• Home
  • Travel
  • Thundering waterfalls to colourful harbour towns – 8 reasons to set sail on a Norwegian fjords cruise
Sam McLoughlin March 11, 2026

Sponsored content

Fred. Olsen Cruise LinesWith one of the longest coastlines on Earth, plenty of characterful ports, and natural drama rising straight from the water’s edge, the Norwegian fjords feel tailor-made for cruising.

Here, deep blue inlets slice through the landscape, revealing sheer cliffs cloaked in emerald forests and plunging waterfalls sparkling in the sun. But amongst this spectacular landscape, you’ll also discover quaint villages, vibrant cities, thrilling adventures, and unforgettable cultural encounters.

Cruising is the most effortless way to experience this extraordinary region. Unpack once, settle in, and let your floating hotel ferry you past ever-changing scenery.

If you’re still unsure whether a Norwegian fjord cruise is for you, here are eight reasons to set sail sooner, inspired by itineraries with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

Fred. Olsen’s small ships can go where larger ones can’t, navigating narrower passages and height-restricted fjords to take you closer to bucket list sights and hidden gems. They also offer a calmer, more comfortable on-board experience, providing each passenger with the warmth, care, and attention they deserve.

Ready to set sail?

Find a voyage

1. Embrace friluftsliv

Embrace friluftsliv

Norway constantly ranks among the happiest countries in the world. Ask the locals why, and you’re bound to hear the word friluftsliv (or ‘open-air life’), a philosophy that many Norwegians live by. It essentially means dedicating time to commune with nature, regardless of physical ability or the weather forecast. This could include anything from cross-country skiing to leisurely picking lingonberries.

Shore excursions on a Norwegian fjord cruise are great for embracing friluftsliv through activities like kayaking, hiking, and scenic speedboat rides. Åndalsnes, Norway’s mountaineering capital, is a popular port for thrill seekers, where steep ascents and lofty viewpoints await. 

2. Sample delectable cuisine

Sample delectable cuisine

Most people find that Norwegian cuisine is incredibly underrated, especially if they like seafood. King crab, cured salmon, and Atlantic cod are all staples, whether enjoyed at Tronheim’s Michelin-starred restaurants or fresh from the stand at Bergen’s historic fish market. Though if you prefer to keep things land-based, traditional dishes like hearty lamb stew or roasted reindeer will surely leave you satisfied.

Sweet-toothed travellers won’t be left wanting either. Crowd-pleasing treats, such as sweet buns and waffles (often served in heart shapes), are found on nearly every corner, while unique delicacies like brunost (a fudgy, caramel-tasting cheese) offer gastronomic intrigue. And if you fancy a tipple, the many apple orchards along the fjords produce what’s often called the ‘Champagne’ of ciders, a practice that goes back to Viking times.

3. Follow in the Vikings’ footsteps

Follow in the Vikings’ footsteps

Long before cruise ships, the Vikings sailed these waterways. For centuries, the formidable seafarers made the fjords their home, and their legacy still echoes through the landscape. You can delve into this fascinating history at various ancient sites, including Hæreid, an Iron Age burialplace with hundreds of graves nestled in the birch groves of Eidfjord. Walking amongst the mounds and stone piles, you can almost hear the cries of war and clangs of iron from battles gone by. 

But if archaeological relics aren’t your thing, there are many more unique and dynamic ways to unearth Norway’s Viking past. The Viking House in Stavanger uses VR technology to recreate the Norsemen’s everyday life, and the nearby Swords of the Rock monument stands by the spot where King Harald Fairhair united Norway into one kingdom in 872.

4. Witness world-class waterfalls

Witness world-class waterfalls

Carved by massive glaciers millions of years ago, the Norwegian fjords are one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, taking on a different character every season. Winter here means mist and snow-topped peaks, while summer brings birdsong and the scent of pine on the wind. In spring, the fjordside fruit trees and floral blooms burst into life, while autumn offers resplendent russet hues reflected in mirror-like waters.

A highlight of any visit here is the waterfalls, many of which are best seen from a boat. Norway is home to some of the world’s tallest and most spectacular cascades, each with a unique beauty. For example, frothing Furebergsfossen tumbles down the craggy hillside like a giant sheet of white water, while lofty Feigefossen leaps from a high mountain ridge before plummeting 218 metres into the valley below. It’s nature at its most powerful and exhilarating.

