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The P&O Cruises guide to the Norwegian Fjords

Dreaming of a cruise to the Norwegian fjords? From ship to shore, here’s everything you need to know.

7 min 06 Dec 2024

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Where are the Norwegian fjords?

The fjord region of Norway runs up the length of country’s rugged west coast. There are more than 1,000 fjords of various lengths, widths and depths in Norway, and our cruises take in some of the biggest and most beautiful, along with the bustling cities and bijou villages that lie on the doorstep of this geographically gifted region.

Why visit the Norwegian fjords?

In short, because it’s everything you want in a holiday. If you love the great outdoors, this is about as great as it gets – towering rock faces rising out of deep-blue waters, lush fields of wildflowers, awe-inspiring glaciers and tumbling waterfalls. If you thrive on adventure, you’ll find it around every corner, whether by water (kayaking, RIB rides, paddleboarding), land (hiking, cycling) or air (helicopter). If food is what floats your boat, the region offers a beautiful bounty of local ingredients (see more below). And if you’re just in it for the scenery, you’ll find endless inspiration in the ever-changing vistas. As we like to say: the best way to see the fjords is from inside the fjords.  

Which P&O Cruises ships visit the Norwegian fjords?

Iona spends her summers sailing 7-night itineraries from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords. And she’s the perfect ship for the job – she was built to bring the outdoors in. A three-deck-high atrium surrounded by windows, loads of outdoor deck space and the glass-covered SkyDome put the sensational scenery of the fjords on full display. Imagine relaxing in Iona’s infinity pool as you sail through deep-blue waters and past towering snow-capped cliffs… holiday moments don’t get more magical than that.

 

Our flagship Britannia also visits the fjords a few times over the summer with some different itineraries and destinations to Iona, including a 14-night cruise that takes in both the fjords and Iceland, visiting ports such as Reykjavik and Akureyri.

 

Arcadia and Aurora, our mid-size ships that are exclusively for adults, embark on longer cruises of 12 to 21 nights and bring you to several destinations that are exclusive to their itineraries. If you’re after a snowy escape, these ships also offer a small selection of cruises to Norway in the winter in search of the Northern Lights. 

Iona in Olden
Iona in Olden
Iona in Olden
Iona in Olden

When can I visit the Norwegian fjords?

Our Norwegian Fjords cruises sail from Southampton to the fjords from April to September. This means you can enjoy those long, summer days and see the landscapes in full bloom. 

Which ports can I visit on a Norwegian fjords cruise?

Depending on which itinerary you choose, a P&O Cruises holiday will bring you to some of the region’s most captivating destinations, including:

 

Ålesund An Art Nouveau beauty at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Ålesund sits where the fjords meet the sea and is one of Norway’s most unique cities.

 

Åndalsnes Known as ‘the capital of the mountains’, Åndalsnes is the perfect stopping-off point from which to immerse yourself in the fantastic landscape, including the famous Trollveggen (Troll Wall), a 1,000-metre cliff.

 

Flåm Flåm is a tiny town with big scenery. One must-do is the railway, which promises a train journey that’s considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

 

Haugesund Historic Haugesund is the homeland of the Vikings and the birthplace of Norway, and you can feel its history among its impressive landscapes.

 

Hellesylt Located at the head of the Sunnylvsfjordnear the Geirangerfjord, you’ll find all the natural wonders you’d expect in the UNESCO-listed village of Hellesylt, from cascading waterfalls to peaceful lakes.

Hellesylt, Norway
Hellesylt, Norway
Hellesylt, Norway
Hellesylt, Norway

Kristiansand Norway’s southernmost city, Kristiansand, has a vibrant, creative feel – think urban beaches lined with palm trees and city streets alive with incredible restaurants, shops and street art.

 

Leknes Leknes is the main hub for exploring the wild, remote Lofoten Islands in the far north. Jagged mountain peaks and white-sand bays create scenery like nowhere else in Norway.

 

Nordfjordeid Nordfjordeid blends a charming Old Town lined with 19th-century buildings and a gorgeous landscape filled with endless opportunities for adventure (think hiking, kayaking or riding a Fjord horse).

 

Olden The serene sail into Olden is an unforgettable experience. And once you’re there, more beauty awaits, whether you explore the Briksdal and Kjenndalen glaciers or soar to new heights on the Loen Skylift.

 

Skjolden After traversing the world’s longest navigable fjord, the Sognefjord, you’ll find yourself in the village of Skjolden. From here you can visit glaciers, traverse mountain roads and soak up some truly epic views.

 

Stavanger Charming Stavanger combines urban adventures with natural wonders – you can see the sights of the Old Town and take in the heights from Pulpit Rock, all in one day.

