norwegian fjords cruise holland america

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Holland America Line - Norwegian Fjords Cruise

During one of Holland America Line' Norwegian Fjords itineraries, you'll have the opportunity to take in some of Europe's most spectacular natural beauties. Exploring the Norwegian Fjords isn't limited to viewing from the ship; there are plenty of opportunities for off-board adventure. From thrilling RIB-boat tours that skim across the fjord's waters, to picturesque hiking trails that crisscross the stunning landscape, adventure awaits at every turn. Biking along the scenic Flåm railway, or kayaking in the tranquil waters of the fjords, presents another perspective of these geological wonders. Embark on a fjord safari to get up close to the magnificent waterfalls or try your hand at fishing in the rich marine life-filled waters.

Onboard a Holland America Line ship, you'll find a wealth of amenities and services to enhance your Northern Europe cruise. Indulge in world-class dining experiences featuring diverse cuisine options and exceptional service. Unwind in spacious and comfortable accommodations, take a dip in the pool, or relax at the spa. Engage in enriching activities such as live entertainment, educational programs, and art exhibitions. With Holland America Line, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that comes along with traveling with Holland America Line as you make your way through Norwegian Fjords region , where you'll get to see a wide range of different cultures, magnificent palaces, historical sites, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The Norwegian Fjords are steeped in fascinating history and vibrant local culture. Ancient tales of seafaring Vikings echo through the fjord's valleys, adding a layer of mystery to the awe-inspiring landscape. Lectures about the Sami, the indigenous people of Norway, provide insight into their traditional way of life and strong connection to the land. A visit to the region's ancient stave churches, such as the one in Borgund, serves as a window into the past. The fjords also carry an air of Norwegian folklore, with legends of trolls and mystical creatures intertwined with the area's cultural narrative.

Holland America Line Norwegian Fjords Cruise Schedule

Norwegian Fjords cruises are the ideal way to see the world and you can see a selection of these cruises from Holland America Line. Holland America Line have an exciting range of cruises from the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, all of which can be enjoyed without having to travel too far to join your cruise ship.

7-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Rotterdam

Rotterdam, holland america line.

Date: April 27, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Haugesund, Lerwick, Inverness, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

14-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Rotterdam

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Haugesund, Lerwick, Inverness, Rotterdam, Gothenburg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: May 25, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: June 1, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

21-day North Cape cruise from Rotterdam

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam, Alesund, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes, Lerwick, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

14-day North Cape cruise from Rotterdam

Date: June 8, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Alesund, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes, Lerwick, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Alesund, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Leknes, Lerwick, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Edinburgh, Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Haugesund, Lerwick, Inverness, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

7-day British Isles cruise from Rotterdam

Date: June 22, 2024

21-day Scandinavia cruise from Rotterdam

Date: June 29, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Gothenburg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rotterdam, Stavanger, Lerwick, Djupivogur, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Isle of Lewis, Inverness, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: July 6, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Stavanger, Lerwick, Djupivogur, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Isle of Lewis, Inverness, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

21-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Rotterdam

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Stavanger, Lerwick, Djupivogur, Akureyri, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Isle of Lewis, Inverness, Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: July 20, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: July 27, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Skye, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Holyhead, Cork, Bruges, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

21-day British Isles cruise from Rotterdam

Date: August 3, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Skye, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Holyhead, Cork, Bruges, Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Haugesund, Lerwick, Inverness, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Date: August 17, 2024

Date: August 24, 2024

Date: August 31, 2024

Date: September 14, 2024

Date: September 21, 2024

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam, Oslo, Aarhus, Warnemunde, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby, Ronne, Kiel, Copenhagen, Rotterdam; View Itinerary

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Holland America Line website.

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Review Norwegian Fjords on MS Rotterdam

By Muerz , June 5, 2022 in Holland America Line

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I returned from my first ever Holland America Cruise this past week and I wanted to share my experience with you. I have cruised a few times before, mostly with the mainstream cruise lines Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and AIDA. I also cruised twice with Hals's direct competition Celebrity and this was my first post-Covid cruise. In the first part of this review, I try to recount my experience „journal-style“, in the second part, I try to review the ship, the service and the different facilities and in the last part, I am going to summarize my experience in just a few words and give a rating comparing this to previous cruises.

I took the May 22 departure from Amsterdam on the new MS Rotterdam VII to beautiful Norway. Ports of call were the Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen and the cruise also included two sea days. Our family had two separate cabins (Verandah 8001 and inside 7119). 

I got to Amsterdam on the day before the cruise and used a free night to stay at the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport hotel, which just completed a total renovation - a great hotel. I stayed close to the airport mainly because I needed parking and parking cost is much more reasonable around the airport as opposed to the city center (up to 70€ a day). We ventured into the city in the afternoon and had a great Asian hot pot meal close to the red light district.

The next day, our assigned embarkation times were 2:20 pm and 3:00 pm respectively and we got to the port around 1:50 pm. What at that point had looked almost like a walk-on was abruptly stopped by port staff once we had dropped our luggage. Without further explanation, they held us in the downstairs waiting area for almost half an hour. Once they let us go up to the second floor, we had to wait once more in a seating area for almost another hour - the explanation we were given was that everybody showed up at the same time instead of when their assigned boarding time was - until our group was finally called to get in the next line so formalities and covid checks could be completed. That next line moved very fast though and we were finally onboard around 3:50 pm. So far, not an impressive performance: the first cruise line that did not let me choose my preferred boarding time and at the same time the first cruise that had significant boarding delays. 

Our first stop on board was our cabins in order to retrieve our keycards. We met our respective cabin stewards and they informed us that we needed to complete the muster as soon as possible. That meant we were gonna miss out on a really late lunch as the buffet was already about to close. Again, a really disappointing, lackluster and time-intensive boarding procedure and not the way we expected to start an upscale cruise. We had a quick and tasty lunch at the New York Deli and then found relaxing spots on the aft Deck 11 for sail away before taking a quick dip in the Lido pool. 

The first night in the MDR has been chaotic on every cruise we took so far and the Rotterdam was unfortunately no exception. Despite having reservations rather late at 8:30 pm, it took us a while to get seated and the service was hectic and slow at the same time. Food quality and taste were okay (without being great) but the portions were very small and the meals were served only lukewarm - we honestly could not understand why people would rave about food and service with HAL. We finished the night with a good cocktail at the Rolling Stones lounge listening to classic rock. The next morning started the way the first evening had ended: frustrated by the total incompetence of the wait staff at the MDR: 25 minutes from getting a table to ordering and a further 45 minutes until we got our meals. Of course, multiple items from our order were missing, no beverage refills, and not even simple orders like toast or croissants were available as they „ran out“ of these even before 9:00 am. I‘m having trouble finding words for the disappointing first 24 hours aboard the Rotterdam.

Fortunately - it all got better.

After these initial disappointments, we had a fabulous day on the Lido deck, enjoying the pool area as well as the sights of passing oil rigs and ships of all sizes. For lunch, we had very decent food from the New York Deli as well as the Dive-In burger joint. We especially liked the possibility of ordering over the Navigator app. As always on cruises, most people left the pool area between 4-5 pm and we had the lido deck almost to ourselves around 5:30 pm. Day 2 was the first gala night of our cruise and both food and service were an absolute class act. Definitely better food than on the mainstream cruise lines and the service was much calmer and at the same time faster than the night before. Once again, we finished off our night on the music walk and were listening to their dueling pianos in the Billboard room this time around. The piano guy even played our request Rocket Man as their final title of the night.

Day 3 was the first port of call, Eidfjord. Breakfast service at the MDR was once again painfully slow and this is why we decided to just not bother anymore and have breakfast at the Lido buffet instead for the remainder of our cruise. I’m not sure if they are just understaffed or what other reason there might be but breakfast took longer than the 4-course Gala meal the night before and that’s simply time I prefer to spend ashore or using the ship's facilities. We did not book any excursions on HAL, in fact, we almost always try to arrange private activities. Since we only booked this cruise 6 days before the departure, we were too late for many of the fun activities and therefore decided to mostly explore the ports of call this time around. We booked tickets on the Troll train and went to explore the village and the small shops and returned to the ship around 2 pm. After a quick lunch at the buffet, we decided to relax for an hour and then experience cruising the fjord from the sports deck. It‘s a breathtaking experience, the landscape is stunningly beautiful. Our evening concluded with an exceptional meal with outstanding service at Sel de Mer - most certainly among the top 3 dinners, I ever had on a ship.

Day 4 brought us to Ålesund where we also took the City sightseeing train to the Fjellstua viewpoint. What a beautiful view over this small but charming city. Once back downtown, we strolled a bit through the stores and tried to find some local food but unfortunately, most restaurants were closed until 5 pm. Interesting they don‘t open early on days when 3 cruise ships are in town (MS Rotterdam, MSC Grandiosa and MS Trollfjord). The weather was nice for sail away so we experienced it outside at the Sea View Bar on deck 9. Dinner at MDR and drinks at Full Moon bar to conclude the night.

On Day 5, the next port of call was Geiranger, a small village at the end of the famous Geirangerfjord. We took the hike up to the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint and also did the Norsk Fjordcenter museum on the way down. Again, breathtaking scenery, an absolute beauty, too bad the weather was rainy and stormy almost the entire day and only got better once we were leaving Geiranger. It‘s a beautiful stop that should be on every Norwegian cruise. We got lucky and got seats in the outdoor hot tub for sail away where we enjoyed the next two hours of cruising in the Geirangerfjord.

Day 6 was our last port of call: Bergen which is a rather large but also very beautiful city. We decided to take the Mt. Fløyen train up the mountain and hike back down to the city center. We ate at the local fish market and - shame on me - I tried whale. Interesting texture - if I didn‘t know what I was eating, I would have guessed beef but certainly not fish. We bought a few souvenirs, among them my first Norwegian Starbucks mugs and headed back to the ship. I wished we had a few more hours to spend in Bergen as I felt a bit rushed here. Once boarded, I had a Spa appointment for a quick back massage using the 50$ off coupon that was gifted to everyone aboard on the second day and we concluded the night with dinner at Pinnacle Grill. We were very happy with the food quality but service was rather slow that night - we’d been in the restaurant from 8:30 to 11:15 pm for appetizers, steak and dessert.

Day 7 was our second sea day on the way back to Amsterdam - we were relaxing the entire day in the Lido pool area. Once again, we passed many interesting ships and oil rigs. Dinner at MDR, a final cocktail at the Rolling Stones lounge and off to bed. We had our final breakfast at the buffet, said our goodbyes to our exceptional cabin stewards and were off the ship around 9 am. We ordered an Uber Van to get us back to our car at the airport and drove home.

I didn’t talk about the Rotterdam at all until now and that’s scandalous because she is a beauty. She is well designed, she never felt extremely crowded and there really is a lot to like about her. For starters, she is the perfect cold-weather ship and the same cruise would have been a lot less enjoyable for instance if there was no enclosed pool area. But we also liked the fact that the aft outside pool area has heaters installed over the bar and that even the outside pool is heated. Perfect for people like me who enjoy swimming! She is in pristine condition inside and out. I honestly don‘t remember anything I didn’t like about the ship itself. I like all the artwork you can admire in every elevator lobby and around the ship. I also really like the fact that they embrace their history and have paintings and models of the 6 previous MS Rotterdams sprinkled all over the ship. One minor problem is the sound system in many public areas: I honestly could not understand a single word the Captain/Cruise Director said when I was in the pool area.

The cabins are beautiful, I particularly like the subdued color palette and the larger-than-usual shower. Another plus: every cabin has an umbrella, blankets and beach towels. The Veranda room had enough space and the balcony felt larger than normal. I liked the real chair next to the desk - oftentimes you only get a stool. The inside cabin was smaller. Too bad there is no usable seating except for the bed. It‘s also sad they did not install virtual balconies like RCCL. A tiny point of criticism: the lack of tv channels. Don‘t get me wrong, I‘m not cruising to watch TV but given the very bad Internet onboard, it‘s nice to watch some news while getting ready for dinner. 

ENTERTAINMENT 

I don’t need much entertainment/activities in hotels or on cruise ships and I much appreciated the quiet zen-like atmosphere around the pool area. The live music on the music walk was top-notch. BB Kings had awesome blues performances, the Billboard piano players were very good (but the duo changed on the last night and the new crew seemed less good) and the Rolling Stones classic rock cover band kept the party going (their only weak point is the female voice). I did not attend any shows in the main theater though. They also had movie nights on the big screen in the pool area. I wish they would stream the bow or aft cam on the big screen while cruising the fjords.

- MDR: I had a so-so dinner the first night in the main dining room. All other meals were very tasty and of rather high quality. I was particularly impressed with the high quality of the fish meals and the creative appetizers. I usually don’t take beef in the main dining room as they never seem to get the temperature right but the beef tenderloin on the Gala night was simply perfect. I even reordered a second serving. Maybe finetune the little details like a changing bread basket instead of serving the same bread over and over again. On the other hand, breakfast and lunch in the MDR were subpar. Extremely long waiting times (more than 70 minutes for breakfast entrees), amateurish service, missing orders, and the list goes on. Skip eating here, the buffet has practically the same stuff with no waiting. 

