Quick answer
Norway's fjords are best from May to September for green landscapes and the midnight sun; October to March is Northern Lights season on coastal voyages. Geiranger, Flåm and Bergen are the classic stops.
- Cruise season
- Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug
- Typical length
- 7–14 nights
- Main departure ports
- Southampton, Hamburg, Kiel, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bergen
- Popular ports
- Bergen, Geiranger, Flåm, Ålesund, Stavanger, Tromsø, Honningsvåg (North Cape), Reykjavík
- Cruise lines sailing here
- 11
Why cruise here
- Sail right into UNESCO-listed fjords
- Midnight sun from late May to July
- Northern Lights from October to March
Weather by month in Bergen
Long-term averages for planning — not a forecast. Cruise season Best months
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| Avg low °C | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Rain days | 20 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Ports of call
- Bergen
- Geiranger
- Flåm
- Ålesund
- Stavanger
- Tromsø
- Honningsvåg (North Cape)
- Reykjavík
Sailings & fares
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Cruise lines sailing Norway, Iceland & the fjords
Mainstream ocean cruises
Premium ocean cruises
Expedition & polar cruises
Coastal, sailing & small-ship cruises
Visas for Norway, Iceland & the fjords cruises
Norway and Iceland are in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa covers them.
Guides: Schengen visa (Europe).
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to cruise Norway, Iceland & the fjords?
The cruise season is Jan, Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec; the best months are June, July, August.
Do I need a visa for a Norway, Iceland & the fjords cruise?
Norway and Iceland are in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa covers them.
How long is a typical Norway, Iceland & the fjords cruise?
Most are 7–14 nights, usually from Southampton, Hamburg, Kiel.
Which cruise lines sail Norway, Iceland & the fjords?
AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff), Ambassador Cruise Line, Viking (ocean & expedition), Cunard, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Saga Cruises, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), Hurtigruten (Norwegian Coastal Express), Havila Kystruten.
When can I see the Northern Lights on a cruise?
From roughly late September to March, north of the Arctic Circle. Coastal voyages to Tromsø, Alta and Kirkenes give the best chances; some lines offer a 'Northern Lights promise'.