Fjord Cruise - help please

[Lanzarotelady]

Always wanted to do one, but no idea where to start, any advice please

Yes, it's your route which prompted my question @Parker231

We stopped at about five places each day - sometimes for less than half an hour (whilst deliveries to the locals are taken on/off). Some of the places are tiny so you got to see the real Norway. We went in December (a couple of years ago) and got to see the Northern Lights in Kirkenes. Going to North Cape in the dark was special. The food is from local suppliers along the route.

https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-gb/about-us/voyages/coastal-express

Are gratuities included?

I’m going with p and I in early June and I can’t wait! We haven’t got the drinks package as I don’t drink every day and I’m port we won’t be on the ship to drink. We have an interior room as I like sleeping in complete darkness and we tend to be early risers so will already be up and about by 7am so won’t miss anything. We also won’t be doing trips with p and o as we’re prefer independent excursions. Whatsinport.com is great for helping you navigate.

Please try to get up early (4:30am) for the sail in to Olden. It is the most stunning sight I have ever seen. Took my breath away. I was so happy I got up to see it, and more than happy to spend the day a little bit tired. Hellesylt is also stunning.

It’s a Norwegian company tipping is not expected. One of the reasons we looked at it. It’s not as commercial as the big boats. The food is fantastic and we love the smiplocty.

Hi LL,
There is a guy that did similar to what you ask about and posts on www.boards.ie. I think he took about a week. He posted a lot of pics and some impressions ( generally day to day - so there is a lot of other peoples stuff intermingled with his ).
Username is
Thomil
and I think first post is
https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856142/#Comment_122856142

Looks good fun but I would choose spring or autumn rather than winter :)

I did it on Queen Mary really enjoyed it,.we organised a couple of the excursions privately as found out that some of the more popular ones sell out almost immediately and from discussions with passengers that went on the Cunard excursions ours seemed much better

So much good advice. Place-marking, as this is a dream of mine!

This thread has had me looking back at my photos - good memories

It’s an epic trip we’ve just left Kirkenes, starting our voyage south

loved the snow hotel. Also loving the fact due to some weather issues at the start there’s only about 100 people on board. Bliss.

Do the Fred olden cruises come with dining packages. I like the idea if setting of from Scotland.

The Fred Olsen ship I went on had 2 lovely restaurants as well as some other options eg outside and cabin service. All inclusive in the price unless it's changed from a few years ago. Food was really good!

Does anyone know if you can board any of the cruise ships at Bergen. We'd like to fly to Oslo, travel across by train then cruise up.

Daft question but can you get sea sick on the smaller ships?

Thank you all for your lovely suggestions and ideas. Its for 2026 so plenty of time to look and book

I should think some people can get seasick on any size of boat, depending on the conditions.
We crossed from Rosyth to Bergen in a force 9 gale on a Fred Olsen boat which is on the small side - we weren't sick but some were, and I couldn't read. That was only out on the open sea though. The fjords were very sheltered and the coastal waters ok.

I have thought of doing the FO from Rosyth or Newcastle. I would like to know more about how you found it?

I have thought of doing the FO from Rosyth or Newcastle. I would like to know more about how you found it?

DH does all our travel stuff so I'm not sure - in this case he probably just went on the FO website.

Sorry...just realised I may have interpreted that question too literally!😂
We enjoyed it, we're early 60s and probably somewhat towards the lower end of the age distribution. We liked that although people could dress up for 'formal dinners', it was entirely optional - we mostly ate in the buffet as we wanted to be up on deck looking at the scenery not indoors all evening.

I could not fault FO - everything was top notch, the food, the service the bars and restaurants our cabin except for one thing: We've been on several cruises and despite being a beautiful cabin with a balcony we had two single beds. They weren't big either and couldn't be moved. It was a few years ago on Balmoral so could be very different now!

We started our trip with Hurtigruten from Bergen.

Thank you @Parker231.

It's a beautiful trip but I wouldn't recommend Pand O.
If you can afford a more exclusive company I'd go with them.
I went on Iona, it was huge and clean but the service was poor and the food mediocre.
We had a drinks package but trying to get served in the bars was impossible. The staff are clearly paid a pittance and look miserable as a result of it making for an uncomfortable experience onboard.