The Norwegian fjords are one of the world’s great cruise destinations: sheer cliffs, waterfalls, glaciers and pretty harbour towns like Bergen, Geiranger and Ålesund. Many cruises sail there straight from UK ports, so you don’t even need to fly.
Here are the best cruise lines for the fjords, from big ships to small ones.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- No-fly from the UK
- Smaller ships and luxury
- Coastal voyages and expeditions
- When to go
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&O Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 7 Ships in the fleet | No-fly choice | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Reef kids’ clubs |
| Fred Olsen Cruise Lines | Mainstream ocean | 3 Smaller ships in the fleet | Hidden fjords | All gratuities, Main dining, 24-hour room service |
| Ambassador Cruise Line | Mainstream ocean | 3 Ships in the fleet | Regional UK ports | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Entertainment |
| MSC Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 25 Ships in the fleet | Big-ship value | Service charges, Main dining, Kids’ clubs |
| Cunard | Premium ocean | 4 Queens in the fleet | Classic style | Britannia dining, Afternoon tea, Theatre & shows |
| Viking | River and ocean | 15 Ocean ships | Culture and calm | Wi-Fi, Excursion in every port, Beer & wine at lunch and dinner |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Luxury ocean | 6 All-suite all-balcony ships | Luxury | Business-class flights, Pre-cruise hotel, All dining |
| Explora Journeys | Luxury ocean | 3 Ships delivered (6 planned by 2029) | Slow luxury | All dining, Premium drinks, In-suite minibar |
| Hurtigruten | Norwegian coastal | 7 Ships on the Bergen–Kirkenes route | The real Norway | Main dining, Coastal-expert lectures, Working-ship experience |
| Havila Voyages | Norwegian coastal | 4 Hybrid-electric ships | Greener sailing | Cabin accommodation, Buffet meals or à la carte, Daily port calls |
| Swan Hellenic | Expedition | 3 Sister ships | Northern Lights | All meals, Drinks with meals, Expedition gear (polar voyages) |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
No-fly from the UK
P&O Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 7 Ships in the fleet
Year-round sailings from Southampton include the Norwegian fjords, with family-friendly and adults-only ships.
Best for: No-fly choice
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
- Mainstream ocean
- 3 Smaller ships in the fleet
- 900 To 1,400 guests max
Smaller ships reach Norway’s lesser-known fjords that the mega-ships can’t, sailing from Rosyth, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.
Best for: Hidden fjords
Ambassador Cruise Line
- Mainstream ocean
- 3 Ships in the fleet
Smaller classic ships sailing from UK ports, including London Tilbury, to Northern Europe and the Norwegian fjords.
Best for: Regional UK ports
MSC Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 25 Ships in the fleet
Southampton sailings to the Norwegian fjords, plus seasonal options from Newcastle and Liverpool.
Best for: Big-ship value
Cunard
- Premium ocean
- 4 Queens in the fleet
Seasonal Northern Europe and Norwegian fjords voyages on Queen Anne.
Best for: Classic style
Smaller ships and luxury
Viking
- River and ocean
- 15 Ocean ships
Adults-only ocean ships on Norwegian fjords and Arctic voyages, with an excursion in every port.
Best for: Culture and calm
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 6 All-suite all-balcony ships
- 700-746 Guests per ship — small-luxury scale
Selected UK departures with Norwegian fjord seasons, with excursions, drinks and gratuities included.
Best for: Luxury
Explora Journeys
- Luxury ocean
- 3 Ships delivered (6 planned by 2029)
- 922 Maximum guests — super-yacht scale
Itineraries that favour secondary ports and overnights, including fjord ports the big ships skip.
Best for: Slow luxury
Coastal voyages and expeditions
Hurtigruten
- Norwegian coastal
- 7 Ships on the Bergen–Kirkenes route
The working Coastal Express between Bergen and Kirkenes since 1893, calling at 34 ports every day.
Best for: The real Norway
Havila Voyages
- Norwegian coastal
- 4 Hybrid-electric ships
- 720 Max guests / ship
Modern hybrid-electric ships on the same Bergen–Kirkenes coastal route.
Best for: Greener sailing
Swan Hellenic
- Expedition
- 3 Sister ships
- 152-192 Guests per ship
Expedition ships offering Northern Lights and Norwegian fjords voyages in autumn and winter.
Best for: Northern Lights
When to go
May to September: the main fjord season, with long days and the midnight sun in the far north in June and July. Autumn and winter: the Northern Lights season, best on coastal voyages and expedition ships sailing above the Arctic Circle. Fjord cruises from the UK typically last 7 to 14 nights.
How we chose these cruise lines
We featured lines whose own information includes Norwegian fjords or Norwegian coastal sailings. Itineraries and seasons change every year, so check the sailings available for your dates, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cruise to the Norwegian fjords from the UK?
Yes, from Southampton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Rosyth, Tilbury and more.
What is the best month for a fjords cruise?
June to August for long days; May and September are quieter.
Can you see the Northern Lights on a fjords cruise?
In autumn and winter, especially on coastal voyages above the Arctic Circle.
Which cruise line goes to the smaller fjords?
Fred Olsen’s smaller ships reach lesser-known fjords.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
