Norwegian fjord cruises offer a unique experience, combining the stunning beauty of the fjords with the sophistication of cruise ships. In this article, we will explore the magic of these sea voyages, highlighting several aspects.
Taking a cruise at least once in your life is a desire of many travel lovers. It was almost always a wish included on our bucket list every year. For this reason, when the opportunity arose, we did not refuse.
After deciding to go on the cruise, we had to choose the route and the ship. As northern Europe was also a destination that was part of our desires, we decided to combine everything in a single trip.
Norway and its fjords
Norway is a unique country with breathtaking beauty. It is a beauty where nature is respected and in every corner there is something that leaves us open. It is the country of fjords, waterfalls and huge tunnels (yes, tunnels are a constant feature on its roads).
In addition to all the natural beauty, it is one of the happiest countries in the world and with any luck it is one of the countries where you can observe the northern lights or the midnight sun.
What are fjords?
Norway’s fjords are one of the most spectacular and iconic natural settings in the world. These unique formations are characteristic of the Norwegian landscape and are widely recognized for their natural and imposing beauty. They are deep, narrow valleys that extend from the sea and are surrounded by mountains or cliffs.
The fjords are formed by the retreat of ice that existed here millions of years ago. When it retreated, the sea flooded the valleys, creating the fjords we see today. Some, due to their depth, are navigable for huge cruise ships.
In our articles about Norway, you will find even more information that may interest you.
Why a cruise in Norway?
What led us to choose a cruise in Norway was the possibility of traveling through the fjords and in this way getting to know this unique landscape in a country full of wonders, docking in small ports and getting to know the small coastal towns. Fjords are spectacular geological formations characterized by steep mountains, impressive waterfalls and crystal clear waters.
Navigating through the fjords allows you to enjoy incredible panoramic views. Contrary to what could happen if we had taken a cruise in the Mediterranean, the biggest disadvantage was the lack of heat to be able to enjoy the outdoor pool and the water park with slides.
Another factor that led us to choose to get to know Norway through a cruise is the fact that it is a country where hotels and restaurants have very expensive prices. By staying comfortably and with all meals included, and at the same time, stopping at different locations, we end up containing the costs of the trip.
PFinally, it is worth highlighting that a cruise through Norway offers a unique experience due to the country’s location. During the summer, you can, weather permitting, enjoy long, sunny days, whilst in the winter you will have the opportunity to witness the famous northern lights – the aurora borealis.
The cruise itinerary
This was the itinerary we made. There are different itineraries throughout the year and different cruise companies also offer different itineraries.
Copenhagen
Our departure port, Copenhagen, is a stunning city. From what little we were able to see and know, we loved walking around the city centre.
Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, a destination with a mix of history, culture and modernity seen in its streets. Located on the banks of the Øresund Strait, the city offers a variety of attractions from the iconic Nyhavn Square to the majestic Amalienborg Palace.
Hellesylt
Hellesylt is nestled between majestic mountains and alongside stunning fjords. It is a small village with almost untouched natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere.
One of the undisputed highlights of Hellesylt is the incredible Geirangerfjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spectacular fiord is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and towering waterfalls.
Furthermore, you can also choose a tour to visit the famous Seven Sisters waterfall, which falls gracefully over the steep rocks nearby. This natural wonder is truly mesmerizing and provides unparalleled opportunities for stunning photos.
For those who like walking, there are lots of organized tours to explore the trails.
You can find out more about the village of Hellesylt in our article here.
Alesund
Ålesund is a charming town located on the west coast of Norway. It is famous for its unique and stunning architecture and attracts tourists from all over the world.
What makes Ålesund special today is the fact that it was burned down by a fire in 1904. It was completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style, resulting in a captivating mix of decorative elements and intricate details in its buildings. Walking through the narrow, winding streets of Ålesund’s historic centre is like entering a museum dedicated to Art Nouveau.
In addition to its architectural beauty, Ålesund offers spectacular views as it is located on islands between fjords and the ocean. Mount Aksla, which can be accessed on foot from the port of Alesund, offers a panoramic view of the city and its islands, connected by road tunnels.
You can find out more about the city in this article.
Flam
Flåm is a small Norwegian village situated in the heart of the majestic fjords and is a breathtaking destination for everyone who loves nature and adventure.
Flam’s main attraction is its train line. Don’t miss the opportunity to board the famous Flåmsbana (we, unfortunately, missed it as it is one of the most popular tours and sells out quickly), a spectacular train line that offers incredible panoramic views as it winds through the region’s mountains and valleys.
