Cruise the Fjords of Norway

A cruise in the fjords of Norway

Norway is the most scenic of countries with some staggering statistics to its name, and one which offers the very best in cruise holidays. Whilst it has a very low population count, it has the longest coastline in Europe, which stretches from the capital in Oslo to the North Cape, way past the Arctic Circle. That coast line measures an amazing 16,000 miles, and if all the inlets and islands are taken into account, the Norwegian sea coast measures some 52,000 miles. But enough of the stats: this a country which has a strong seafaring tradition, and as such hosts regular Norwegian cruises which go into those deep inlets known as the Norwegian Fjords, This is the true beauty of the country, and whilst Oslo has its attractions, the fjords are what most come to see.

The cruise ships which glide effortlessly into the calm waters around the towns of Bergen and Hardanger do so with complete confidence as the waters below the surface are two thirds deeper than the mountains rising spectacularly above. Given that the mountains are around 1,000 feet high, that’s leaves 2,000 feet below. Plenty of depth for a mid size cruise liner. The villages which are set on the shores of the fjord are almost entirely dependant on tourism and the fishing industry. It goes without saying that the cruise ships serve up the very best in seafood from these waters where salmon, herring and cod spend their time.

A typical cruise itinerary

The cruise itinerary is quite simple, and an average voyage will take in the bigger fjords over a period of 7 to 14 days. Most have a starting point in the old fishing port of Bergen which is the kind of Norwegian town epitomising the country image of coloured, timber clad houses surrounding the old fishing port. The ships take the only route there is, and that’s towards the most northern point in Europe. Along the way they will venture into a select number of fjords, each claiming greater grandeur than the other. Small fjords with close towering cliffs compete with those which could be regarded as inland seas. Shore excursions would include the Flaam railway which meanders its way to the glacial mountain slopes. Further north again are the coastal tones of Trondheim and Tromso where the Arctic Circle draws a line between the rest of the continent and the top north. In the spring and summer Norway is not only ablaze with the colour of the flowers but ablaze with the midnight sun. The drawbacks of the long dark winter are reversed in June, July and August when the daylight hours are 24 hours long and the glow from the sky in August to September becomes the focus of attention with the sight of the Northern lights.