- Sel de Mer: WOW - maybe the best meal I ever had on a cruise ship. A fantastic menu and beautifully presented by top-notch waiters. We had Dover Sole, Lobster and Bouillabaisse and honestly, all meals were just perfect, as were the appetizers like Escargot or Steak Tartare and even the desserts (Crepe Suzette and Salzburger Nockerl). This was by far the best food we had on the ship.

- Pinnacle Grill: also a great experience but honestly a step or two below Sel de Mer. The Steak Tartare was for instance better at Sel de Mer. The beef filet wasn‘t better than the one in the MDR during gala night and the chocolate soufflé was identical to the one in the MDR. Still very good but very slow service - not an absolute must in my book. 

- Lido Buffet: One of the better buffets I‘ve seen on cruise ships. I liked the way they serve the customers so no one touches the food with their hands. Also good waiter service. Maybe a bit too small to handle all the crowds for breakfast and lunch.

- Grand Dutch / New York Deli / Dive In: Quick serve restaurants that serve nice lunch options. I liked the Matjes and Apple Pancakes at Grand Dutch. The sandwiches are better than the pizza at the Deli and Guy Fieris on Carnival still has the upper hand as far as burgers are concerned but we were happy with all three options. 

I got wonderful cocktails at BB Kings, Ocean Bar and Half Moon Bar on the second deck. Three Mile Run at Half Moon Bar was my favorite cocktail on the MS Rotterdam. An absolute delight. As far as the top-level bars are concerned, I preferred the Panorama Bar on deck 10 to the Lido Bar on deck 9. Sea View Bar was only happening with smokers and Sun Bar on deck 11 was almost always closed because of the weather. Crows Nest has such a beautiful setting and would be a great location for the more elaborate cocktails of the Half Moon Bar. All bars were staffed with friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a step above the mainstream cruise lines. 

As said before, we received exceptional service from our cabin stewards as well as in Sel de Mer and the different bars. We also had pretty good experiences in the Spa and in the casual dining places. Unfortunately, service at the MDR was hit and miss. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

- There seemed to be many staff members leaving the ship in Amsterdam on May 29th when our cruise ended. The Billboard piano players, several barkeepers and servers were among those that mentioned to us their contract was up.

- Many of the entertainers gathered all day long in the pool area, restaurants and on deck, something I did not notice as extensively on other cruise lines.

- Internet speed aboard this ship was unfortunately a big problem. Good thing I could use the excellent Norwegian 4/5G network on my European cell phone plan.

- The shopping selection aboard is rather limited, I found for instance no branded HAL memorabilia that looked great.

A spectacular routing on an excellent ship. This cruise was truly a wonderful experience - I wasn’t disappointed by this first HAL cruise except for some service issues mentioned before. 

BUT I wasn‘t as wowed as I was with Celebrity Cruises. It‘s the little details that Celebrity does better and why I would rank HAL below Celebrity but certainly a step above the mainstream cruise lines. 

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Thank you for sharing your cruise experience! 

puppycanducruise

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Ok, now I want to cruise Norway...

4 minutes ago, julia said: Ok, now I want to cruise Norway...

Cruising to Norway is great.  Go!

Thanks for a well-written review. Haven’t been on HAL much, but looking forward to Rotterdam to Norway in a few weeks. 

Great review.  On July 10th cruise out of Amsterdam!!!

bluesplayer

26 minutes ago, Kamfish642 said: Great review.  On July 10th cruise out of Amsterdam!!!

Hope you will do a comparison review.  Much thanks to OP for this review.  I have sailed Celebrity twice and enjoyed cruising with them. I would give HA the edge of the half star.  This was pre Covid so now..  who knows..  thanks again for your review 

Thanks for your review. I think you pretty much nailed it on the pros and cons of Holland America. What you observed is pretty much the new normal for Holland America. There are just some things they could tweak to make them closer to other cruise lines such as Celebrity but it will not happen. But HAL has some very good things like you mentioned. Over all pricing I beleive is ever so slightly less than Celebrity so there you have it.

We will be sailing the Rotterdam July 10th as well and thinking about doing a Live From since we really have not had many here on the HAL Board recently.

Gail & Marty sailing away

Thanks for sharing..

On 6/5/2022 at 4:33 PM, Muerz said: I returned from my first ever Holland America Cruise this past week and I wanted to share my experience with you. I have cruised a few times before, mostly with the mainstream cruise lines Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and AIDA. I also cruised twice with Hals's direct competition Celebrity and this was my first post-Covid cruise. In the first part of this review, I try to recount my experience „journal-style“, in the second part, I try to review the ship, the service and the different facilities and in the last part, I am going to summarize my experience in just a few words and give a rating comparing this to previous cruises.   I took the May 22 departure from Amsterdam on the new MS Rotterdam VII to beautiful Norway. Ports of call were the Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen and the cruise also included two sea days. Our family had two separate cabins (Verandah 8001 and inside 7119).    I got to Amsterdam on the day before the cruise and used a free night to stay at the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport hotel, which just completed a total renovation - a great hotel. I stayed close to the airport mainly because I needed parking and parking cost is much more reasonable around the airport as opposed to the city center (up to 70€ a day). We ventured into the city in the afternoon and had a great Asian hot pot meal close to the red light district.   The next day, our assigned embarkation times were 2:20 pm and 3:00 pm respectively and we got to the port around 1:50 pm. What at that point had looked almost like a walk-on was abruptly stopped by port staff once we had dropped our luggage. Without further explanation, they held us in the downstairs waiting area for almost half an hour. Once they let us go up to the second floor, we had to wait once more in a seating area for almost another hour - the explanation we were given was that everybody showed up at the same time instead of when their assigned boarding time was - until our group was finally called to get in the next line so formalities and covid checks could be completed. That next line moved very fast though and we were finally onboard around 3:50 pm. So far, not an impressive performance: the first cruise line that did not let me choose my preferred boarding time and at the same time the first cruise that had significant boarding delays.    Our first stop on board was our cabins in order to retrieve our keycards. We met our respective cabin stewards and they informed us that we needed to complete the muster as soon as possible. That meant we were gonna miss out on a really late lunch as the buffet was already about to close. Again, a really disappointing, lackluster and time-intensive boarding procedure and not the way we expected to start an upscale cruise. We had a quick and tasty lunch at the New York Deli and then found relaxing spots on the aft Deck 11 for sail away before taking a quick dip in the Lido pool.    The first night in the MDR has been chaotic on every cruise we took so far and the Rotterdam was unfortunately no exception. Despite having reservations rather late at 8:30 pm, it took us a while to get seated and the service was hectic and slow at the same time. Food quality and taste were okay (without being great) but the portions were very small and the meals were served only lukewarm - we honestly could not understand why people would rave about food and service with HAL. We finished the night with a good cocktail at the Rolling Stones lounge listening to classic rock. The next morning started the way the first evening had ended: frustrated by the total incompetence of the wait staff at the MDR: 25 minutes from getting a table to ordering and a further 45 minutes until we got our meals. Of course, multiple items from our order were missing, no beverage refills, and not even simple orders like toast or croissants were available as they „ran out“ of these even before 9:00 am. I‘m having trouble finding words for the disappointing first 24 hours aboard the Rotterdam.   Fortunately - it all got better.   After these initial disappointments, we had a fabulous day on the Lido deck, enjoying the pool area as well as the sights of passing oil rigs and ships of all sizes. For lunch, we had very decent food from the New York Deli as well as the Dive-In burger joint. We especially liked the possibility of ordering over the Navigator app. As always on cruises, most people left the pool area between 4-5 pm and we had the lido deck almost to ourselves around 5:30 pm. Day 2 was the first gala night of our cruise and both food and service were an absolute class act. Definitely better food than on the mainstream cruise lines and the service was much calmer and at the same time faster than the night before. Once again, we finished off our night on the music walk and were listening to their dueling pianos in the Billboard room this time around. The piano guy even played our request Rocket Man as their final title of the night.   Day 3 was the first port of call, Eidfjord. Breakfast service at the MDR was once again painfully slow and this is why we decided to just not bother anymore and have breakfast at the Lido buffet instead for the remainder of our cruise. I’m not sure if they are just understaffed or what other reason there might be but breakfast took longer than the 4-course Gala meal the night before and that’s simply time I prefer to spend ashore or using the ship's facilities. We did not book any excursions on HAL, in fact, we almost always try to arrange private activities. Since we only booked this cruise 6 days before the departure, we were too late for many of the fun activities and therefore decided to mostly explore the ports of call this time around. We booked tickets on the Troll train and went to explore the village and the small shops and returned to the ship around 2 pm. After a quick lunch at the buffet, we decided to relax for an hour and then experience cruising the fjord from the sports deck. It‘s a breathtaking experience, the landscape is stunningly beautiful. Our evening concluded with an exceptional meal with outstanding service at Sel de Mer - most certainly among the top 3 dinners, I ever had on a ship.   Day 4 brought us to Ålesund where we also took the City sightseeing train to the Fjellstua viewpoint. What a beautiful view over this small but charming city. Once back downtown, we strolled a bit through the stores and tried to find some local food but unfortunately, most restaurants were closed until 5 pm. Interesting they don‘t open early on days when 3 cruise ships are in town (MS Rotterdam, MSC Grandiosa and MS Trollfjord). The weather was nice for sail away so we experienced it outside at the Sea View Bar on deck 9. Dinner at MDR and drinks at Full Moon bar to conclude the night.   On Day 5, the next port of call was Geiranger, a small village at the end of the famous Geirangerfjord. We took the hike up to the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint and also did the Norsk Fjordcenter museum on the way down. Again, breathtaking scenery, an absolute beauty, too bad the weather was rainy and stormy almost the entire day and only got better once we were leaving Geiranger. It‘s a beautiful stop that should be on every Norwegian cruise. We got lucky and got seats in the outdoor hot tub for sail away where we enjoyed the next two hours of cruising in the Geirangerfjord.   Day 6 was our last port of call: Bergen which is a rather large but also very beautiful city. We decided to take the Mt. Fløyen train up the mountain and hike back down to the city center. We ate at the local fish market and - shame on me - I tried whale. Interesting texture - if I didn‘t know what I was eating, I would have guessed beef but certainly not fish. We bought a few souvenirs, among them my first Norwegian Starbucks mugs and headed back to the ship. I wished we had a few more hours to spend in Bergen as I felt a bit rushed here. Once boarded, I had a Spa appointment for a quick back massage using the 50$ off coupon that was gifted to everyone aboard on the second day and we concluded the night with dinner at Pinnacle Grill. We were very happy with the food quality but service was rather slow that night - we’d been in the restaurant from 8:30 to 11:15 pm for appetizers, steak and dessert.   Day 7 was our second sea day on the way back to Amsterdam - we were relaxing the entire day in the Lido pool area. Once again, we passed many interesting ships and oil rigs. Dinner at MDR, a final cocktail at the Rolling Stones lounge and off to bed. We had our final breakfast at the buffet, said our goodbyes to our exceptional cabin stewards and were off the ship around 9 am. We ordered an Uber Van to get us back to our car at the airport and drove home.   SHIP I didn’t talk about the Rotterdam at all until now and that’s scandalous because she is a beauty. She is well designed, she never felt extremely crowded and there really is a lot to like about her. For starters, she is the perfect cold-weather ship and the same cruise would have been a lot less enjoyable for instance if there was no enclosed pool area. But we also liked the fact that the aft outside pool area has heaters installed over the bar and that even the outside pool is heated. Perfect for people like me who enjoy swimming! She is in pristine condition inside and out. I honestly don‘t remember anything I didn’t like about the ship itself. I like all the artwork you can admire in every elevator lobby and around the ship. I also really like the fact that they embrace their history and have paintings and models of the 6 previous MS Rotterdams sprinkled all over the ship. One minor problem is the sound system in many public areas: I honestly could not understand a single word the Captain/Cruise Director said when I was in the pool area.   CABINS The cabins are beautiful, I particularly like the subdued color palette and the larger-than-usual shower. Another plus: every cabin has an umbrella, blankets and beach towels. The Veranda room had enough space and the balcony felt larger than normal. I liked the real chair next to the desk - oftentimes you only get a stool. The inside cabin was smaller. Too bad there is no usable seating except for the bed. It‘s also sad they did not install virtual balconies like RCCL. A tiny point of criticism: the lack of tv channels. Don‘t get me wrong, I‘m not cruising to watch TV but given the very bad Internet onboard, it‘s nice to watch some news while getting ready for dinner.    ENTERTAINMENT  I don’t need much entertainment/activities in hotels or on cruise ships and I much appreciated the quiet zen-like atmosphere around the pool area. The live music on the music walk was top-notch. BB Kings had awesome blues performances, the Billboard piano players were very good (but the duo changed on the last night and the new crew seemed less good) and the Rolling Stones classic rock cover band kept the party going (their only weak point is the female voice). I did not attend any shows in the main theater though. They also had movie nights on the big screen in the pool area. I wish they would stream the bow or aft cam on the big screen while cruising the fjords.   FOOD - MDR: I had a so-so dinner the first night in the main dining room. All other meals were very tasty and of rather high quality. I was particularly impressed with the high quality of the fish meals and the creative appetizers. I usually don’t take beef in the main dining room as they never seem to get the temperature right but the beef tenderloin on the Gala night was simply perfect. I even reordered a second serving. Maybe finetune the little details like a changing bread basket instead of serving the same bread over and over again. On the other hand, breakfast and lunch in the MDR were subpar. Extremely long waiting times (more than 70 minutes for breakfast entrees), amateurish service, missing orders, and the list goes on. Skip eating here, the buffet has practically the same stuff with no waiting.  - Sel de Mer: WOW - maybe the best meal I ever had on a cruise ship. A fantastic menu and beautifully presented by top-notch waiters. We had Dover Sole, Lobster and Bouillabaisse and honestly, all meals were just perfect, as were the appetizers like Escargot or Steak Tartare and even the desserts (Crepe Suzette and Salzburger Nockerl). This was by far the best food we had on the ship. - Pinnacle Grill: also a great experience but honestly a step or two below Sel de Mer. The Steak Tartare was for instance better at Sel de Mer. The beef filet wasn‘t better than the one in the MDR during gala night and the chocolate soufflé was identical to the one in the MDR. Still very good but very slow service - not an absolute must in my book.  - Lido Buffet: One of the better buffets I‘ve seen on cruise ships. I liked the way they serve the customers so no one touches the food with their hands. Also good waiter service. Maybe a bit too small to handle all the crowds for breakfast and lunch. - Grand Dutch / New York Deli / Dive In: Quick serve restaurants that serve nice lunch options. I liked the Matjes and Apple Pancakes at Grand Dutch. The sandwiches are better than the pizza at the Deli and Guy Fieris on Carnival still has the upper hand as far as burgers are concerned but we were happy with all three options.    DRINKS I got wonderful cocktails at BB Kings, Ocean Bar and Half Moon Bar on the second deck. Three Mile Run at Half Moon Bar was my favorite cocktail on the MS Rotterdam. An absolute delight. As far as the top-level bars are concerned, I preferred the Panorama Bar on deck 10 to the Lido Bar on deck 9. Sea View Bar was only happening with smokers and Sun Bar on deck 11 was almost always closed because of the weather. Crows Nest has such a beautiful setting and would be a great location for the more elaborate cocktails of the Half Moon Bar. All bars were staffed with friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a step above the mainstream cruise lines.    SERVICE As said before, we received exceptional service from our cabin stewards as well as in Sel de Mer and the different bars. We also had pretty good experiences in the Spa and in the casual dining places. Unfortunately, service at the MDR was hit and miss.    MISCELLANEOUS  - There seemed to be many staff members leaving the ship in Amsterdam on May 29th when our cruise ended. The Billboard piano players, several barkeepers and servers were among those that mentioned to us their contract was up. - Many of the entertainers gathered all day long in the pool area, restaurants and on deck, something I did not notice as extensively on other cruise lines. - Internet speed aboard this ship was unfortunately a big problem. Good thing I could use the excellent Norwegian 4/5G network on my European cell phone plan. - The shopping selection aboard is rather limited, I found for instance no branded HAL memorabilia that looked great.   REVIEW A spectacular routing on an excellent ship. This cruise was truly a wonderful experience - I wasn’t disappointed by this first HAL cruise except for some service issues mentioned before.  BUT I wasn‘t as wowed as I was with Celebrity Cruises. It‘s the little details that Celebrity does better and why I would rank HAL below Celebrity but certainly a step above the mainstream cruise lines.  4,5 Stars  

