Norwegian Fjords

[alfie_30]

Hi, we are looking to go on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords next year. We've been on a transatlantic crossing but never on a cruise. Have got very confused by the different cruises and which company is best to go with? My sister is also coming with us and the single supplements seem very excessive. Any advice would be gratefully received!

[Cloverjo]

Hurtigruten does a beautiful cruise along the fjords. It’s not like the big cruises with entertainment and 24 hour food. It’s lovely and quiet. Just sit and read and watch the scenery go by.

There are lots of stops at some interesting little places.

[Cloverjo]

Oh, I just reread your q. You want a cruise TO the fjords. On Hurtigruten you have to fly to your chosen embarkation place.

[237SJ]

Queen Mary 2 goes to Norway (Cunard) Might be worth looking at that.

[Zacs-Master]

Hurtigruten do go from the UK. We’re looking to go next year but the multiple options and add on trips are very complicated. I’ve been recommended not to get a cabin at the back of the ship as they load and unload cargo at that point.

https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-gb/expeditions/campaigns/explore-from-dover/

[Buenchico]

IgluCruise is a specialist travel agency, that gets good reviews on TrustPilot:
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.iglucruise.com

I suggest using their website as a starting point when seeking a suitable cruise for your needs, simply because you'll find cruises from lots of different companies listed there:
https://www.iglucruise.com/cruise/fjords-and-norway/any/any/any/any/any/any/any/any/any/no-fly-cruise
(Use the filters, on the left, to help you find exactly what you want).

You can then choose whether to book through IgluCruise or to look for your chosen cruise on the website of the relevant cruise company.

Cruising doesn't appeal to me (or to my bank balance!) but, if it did, I wouldn't even consider booking any cruise without checking out the reviews on CruiseCritic first:
https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/
(Start typing the name of a ship into the search field and then click on the relevant result. Read through the general information first and then click on the 'Reviews' tab, at the top of the page).

YouTube is also a good source of cruise reviews.

[andy-hughes]

If you want the views and places first and foremost, I'd go for a smaller line, but if you want to enjoy the cruise experience, then P &O are a sound bet - the Aurora is a nice ship to start with.

[smurfchops]

I have heard negative reports about P&O, that you need their App for most things on board. Could be a nuisance.

[sddsddean]

P&O were cr@p on our Xmas cruise...never going with them again! Try a cruise out of Southampton on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity. In my opinion the itinerary must include Flam and Geiranger, though I know both these ports are now trying to ban 'dirty' ships (oil powered). If you can, get a cabin on the back of the ship, then you have a panoramic view sailing the fjords, rather than just one side.

[andy-hughes]

smurf - // I have heard negative reports about P&O, that you need their App for most things on board. Could be a nuisance. //

The app is not essential - plenty of guests don't use it, and simply book restaurant or theatre reservations at reception.

[andy-hughes]

sdds - // P&O were cr@p on our Xmas cruise...never going with them again! Try a cruise out of Southampton on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity. //

Given the sheer number of passengers that any cruise line carries, it is inevitable that some are not going to have a good experience, that applies across all the lines.

That said, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are proportionately 'higher quality', which is reflected in their correspondingly higher price tariffs.

[smurfchops]

Andy, thanks for the clarification. Just something I heard :)

[DTCwordfan]

I'll warn you, once you have seen a couple of fjords, you have seen them all. My sister and OH took the mail boat up from stavanger to the top, as in Kirkenes and saw the border with Putainland. 11 days and they were glad to fly back.

[sddsddean]

Andy - we have been on 30 cruises and this was the only one that was appalling, not because of the staff or other passengers, but solely the quality of the food. It was awful! eg Xmas dinner one dessert was trifle. Someone on our table had it. 3 digestive biscuits with jam and a bit of whipped cream!!! They said it was a 'deconstructed' trifle, but it didn't say that on the menu. Everyone was complaining about the cold, uncooked, bland food. Never going with them again!

[andy-hughes]

sdd - // Andy - we have been on 30 cruises and this was the only one that was appalling, not because of the staff or other passengers, but solely the quality of the food. It was awful! eg Xmas dinner one dessert was trifle. Someone on our table had it. 3 digestive biscuits with jam and a bit of whipped cream!!! They said it was a 'deconstructed' trifle, but it didn't say that on the menu. Everyone was complaining about the cold, uncooked, bland food. Never going with them again! //

Sorry to hear that, but I understand your view, and your reasons, I'd probably feel the same in your situation.

[alfie_30]

Hi, thank you for all your answers. It's a minefield! A smaller ship would be good, but some of them seem really expensive. Looked at loads of reviews and there's always bad ones for every cruise line. Will keep looking! Thanks again.

[andy-hughes]

Alfie - if you break down the cost into a daily rate, and look at what you get on board, it does work out to be a reasonably priced holiday.

[sddsddean]

On Andy's point Alfie, we always have a balcony cabin. If you can get it for around £150/day each or less, you are doing pretty well by todays standards. When we started cruising it was around £100/day each.

[zebo]

We did the Hurtigruten mail boat cruise a few years back and loved it. It's not like the big cruise ships, little in the way of entertainment but some interesting talks and a few on deck ceremonies for crossing the Arctic Circle. One advantage over the large cruise ships is that it goes much further north, in Kirkense the road sign pointed to Murmansk, about 65 km. The excursions are eye-wateringly expensive.