There are also many outdoor activities where you can enjoy panoramic walks, bike rides, kayak trips or simply enjoy a peaceful walk through the village, admiring the stunning landscape around, its small beach, the museum and the shops. around.
You can find out more about the village in this article.
kiel
Kiel is located in northern Germany on the shores of the Baltic Sea and is a port city with an important seaport. It is one of the main gateways for cruises to Northern Europe.
The city has a number of tourist attractions, including museums and gardens.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Kiel offers a variety of activities, from boat trips and even walks along the coast.
You can find out a little more about the city of Kiel in this article.
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The Ship – MSC Euribia
The ship is always the highlight of a cruise. This will be your hotel throughout the journey.
MSC Euribia is a true recent masterpiece. It offers an incomparable cruise experience as it can accommodate thousands of passengers, as it is a true floating city, full of top amenities and entertainment.
From its very recent technical features and focus on environmental protection (for example, the ship is powered by LNG) to all the other exceptional features that we list below, being on the MSC Euribia is something similar to being in a refined hotel with lots of activities to do that we can’t do and be in all of them.
MSC Euribia has a central corridor, with a long and spectacular LED dome, where there are several restaurants, cafes and themed shops;
- The daily theatre plays are exceptional and varied;
- The two swimming pools (one inside; one outside) and the several jacuzzis are excellent. There is still a SPA area;
- Children have two floors full of activities. From a children’s club with Lego pieces to an indoor football pitch, a bar/nightclub for young people or games rooms, there is plenty to choose from;
- For the more refined public (we didn’t have the opportunity to access it) there is a section on the top floors, with bars, a private pool with solarium and hot tubs;
- The cabins are excellent. And then there are the suites which, according to the promotional videos, appear to be authentic apartments.
- At the top there is a park with slides;
- The self-service restaurant, open from morning until dawn, had varied and high-quality food;
- It’s worth mentioning the various bars, the live music (there was even an orchestra that accompanied us) and finally the huge casino;
- Show live chocolate figures creation.
The Boarding
One of the very positive aspects of MSC cruises is the organization from embarkation in Portugal to tours purchased on the company’s website. When we arrived in Copenhagen, we were immediately greeted by MSC staff who spoke Portuguese and who directed us to the bus that took us to the boat. Getting on the boat, checking in and checking your bags was very quick and organized.
Then the biggest suitcases appeared in our room, one hour later.
Regarding the departures organized by MSC, the logistics are also quite good. We are always informed of the meeting point location where we are then directed to the outside of the boat and to the destination of our tour.
It is a gigantic organization, given the thousands of passengers, but notable due to its quality.
The cabin
The cabin was something that surprised us positively. We chose one with a sea view and its size is quite good. The smallest bed was placed on the sofa and even so, the storage and remaining space made us quite comfortable.
The variety of cabins and suites is immense, however, as we experienced turbulent seas, we were even more pleased with the lowest floor, as the higher we went above the sea line, the greater the swing.
Gastronomy on the cruise
From the self-service restaurant to our restaurant for dinner, we have no negative aspects to point out. The dishes were careful, the menu was varied and themed or associated with the country where we were. In the self-service restaurant, pizzas were made almost all day long and there were everything from the simplest meals like hamburgers to more elaborate dishes from various regions of the world. Most of the time, the difficult thing was the choice.
We have not tried, because we have to pay separately, but there are still more thematic restaurants.
Plan your trip using the following tools and/or website
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- To find the best stays use Booking. It is one of the best websites for booking stays and always with some promotions on some destinations. The reliability and ease of booking and cancelling make it even the most popular.
- To compare prices for your Stays you can use the Hotels Combined or hotellook. These search engines show different prices from other websites for the same destination. There may possibly be a lower price for the same hotel on another website and these search engines will show it.
- When you are preparing what to do at your destination, you will obviously search for activities to occupy you. Use this activity comparator in the scannertrip provided by Musement, or tiqets or the civitatis.
- Transfers to and from the airport can be purchased via the website kiwitaxi. So you don’t need to get in touch with the different companies in your destination looking for the best price.
- If you choose to rent a car, also use the price comparators. The autoeurope website compares prices from different rental companies.
I enjoyed discovering the cruise through the Fjords! Do you feel like travelling? You will certainly find more routes and cruise companies but we hope this small guide will be useful to you. Enjoy and discover other articles on our blog.
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