Thanks for this great review. I love both HAL and Celebrity. Maybe a fairer comparison would be HAL post covid vs Celebriry post covid.

We were on May 22 until June 5th. I thought the dining room dinners were excellent…just wish they didn’t just do a 7 day cycle since so many people were on b2b and more. Tamarind was our favorite special restaurant and Rudi’s our least favorite. Canaletto was very good, especially for the price.

the music, especially the BBKing blues club, were excellent. The National Geographic presentation each week was also excellent.

HAL implemented mandatory masks indoors and on excursions but failed and refused to enforce it. They did the mask mandate because of a high amount of Covid onboard so why refuse to enforce.

the naming ceremony was for the special guests and the regular passengers were treated poorly. Our dinner reservations that night were changed without notifying us because they had their guests. We showed up and we’re told to come back at 8:15….at which time there was a mad dash to find a table to sit at.

NavyCruiser

Thanks for the detailed review.

Looking forward to sailing her & hopefully the service issues will be improved by Sept...

23 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said: Thanks for your review. I think you pretty much nailed it on the pros and cons of Holland America. What you observed is pretty much the new normal for Holland America. There are just some things they could tweak to make them closer to other cruise lines such as Celebrity but it will not happen. But HAL has some very good things like you mentioned. Over all pricing I beleive is ever so slightly less than Celebrity so there you have it. We will be sailing the Rotterdam July 10th as well and thinking about doing a Live From since we really have not had many here on the HAL Board recently.

Hello LAFFNVEGAS.  My wife and I are also on the July 10 cruise of the Amsterdam.  Without hijacking post, have you been able to printout your Express Docs (boarding passes) yet?  They were supposed to be available on approximately May 26 and I am getting run around by HAL representative who is unable to answer why we cannot access.

1 hour ago, Kamfish642 said: Hello LAFFNVEGAS.  My wife and I are also on the July 10 cruise of the Amsterdam.  Without hijacking post, have you been able to printout your Express Docs (boarding passes) yet?  They were supposed to be available on approximately May 26 and I am getting run around by HAL representative who is unable to answer why we cannot access.

No unfortunately they still are not available, plus just today they canceled an excursions I think most were taking for Kristiansand.

Kristiansand was a really nice town just to walk around.

18 hours ago, macaroni said: We were on May 22 until June 5th. I thought the dining room dinners were excellent…just wish they didn’t just do a 7 day cycle since so many people were on b2b and more. Tamarind was our favorite special restaurant and Rudi’s our least favorite. Canaletto was very good, especially for the price. the music, especially the BBKing blues club, were excellent. The National Geographic presentation each week was also excellent. HAL implemented mandatory masks indoors and on excursions but failed and refused to enforce it. They did the mask mandate because of a high amount of Covid onboard so why refuse to enforce. the naming ceremony was for the special guests and the regular passengers were treated poorly. Our dinner reservations that night were changed without notifying us because they had their guests. We showed up and we’re told to come back at 8:15….at which time there was a mad dash to find a table to sit at.  

Is there anything more contradictory than a mandatory policy that is not enforced?

Someone in authority on the ship should be blamed for that? 

I agree. It was ridiculous. Made many of us uncomfortable. We were put into a position of having to ask people to mask up and not letting unmasked enter an elevator, which we rarely took. We had a great cruise and would do HAL again, but not until we don’t have to worry about Covid. Very disappointed in them.

Sunshineliving

On 6/5/2022 at 10:33 AM, Muerz said: Billboard piano players were very good (but the duo changed on the last night and the new crew seemed less good)

Thank you for the review. Did you catch the names of the new piano players? 

Do you have a link for the tour in Eidfjord?  Also, how long was the hike up to Flydalsjuvet in Geiranger?  TIA.    

6 hours ago, ontheweb said: Is there anything more contradictory than a mandatory policy that is not enforced?   Someone in authority on the ship should be blamed for that? 

I am on the Rotterdam now. 2200 to 2400 total. Over 1700 Dutch. Very difficult to enforce anything when the Netherlands has no mandates. As an FYI masks are only recommended on this cruise.

7 minutes ago, Laminator said: I am on the Rotterdam now. 2200 to 2400 total. Over 1700 Dutch. Very difficult to enforce anything when the Netherlands has no mandates. As an FYI masks are only recommended on this cruise.

I don't think there is a need for enforcement when something is recommended, but when it changes to REQUIRED, that is when there is a need for enforcement. Presumably, there is a reason it becomes required instead of recommended.

If no enforcement, is there any way to actually say and mean it is REQUIRED?

Thanks for your take on Rotterdam. We were on her in December with about 1600 guests and 900 crew. See my review below (Word document). I watch You Tube Cruise bloggers every day. A common thread is the LACK OF CREW on almost every cruise line and that is affecting service. We are HAL 3 Star but our next cruise (Oct. 2023) is an RCI transatlantic on Anthem (price first, itinerary second). That will be our 2nd transatlantic on RCI since 2008 (Navigator from Barcelona).

Rotterdam 2021 review.docx

Oceansaway17

On 6/5/2022 at 12:02 PM, BEAV said: Thanks for a well-written review. Haven’t been on HAL much, but looking forward to Rotterdam to Norway in a few weeks. 

I have not been on HAL since 2016 and I was supposed to be on this ship last month.

Due to testing issues and not wanting to get stuck in isolation, I cancelled.

I was in Norway in 2018 on Serenade and enjoyed very much.

I hope to get back twice next year - NCL Prima doing Iceland and Norway, and then later on Just a week from Copenhagen that overnights in Oslo.

Enjoy your trip and dress in light layers and wear comfy shoes.  Also take a real camera with good zoom.  Cell phones are good, but a real camera is IMHO needed for Norway.

6 hours ago, ontheweb said: I don't think there is a need for enforcement when something is recommended, but when it changes to REQUIRED, that is when there is a need for enforcement. Presumably, there is a reason it becomes required instead of recommended.   If no enforcement, is there any way to actually say and mean it is REQUIRED?

I think HAL has a reasonable understanding of what their limitations are. They have a very limited staff. If compliance was 80% they may have a chance. I am guessing compliance was 20% or below. What can they do? Give out mask citations? Tell the guests they are not allowed to eat on ship for the next 24 hours? We are not in the US now. HAL is sailing in countries that have no mask mandates. Those citizens are by far the majority on these cruises. It would be impossible for HAL to enforce. They did the best they could do under the circumstances. 

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Norwegian Fjords Cruise on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider’s Guide

Posted on Published: August 14, 2019  - Last updated: January 31, 2021

Categories Blog , Cruise , Europe , Nieuw Statendam 2019 , Norway

A Norwegian fjords cruise is an amazing way to absorb the stunning scenery of Norway. What better way to see the captivating beauty of Norway than by taking a Norwegian fjords cruise? Wake up to stunning and wondrous views each day from a new Norwegian town. Sail past towering mountains and rugged cliffs. Spot the tiny, colorful houses that dot the rocky mountains as you drift by. It’s truly a magical vacation that you need to take in your lifetime.

Justin and I embarked on the 7 day Viking Sagas cruise with Holland America Line. We sailed aboard their newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam , from Amsterdam to four Norwegian port towns: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. There were also two days at sea where we had the opportunity to relax and enjoy cruise ship living.

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Table of Contents

Reasons to Take a Norwegian Fjords Cruise

There are many advantages to taking a Norwegian fjords cruise over a land trip. First, it’s an easy way to travel from one place to the next. You fly into and out of the same airport (in our case, Amsterdam), board the ship with your belongings, and you don’t have to worry about transportation between cities.

You spend each night in a comfortable room, waking up in a new place each day. And you’ll be able to unpack and get settled for the week. This is such a wonderful perk as we’re used to taking road trips where we essentially live out of our suitcases.

The views from this Holland America Norway cruise are nothing short of spectacular. To fully appreciate the fjords, it’s best to view them from the middle of the water. You’ll be able to walk around the ship for 360 degree panoramic perspectives of the scenery all around you.

There are ample opportunities for scenic fjord cruising. I also loved viewing each port or town from the vantage point of our balcony cabin (or from the top decks of the ship). It’s almost like having your own aerial view – no drone required!

In addition, having traveled through a couple of Scandinavian cities in the past ( Copenhagen and Reykjavik , for example), we know that these countries are expensive. Dining out, spending the night, and most other costs of traveling in Norway are not cheap.

Sailing aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise helps keep the cost down. It isn’t necessary to dine off the cruise ship when all the meals on the ship are included in the price. Taking a Norway coastal cruise is one of the most cost effective ways of traveling around the country.

When to Take a Norway Coastal Cruise

The summer months are the best time to visit Norway, with the chances of having the best weather. The Nieuw Statendam cruises around Norway from May to September. There are also opportunities to extend your cruise to lengthier expeditions, like cruising to Iceland, exploring more countries on a Scandinavia cruise, and even crossing the Arctic Circle.

Justin and I sailed at the end of July and into the beginning of August, which I’d consider to be the best time for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

Packing for the Weather

Norway isn’t known for having stable weather, so expect a little bit of everything. We had days with bright sunshine and hot temperatures. We also had days of rain, wind, and seasonably cool temperatures. Expect everything, even all in one day. I recommend bringing a good mix of clothing: shorts and tank tops for the hot days, jeans and sweaters for the cooler ones. Pack everything from sunscreen to a rain jacket and umbrella .

Why Holland America Line for a Norway Cruise?

This was our first cruise with Holland America Line, and we absolutely recommend sailing with this cruise line for your upcoming holiday. We were both super impressed with the quality of service, the friendly and helpful staff, the level of care, the quality of the food, the comfort and cleanliness of our room, the on board entertainment, and the ports / destinations for the sailing. I’m so pleased to write such a glowing review of our vacation on the Nieuw Statendam. You’ll truly feel refreshed, invigorated, and enlightened after your cruise to Norway.

It’s a total breeze to book and plan your Norwegian fjords cruise. You can book everything directly through the Holland America Line website. Book your cruise, your shore excursions, spa treatments or dinner reservations in advance. You can print your boarding passes and luggage tags in advance of your cruise. It’s easy to arrange transportation from the airport to the cruise ship ahead of time. Then, the check-in process is easy-peasy. Cruising is such a stress-free way to travel where you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

Perhaps you’d like to wait to book some activities until you’re on board? That works, too. Once you’re on the ship, you’ll have access to a range of activities in the daily “When & Where” guide. These details also appear on your stateroom TV and you can even look them up on your smartphone.

