The best Norwegian fjords cruise deals

The Norwegian fjords are served by a number of cruise lines offering different styles of cruising. For luxury cruises to Norway we'd recommend cruising with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn or Silversea. All have small ships so they can access some fjords that the larger ships cannot access and they all offer cruises from UK ports such as Southampton, Tilbury and Dover. For more affordable cruising still in luxurious surroundings why not try Saga Cruises, Cunard, Viking Ocean Cruises or Fred. Olsen Cruise Line. Each offers its own style of British cruising and has ships ideally suited to cruising to Norway. If you really want to experience the smaller ports then there can be no better cruise line than Hurtigruten Expeditions. This Nordic cruise line still operates a service calling at the smaller ports on the coastline and now offers no-fly cruises to Norway from Dover.

It's hard to suggest any one ship is the best for a cruise to the Norwegian fjords. The style of cruising you like will dictate which cruise line you should travel with. We would say that you should remember that many of the ports that you may visit may only be small towns so large numbers of visitors at once may ruin the authentic feel of your destination. Smaller ships such as those you may find with Saga Cruises, Fred. Olsen and Hurtigruten Expeditions will be able to transit some fjords that larger ships may not be able to reach and berth at ports inaccessible by larger ships.

The Norwegian fjords offer a very different experience depending on the time of year that you visit. Until recently a Norwegian fjords cruise was very much a summer affair with departures from May in the Spring through to mid-September. Nowadays, however, you can cruise to Norway year-round thanks to the now regular cruises to the Northern Lights. If you're cruising in summer you can expect long days, stunning scenery, flowing waterfalls, meadows and hikes to the summit of the fjords. Winter cruising to Norway is a different experience with dog-sledding, ice fishing and other winter activities. For the ultimate experience join a Northern Lights cruiseto Alta where the sun barely rises and try to spot this amazing phenomenon.

What you need for your cruise to Norway will depend on what time of year you'll be travelling. Even in summer you'll need to cross the North Sea which should only take a day from the UK but it could be fairly chilly so take some layered clothing and a waterproof jacket. Once you arrive in Norway the weather can be fairly warm so be prepared with shorts and light clothing. Be aware that the weather can change quickly so take a jacket you can pack into a rucksack. In summer it's likely you may want to head up the summit of the fjords or take other excursions to take sturdy walking boots. If you're cruising in winter you'll need to wrap up warm. Solid footwear with good grip will be important as you get off the ship. Remember to take jumpers, hats and gloves. Some cruise lines will include winter wear within your cruise cost so make sure you check that out before you go. The scenery is spectacular so make sure you have your camera and you're ready to capture those shots of the Northern Lights.