Some of the best cruises in the world for scenery are those which sail in the Norwegian fjords. Costa Cruises, MSC, Norway Fjord Cruises and Hurtigruten offer some of the best Norwegian cruises. Sailing between snow-capped mountains in mirror-like fjords, the cruise ships pass isolated fishing villages along the coast of Norway which are almost cut off from civilization except by boat. Each port offers a taste of Norwegian history and culture and the opportunity to take trips inland.
The northern part of Norway lies within the Arctic circle, where cruises give passengers a unique chance to visit this sparsely populated land of tundra, glaciers and waterfalls. Tromso is the main city within the Arctic Circle and it has great museums and wildlife. It also offers the chance to experience the ‘midnight sun’ as dusk is swiftly followed by dawn during the summer in these northern areas. During the winter, the sun barely breaks over the horizon, creating almost totally dark days. The northern lights, called the Aurora Borealis, are another wonderful natural phenomenon as brightly colored lights can be seen dancing across the sky. They are caused by electrons colliding with air particles in the earth’s magnetic field.
One of the most popular ports on a Norwegian cruise is Bergen, with its colorful shops along the wharf. The town is full of narrow cobbled streets and quaint shops. Oslo features on some cruises, although the landscape around Oslo is flatter and less dramatic. A Christmas cruise can be particularly beautiful with the opportunity to ride snowmobiles, take a horse drawn sleigh ride, walk on a glacier and ski.
Mail boat cruises along the Norwegian coastline are very popular. They are on smaller ships and call at all the isolated communities delivering essential supplies and mail. Onboard all these cruises the food is legendary with many smorgasbord meals featuring fresh smoked salmon, fish and seafood which Norway is so famous for. Entertainment usually includes a Monte Carlo themed casino onboard which offers traditional gambling on slot machines, at poker tables and playing roulette.
