My Top Norwegian Fjords Cruise Tips (+ Review)

A pound for a pee? They must be bloody joking!

The restaurant at the summit of Alesund’s Aksla Hill echoed with the woman’s estuary tones. She removed her sunglasses and looked again at the offending sign, to check if that would make a difference to the price. It didn’t.

And here’s the thing. Norway can be an achingly expensive country to visit, but taking a Norwegian Fjords cruise insulates you from these prices and is a more affordable way of seeing the country. Moreover, a cruise allows you to visit diverse towns and cities in a short space of time, and cruise along some of Norway’s most scenic fjords.

It ranks amongst one of my most memorable travel experiences.

To help you plan your cruise, here are my top Norway fjords cruise tips and review of my experience onboard P&O Britannia

My Top Norwegian Fjords Cruise Tips

1. DON’T LET THE WEATHER DICTATE THE TIME OF YEAR YOU cruise the Norwegian fjords

The main Norway cruise season runs from May to September.
 
In the winter months, Hurtigruten offers cruises along Norway’s fjords. Other operators offer a handful of winter cruises to Norway, chasing the elusive Northern Lights. But days are short in Northern Europe at this time of the year, and the coastal waters can be rough.
 
As it is impossible to predict the weather in Norway, this should not determine the month in which you travel. Norway can be very wet, and I have friends who were drenched every day on a summer fjords cruise.
 
My experience was very different. When I visited Norway in May, the country was three weeks into a heatwave with the mercury nudging 30 degrees. The weather is so unpredictable!
 
The peak time for cruising in Norway tends to coincide with school holidays in July and August, when it is more expensive, and ships will be busier with vacationing families. Therefore, if you are not confined to the school holidays, I suggest cruising the Norwegian fjords in May or September. 

2. do a little homework to pick the cruise that is right for yoU

There is considerable variety in itinerary lengths, ports of call and type of ship.
 
The duration of Norwegian fjords cruises generally ranges from seven to 14 days. Those heading further north into Arctic Norway can last up to three weeks.
 
Like any cruise, you need to think about the ports of call. Some itineraries include other Northern European cities or Baltic states. Whilst it is a great opportunity to check out places like Rotterdam and Warnemünde, the flip side is that there are fewer Norwegian ports on the itinerary.
 
Unlike other cruises, the scenery as you sail from one port of call to the next is an important consideration. To identify these scenic fjord sailings, examine the itinerary closely and look at a map.

There is a spectrum of ships, accommodating all budgets, from mainstream behemoths to smaller ships offering a boutique experience (and that can slip into the smaller fjords). Just pick the one that is the right fit for you.

I cruised to Norway from Southampton with P&O Cruises on HMV  Britannia, a mid-range option. The itinerary included four ports of call – Stavanger, Flam, Alesund and Bergen – and a few scenic sails over one week.  

3. PACK APPROPRIATELY

Given the unpredictability of the weather, pack for all seasons by bringing layers. Pack for the worst weather but hope for the best.

For exploring the ports of call, wear T-shirts, jeans, jumpers, and a waterproof jacket. And ditch the stilettos for sensible walking shoes or trainers. But based on my experience, in the spirit of optimism, also pack a few summer dresses and a pair of shorts.

And don’t forget your glad rags for the formal evenings on board!

Do pack the best camera you have. Norway’s fjords and the ports of call scream out for the finest camera lens that money will buy. 

A small pair of binoculars will also come in handy. The views as you sail along the Norwegian fjords are sensational, and a set of bins will allow you to pick out details from afar.  

4. BOOK A BALCONY CABIN

My top tip for cruising the Norwegian fjords is to book a balcony cabin. It is worth every last penny.
 
Unlike some cruises, a large part of the appeal of a cruise along the fjords of Norway is the scenery as you sail by. And where better to take in the view than on your private balcony, perhaps with a G&T in hand?

However, if you like a 100% dark room to sleep in, you may wish to reconsider.

One of the advantages of cruising in Norway in summer is the long days. But the flip side is that the sun may stream through your window in the wee small hours.

That said, early morning light does wake me up, but this was not a problem in my balcony cabin on this cruise. I guess that the cabins on P&O Britannia have excellent blackout blinds.

A final cautionary note: not all cruise cabins are equal. Therefore, if you don’t want to end up under the promenade deck or next to the laundry, research your cruise cabin before you book.

5. CONSIDER HOW YOU WILL ExplorE the ports of call

Exploring the ports of call on this Norwegian fjords cruise was a piece of cake. For each stop on the itinerary, the ship docked in the centre of town, and the main sights were easily walkable.

