Norwegian Fjords Cruise - 2026 for 6 adults

[Tiggytico]

Have just started to research this and I thought I would reach out here for any advice and/or recommendations.

We are a group of 6 adults; 3 couples with us three “girls” turning 50 next year. We’ve been saving for a holiday to celebrate. After much debate at the weekend, re who, where and when, we’ve settled on taking our husbands on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise.

• Ideally October/November so that it doesn’t clash with A-Levels, school holidays and start of Uni.
• Ideally adults only, but at least not aimed at children
• A little bit “lively”. We enjoy a drink in the evening; we’re not obnoxious (honestly), but probably a bit of giggling which we wouldn’t want to feel like we were spoiling anyone else’s holiday!
• Above probably rules out “Saga” even though we would just about qualify!
• Balcony cabin
• Between 5 to 8 nights
• Budget? Up to £7K per couple. The Fred Olsen one I’ve priced up seems great value at just over £5K for 8 nights including drinks package and excursions. Are we too young for Fred Olsen? This holiday is a couple of weeks too early as sails on 13th September - one of the group will have a child settling in at Uni, for which they will want to be “on hand” for.
• Can sail from anywhere in England.

Thank you for any tips or insight. This will be the first cruise for us all.

I’m not sure if any cruise lines go to the fjords that late in the year! Most finish in September. Not helpful I know.

It seems P and O go later in the year. Maybe have a look at their itineraries? I’ve not been with them, but the fjords are spectacular.

I've been on 2 Celebrity Cruises. Hardly any children as their sister company, The Royal Caribbean, tend to be more child friendly.
Our first cruise was to Norway. I'm not sure when they finish for the season though. It might be too cold in October? We went in July.
You get a mixture of ages, so for now it suits us at 60!

That late in the year your only luck might be looking for one specifically aimed at seeing the Northern Lights. You’re going to have very little daylight.

Thank you so much for the replies. Will revisit what times of the year we can make work!

I'm in my 30s and I absolutely love Fred Olsen. Most of the guests are older but it's not all pensioners. Very few children. One of their ships, Borealis, is adults only from 2026 onwards.

There are bars open late with something on every night such as live music/silent discos/karaoke. Plenty of people getting merry so you wouldn't be out of place but never saw anyone lairy.

P&O and Royal Caribbean will likely have more children onboard.

I think most fjord cruises only go as late as October so may struggle to find anything for November.

I know a lovely travel agent who has a lot of cruise knowledge. I can message you her details if you like. (P.s I have no financial stake in this and she is isn't one of those pyramid scheme/MLM agents)

Ambassador Cruise line are a small friendly company catering for adults. Delicious food, great entertainment and more of a family feel compared to bigger ships. This cruise might suit you but there are more on the website.

https://www.ambassadorcruiseline.com/cruise/a12524-ceo-cruise-to-norway-s-land-of-the-northern-lights-scotland/

Not many DC go on the Fjord cruises just a handful of teens so you’ll be fine to go any time of year thst suits

I’m mid fifties and been with my elderly parents on Fred Olsen - I’d say it is ideal for people 70+ and whilst there were a few younger people, they were generally accompanying elderly relatives. I don’t think I would go if I was just with my partner.

Having said that, the staff were great, as was the food and the Fjords are fantastic.

Thank you so much everyone. Really good to know.

@GoatGoatGoat - yes pls to the travel agents details. That would be really helpful. Thank you

We did Royal Caribbean and it was good (not adults only)

MSC go. The bad rap is unjustified IMO.
Much better than P&O or Princess in terms of ships and guests.
Check for inside pools in case you get poor weather. Sky Princess which goes north didn’t have one.

I think this time of year is perfect - make the most of their super long evenings.
If you wanted to do later in the season I’d be doing Spain/Portugal down to Canaries. Nothing like seeing the sun when the uk is doing dark and damp.

There were loads on the RC one I went on including my own who loved it.

Id be interested to know more about Ambassador. Anyone else been with them?

Went on Fred Olsen Iceland cruise last year and going on Norway one this year. Mid 50s, good quality, good excursions (although last year booked most independently which was alot cheaper, have done a mix this year). Took kids in 20s and was fine, wasn't bothered that most other travellers were older, there were a few families and younger people.

I did an Ambassador cruise last year. It was excellent value for money. Nothing fancy but food was good and the evening shows were excellent.

I didn't feel like the service was as good as it was on Fred Olsen but it was fine. Sometimes a long wait for drinks but I don't think that's the norm.

The cruise we booked was over a bank holiday and had a free drinks package. It was so cheap and that I actually thought the price might be an error. So I think there were a lot of people onboard who wouldn't usually cruise and were there for a boozy long weekend. (No judgement here 😅)

It was good enough that I have another booked for next year.

For those who have done the Fjords with FO, which trips would you book in advance please and who through? I have no idea where to start.

Also how much should I expect excursions to cost for a week trip? I just have no idea.

I haven't done fjords but I believe the Flam railway is always popular so would recommend pre-booking. I think a lot of the ports you might visit are good for independent exploration.

You can book trips with Fred Olsen, direct with local companies or Viator etc.

There are a couple of good groups on Facebook where people who have done the trips will be able to advise. Search for Fred Olsen Cruise Group and Fred Olsen Cruise Line Cruisers.

They are normally about £60 -£70 each for a half day one and £110 for a whole day excursion. Lots of people don’t book any.

P&O do have an adults only ships. Normally Arcadia and Aurora. Might be worth a look at

We did the Fjiords on the P&O Iona for a week. Can’t remember what we paid but was a really good price although we didn’t do a drinks package (you can buy a litre of spirits to your cabin for £26-32) so we did this and had a couple before we went out for evening. Plus P&O are pub prices anyway

Oh, and you absolutely must have a cabin!!!