The Nieuw Statendam is a cruise ship that focuses on music and art. Out of all the cruises I’ve taken , this one has the best nightly entertainment that I’ve ever experienced. Justin and I spent every night at the Music Walk on deck 2. We floated between the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard, and B.B. King’s Blues Club where you could always hear live music all night long.

Ship Life on Nieuw Statendam

One of our favorite aspects of cruising is life on board the cruise ship. It’s like a little floating city, but it’s not really like any typical city I’ve visited. First, it’s common place to greet everyone as you pass one another down the hallway or have small chats on the elevator. It’s easy to get to know the cruise ship staff because you’ll chat to them everyday. You can make friends everywhere you go: on excursions, at the pool, and at the music venues.

Our Verandah Stateroom

Justin and I stayed in a Verandah Spa Stateroom on the Nieuw Statendam, cabin #10035 (category VQ). This balcony cabin features one queen sized bed (can be made up into two twin beds), a sitting area with a couch, a private verandah, a shower, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This room is located on the Panorama Deck (deck 10), which meant that our verandah had amazing views from high up on the ship.

The style of the room feels light and airy, and more open and spacious than our past cruise ship cabins. I love the lighter colored wooden furnishings and the shades of turquoise and lime throughout the room. It really presents a breezy vacation vibe.

I highly recommend choosing a verandah room during a Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s possible to wake up and watch the scenic sailings through the fjords right from your own room. Order room service breakfast and you don’t even have to leave your cabin to dine and enjoy the brilliant scenery.

There are many modern amenities throughout the stateroom. First, we loved the big flat screen TV across from the bed with a video on-demand service. This not only beats the smaller TVs we’ve seen on other cruise ships, but we’ve never had this amount of new movies to watch from the comfort of our room before.

It’s like having a mini Netflix, right in the room. If you have some downtime on a sea day or want to unwind at night, feel free to curl up in your cabin and catch up on some movies.

There are also plenty of outlets in the cabin, both North American and European. You’ll find USB ports above both bedside tables for your phones. We also found that the Wi-Fi was quite speedy from inside our cabin, more so than other public areas on the ship.

We were also super comfortable in our cabin each day and night. The signature Mariner’s Dream bed was the perfect place to drift off into sleep and allowed us to feel well rested upon waking each day. There’s also an in-room safe, a mini fridge, ice service, complimentary fresh fruit on request, a magnifying make-up mirror, a blow dryer, 100% Egyptian cotton towels, and a premium massage shower head.

The nightly turn down service each evening by our cabin steward was made extra special with a new origami towel animal each night. We loved the special touch of having a new animal on our bed when we came back from dinner and drinks each night. It was always a surprise to see which animal would appear. Our favorite was definitely the monkey, hanging out in the middle of the room on a clothes hanger!

Public Spaces on Nieuw Statendam

There are lots of public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for various interests and activities. There are two swimming pools, a larger one in the middle of the ship and one at the back of the ship, as well as numerous hot tubs. The bigger mid-ship pool is beneath a retractable roof, which stays closed if the weather isn’t cooperating.

You can take a dip in this pool if it’s raining or chilly outside, and the water is heated, too. You can even watch movies by the pool at night with popcorn and snacks. There are a variety of seating options near the pool like loungers, tables and chairs for dining, and even larger couches and chaise lounges that are totally appropriate for a midday snooze.

Nieuw Statendam has a bright and modern fitness center with loads of cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, and a separate room for spin classes. While we only managed to make it to the gym once, it was such an enjoyable experience.

There are cycling machines with digital monitors offering virtual riding experiences, which almost makes you forget that you’re working out. The treadmills face directly out to the front of the ship, so you can absorb the soothing ocean views as you exercise. If you’d rather get your exercise outdoors, there’s an outdoor jogging track, outdoor exercise machines, and a basketball court.

This Nordic cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam has lots of bars and meeting spaces to gather with friends and loved ones. Meet over a drink while listening to a variety of music. There’s also a casino, on board shops, an art gallery, numerous dining venues, a full service spa and salon, and two coffee shops for your caffeine fix.

Entertainment Options

On sea days and at night on your Norwegian fjords cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam, you won’t have to worry about feeling bored. There are non-stop activities and entertainment throughout the cruise. However, it’s all up to you. If you feel like relaxing by the pool and reading a book, go for it!

We participated in a few of the entertainment options and activities on our Holland America Norway cruise. One of our favorite things about cruising to Norway on the Nieuw Statendam was the entertainment itself. In addition to performances and comedy shows in the theater, we spent most of our evenings at Nieuw Statendam’s Music Walk. There’s non-stop live music all night long.

In one space, there’s the Billboard Onboard bar and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. There’s a rock band that performs in the Rolling Stone bar, and there are a pair of dueling piano performers at Billboard. Each plays a set for about 45 minutes. When the band finishes playing at Rolling Stone, the music immediately starts up across the way at Billboard. When the pianists wrap up their set, the live music starts again at Rolling Stone.

And then there’s the band at B.B. King’s down the hallway. The musical act at B.B. Kings plays lots of pop hits, R&B, and blues music. In the band, there are vocalists, musicians on guitar, keys, drums, saxophone, and one of the most talented bassists we’ve ever seen. There’s a massive dance floor at B.B. King’s so you can shake what you’ve got.

On sea days, check the “When & Where” guide for daily activities. There are dance classes, ping pong tournaments, talks about history and nature, trivia and board games, and so much more. We took a tour of the kitchen one morning to gain insights into the behind-the-scenes operations in preparing the food on the cruise.

Did you know that the average weekly consumption of melon on board totals a whopping 4000 lbs? And the total amount of fresh vegetables for the passengers on board for the week is 18,000 lbs? There are a lot of mouths to feed, and the kitchen staff runs a “tight ship” (pardon the pun!). There’s a huge focus on cleanliness, being quick and efficient, and following a set of protocols that even includes official guidelines on plating meals.

Another interesting activity for the wine fans on board is the intimate tasting and wine blending class, BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle. While Justin and I enjoy wine, we both like drinking beer a little bit more than wine. We headed to the European beer tasting at the Billboard Onboard one afternoon. We sampled a few different European beers in various styles and engaged in a small beer trivia session with the host.

Art on Nieuw Statendam

You won’t find the antiquated cruise ship art auction on Nieuw Statendam. Instead, the entire cruise ship acts like a floating art gallery. There’s a separate smaller art gallery on board, but the best art is spread throughout the ship. In every stairwell, you’ll find unique and impressive works of art that look straight out of a museum. When you get off the elevator, you’ll discover statues, sculptures, and other three dimensional art pieces in various styles.

The central atrium on Nieuw Statendam is an architectural marvel, too. With a dramatic sculpture at its center, the central atrium extends three floors up with winding staircases. At the top, there’s an impressive ceiling with changing colors and projections. You might see pastel colors, wispy clouds, or constellations up above when you’re wandering through the atrium.

Club Orange

Would you like to add a luxurious flair to your sailing? Club Orange is Holland America’s new exclusive program that offers an enhanced experience to your cruise. It’s a wonderful way to receive priority access, exclusive amenities, and escape the crowds during peak dining times.

Club Orange members can dine in the exclusive Club Orange dining room for breakfast and dinner. While it will feature the same menu as the dining room for dinner and the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast, there are some additional daily dishes added to the menu that you won’t find anywhere else.

Access to Club Orange also includes one of my favorite perks, priority check-in and disembarkation, as well as priority tender service (if your cruise uses tenders at the ports – ours did not). It’s a great feeling to skip the check-in line when you reach the cruise terminal.

This really sped up the embarkation process and we were on the ship before we knew it. There are also lovely additional perks like a welcome glass of sparkling wine, premium bathrobes to use in the cabin, and a Club Orange tote bag.

The name pays homage to the rich Dutch heritage of Holland America Line as it’s the color of the Dutch Royal Family. For those booking the Neptune and Pinnacle suite categories, Club Orange is included in your sailing. For non-suite customers, Club Orange access is $50 per day, and both guests of the same stateroom are required to enroll. It must be purchased prior to sailing (you can’t upgrade once you’re on board).

Food on our Cruise to Norway

On our Holland America cruise to Norway, the food was top notch. Our dining experiences are different from the average cruise passenger as we both seek vegan and plant-based options on board. If you have a food allergy or follow a special diet, you don’t have to worry at all. It’s easy to be vegan on Nieuw Statendam . The staff members will go above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy delicious and satisfying meals.

Vegan and Vegetarian Menu

When dining in the main dining room, you can request a vegan and vegetarian menu. You can order any dishes from this menu at any point in time throughout the cruise. There are appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees. Most of them are vegan, although there are a couple that are marked as vegetarian.

In fact, there were so many options, we didn’t even have enough time to sample them all during our 7 day cruise. Some of my favorites included the Asian Noodle Soup, the Tempeh and Vegetable Kabob, and the Curried Cauliflower Steak. Justin really enjoyed the Grilled Portabella Mushroom with Zucchini Spaghetti.

There are also moments where some items on the regular dining menu are vegan or can easily be prepared vegan. There was a hearty tofu and coconut curry on the dining menu one night that was naturally plant-based. There’s also a few menu items at the Canaletto specialty Italian restaurant that are vegetarian and can be prepared vegan, like a tomato risotto dish. Some of the other specialty dining restaurants include the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Tamarind, and Nami Sushi.

Lido Market

The Lido Market on Nieuw Statendam is not your typical buffet – it’s so much better. You don’t need to worry about picking through stale food, food that’s been manhandled by other passengers, or food that’s not at a good temperature any longer.

The Lido Market has several individual stations where you’ll find freshly prepared food for many different tastes. The food is all scooped and served onto plates by staff members behind the glass. This prevents cross contamination and improper food handling that can often lead to outbreaks of illnesses on board.

We adored the salad station the most. I know, that sounds so typical for a pair of vegans, right? Well, you just needed to point at all the different veggies, toppings, and dressings that you wanted in your salad, and the staff will whip it up in a big salad bowl for you.

I also loved the Asian food station where they always had some veggie and tofu sushi available, as well as some sort of vegetable noodle stir fry. In the evening, you can have a stir fry made to order with the protein, vegetables, and sauces of your choosing. It’s easy to order a tofu and veggie stir fry, prepared right before your eyes.

Dive In (Fast Food)

Craving something a little more sinful? Dive In has lots of fast food options, including burgers, hot dogs, and fries. There’s always a veggie burger on the menu, too. We dove right in to burgers and fries on more than one occasion!

New York Pizza & Deli

The New York Pizza & Deli was one of our favorite food stops on our Nieuw Statendam cruise. You can customize your pizza however you like it. I always ordered a pizza without cheese (there isn’t any vegan cheese on the ship) and with lots of vegetables.

You can also get bagels in the morning (there’s more variety here than anywhere else on the ship!) and snacks at night, like kettle chips and popcorn. You can eat your pizza in the dining space near the pizzeria or take it away in a box back to your room. I absolutely love how New York Deli & Pizza stays open until midnight. Late night pizza, anyone?

Room Service Breakfast

I think we must have ordered room service breakfast every single day on the ship, including disembarkation day. Every evening, there was a card left in our room by our room steward with the turn down service. You choose a half hour window as to when you’d like your breakfast to be delivered.

There are a variety of options on the room service breakfast menu. And like magic, the food appears on a giant platter at your door each morning. Justin and I enjoyed breakfast on our balcony, as well as breakfast in bed. We didn’t have to get dressed or face any morning breakfast crowds.

For vegan options, we often ordered bagels and bread with peanut butter and jam, bowls of cereal with soy milk, veggie sausages, fresh melon, fresh banana, coffee and tea. Up in the Lido Market, there are a few more options, mostly hot items like potatoes and hash browns.

It’s amazing how dining in our cabin was one of the highlights of our Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s one of those things that you certainly miss once you’re back at home and you need to make your own breakfast. Room service is also available 24 hours a day. The menu is on every stateroom TV.

Where to Find the Best Coffee on Nieuw Statendam

If you read this blog regularly, I’m sure you’ve gathered that I’m a self-proclaimed coffee addict. I tend to write a lot of coffee guides and I’ve shared tips on making your own coffee on the road . Sometimes cruise ship coffee isn’t that great. However, you have no worries at all finding a great cup of coffee on Holland America cruises. Coffee culture in Europe is real, and Holland America doesn’t want to disappoint, I’m sure!

If you’re looking for delicious coffee on Nieuw Statendam, there are two great spots to find it. One is the Grand Dutch Cafe on deck 3. This Dutch coffee shop offers more traditional brewed beverages made with HAL’s Rotterdam 1873 coffee beans, which you can also purchase to bring home. There are also a few sweet treats to pair with your coffee. You can also buy beer and alcoholic beverages at the Grand Dutch Cafe.

On deck 12, the Explorations Central & Cafe at the Crow’s Nest offers another wonderful coffee experience. You can also order Americanos and lattes here, as well as iced coffees, frappuccinos, and other frozen concoctions. Enjoy your coffee in this room with a view at the top and front of the ship.

As a bonus for those who don’t drink coffee but love tea, why not head to Classic Afternoon Tea? It happens each day on Nieuw Statendam in the dining room on deck 3 from 3:00pm-3:45pm.

