Ten different ways to start a Norwegian fjords cruise

For those who dislike flying, there are plenty of British departure ports from which to embark on a Norwegian fjords cruise. Otherwise, you can fly to Copenhagen or Rotterdam and spend a couple of days ashore before your sailing, or head straight to Bergen in Norway to step on board. Here are 10 top ports with suggestions of fjords cruises you could take from them.

Southampton

Around 80 miles from London and known as the cruise capital of Europe, Southampton is Britain’s busiest passenger-ship port with more than four million visitors a year. You are spoilt for choice if this is your chosen departure point – cruise lines heading for the fjords include P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Fred Olsen, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Marella Cruises. Sailing from the south coast of England can mean spending around 48 hours at sea before reaching Norway. On Princess Cruises’ Land of the Midnight Sun cruise, for example, your first port of call is Haugesund where the Pulpit Rock rises 1,982ft above the Lysefjorden. From here, you’ll take in another eight ports and a host of fjords, reaching as far north as Honningsvag across the Arctic Circle.

A 14-day Land of the Midnight Sun itinerary round-trip from Southampton aboard Crown Princess, departing August 22, 2020, costs from £1,299pp with Princess Cruises (0344 338 8663; princess.com).

Tilbury London

Tilbury, 22 nautical miles east of Tower Bridge, is the capital’s only deep-water purpose-built cruise facility. As such it is an increasingly popular departure port from the south-east to north European destinations. Cruise & Maritime Voyages offers a selection of sailings from Tilbury. Its Majestic Fjordland itinerary in August 2020 first sails overnight to Rotterdam where you can explore the city’s museums. Next follows a day at sea and, on reaching Norway, Sognefjord, Flåm, Bergen, Hardangerfjord and Eidfjord await.

A seven-night Majestic Fjordland itinerary round-trip from Tilbury aboard MV Columbus, departing August 21, 2020, costs from £679pp with Cruise & Maritime Voyages (0844 998 3787; cruiseandmaritime.com).

London Greenwich

Only smaller ships can make their way along the Thames to Greenwich, such as the 930-passenger Viking Jupiter. Guests spend a night on board before setting sail for Norway, giving time to join the included excursions to central London.

As well as sailing into the fjords, highlights of the Into the Midnight Sun itinerary include the Shetland, Orkney and Lofoten islands. You’ll also cross the Arctic Circle to the North Cape – Norway’s most northern point. The cruise ends with an overnight stay in Bergen before your flight back to London.

A 14-night Into The Midnight Sun itinerary aboard the all-inclusive Viking Jupiter departing Greenwich on July 12, 2020, costs from £5,490 including flights from Bergen to London, all gratuities and shore excursions (0800 298 9700; vikingcruises.co.uk).

Dover

It’s a cliché, I know, but there is something stirring about seeing the White Cliffs of Dover fade into the distance as you sail away from Blighty. Cruise lines operating from the port include Saga. The over-50s specialist’s Norwegian Canvas cruise takes you to Stavanger – here you can take a boat trip across the fjord to the tiny island of Sør-Hidle where surprisingly exotic flora flourishes in its botanical garden. The cruise also takes you to Flåm, where you can explore the spectacular Naeroyfjord, to Olden where a gondola can take you to the summit of Mount Hoven, and to the colourful town of Bergen before heading back to Dover. 

North Cape & Spitzbergen Adventure Cruise

£ 2459 pp 17 nights £145 per night Check availability Provided by Newmarket Holidays

A seven-night all-inclusive Norwegian Canvas itinerary aboard Spirit of Adventure departing September 21, 2020, round-trip from Dover, costs from £2,015pp with Saga (0808 278 3935; travel.saga.co.uk).

Edinburgh (Rosyth)

Scotland being closest to Scandinavia makes Edinburgh (Rosyth) an ideal departure port for those who wish to spend less time at sea. After a night on board, later that day you’ll reach Alesund, gateway to the fjords. The Fred Olsen itinerary includes a host of fjords, plus Olden, Flåm and Stavanger.

A seven-night Scenic Fjords of Norway itinerary aboard Balmoral round-trip from Edinburgh (Rosyth) departing June 22, 2020, costs from £1,099pp with Fred Olsen (0800 773 4165; fredolsencruises.com).

Liverpool

Fed by the M1, M6 and M58, Liverpool Cruise Terminal is an excellent choice for travellers living in the north-west or for those from elsewhere who wish to explore the city. Cruise & Maritime’s Summertime Fjordland cruise breaks up the journey by visiting Dublin and the Shetland Islands before heading to Stavanger. As well as taking in an impressive selection of fjords the ship docks at the villages of Olden and Flåm.

A 10-night Summertime Fjordland itinerary on board Magellan round-trip from Liverpool departing on August 16, 2020, costs from £959pp with Cruise & Maritime Voyages (0844 998 3787; cruiseandmaritime.com).

Newcastle

If you are short of time, sail with Fred Olsen from Newcastle and take in the fjords in five nights thanks to the city’s proximity to Norway. The ship takes you to Bergen, Lysefjord and Hardangerfjord and to see natural wonders such as the Furebergfossen Waterfall. As well as scenic cruising there is plenty of opportunity to explore ashore.

The Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights itinerary on board Balmoral departing Newcastle on August 27, 2020, costs from £799pp (0800 280 8156; fredolsencruises.com).

Bergen

The advantage of flying to Bergen and boarding a Hurtigruten ship is that over the course of 12 days you can discover Norway's entire coastal route with 34 ports of call. You’ll pass more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains as you travel north from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again, covering more than 2,500 nautical miles. Along the route, you can choose from more than 90 excursions and take part in hikes and activities led by the on-board expedition team.

The 12-day Classic Round Voyage departs daily from Bergen all year round. Full board from £1,008pp, excluding flights and excursions (02035 533740; hurtigruten.co.uk).

Rotterdam

If you’ve already been to Amsterdam, why not make Rotterdam your next short break before boarding your cruise ship? The vibrant waterfront scene of Netherland’s second city recently prompted Vogue to dub it “the Dutch Brooklyn”. From here, a cruise with Holland America Line takes you to Hardangerfjord, Eidfjord and Geirangerfjord. You’ll also visit Alesund, built on five islands and known for its art deco architecture, and see Bergen’s dramatic mountain scenery.

A seven-night Norse Legends cruise round-trip from Rotterdam departing May 16, 2020, on board MS Rotterdam costs from £1,199pp with Holland America Line (0344 338 8605; hollandamerica.com).

Oslo

For those who wish to experience a true Arctic expedition, few places measure up to Svalbard. This remote Norwegian archipelago of fjords, glaciers and abundant wildlife is home to polar bears, walrus, seals and whales and Noble Caledonia’s In the Realm of the Polar Bear itinerary promises a real adventure aboard MS Expedition. The vessel’s ice-strengthened hull, shallow draft and experienced on-board team, which includes naturalists and geologists, will take you into rarely visited bays and fjords, with the ship’s fleet of Zodiac landing craft taking you close to wildlife and making landings for walks ashore.

A seven-night all-inclusive Realm of the Polar Bear itinerary round-trip from Oslo on the 134-passenger MS Expedition departing June 18 or July 22, 2020, costs from £5,795pp including flights, all excursions and overnight accommodation in Oslo (020 7752 0000; noble-caledonia.co.uk).