However, if you want to explore further afield and you feel that you may not be able to do this under your own steam, take a look at the shore excursions on offer. If you have your heart set on a particular day trip, book this early to avoid disappointment.

Another option is to book a shore excursion with an independent operator.

Before you book an excursion, check the weather forecast for your desired destination. Norway can be very wet, and if there’s a risk that the longed-for fabulous view might be cloaked in mist and rain, will it be worth the effort and expense?  

6. Cut costs by eating on the ship

Make no mistake. Scandinavia can be ludicrously expensive. For this reason alone, visiting Norway on a cruise makes perfect sense, as this insulates you from these high costs.

Therefore, fill your face with the food on board. Set yourself up for the day with a big breakfast and bring a few snacks to keep you going.  

My Norwegian Fjords Cruise on P&O Britannia: The Good & the Bad

WHAT I LOVED

Affordability – In 2018, I paid just over £1300 for sole occupation of a balcony cabin on this Norwegian fjords cruise on P&O Britannia. At around £180 per day, I consider this good value for a trip to Norway.

Itinerary – each stop had something different to offer, and sailing along the fjords was sensational. We were blessed with balmy weather, which showed off Norway at its best.

Ease of travel – as the ship berthed in the centre of these towns and cities, there was no need for a transfer. Unless you wish to venture further afield, there is also no need to take an expensive shore excursion.

WHAT I WAS LESS KEEN ON

Ship design – P&O Britannia was beautiful and felt fresh, but a few design aspects were occasionally frustrating.

Customer service – variability in the levels of customer service onboard the ship was disappointing

Norway Fjords Cruise Review: Ports of Call

There is no contest. The best thing about this cruise was its itinerary, sail-by scenery and the ports of call. This is how it panned out:

DAY ONE: LEAVING SOUTHAMPTON

At 8 pm on a balmy Sunday night,  Britannia let go of her mooring lines, and we were underway.

Passing Fawley oil refinery, silhouetted against the setting sun, the ship continued along the Solent following the eastern coastline of the Isle of Wight. It then took a sharp turn at Portsmouth to enter the Dover Strait.

Gin & tonic on the balcony, moonlight on the water.  

DAY TWO: AT SEA

The rig-dodging day.

P&O Britannia continued along the North Sea, edging towards Norway. Hardy Brits on board settled by the pool, slathering suncream to the accompaniment of blasts of the ship’s foghorn. The maximum temperature on deck was a damp 13 degrees.

DAY THREE: STAVANGER

Lovely Stavanger was the first port of call.

The fortunes of this pretty harbour town on Norway’s southwest coast have centred on fish canning and, more recently, the discovery of oil off its shores. With its exquisite wooden buildings, cobbled lanes and rich maritime heritage, there is plenty to occupy even the most restless soul.

P&O Britannia parked in the centre of town, alongside Gamle (Old) Stavanger. As the main sights are close to each other, Stavanger is very walkable.

DAY FOUR: FLAM

The approach to Flam was sensational, sailing along the Sognefjorden, one of Norway’s most stunning fjords. You have to be up shortly after 5 am to capture this view!

Tucked between two mountains at the head of Aurlandsfjorden, Flam (Flåm to be correct) is a community of around 400 souls, less than 10% of the total occupancy of the ship.  Although the hamlet is a good base for hiking and has a visit-worthy 17th-century church, its main tourist draw is the Flam Railway.

The cruise ship berthed slap bang in the middle of Flam. It made the hamlet look like a model village. The railway station is around a 5-minute walk from the ship.

DAY FIVE: ALESUND

Alesund, a fishing town and port on Norway’s west coast, is an architectural heaven.

A devastating town fire in 1904 resulted in a hectic reconstruction project, replacing the charred wooden buildings with those built in an Art Nouveau style with a local folkloric twist. The result is a collection of stone and brick buildings with a myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornamentation, including intertwined animal and human faces, dragons and elaborate flowers.

Once again, the Britannia berthed right in the thick of things.

The main sights are close to each other. Although Alesund is very walkable, there are lots of steep cobbled streets. Leave the stilettos in your suitcase.  

DAY SIX: BERGEN

The final stop on this Norwegian fjords cruise was beautiful Bergen.

Formerly the capital of Norway, Bergen is beautifully situated on a promontory, surrounded by seven hills. The self-proclaimed Gateway to the Western Fjords is also an attractive and enjoyable city in its own right.

Yet again, the ship parked up close to the city’s main sights at the entrance to the harbour. Bergen is also very walkable. 