5. Drop anchor at colourful ports

Drop anchor at colourful ports

Between natural spectacles, Norwegian fjord cruises also call at many characterful ports. In Bergen, stroll the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront, where colourful wooden buildings hint at the city’s Hanseatic past. While in Trondheim, you’ll find world-class art, a fantastic food scene, and the epic Nidaros Cathedral, an ancient pilgrimage destination that’s also the world’s most northerly Gothic cathedral. 

Alongside colourful cities, you can also pause in charming towns and villages. Ålesund is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, while picturesque Olden and Skjolden are gateways to outdoor adventure – whether kayaking, glacier hiking, or cycling. They’re also home to cultural curiosities ranging from traditional churches to homes of famous artists and thinkers. 

  • In Search of the Northern Lights

    Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines In Search of the Northern Lights*

    Narvik - Seven Sisters mountain range - Crossing the Arctic Circle - Trondheim - Tjeldsundet Strait - Ofotfjord - Torghatten - Sortland - Harstad - Molde and 1 more

    Norway | 14 nights

    Departs from Southampton on the ship Balmoral.

    Departs: 28 Feb 2027

    Includes taxes and fees

    From £1,699pp

6. Spot beautiful birdlife

Spot beautiful birdlife

Animal fans certainly won’t be disappointed with a fjord cruise. Around 5% of the world’s bird species can be found in Norway, including more than 80 different seabirds. Runde Island near Ålesund is especially abundant with winged wonders – ranging from fulmars and gannets to kittiwakes and storm petrels. Most famously, however, over 100,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins arrive at the island to nest.

Keep your eyes peeled as you sail through the fjords, and you might even spot a white-tailed eagle, one of the world’s largest birds of prey. Watching this mighty raptor snatch a fish from the surf is a thrilling experience most birdwatchers will never forget.

7. Visit colossal glaciers

Visit colossal glaciers

Norway is home to thousands of glaciers, many of which are accessible via tours on fjord cruises. This includes Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest ice cap, which covers 487 square kilometres and boasts ice up to 600 metres thick. The Nigardsbreen branch is famous for its electric blue ice, while the Briksdal arm plummets 1200 metres down a rocky mountainside into a lush valley, giving the impression of a huge, frozen waterfall. 

But these giant, slow-moving rivers of ice offer more than just spectacles. Glaciers formed the fjords millions of years ago, and some of the ones we see today have been around for millennia. Their frozen depths hold secrets from before human records began. You can learn about all of this and more on guided tours and through exhibits at visitors’ centres.

8. Enjoy on-board activities

Enjoy on-board activities

One of the most appealing things about a Norwegian fjord cruise is that cultural discovery and unforgettable experiences don’t stop when you re-board your ship. As well as watching the scenery from spacious decks or open-air jacuzzis, you can unwind in the spa, catch a show, dance the night away, or learn something new in a workshop. 

Fred. Olsen Cruises also offer visitors many opportunities to connect with and find out more about the destination they’re visiting. For example, on a Norwegian fjords voyage, you can learn about local culture from fascinating guest speakers and even cook your own Norwegian dishes at expert-led classes.

Final thought…

From gleaming glaciers and towering cliffs to Viking history and incredible food, a Norwegian fjords cruise offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences that’s difficult to match. A cruise also brings you closer to the action – whether sailing past roaring waterfalls or watching the skies for unique birdlife.

In this article, we’ve focused on voyaging through the more southerly fjords in the warmer months. And if you’re dreaming of green valleys, nature hikes, and sunny skies, you can browse plenty of these itineraries on the Fred. Olsen website.

Find a voyage

However, Fred. Olsen also run Norwegian cruises throughout the winter months. So if you’re seeking the aurora borealis, arctic landscapes, and whale watching experiences, you might want to check out their range of Northern Lights voyages.

Sam McLoughlin

Sam McLoughlin is a Senior Lifestyle Writer at Rest Less. He joined the editorial team in 2021 after completing his Master’s degree in English Literature, Culture, and Theory at The University of Sussex. He enjoys writing about careers, books, sports, travel, and pretty much anything that his editor will let him have a crack at, but his favourite part of the job is interviewing inspiring people – from activists and CEOs to later life career changers. In his spare time, Sam enjoys climbing, snowsports, and going to see live music.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.