Cruise through Norway’s spectacular scenery in ultimate comfort
Cruising the Norwegian fjords was like falling into a painting with picturesque views that take your breath away
IT felt close enough to touch yet too beautiful to be real.
Cruising the Norwegian fjords was like falling into a painting.
Mountains towered over still, blue waters for a picture-perfect moment as the Magellan slipped into Eidfjord.
We set sail from London Tilbury on the Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship for eight days experiencing Norway’s natural wonders.
Calling at Amsterdam, I witnessed the beauty of Keukenhof Gardens while thousands of locals in orange celebrated King’s Day on the cobbled streets.
Contrast that with where we were headed — a town of just 920 inhabitants and spectacular views overlooking the Vøringsfossen waterfall.
Water plunges 182 metres down the slopes of the snow-capped peaks, guaranteeing Instagram classics.
I went from feeling on top of the world to a fish out of water on a RIB boat on the Hardangerfjord.
We sped through the fjord at 40mph but regular intervals were spent with the engine off looking up at the striking mountains.
The tranquility was broken only by squeals of the passengers delighted to spot dolphins.
Another day at sea on the Magellan took us to Flam. The 1,250-berth ship boasts a Broadway-style show lounge, bars, restaurants and a spa.
Eat to your heart’s content at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with afternoon tea and snacks available in between.
But it’s not just the impressive service and good food that tempt some passengers to remain on board.
One guest emotionally described the Magellan and its crew as “family” and said she had another FIVE cruises already booked on it for the year ahead.
As a newcomer to cruising, the experience sailed way over and beyond my expectations. From the moment you step on to the ship, you are free of stress.
Someone has taken charge of the planning and your next meal is only a flight of stairs away.
At the same time, you can see the world with ease, waking up each day in a new destination.
On day five we arrived in Flam, somewhere so picturesque it almost didn’t seem real.
Flam means “little place between steep mountains” and has a population of just 500.
Those who visit can ride on one of the world’s steepest railways, travelling through the valley on the famous Flamsbana up to the mountain station of Myrdal.
No head for heights? A leisurely cruise on the Aurlandsfjord affords the chance to experience the beauty of Flam from the water.
We travelled along the fjord to a Viking village in Njardarheimr, where we were transported back more than 1,000 years to Viking days. There was even the chance to try our hands at axe throwing and archery.
Day six was spent in Olden and was my favourite stop on the Norwegian tour.
It wasn’t previously on my bucket list but seeing the Briksdal Glacier will be etched in my mind for ever.
You can reach it by hiking 3km into the Jostedalsbreen National Park.
Or take a ride to the glacier in a troll car — a dinky open-top vehicle — if you think you might struggle to go the distance.
Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the beautiful sight of glorious waterfalls and shimmering mountain lakes.
A short drive from here is the small village of Loen, where the new Skylift takes you from the fjord towards the clouds in five minutes.
Travelling in a cable car to reach the dizzy height of 1,100m gave me the chance to see Norway at its very finest.
No wonder the Skylift has become one of Norway’s greatest tourism attractions a year after it opened.
The restaurant at the top gives a panoramic view of Mount Skåla and Lake Lovatnet in the east and Jostedalsbreen Glacier and Olden in the south, with Nordfjord to the west.
Finally it was time to leave Loen and set sail for our final port, Bergen, known as the gateway to the fjords.
After Oslo it is Norway’s second-largest city and has all the buzz you would expect, but with the stunning backdrop of seven mountains.
Here, a quarter of a million people live, work and play despite 200 days of rain in a typical year. Bring a brolly.
The best view of the city is without doubt from Mount Fløyen.
A funicular can take you to the summit for unbeatable views of Bergen. If you choose to walk, the trip takes two and a half hours.
Other popular attractions include seeing characteristic wooden gabled buildings in Bryggen, which inspired Disney smash hit Frozen.
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The movie’s setting of Arendelle, ruled by Queen Elsa, was based on the city’s wharf, where charming souvenir shops are now found.
Bergen marked the end of my Norwegian fjords holiday but Cruise & Maritime Voyages sparked the beginning of my future adventures at sea.
GO: Fjords
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Aimed at passengers aged 50-plus.
The CMV ship Columbus will take a similar route over eight nights from Tilbury in August 2019, starting at £644pp.
The Astoria visits the fjords from Poole in April (nine nights, from £779pp) and the Magellan goes from Newcastle or Dundee in May, each with slightly different destinations (seven nights, from £869pp Newcastle and £939pp Dundee).
Full-board.
Drinks and shore excursions extra.
See .