DAY SEVEN: AT SEA

Waving goodbye to Norway, the Britannia retraced her journey through the gas and oil fields of the North Sea into the busy Dover Strait, reaching the Solent waters in the early hours of Sunday morning. During the cruise, Britannia travelled a total distance of 2323 nautical miles.

My Experience Onboard P&O Britannia

Barely three years old when I sailed on her, HMV Britannia had a fresh-out-of-the-box feel. It had 1,376 staff for its 3,600 guests.

She is enormous. Spread over 15 passenger decks, it is 232 feet high, 330 meters long and weighs a whopping 144,000 tonnes. To put it into perspective, it is twice the size of the largest hotel in the world.

The central space is the starburst atrium, decked in gleaming Turkish porcelain, covering three floors. But as gorgeous as this space is, it had a peculiar lack of atmosphere.

There were a few design aspects that I found puzzling.

There are no publicly accessible stairs at mid-ship, creating pressure on lifts. Also, customer services and shore excursions are buried down on deck 5.  

P&O BRITANNIA CABIN

I had a balcony cabin decorated in tasteful moss-green, beige and brown tones. The large, comfortable bed had good-quality linen.

A large wall-mounted TV had a limited choice of channels but a decent, mostly free, movie library.

There was a small fridge, a kettle, and tea and coffee supplies, which were replenished each day. Three-pin (British) sockets were plentiful.

The small bathroom was well-designed, using the available space wisely. White Company toiletries were provided: shampoo, conditioner and body lotion in portable 100ml bottles, and shower gel in a fixed dispenser.

A major plus point is that there was a proper shower cubicle, not just a shower tray with a nasty nylon curtain. However, at busy times, the water pressure was poor.

A hairdryer was available. The towels were pleasingly white and fluffy.

The balcony on P&O Britannia is compact, accommodating two reclining chairs placed at jaunty angles and a small table.  

FOOD AND DRINK ON P&O BRITANNIA

There are bars-a-plenty on P&O Britannia, with 13 to choose from, each with its selling point.

The Glass House, matching food to wine; Brodies, modelled on a British boozer; The Blue Bar with its extensive martini list. Or my favourite, The Crow’s Nest, the ship’s signature gin bar offering 21 different varieties. Drink prices were reasonable.

The food in the main restaurants – Peninsular, Meridian, Oriental – was of good quality but could be on the tepid side. The food from the buffet service for lunch and dinner at the Horizon Restaurant was OK but unexceptional.

Breakfasts were very good, with an extensive choice from freshly made omelettes, the great British cooked breakfast, fruit, cereals, pastries, cold meats and cheeses and yoghurt. Afternoon tea at The Horizon was also very good. 

Speciality dining was available on P&O Britannia for a supplement (e.g. Sindhu, Epicurean).

The Grab-and-Go fridge on the Lido deck is a welcome innovation.

RELAXING ON DECK

There is a busy main pool on the Lido deck (16), but quieter pools are also available. Pool towels were provided in the cabin. There were plenty of sunbeds dotted throughout the ship.

Disappointingly, as the Britannia does not have a promenade deck, you cannot walk or run a circuit of the ship. However, there is a well-equipped gym. There are golf nets on the Sports Deck (17).  

ENTERTAINMENT ON P&O BRITANNIA

There was a full programme to suit all tastes. From live shows and recent films in the well-equipped main theatre to line dancing and magic workshops.  

P&O CUSTOMER SERVICE

This is where I feel Britannia fails. Although many of the staff were friendly and welcoming – my cabin steward was exceptional –  too many others were disinterested, bordering on surly. Don’t expect banter.

fellow passengers

Gone are the days when cruising was the preserve of older people, squandering their children’s inheritance. On P&O Britannia, there was a much younger crowd with a significant number of multigenerational families.

The vast majority of those I spoke with were British and not what I call ‘serial cruisers’. For many, this was their first cruise.  

What It’s Like to Be a Solo Traveller on a Norway Fjords Cruise With P&O

A cruise can be an excellent solo travel experience, especially if you are a first-time solo traveller. Cruises are very social environments, but there are also plenty of opportunities to be alone if that’s your preference.
 
P&O Britannia had lots of organised activities during the day – the cruise line’s sail-away parties are famous – and entertainment laid on at night. It’s entirely up to you if you want to participate.
 
Keeping safe whilst away is at the forefront of most travellers’ minds, especially solo travellers. All of the Norwegian ports of call felt safe, and the main sights were within easy walking distance of the ship.
 
A downside is that cruises for solo travellers can be expensive. The lack of single cruise cabins and single supplements approaching 100 per cent has penalised those travelling alone.

That said, this Norway Fjords cruise was good value.

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.

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