Ports on our Norwegian Fjords Cruise

One of the main reasons to sail on a Norwegian fjords cruise is for the ports. This 7 day Viking Sagas cruise has an amazing selection of ports that surely won’t disappoint. We sailed from Amsterdam to Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. While I’ll be writing about each individual experience in port, here’s a brief overview of each of our stops.

Cruising to Norway from Amsterdam

Cruising from Amsterdam on this Norwegian fjords cruise allows us to reach several ports in one week. Amsterdam isn’t too far from Norway. I loved having the sea days to relax, acting as book ends to the ports. While the days in each town and city can be jam packed with activities, it’s great to have some time to unwind on either side of that.

Cruising out of Amsterdam also has its perks. For us, the flights aren’t too long from Toronto to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a pretty accessible location for those living in Europe, too. There’s also the option of extending your stay by booking a hotel in Amsterdam and exploring Amsterdam for a while longer.

Oslo is such a fascinating city to explore, and it’s the largest city we visited on our Norwegian fjords cruise. While it’s impossible to see everything in Oslo in a day, it’s definitely the kind of city that will leave you wanting more.

Justin and I booked the shore excursion, “Biking in Oslo”, which was a 3 hour tour along car free paths, parks, the fjord, and hidden back streets. We had a very informative and fun tour guide. Our small group made several stops along the way, learning about the history of the city. There were lots of opportunities to take pictures. We even got to visit the famous Vigeland park with over 200 sculptures by artist, Gustav Vigeland.

I loved taking the three hour biking tour in the morning, which allowed time for us to stop back at the cruise ship for lunch. Then, there were a couple of hours left to explore Oslo on foot and wander around the city. Once you’re back on the ship, enjoy the scenery of the fjords as you sail away from Oslo and towards Kristiansand. Here is exactly how we spent our day in Oslo , including additional ideas if you have two or three days in the city.

Kristiansand

In Kristiansand, we booked the shore excursion, “Lillesand: The Jewel of Sorlandet.” First, we boarded a bus for a scenic drive to the village of Lillesand where he had some free time to explore. Next, we transferred to a boat for a ride along the coastline for scenic views of tiny coastal communities. Unfortunately, it poured rain for our entire trip, but that’s just how it works sometimes!

Thankfully, it stopped raining in the afternoon, just in time to explore the town of Kristiansand. There are lots of things to do in Kristiansand, including wandering through historic sections of town and down by the wharf. I discovered rows of white historic homes, checked out the Kristiansand Cathedral, walked up and down the main shopping street, found some colorful street art, and even had a yummy oat milk latte at a cafe. Here are 10 amazing ideas for what to do in Kristiansand from a cruise ship.

Justin and I didn’t take any excursions or tours in Stavanger as the town looked rather interesting on its own. Instead, we walked all over town, visiting Gamle Stavanger (largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe), the Stavanger Cathedral, a beautiful pond and park, a quirky and colorful row of buildings with restaurants and shops, and an industrial area turned into a playground.

There are also walls upon walls of street art and murals to discover here, too. Here’s our guide to visiting Stavanger from a cruise ship, complete with a self guided walking tour and map.

Saving the best for last, our day in Flam was quite possibly our favorite of our entire Norway cruise. Sailing into and out of Flåm was such a treat, as we soaked up the most spectacular scenery of the entire Norwegian fjords cruise. To reach Flåm, our ship sailed through the Sognefjord , the largest and deepest fjord in Norway.

Flåm also happens to be home to one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. If it’s your first time in this Norwegian village, don’t miss riding the Flåm Railway. The journey and the destination are equally as beautiful. Mountains, valleys, waterfalls – the beauty was never ending! At our first stop, we admired a massive waterfall ( Kjosfossen ), and then soaked up the sensational scenery at our final stop (Vatnahalsen).

Want to see more Norway cruise photos?

Check out our entire travel photography album from our cruise to Norway. You can also purchase prints, housewares and more from our photos. Click the ‘buy’ button by any picture!

It was our first trip to Norway, and it certainly won’t be our last. Our visits to the ports were highly memorable, and we loved the comfort and hospitality of cruise ship living. Nieuw Statendam is the perfect home away from home, from the food to the entertainment. We are so glad that our first experience in Norway was aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise with Holland America Line.

A huge thank you to Holland America Line for hosting us on this cruise. We always provide completely honest reviews, and we were in love with this cruise adventure.

Have you ever traveled to Norway or taken a Norwegian fjords cruise?

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

Holland America Norway Cruise For Food Travelers

By Author Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Visiting Norway was a fantasy until we explored the Scandinavian country’s fjords and cuisine during a week-long Holland America Norway cruise on the Nieuw Statendam ship. Discover what we did and ate during this epic maritime adventure.

Norway may be the ultimate cruise destination for a summer cruise. Sound crazy? Hear us out.

First and foremost, the scenery on a Norwegian cruise is jaw-droppingly amazing. When you cruise through Norwegian fjords, the views don’t stop for hours, and the days last even longer. Norway is the land of the midnight sun after all.

Norway’s fjords are the stuff of legend, Nordic legend, to be exact. Seeing rocky-faced fjords that practically explode from Scandinavian waterways is the main reason that there are so many cruises around Norway.

Vikings originally coined the word fjord to describe 1,000+ glacially-formed inlets that strikingly define Norway’s coastline. Other parts of the world have similar geographic formations, but Norway’s fjords are particularly striking.

Taking a Norwegian Fjords Cruise is the ideal way to experience Norway’s landscape in all its glory. During our week-long Vikings Saga cruise, we sailed through the Oslo Fjord and then hit the motherlode when we traversed Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord, to reach the tiny village of Flåm. Many travelers consider Sognesfjord to be one of the best fjords in Norway.

Beyond viewing fjords, there’s the cost factor .

In 2015, The World Economic Forum ranked Norway as the 5th most expensive country to visit in the entire world. Exploring Norway on a cruise is a cost-effective way to experience this pricey country without paying for pesky items like hotels, gasoline and restaurant dinners.

To put expenses into perspective, a single serving of fish soup cost us the equivalent of $23 during a port stop in Oslo. While many travelers can afford those prices, a trip through Norway can be a budget-buster for others.

Norwegian Fjord cruises are so popular that multiple cruise companies offer cruises in Norway. Despite Norway’s numerous cruising options, the window is relatively limited for travelers who want to take advantage of optimal Norway weather during the summer months.

We opted to sail through Norway with Holland America on a week that straddled the end of July and the beginning of August. Based on our previous Asia cruise with the cruise line, we knew we would travel in comfort and eat great food – two important components for these two culinary adventurers.

Pro Tip Don’t cruise without travel insurance !

Our Holland America Norway Cruise Experience

Starting in Amsterdam, our week-long Viking Saga cruise whisked us to four exciting Norwegian port cities – Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flåm. These cities were awesome to visit, but our time on the Nieuw Statendam was equally satisfying.

Now that we’ve embraced our inner cruise selves, we deeply appreciate sea days that allow us to linger over breakfast in bed while we gaze at views that literally take our breath away. These leisurely days force us to relax, gearing up our energy for intense port days.

In many ways, spending a week on a floating hotel can either be heaven or hell. We choose to spend our time in the former, preferably with excellent food and beverage service. As we detail later in this article, our Norwegian cruise with Holland America did not disappoint in this regard.

With a capacity of 2,666 guests and a length of 975 feet, the Nieuw Statendam is an impressive addition to Holland America’s fleet. The ship first sailed in December 2018 and was officially christened by its godmother, Oprah Winfrey, the following month.

Pro Tip It’s great fun to watch a special video of Oprah exclaiming “Niew Statendaaaaaaaaam!” as she christened the HAL ship

During our mid-summer cruise, the ship was filled to capacity with a diverse collection of passengers in terms of both age and nationality. Ranging from toddlers to octogenarians, the crowd hailed from 52 countries with most from the Netherlands (34%), USA (27%), Belgium (13%) and Canada (4%).

Like most cruise ships, the Nieuw Statendam features pools and whirlpool jacuzzis in addition to a fitness center, spa and casino. But this Pinnacle-class ship shines when it comes to its stylish design and vast art collection.

With 12 decks, the ship has ample room to showcase diverse art that varies in style from classic to more avant-garde creations. We loved exploring this collection during our week-long cruise, often going out of our way in search of new pieces to admire.

Another differentiation is the ship’s culinary program which includes multiple specialty restaurants in addition to its formal dining room and more casual Lido market buffet. A week was just enough time for us to experience every restaurant on the ship, though we don’t blame passengers who found their favorite eateries and stuck with them.

Club Orange

The Nieuw Statendam is one of the first Holland America ships to offer Club Orange to its guests. This premium program offers perks like a private dining room and priority access, both of which we highly appreciated during our cruise, as well as extras like special robes and tote bags. Participants also get extra room service choices for breakfast each morning.

At the time of our sailing, Club Orange cost $50 per person per day, capped at $100 per room per day. However, the value of skipping the lines for check-in and special onboard services was priceless.

Pro Tip You must upgrade to Club Orange before the cruise. Unless the policy changes, it cannot be added once the ship sets sail and must be used for the entire cruise.

Our home for the week was a spacious Verandah stateroom (#5061) on the ship’s fifth floor, otherwise known as the Gershwin deck. Designed with clean Scandinavian design elements, the room’s highlights included a comfortable double bed, cozy seating area, full en-suite bathroom, multiple electrical outlets and enough USB ports to charge our phones each night.

Not only did we have adequate space to unpack our clothes, but we also had areas to work and charge our electronics. And, as a bonus compared to previous cruises we’ve taken, the Wi-Fi worked well in our room. Winning!

Our favorite feature inside the room had to be the HUGE television loaded with and even HUGER selection of channels and movies. When we weren’t watching live MSNBC feeds, we watched movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and Crazy Rich Asians .

Seriously, if we had such an awesome TV in Lisbon , we might never leave the apartment. It would be a problem.

Pro Tip Beyond watching movies on your TV on the Nieuw Statendam, you can also order room service with a few clicks on the remote control.

However, our absolute favorite feature of the Verandah stateroom was an attached balcony that wasn’t technically inside the room. Yes, we loved the room’s private balcony most of all.

Accessed by glass doors, this balcony provided us with awesome views of fjords and sunsets. It was also the ideal spot to enjoy our first cups of coffee each morning.

We weren’t fortunate enough to have a private balcony during our Asia cruise and we survived just fine. Though this perk is not critical to cruise enjoyment, having a balcony was a bit of a game-changer that ramped up our Norway fjords cruise experience to the next level.

Nothing matches relaxing with a book and listening to music on a balcony just steps away from a comfy bed.

Staff And Service

Much of any cruise experience despends on staff and service. With a global team focused on hospitality, the Nieuw Statendam excelled in serving our various needs. We rarely had to ask for anything since the staff seamlessly executed the many functions that keep the floating hotel from sinking.

From a hotel perspective, we enjoyed daily room cleanings as well as nightly turndown service. Each evening, we returned to little chocolate treats and creative towel art creations. Our favorites awaited us on the cruise’s last night when we returned to find chocolate truffles on our bed and a terry cloth monkey handing above from a hanger.

Pro Tip You can learn how to make your own towel art creations during a free Holland America class.

With 991 employees on the ship, it’s fair to say that a good portion keeps busy preparing and serving food. During a fascinating galley tour, we got a first-hand look at the ship’s super clean kitchen.

During this tour, we learned that the ship sources its beef from the US and much of its fish from Norway. We also learned that the ship serves lots of eggs – 36,132 during our cruise to be exact. That’s probably more eggs than could fit in the ship’s two swimming pools!

Onboard Entertainment

We never got bored during our cruise. Not only did we keep busy during the day, but we also spent many evenings rocking out at the ships various entertainment venues.

We split our time at B.B. Kings Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard and Lincoln Center Stage. Though each venue offered different experiences during our cruise, the musicians were all pros.

Each venue offered a different style of entertainment. We experienced masterworks by Brahms in the Lincoln Center Stage and dueling pianos at Billboard Onboard, but Rolling Stone Rock Room and B.B. King’s Blues Club were where we rocked it out.

We weren’t alone. Passengers filled the ship’s Music Walk each night until the wee hours, singing and swaying to tunes from every decade.

The great part about eating on a big ship like the Nieuw Statendam is the variety of dining options. Some venues are ultra-casual. Others charge a fee and require advance reservations.

We made a concerted effort to dine at every single restaurant during the week. The various cruise food options delighted and, in some cases, impressed us during our Vikings Saga cruise.

Upscale Dining

With its Culinary Council leading the charge, Holland America has elevated the typical cruise food experience by offering a diverse selection of specialty dining options. These chef-driven restaurants offer higher-end dining experiences, each with a different theme and price point.

Eating at each Holland America specialty restaurant during our week-long Norway cruise gave us a chance to travel the world from a culinary perspective. We share the highlights below:

If you splurge on one meal during your Holland America cruise, do it at De Librije. Offered just one night during our cruise, this multi-course meal shocked us with its impeccable execution and extraordinary food.

Chef Jonnie Boer has created a floating three-star Michelin dining experience based on his De Librije restaurant in Zwolle, Netherlands. Though the cost may seem steep at $69 (or $89 with a wine pairing) at the time of our cruise, the value is excellent.

As a comparison, the cost of dining at the chef’s land-locked Dutch restaurant can run around $200 per person or even more after ordering wine.

