circle. Ships sail the local routes and offer a hop-on-hop-off service for locals, as well as the full cruise experience, cabins and restaurants serving hyper-local, seasonal dishes inspired by the destinations visited.
The packed schedule will take you to the picturesque fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands, a rarity on fjords cruise itineraries, and along the famous seascapes of the Helgeland coast.
Regular departures 2025. From £754pp.
Best for: Artistic inspiration
Fred Olsen: Scenic Landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords
Dover – Hardangerfjord – Maurangerfjord – Eidfjord – Ulvik – Lysefjord –Jøsenfjorden – Svandalsfoss Falls – Bergen – Dover
Fred Olsen’s Norwegian heritage makes it a great brand to visit the fjords with.
This seven-night sailing from Dover aboard Borealis makes use of the ship’s Observatory lounge, offering ample spots to sit comfortably with your binoculars to stare out of view-framing windows.
Highlights of this trip include sailing by the orchard-lined Hardangerfjord and a detour along Maurangerfjord to catch sight of the impressive Fureberg Waterfall.
Departs June 27, 2025. From £1,088pp.
Best for: Family fun
Ambassador Cruise Line: Norway’s Fjords Multi-Generational Adventure
Dundee – Eidfjord – Bergen – Flam – Sognerfjord – Aurlandsfjord – Newcastle – Dundee
Ambassador Cruise Line is adult-only for much of the year but does offer a few multi-generational sailings so that the whole family can spend quality time together.
There is no kids’ club on board, with a focus instead on family activities. Enjoying the scenery of the Norwegian fjords is a great shared experience for all ages, and this seven-night sailing from Dundee could be the perfect summer holiday treat.
Sailing aboard Ambassador’s newest ship, Ambition, the cruise visits the towering mountains and cascading waterfalls of Eidfjord, as well as the colourful houses of Bergen and Flåm, where a trip through the mountains on the famous Flåm Railway is sure to generate multi-generational memories.
Departs 31 July, 2025. From £1,179pp.
Best for: A genuine taste of Scandinavia
Viking Cruises: Viking Shores & Fjords, Viking Cruises
Amsterdam – Skagen – Oslo – Kristiansand – Stavanger – Flam – Bergen
Viking Cruises is another Norwegian brand bringing a genuine Nordic experience to fjords cruises. Its ships even have a resident historian on board, and the subjects on this eight-day sailing include lectures on the medieval defence network known as the Hanseatic League, as well as the Vikings.
That should set your imagination racing as you enjoy the historical waters that these people once sailed and the scenery they saw in places such as Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flåm.
Departs 12 August 2025. From £3,990pp.
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