 

Trondheim Cobbled streets, colourful wharves, cool neighbourhoods and a buzzing food scene – Trondheim is endlessly inspiring. Make like the locals and explore it by bike.

 

You can also enjoy cruise-bys on a Norwegian fjords holiday, where you simply sit back and enjoy the scenery as you sail through some of Norway’s most jaw-dropping fjords. These include Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Innvikfjorden, Nordfjord, Romsdalsfjord, Sognefjord, Storfjorden and Sunnylvsfjorden. 

As we sailed out of Olden, the locals came out and waved flags and played music to see us off. There were people on the quayside, on balconies and even standing on their roofs!

Lila, sailed to Norway on Iona, August 2024
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What can I do on shore in the Norwegian fjords?

A trip to Norway is all about immersing yourself in the natural world – fresh air, crisp waters and scenery you have to see to believe.

 

Nature here does have a flair for the dramatic. You can get up close and personal with some of the world’s wildest wonders, including the largest glacier on the European mainland, Jostedalsbreen. You can visit the Briksdal Glacier, the western arm of it, from the port of Olden. There are waterfalls galore – the Seven Sisters near Hellesylt is one of the most impressive. Pulpit Rock, aka Preikestolen, in Stavanger, towers 604m above the water and after a hike to the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of craggy mountains, crashing waterfalls and the glassy waters of the fjord. And of course, there’s the fjords themselves. There are myriad ways to experience them – by kayak in Åndalsnes, on a RIB ride in Haugesund, or from above by helicopter in Ålesund, to name a few.

 

In the bigger towns and cities, you’ll find all the cool cultural experiences that come with urban life. Wander the cobbled streets and colourfully painted houses of Trondheim’s Bakklandet waterfront district and pop into boutiques such as Sukker Design to browse for locally made crafts and homeware, then head to a cosy café such as Baklandet Skydsstation for a home-cooked meal. Stavanger’s Old Town is equally charming. As you explore, keep an eye out for the colourful street art that contrasts beautifully with the 18th-century buildings. Another unique experience here are the floating saunas, a combo of a cold bath and a hot sauna. Try Damp Sauna’s branch in Svankevigå (be sure to book ahead).

 

Centuries of history can be explored in Norway – this is the home of the Vikings, after all. From Åndalsnes, once home to the estate of King Harald Fairhair, you can visit the medieval stave church of Rødven, which dates back to 1300 and is still located on its original site. And from Flåm, visit the village of Njardarheimr and get under the skin of the 1,000-year-old Viking lifestyle – watch locals make handicrafts and perhaps try your hand at axe throwing or archery. 

 

On shore, you can explore independently or book a range of unique shore experiences with us. Find out more about them here.

What is the food like in the Norwegian fjords?

Norwegian cuisine is all about making the most of nature’s bounty – simple, local, fresh. Unsurprisingly, seafood is a star, with salmon, Arctic cod and king crab all found in fjordic waters. The long, bight summer days help fruit and veg such as beetroot, potatoes and cloudberries to grow plentifully in the country’s many farms and orchards. And baking is big – from waffles to sourdough, bready delights are the ultimate comfort food. In New Nordic and ‘Neo Fjordic’ cuisine, these traditional ingredients and methods of cooking and preserving are given a new lease of life, such as cabbage barbecued with nettle brown butter, or fudge made with forest mushrooms.

 

Our Local Food Hero Kjartan Skjelde brings the flavours of the fjords on board Iona with a bespoke six-course taster menu exclusively for Epicurean that showcases the flavours of the fjords – think smoked trout, picked beetroot and salt marsh lamb.

What currency is used in Norway?

The currency in Norway is the Norwegian kroner. Most establishments will accept both cash and card payments. Tipping isn’t common, but people often do tip in bars and restaurants if they’ve had a particularly enjoyable experience.

 

If you need cash, you can exchange your money on board into local currency for most ports of call. All purchases on board are in pound sterling and done via your on-board account.

What’s the weather like in the Norwegian fjords?

The fjords have a variable climate, one that can change day by day and season by season. The Gulf Stream keeps it warmer than other parts of the world at a similar latitude. Things begin to warm up in springtime, when the landscape comes alive with blooming trees and green fields. Summer sees long days and short nights with average daytime temperatures around 20°C. The days get shorter and cooler in the autumn, but you’ll be rewarded with crisp air and forests teeming with red and golden leaves. 

What is the time difference between the UK and the Norwegian fjords?

The Norwegian fjords are in the Central European time zone, making them one hour ahead of the UK. So if it’s 12pm here, it’s 1pm there.

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Norwegian fjords cruise holidays

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