Our four-course meal was a whirlwind of memorable dishes, each served with panache and a story. Starting with Foie Gras Lollipops in our Amuse Bouche samplers, the hits kept coming to our table while we gazed at an ocean view and sipped California Chardonnay.

It’s a struggle to narrow down meal highlights. We’ll start with Oysters on the Beach served with a trompe l’oeil of silver-painted foie gras oysters, real oysters, Oloroso sherry foam, pickled ginger and sand made from crispy rice. Both a showstopper and a signature dish, this starter is an absolute must for food travelers who love creativity and the element of surprise.

Other memorable dishes included King Fish served with watermelon and avocado, Lobster Bisque poured over Alaskan king crab chunks, Crispy Pork Belly and Baked Pike Perch. We ended our meal on a sweet note with Deconstructed Apple Pie and Lemongrass Caramel desserts.

This thrilling meal rivaled meals we’ve eaten at three-star restaurants in the US and France. It exceeded our expectations and was a true cruise highlight.

In fact, we were shocked to eat food THIS good on a ship that feeds over 2,600 passengers each day. Bravo Holland America!!

Pro Tip Make an advance reservation if you have a special occasion to celebrate on your Holland America Norway cruise. Make a reservation if don’t have a special occasion. In other words, make a reservation.

Rudi’s Sel De Mer

No longer a pop-up like we experienced during our Asia cruise, Rudi’s Sel de Mer has its own dining room on the Nieuw Statendam. Helmed by Holland America’s Master Chef and Culinary Council Chairman Rudi Sodamin, Rudi’s Sel de Mer is a fish-forward restaurant reminiscent of bistros typically found in France’s Provence.

We embraced the restaurant’s seafood theme and ordered dishes like Tuna Salade Niçoise , Bouillabaisse Marseillaise and the restaurant’s signature Whole Dover Sole Meunière. Though technically too full for dessert, we shared Rudi’s Face to Face chocolate fruit creation pictured above. What can we say? The smiling food face made us happy.

Pro Tip Order your meal wisely. Rudi’s Sel de Mer serves its menu on an a la carte basis. At the time of our cruise, prices ranged from $4 for desserts like the Face Plate dessert to $49 for an extravagant Fruits de Mer starter for two.

Pinnacle Grill

Norway is known for its seafood, but Holland America also offers meat options including US-sourced prime steak. True meat lovers can eat their weight in steak at Pinnacle Grill, celebrity Chef David Burke’s Pacific Northwest steakhouse, while sailing on the Nieuw Statendam.

Burke is yet another member of the cruise line’s Culinary Council. Additional members include chefs like Jacques Torres and Ethan Stowell.

This specialty restaurant sources its meat from Washington’s Double R Ranch and cooks it to juicy doneness. Steak options include Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Bone-In Rib Eye and Porterhouse.

Pinnacle Grill serves more than steak. We also ate dishes like a Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail served with brandy horseradish cocktail sauce and an Iceberg Wedge Salad with buttermilk dressing, gorgonzola, bacon, tomato, red onion, chives and toasted walnuts.

Adding some fun to our meal, we shared Burke’s unique Clothesline Candied Bacon starter with maple, black pepper and half-sour pickles. We also indulged in a few bites of the restaurant’s Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska with Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ic cream and bing cherries jubilee before we rolled back to our room.

Pro Tip Expect to spend $35 for dinner or $10 for lunch when you dine at Pinnacle Grill. Additional costs apply to special items like the 16-oz. Dry-Aged Delmonico steak and the 5-oz. Lobster Tail.

Chef Andy Matsuda, another Holland America Culinary Council member, developed the menu for Tamarind, the cruise line’s fusion restaurant. Rather than showcasing one type of cuisine, Tamarind’s menu features Asian dishes from Southeast Asia, China and Japan.

During our meal, we took a took our tastebuds on a trip down memory lane with dishes like Chinese Five Spice Baby Back Ribs and Tom Khakai, a Thai soup featuring coconut chicken and chili oil. Though not as spicy as food we’ve eaten in Asia, these dishes made for a fun dinner option.

The surcharge for dining at Tamarind was $25 per person at the time of our cruise.

An over-achiever, Matsuda also developed the menu for Nami Sushi, a small sushi restaurant attached to Tamarind’s grand dining room. Menu options include Nigiri, Sashimi and Sushi Rolls as well as cooked options like Shrimp Tempura and Grilled Atlantic Crab. All dishes were priced on an A La Carte basis ranging from $3 to $7.50 at the time of our cruise.

We enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar while we dipped reasonably priced sushi into wasabi-laced soy sauce. In full disclosure, this sushi paled in comparison to the excellent raw fish we ate during our port stop in Stavanger (see below). But it was still a fun experience to eat sushi on the ship.

The Dining Room

The Nieuw Statendam’s Dining Room offers a refined dining experience in a stunning setting. Each member of HAL’s Culinary Council contributes dishes, with options for vegetarians, vegans and full-on carnivores. On gala nights, the Dining Room offers extra-special menus.

True Confession: The only meal we ate in the Dining Room was afternoon tea. We simply ran out of time in our quest to dine at the ship’s many specialty restaurants during our seven-day cruise.

This confession makes us sad. No, there was nothing wrong with the tea service. Rather, we have fond memories of our Dining Room meals during our Asia cruise and wish we had created new ones on our Norway cruise.

Pro Tip You can eat as much as you want in the Dining Room without worrying about surcharges. Expect to pay extra for wine and other beverages.

Casual Dining

As fun as it is to dress up and eat multi-course meals, casual dining can be awesome during a week-long cruise. We checked out the following casual dining options during our Nieuw Statendam cruise:

As the saying goes, membership has its privileges. In our opinion, one of the main reasons to join Club Orange is to dine in the private Club Orange dining room. This restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner daily.

Despite its exclusivity, the Club Orange restaurant is a casual space with big glass windows and an open kitchen. Not surprisingly, the decor includes some orange touches. Dishes are similar to those served at the ship’s Dining Room and Lido Market.

Pro Tip If you opt to build your own omelet during breakfast, be sure to add smoked salmon, asparagus and goat cheese.

Lido Market & Canaletto

The Lido Market offers a fast-casual venue with dozens of themed stations serving sandwiches, salads, sushi and more. Not your stereotypical buffet, the popular Lido Market has healthy options as well as decadent desserts.

Available on a first-come-first-serve basis, many tables have sweeping ocean views. The Lido Market serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a late-night bonus meal.

Located right next to the Lido Market, Canaletto serves Italian food for a small surcharge ($15 at the time of our cruise) in a family-style setting. We ate Lasagna Bolognese and Spaghetti Alle Vongole Veraci E Gamberi during our Canaletto meal. Making it there just under the wire on the last night of the cruise, we didn’t have room for dessert after a week of eating cruise food.

Grand Dutch Cafe

We’re not sure how it happened, but we didn’t eat at the Grand Dutch Cafe until the last day of our cruise. Perhaps we were burnt out on Dutch food after a week eating our way through Amsterdam . Either way, it was a mistake. A big mistake.

As it turns out, the Grand Dutch Cafe serves the best beer on the ship and banging apple pie. Between 4:30 and 8 pm, the popular cafe adds snacks like bitterballen (fried Dutch meatballs) to its menu. Food is complimentary at this venue and drinks are sold for a surcharge.

Pro Tip You can order cappuccinos and lattes, each priced at $3.50 each at the time of our cruise. The cafe uses Rotterdam 1873 beans to brew its coffee beverages.

The more we travel the world, the more we appreciate the simple things in life. And by simple, we mean American fast food like hamburgers and french fries.

The Nieuw Statendam clearly gets us. Their Dive-In serves juicy burgers, crispy fries and Nathan’s hot dogs at a stand located next to the pool. Dive-In also serves sandwiches with chicken and portabella mushrooms if that’s your thing.

As for us, our thing is burgers made with all-American ground beef and topped with special sauce. Yum!

Pro Tip Chill out by the pool after you place your order. Dive-In will buzz you when your food is ready.

New York Pizza & Deli

We love pizza so much that we spent a month eating Neapolitan pies in Naples . Needless to say, we were pleased to discover New York Pizza & Deli on the Nieuw Statendam.

This casual pizzeria serves a handful of specialty pizzas until midnight and also provides an option to build your own pie from a selection of sauces, meats and veggies. Other menu options include sandwiches, salads, desserts and movie night snacks – think popcorn and nachos.

Pro Tip You can start your morning with a bagel and lox at NY Pizza & Deli. If you don’t like salmon, you can order a breakfast bagel with ham, cheese and a fried egg instead.

Discovering G Gelato was dangerous considering our love for Italy’s creamy ice cream product. Somehow, we limited ourselves to just two visits during the week, perhaps because we kept ourselves busy eating all the other food on the ship.

Just like us, the G Gelato staff trained at Caripigiani Gelato University in Bologna . Beyond ice cream, Gelato serves gourmet popsicles and milkshakes for small surcharges ranging from $2 to $5 at the time of our cruise.

Pro Tip Don’t forget to order a topping or two. They’re included with each gelato order.

In-Room Dining

Despite the overwhelming number of dining options on the Nieuw Statendam, sometimes the best option is none of them. In other words… Room Service.

We loved having breakfast delivered to our room most mornings. It was as easy as choosing our options and leaving a marked-up menu outside our door. The cost was free but the reward was huge since we were able to enjoy breakfast in plush bathrobes and a view of Norwegian fjords.

Pro Tip You can order room service on a 24/7 basis. Menus are listed on the TV and vary based on the time of day. Items are free unless otherwise noted.

During our Norway fjords cruise, we enjoyed cocktails at the Ocean Bar and an international beer tasting at Billboard Onboard. We also sipped coffee at the Explorations Cafe.

Ironically, we found the ship’s best beer at the Grand Dutch Cafe (see above). Drinks are also available at the ship’s various entertainment venues.

Pro Tip Learn how to blend your own wine at the aptly named BLEND by Chateau St. Michelle. You can then drink your customized wine later at dinner or in your stateroom. A blending session at BLEND cost $47 at the time of our cruise.

Destinations

Our Holland America Norway cruise started and ended in Amsterdam before sailing to four unique ports in Norway. Cruising and eating our way through Norwegian Fjords was half the fun; visiting the following Norwegian cities was the other half:

Port 1 – Oslo

Oslo provided us with a rainy introduction to Norway, but we didn’t let the rain slow us down or dampen our spirits. Instead, we had a great time taking a self-guided tour of Oslo with a focus on the city’s culinary delights. While in Oslo, we sampled traditional Norwegian food as well as hot dogs , specialty coffee and waffles.

Discover our Norwegian food favorites .

As Norway’s capital city, Oslo has an abundance of culture including its Viking Ship Museum , Akershus Fortress and Royal Palace. We saved all of these destinations for our next visit to Oslo, though we took a few minutes to peek into the historically rich Oslo Cathedral between food stops.

Port 2 – Kristiansand

We never heard of Kristiansand until our Norway cruise. As it turns out, this charming port city is one of the most populous cities in all of Norway.

Rumor has it that Kristiansand is also one of Norway’s sunniest cities. Since it rained the day we docked in Kristiansand, we spent the day exploring a gentrified fish market at Fiskebrygga, drinking specialty coffee at Cuba Life and wandering around alleys filled with little white houses.

Port 3 – Stavanger

Famous for petroleum oil and fish, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth-biggest city. Both quaint and cosmopolitan, Stavanger has plenty to do from museums to shops. We, however, focused our exploration on the city’s culinary offerings.

Stavanger has excellent specialty coffee shops, bakeries and sushi bars. We started our tasty day with excellent flat whites at Kokko Kaffebar , continued it with Norsk Kannelboller (Nordic cinnamon buns ) at Renaa Xpress and ended it with a bang with sushi at Sabi Sushi .

Port 4 – Flåm

With just 350 residents, Flåm attracts a lot of tourists due to its natural beauty and scenic train. While outdoor enthusiasts can explore the area by boat or bike, we opted to take the ride the Flåm Railway through waterfalls and mountains before eating waffles in Vatnahalsen.

We have no regrets with how we spent our day. The Flåm Railway lived up to its description as one of the world’s most beautiful journeys. We also spent some time walking around the Flåm harbor, an idyllic spot for both selfies and reflective moments.

During our cruise, Holland America offered dozens of shore excursions in all four port cities and Amsterdam. Since we love independently eating our way through cities, we ultimately decided to participate in just one excursion – the Flåm Railway.

We knew we had to take the Flåm Railway tour after we randomly met Lisa Ekhall Stentvedt, the blogger behind Fjords and Beaches , just a month before the cruise Originally from the tiny town of Flåm, Stentvedt easily convinced us that this train ride was not to be missed.

We’re super glad that we did the Flåm Railway excursion. Priced at $179.95 per person at the time of our cruise, this excursion includes a roundtrip ride through 20 tunnels to Vatnahalsen with a stop at Kjosfossen, an epic waterfall. It also includes waffles served with sour cream and jam at Vatnahalsen Høyfjellshotell.

Though we would have been able to navigate the train on our own, taking the tour simplified our journey and ensured a comfortable return before the ship departed for Amsterdam. Plus, as previously noted, the excursion included waffles. And who doesn’t love waffles?

