There are pleasures like no place else on Earth to savor while cruising slowly through Norway’s fjords. The gracefully curving U-shaped valleys, dramatically sculpted by the erosive action of glaciers on bedrock millions of years old and filled in by the powerful ocean, feel like they could be featured in a nature documentary, even set to a soundtrack — something dramatic, crescendoing in pace and full of mystique and awe.
There you are on your beautiful ship, cruising through the middle of it all, a character on a stage of water a deep shade of jade green — perhaps even obsidian at times where it plunges over 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) deep. Sheer walls surround you, streaming with waterfalls of the wispy and thundering variety, all reflected on the glassy surface of the sea.
In these moments of hushed wonder, the silence of both these spectacular landscapes home to so few humans and your fellow awe-struck passengers plays like another tune entirely. It’s the soundtrack of wonder.
For there are few natural sights in Europe that leave travelers as awestruck as the majesty of the Norwegian fjords.
Fjords are so intertwined with Norway’s national identity that they’re often called the soul of this Nordic land.
More than 1,000 fjords cut through Norway’s legendary landscapes, just a few of which can be navigated by cruise ships along the country’s rugged and island-dotted west coast. Fjord itself is a Norwegian word, tracing its roots to an ancient Viking term for crossing point (der man ferder over) as well as to the Norwegian word for ferry (ferje).
As you sail, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord in Norway’s Sunnmøre region comes into view in lush emeralds and blues, snow-covered peaks drawing your eyes downward to trace ribboning waterfalls all the way to the ocean’s surface. Look closely and you might see a white-tailed sea eagle soaring close to the canvas of a vertical wall — the bird offering an impressive reference point to the sheer scale of the mountains rising around you.
Norway’s longest and deepest fjord and another UNESCO World Heritage site, Sognefjord is a dramatic fjord woven into western Norway’s flanks that you’ll find yourself immersed in as your ship navigates between Bergen and Flåm. Norway is one of Europe’s largest countries by landmass, but home to a relatively small population of less than six million people. And you’ll find just a smattering of these friendly souls living in the remote, postage stamp-sized hamlets clustered colorfully along Sognefjord’s shorelines.
When calling into port in the coastal town of Molde, at the heart of the Norwegian Scenic Routes Geiranger-Trollstigen and Atlanterhavsvegen, it’s the Romsdalsfjord and the 222 peaks you can see as you gaze toward the Molde Panorama that will command your attention and lure you out onto the deck to inhale the freshest brisk air, born from the mountains and sea.
And the city of Ålesund and its many surrounding islands, islets and fishing villages are always an itinerary highlight for their welcoming attitude, great cafés and coffee shops and stunning scenery.
It’s from here that you’ll depart on a journey into the Hjørundfjord, where, on a clear day, peaks towering over 1,800 meters (nearly 6,000 feet) high can be observed far off in the distance. It’s just a tease of all the splendor still to see — and that just might tempt you back, too, to go even deeper into this vast and spectacular Scandinavian land.
Norwegian fjord weather is famously unpredictable. Even in summer, you may encounter sun, wind, rain and chilly temperatures — all in one day. Pack moisture-wicking base layers, a warm mid-layer (like fleece or wool) and a waterproof jacket. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are a must for shore excursions.
Norwegians take great pride in preserving their natural landscapes. Stay on marked paths, avoid picking plants and be mindful that many villages value peace and quiet. It’s part of what makes the fjords so magical.
The sail-ins and sail-outs are some of the most magical moments of a fjord voyage. Bundle up and step onto your suite's balcony or out on deck with your camera when the light is just right. For clearer, richer photos, a polarizing filter can help cut through the water's glare.
From brunost to fresh salmon to sweet cloudberries, Norway's flavors are unforgettable. Also, be sure to treat yourself to a strong cup of coffee in a cozy café.
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