What To Pack

Packing for a Holland America cruise is the opposite of stressful. If you forget something important, you can easily purchase it on the ship. Further, the dress code is flexible, with an emphasis on comfort, except for gala nights.

These are our suggestions for items that you’ll want to pack and others that you’re better off leaving at home:

Don’t Forget These Items

• Clothing for All Types of Weather: Since Norway’s weather is volatile, you’ll need to be ready for both sunshine and rain as well as various temperatures. To be safe, pack short sleeves, long sleeves and jackets.
• Gala Attire: Gala nights are the time to put on your fancy duds. We recommend suits, or at least a sports jacket, for men and cocktail dresses for women; however, you can go as fancy as you like.
• Swimsuit : Bring a swimsuit regardless of the weather forecast. It will come in handy for both the pools and jacuzzi hot tubs.
• Comfortable Shoes : Pack walking shoes for excursion and port visits. Also, don’t forget sneakers if you plan to work out at the ship’s fitness center.
• Adaptors : Unless you’re based in Europe or the US, you’ll want to bring adaptors to plug your electronics into the electrical outlets. Our room had outlets that supported both European and US plugs.
• WiFi Hot Spot : Holland America offers attractive internet packages. However, you may want to bring a hot spot if you’re an extra-heavy internet user.
• Books or Kindle : Upload a book or two to your Kindle before the cruise. You’ll have time to read on the ship

Leave These Items At Home

• Towels: Holland America provides beach towels for the pools as well as bath towels in the staterooms.
• Basic Toiletries: Holland America provides shampoo, conditioner and soap. However, you’ll want to pack personal items like sunscreen, shaving lotion and toothpaste.
• Maps: The crew handles the ship’s logistics. However, you may want to bring maps to navigate your way around the port cities unless your phone has data coverage in Europe.

Final Thoughts On Our Holland America Norway Cruise

We’re fans after cruising twice with Holland America. Both cruises offered unique touring opportunities and outstanding food. We’re still shocked by the excellent meal we ate at De Librije – it was that good.

Research and book a vacation with Holland America that meets YOUR personal preferences and budget.

Get a discounted quote for travel insurance to protect your trip from things like injuries, theft and cancelations. We never travel without protection!

Hungry For More Cruises?

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article. Sponsorship We thank Holland America for hosting us to facilitate this article.

Original Publication Date: September 3, 2019

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Norwegian Fjords Cruises

See Baltic, Scandinavia and Norways breathtaking scenery and natural wonders

Holland America Line, Norway from Amsterdam, July 15, 2023

14-day cruise to eidfjord, alesund, geirangerfjord, bergen, oslo, kristiansand, stavanger and flam on board rotterdam.

Discover the best of Norway on this cruise with Holland America Line

Amsterdam cruise port.

Amsterdam is a popular vacation spot all year long, for both first-timers and people who have been there before. Because of its rich history, it is also a popular port of call for cruise ships. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, where cruise[…]

Day 1 – At Sea cruising

Aboard Rotterdam you will experience the best dining, entertainment and amenities at sea against a backdrop of unrivaled natural beauty.

Cruising to Eidfjord, Norway

Eidfjord is a municipality in the county of Hordaland, located at the end of Norway’s second-longest fjord, the Hardangerfjord. Eidfjord is located in the heart of a region along the RV 7 route, which connects Oslo and Bergen and passes[…]

Cruising to Alesund, Norway

A trip to Alesund, the “Adventure Capital of the Fjords,” will reveal why it was voted Norway’s Most Beautiful City. Alesund, a city of 45,000 people located on three islands between two azure fjords, is a major port for the[…]

Cruising Geirangerfjord, Norway

One of the most popular ways to see Norway is from the water, and the Geirangerfjord is a popular destination for cruise ships. Cruising the area known as the “jewel of the Norwegian fjords” will not leave you bored. Geirangerfjord[…]

Bergen, Norway

Bergen is located between the longest fjord in Norway, the Sognefjord, and the lovely Hardangerfjord in the south. It is the best place in Norway to gain access to the fjords, making it one of the country’s top tourist destinations.[…]

Day 6 – At Sea cruising

Cruising aboard Rotterdam elevates fun at sea to an art form. Rotterdam demonstrates a true mastery of the craft with an onboard collage of fun entertainment for you to enjoy.

Day 8 – At Sea cruising

There are plenty of daily activities on board Rotterdam to keep you busy. Rotterdam has everything a discerning cruiser could want, bars, sports venues and shops.

Cruising to Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway’s capital, is located between the Oslofjord and the woodlands. Oslofjord which is actually a lake, not a fjord, is one of Europe’s most sparsely populated capital cities, despite being one of the largest in terms of population. This[…]

Cruising to Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand is one of the largest cruise ship ports in Norway, and the port sees a significant number of cruise ship arrivals throughout the summer months. The city center, the boardwalk, the bus terminal, the ferry terminal, and the train[…]

Cruising to Stavanger, Norway

When visiting the Norwegian fjords, be sure to stop in Stavanger. Stavanger’s city center is small and walkable, featuring historic dockside warehouses and picturesque 18th-century streets that rise from a lively harbor. With more than 170 white wooden homes, Old[…]

Cruising to Flam, Norway

Flam, a town in the heart of Norway’s fjord area, is home to some of the country’s most visited landmarks. The municipality of Aurland includes the communities of Aurland, Gudvangen, and Undredal, as well as the little picturesque village of[…]

Day 13 – At Sea cruising

Entertainment on Rotterdam will feature more to do onboard, with more time to do it.

Sail away from Amsterdam and prepare to be dazzled by the riches of nature and culture as you travel through Norwegian Fjords on this wonderful voyage aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. Visit Eidfjord, Alesund, Geirangerfjord, Bergen, Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flam. MS Rotterdam leaving Amsterdam, Netherlands for 14 nights from July 15, 2023.

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Norwegian Fjords Cruises

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Experience Norway’s spectacular fjords with Norwegian Cruise Line.

On your cruise to Norway, explore a fairytale landscape of cascading waterfalls, lush forests and rugged mountains that seemingly slide into the sea. From fly fishing and kayaking to hiking and more, this country truly is an outdoor playground with a diverse lineup of activities. Tour picturesque villages, including Geiranger , and vibrant cities like Olso where you can dive into Viking history, savour local cuisine and enjoy a glimpse of local culture set against a spectacular natural backdrop - all on one unforgettable cruise holiday.

About NORWEGIAN FJORDS CRUISES

Unpack Once and Experience the Best of Norway

Enjoy front-row seats to incredible vistas whilst cruising Norway's dramatic fjords. Serene waters, rugged cliffs rising from the sea and unlimited outdoor adventures await your discovery. View Europe's largest mainland glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, located outside Måløy. Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord - one of the world's longest fjords - and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls.

Cruise from Bangkok , Hong Kong or Singapore and immerse yourself in the natural beauty, dramatic history and rich cultures of Southeast Asia on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. In Phuket , visit historic Buddhist temples or splash the day away on some of Thailand’s most spectacular beaches. At the Samui Elephant Sanctuary on the island of Ko Samui , learn about these incredible animals during close-up encounters. Explore traditional kampung  (villages) in Langkawi or journey inland and hike among waterfalls and hot springs.

Dive Deeper into the Country's History and Culture

Famous for its stunning art nouveau architecture, Ålesund stretches across seven islands and is surrounded by natural beauty. Tour the city's historical churches and unique architecture or reel in a grand adventure in what is considered Norway's fishing capital. Then in Oslo, explore the city's historic roots with a visit to the Viking Ships Museum which includes three well-preserved Viking-era burial ships.

Enjoy front-row seats to incredible vistas while cruising Norway’s dramatic fjords. Serene waters, rugged cliffs rising from the sea, and unlimited outdoor adventures await your discovery. View Europe’s largest mainland glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, located outside Måløy. Enjoy a boating tour of Hardangerfjord — one of the world’s longest fjords — and hike through lush forests to towering waterfalls.

Remarkable Port Cities Cruises to Norwegian Fjords

Kristiansand, Norway

Geiranger, Norway

Bergen, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Delightful shore excursions on norwegian fjords cruises.

Discover More of Norway with a Shore Excursion

Uncover the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Norway's fjords or journey into the region's dramatic past whilst exploring Viking history on a shore excursion with Norwegian.

Uncover Hidden Gems On A Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Alesund, Norway

Cruise to Alesund, one of Norway's most beautiful towns, renowned for its Jugend-style architecture and art nouveau style.

Bruges, Belgium

The ultimate European city, Brussels has tonnes of museums, fountains, gardens and great shopping.

Cruise to Norwegian Fjords FROM COPENHAGEN

Before embarking on your fjords cruise, experience all Copenhagen has to offer. With 250 miles of bike lanes, the city is ideal for touring and riding alongside its peaceful canals. Stroll along one of Europe's longest pedestrian-only shopping avenues, Strøget. Then visit some of Copenhagen’s historic sites including the 17th century Rosenborg Castle.

We’ve revamped everything from the carpets to the chandeliers and created brand new places and spaces in one of our most extensive ship renovation yet. Unwind in luxury and enjoy the breathtaking views from your spacious balcony in the new, exquisitely finished Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suites. The brand-new Pit Stop, a 1950’s American bar, takes you back to the era when classic cars sported chrome finishes. And dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge, the newest hot spot on the club scene. Come aboard the newly polished Norwegian Jewel and see what makes her shine.

We’ve revamped everything from the carpets to the chandeliers and created brand new places and spaces in one of our most extensive ship renovations yet. Unwind in luxury and enjoy the breathtaking views from your spacious balcony in the new, magnificently refinished staterooms. Savor every bite at six new restaurants, including the addition of our fine Italian outlet, Onda by Scarpetta. And dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge, the newest hot spot on the club scene. Come aboard the exquisitely updated Norwegian Spirit, completely reimagined from the outside in.

Explore Our Norwegian Fjords CRUISE ITINERARIES

5 Best Norwegian Fjord Cruises

By Author Katie

Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2023

We share the best Norwegian Fjord cruises so you can choose the best option for your trip. This includes prices, ship types, and their pros and cons.

Picture yourself sailing on quiet waters, with giant cliffs and beautiful waterfalls all around. This is what it’s like to go on a Norwegian Fjord Cruise, where you can see some of the most amazing sights in the world. Planning a cruise holiday can be a challenge, especially if it is your first cruise, but these are some great options for you.

Norwegian fjords are famous for their big, beautiful views and are perfect for people who love nature and want to go on an adventure. In this article, we will talk about the top 5 Norwegian Fjord Cruises.

Each one gives you a special chance to see incredible places and lovely scenery.

On the cruise ship, you’ll get to see the best of what nature has made, and these memories will stick with you forever. Getting ready for this amazing trip means packing the right things.

Knowing the right cruise must-haves can make your trip even more enjoyable. So, come along as we go through Norway’s most beautiful natural spots and find out what’s best about Norwegian Cruises.

Why Choose a Norwegian Fjord Cruise

Going on a Norwegian Fjord Cruise is like being in a beautiful picture come to life. You’ll see some of the most stunning parts of nature on this kind of trip. These cruises mix amazing views, peaceful sailing, and a special chance to feel close to nature.

The fjords in Norway, with their tall cliffs, green hills, and deep blue water, are incredibly beautiful. The view changes at every corner.

While on a Norwegian Fjord Cruise, you don’t just see the amazing fjords but you will also visit cute little villages and lively cities along the coast. These places show you Norway’s rich history and culture, from old Viking stories to how people in Norway live today.

The fjords are usually very calm, like a mirror, so the boat ride is smooth. This is great for people who haven’t been on a cruise before.

Plus, The peaceful fjords are perfect for relaxing and thinking, and many people choose these cruises to take a break from their busy lives.

Best Norwegian Fjord Cruises

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten stands out as a premier choice for exploring the Norwegian fjords, offering an authentic and immersive experience. Known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage,” Hurtigruten provides a unique journey along Norway’s stunning coastline.

This cruise line is renowned for its smaller, more intimate ships that navigate closer to the fjord walls, offering unrivaled views and a closer connection to nature.

The Hurtigruten voyage is more than just a cruise; it’s an exploration into the heart of Norway’s natural beauty. The journey takes you through narrow passages and tranquil waters, showcasing the best of the fjords’ dramatic landscapes.

Along the way, you’ll visit remote villages and bustling coastal towns, gaining insights into the local culture and history.

What sets Hurtigruten apart is its focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, ensuring that the pristine beauty of the fjords is preserved for future generations.

With its unique itineraries and commitment to responsible tourism, Hurtigruten offers an unforgettable experience for those looking to explore the Norwegian fjords in depth.

Saga Cruises

Saga Cruises delivers an experience of luxury and tranquility, perfect for travelers who value comfort and a touch of sophistication. This cruise line is tailored for the over-50s, offering a calm and classy environment that’s ideal for a leisurely exploration of the fjords.

The Saga fleet features ships that are elegantly furnished, boasting roomy cabins, exquisite dining experiences, and top-notch amenities.

As you sail through Norway’s peaceful waters, enjoy the stunning fjords from the luxury of your spacious cabin or the ship’s various lounges and viewing decks.

Beyond the onboard experience, Saga Cruises offers diverse excursions that take you deep into the fjords. You’ll have the chance to visit charming seaside towns and immerse yourself in Nordic history and culture.

Saga’s focus on luxurious, intimate cruising, along with its stellar service, makes every part of your voyage both delightful and unforgettable.

If you’re in search of a luxurious, relaxed pace on your journey, Saga Cruises offers an exceptional way to experience the splendor of the Norwegian fjords.

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises is renowned for blending luxury with cultural enrichment, making it a top choice for a Norwegian Fjord cruise.

This cruise line is celebrated for its elegant, Scandinavian-designed ships that offer a blend of comfort and style, providing an intimate setting for exploring Norway’s dramatic landscapes.

Aboard Viking Cruises, guests enjoy spacious staterooms, many with private verandas perfect for fjord-gazing. The dining experiences are a highlight, with a range of gourmet options that include regional specialties, offering a taste of Norwegian cuisine.

What sets Viking apart is its focus on immersive cultural experiences. The cruise includes expert-led lectures about Norwegian history and culture, as well as enriching shore excursions that delve deep into the heart of each destination.

Whether it’s exploring historic Bergen, the gateway to the fjords, or visiting remote, picturesque villages, Viking ensures a journey that is as informative as it is breathtaking.

For travelers seeking a luxurious and educational journey through the fjords, Viking Cruises offers an experience that is both indulgent and enlightening.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line stands as a beacon of classic cruising elegance, offering a refined experience on its Norwegian Fjord cruises.

This cruise line is known for its graceful, mid-sized ships that provide a perfect balance between the grandeur of large ships and the personalized feel of smaller vessels.

On a Holland America cruise through the Norwegian fjords, passengers can expect a journey filled with breathtaking scenery complemented by top-notch service and amenities.

The ships boast beautifully designed staterooms, world-class dining options, and a wide range of entertainment and enrichment activities.

Holland America Line is particularly praised for its extensive excursion program, which allows passengers to deeply explore the natural beauty and cultural richness of Norway.

Excursions range from scenic hikes and kayaking adventures to cultural tours of historic Norwegian towns and cities.

With its commitment to creating memorable and enriching cruise experiences, Holland America Line offers an exquisite way to discover the majestic beauty of the Norwegian fjords.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises offers a distinctly intimate and luxurious sailing experience through the Norwegian fjords, perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure and refinement.

Known for its small, sleek yachts and sailing ships, Windstar provides an up-close and personal view of Norway’s stunning landscapes, making it feel like a private fjord exploration.

With Windstar, guests can enjoy a yacht-like experience, where the smaller size of the ships allows access to narrower passages and more secluded harbors that larger cruise ships can’t reach.

This unique aspect ensures a more immersive experience in the fjords, providing opportunities to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems of Norway.

The onboard experience on Windstar is characterized by luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and gourmet dining, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.

Moreover, Windstar’s commitment to delivering personalized experiences means guests can enjoy tailored excursions and activities, enhancing their journey through the fjords.

For travelers seeking an exclusive and adventurous exploration of the Norwegian fjords, Windstar Cruises is an unparalleled choice.

What to pack for your Norweigan cruise

Packing for a Norwegian Cruise requires thoughtful preparation to ensure comfort and enjoyment.

Firstly, layering is key in Norway’s variable climate, so pack lightweight, warm layers like fleece jackets, thermal wear, and waterproof outerwear.

Comfortable, sturdy footwear is essential for shore excursions and deck walks. Don’t forget binoculars for wildlife spotting and a camera to capture the fjords’ beauty.

For long summer days, bring sunglasses and sunscreen.

Finally, consider a reusable water bottle for hydration and eco-friendly travel. By packing these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared to fully enjoy the awe-inspiring experience of a Norwegian Fjord Cruise.

A Norwegian Fjord Cruise is an unforgettable journey into some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes. Each cruise option offers a unique experience, from intimate yacht-like adventures to luxurious voyages.

There are many ways you can save money on cruises but the Norwegian Fjords are a more expensive destination to explore, so book in advance for the best prices.

With the right preparation and an adventurous spirit, you’re set for an extraordinary journey through Norway’s breathtaking fjords.

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Norway Cruise Itinerary- Ports of Call on a 7 Day Norway Fjords Cruise

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Norway had long been a dream destination of mine and for years I yearned to experience the wild, dramatic landscape of the fjords and discover the lifestyle of small Nordic cities and villages.

As a coastal nation with over 1,100 fjords, Norway is well-suited to exploration by boat. I easily pictured myself sailing down Norway’s long, deep fjords, gazing up at the towering walls of rock while daydreaming about living in a tiny waterfront village. 

As an independent traveller, cruises usually aren’t my first choice when it comes to seeing a country, but there was no denying that a Norway cruise would have plenty to offer, especially when it came to scenery and ease of travel.

With that in mind, I didn’t hesitate to say yes when Holland America Line invited me and my mom on a 7 day Norway fjords cruise on board Rotterdam. 

Before I share our Norway cruise itinerary with a description of the cruise ports in Norway we visited, here’s a quick overview of what you can expect during a cruise of Norway’s fjords.

Cruising Norway- What to Expect on a Norway Fjords Cruise

There’s plenty to enjoy on a Norway cruise from the spectacular fjords, delightful ports of call, and a variety of shore excursions for all types of travellers.

The best part of cruising in Norway is definitely the scenery whether it be the mountain-framed fjords, sparkling bays, verdant forests, lofty waterfalls, or colourful coastal towns. Cruise ships sail along the coastline, so there are interesting views to look at almost the entire journey, instead of a horizon of endless water.

Since Norway has a rather small population for a country its size, and the fjords are quite isolated, the ports of call on a Norwegian fjord cruise are small cities, towns, and villages. Days in port can be spent walking around town or venturing into the surrounding area on a guided excursion. 

As is typical for cruises, only one day is spent in each port of call. In our experience cruising Norway with Holland America Line, the time in port ranged from 7-12 hours, with two days of 8.5 hours. 

The time in port is enough for most people, especially in the fjord villages if you don’t go on an excursion. My mom and I did a guided excursion in every port of call and still had time to walk around the towns on our own for a few hours. While the time in port and excursions didn’t feel rushed (for the most part), I still would have liked to spend another day in some places. 

As for shore excursions on a Norway cruise, you can expect options that appeal to a range of interests and activity levels. Our Holland America Norway cruise offered leisurely sightseeing tours by bus, boat, train, and seaplane, but for more active travellers there were walking tours, bike tours, easy hikes, kayaking, river rafting, and ziplining. In each port there were multiple excursions that interested me, hence why I wanted two days in some places! 

The final thing you can expect on a Norway cruise is that there are people of all ages, from senior citizens to kids and everything in between. While sailing with Holland America Line, my mom and I discovered that cruising was a great choice for multigenerational travel because there were plenty of things we could enjoy together, but we could also do different activities onboard and ashore relating to our interests, easily meeting up afterwards.

Norway Cruise Itinerary- Ports of Call on our Norway Cruise

The ship departed from Amsterdam for our 7 day Norway cruise with Holland America Line. We had one day at sea, then visited four ports of call in Norway, and had another sea day to return to Amsterdam.

To give you an idea of some places you can visit on a Norwegian fjord cruise, here’s a look at our Norway cruise itinerary. Since the highlight of cruising Norway was the scenic destinations we visited, I’m mainly going to share some information about the cruise ports in Norway and the shore excursions we did there. I’ve also included some comments about life on board the ship during days at sea.

Day 1: Amsterdam

We boarded the ship around 11:30 am on the departure day of our cruise to Norway. The ship didn’t set sail until 5:00 pm, so there was some time to disembark and briefly explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam (the port was close to Central Station).

I decided to visit the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, but you could also do one of the canal cruises that start in front of Central Station or just walk around and admire the architecture. I wouldn’t venture too far though in case the trams are delayed and you have to walk back (happened to me). Remember, you must be on the ship 30 minutes before the departure time.

Once back on board, we headed out to an observation deck to watch the scenery as we sailed out of Amsterdam. The mood was celebratory out on deck and at the poolside sail away party as everyone was excited to cruise to Norway!

Day 2:  At Sea- Cruising to Norway

Day two of our Norway cruise itinerary was a full day at sea. Since we were cruising out in the North Sea, there wasn’t any scenery to look at so there was plenty of time to explore the ship, participate in activities, indulge at the restaurants, and watch some shows.

Onboard Activities, Entertainment, and Restaurants

The Rotterdam had plenty of things to do while at sea so we were never bored. There was a fitness centre, outdoor sports courts, a spa, two pools (an indoor one with a retractable roof and an outdoor one for adults only), a casino, a library, trivia events, multimedia shows and presentations at the World Stage, poolside evening movies complete with popcorn, three venues along the Music Walk for live music and dancing, and much more.

We attended several shows at the World Stage while on board Rotterdam . There were informative talks and videos about Scandinavian culture, the history of Holland America Line, and a behind the scenes look at what it takes to operate a cruise ship (my mom highly recommends this “City on the Sea” presentation). In the evenings the theatre hosted music and dance shows. We really enjoyed the dance productions and how the choreography was enhanced by imagery on the panoramic, two-story screen. 

There also was a lot of delicious food on Rotterdam , especially at the specialty restaurants (extra charge) and main dining room (included). We ate at all the restaurants and never had a bad meal. Our favourites were the Italian cuisine at Canaletto and the French dishes at Rudi’s Sel De Mer. My mom and I both also enjoyed Afternoon Tea in the main dining room on sea days and eating gelato by the Lido Pool.

Day 3: Oslo and Oslofjord

The first port of call on our Norway fjord cruise was Oslo, the dynamic, easy-going capital city of Norway. 

I’ll start by saying that one day is not enough to experience all that Oslo has to offer, even though it’s a relatively small city. There are so many museums, public artworks, interesting pieces of modern and historic architecture, and nearby forests to enjoy. 

In the morning we walked from the port through the lovely Aker Brygge neighbourhood to Akershus Fortress, enjoying views of Oslofjord along the way. After our self-guided tour of the fortress and its grounds, we went on a bike tour of the city.

Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress is a medieval fortified castle that strategically overlooks Oslo’s harbour. Its primary function was to defend Oslo from attacks, which it did several times, but it also served as a prison and royal residence. The complex is still used for military and government functions while being open as a museum.

During our walk around the fortress grounds, we saw defensive walls and gates, cannons, courtyards, and views of the sea.

I really enjoyed touring the inside of the castle and seeing the dungeon, royal mausoleum, church, chambers, and halls. The tapestries and wooden furniture decorating the rooms were gorgeous!

Oslo Bike Tour

A bike tour of Oslo was a great introduction to the city and allowed us to see many of its highlights in about three hours.

Cycling from the bike shop, our guide led our small group to some of Oslo’s most notable monuments, buildings, parks, and neighbourhoods. At each stop, our guide shared some interesting history, stories, and facts then gave us time to walk around and take pictures. 

Our favourite stop on the bike tour was Frogner Park where there is an impressive installation of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. With over 200 sculptures, we of course couldn’t see them all, but we did have time to admire two of the most famous ones- the Monolith and The Angry Boy. This park is definitely worth a second visit one day.

Book this same tour: Oslo Highlights Bike Tour

Oslofjord Scenic Cruising

In the evening our ship sailed down Oslofjord towards the next day’s destination. Oslofjord didn’t have steep sides like the other Norwegian fjords we cruised down, but it was still nice to sit on our balcony, sheltered from the rain, and watch the scenery go by. Keep watch for Oscarsborg Fortress on one of the islands.

Day 4: Kristiansand

The second destination on our Norway cruise was Kristiansand, an attractive seaside city on Norway’s southern coast.

The fifth-largest city in Norway, Kristiansand has a walkable Old Town (Posebyn), seafront promenade, urban beaches, colourful fish market (Fiskebrygga), and nature parks just minutes from the city centre. I felt an interesting vibe here- laid-back, yet lively with people enjoying life’s simple pleasures. 

Kristiansand’s Old Town and harbour area were nice to stroll around after our morning excursion to ride the Setesdal Vintage Railway.

Setesdal Vintage Railway

The Setesdal Vintage Railway (Setesdalsbanen) is a historic narrow-gauge railway that opened in the late 19th century for travel through the Setesdal Valley. It closed down in 1962, but 8 km of tracks were preserved for use as a railway museum. 

During our short ride from Grovane to Røyknes, the restored steam engine chugged along the Otra River, pulling the vintage train cars over bridges, through a tunnel, and beside a mountain. The countryside we passed through was beautiful with lakes, forests, and a waterfall. I especially liked seeing the old log chute-turned-hiking trail along the river.

Exploring Kristiansand

Kristiansand’s Old Town and many of its tourist attractions are very close to the cruise terminal so the area is easy to explore on foot.

The Old Town is known for its large collection of white wooden houses, some of which have been turned into small shops. The bustling central square is a popular place for people to gather at restaurants, by the fountain, and in the park. The square has some statues, art installations, and pretty architecture including City Hall and the neo-Gothic Kristiansand Cathedral. The cathedral is worth a quick visit to see the wooden ceiling and organ loft.

Next up we went to the harbour and walked along the seafront to Christiansholm Fortress. It was small and not really what I picture when I think of a fortress, but it was a nice place to sit and enjoy views of the harbour.

On our way back to the ship we walked along the quay by the fish market. It was such an attractive and vibrant area with restaurants, ice cream shops, and a canal. A beautiful spot to enjoy a sunny day!

Day 5: Eidfjord and Hardangerfjord

Note: Eidfjord wasn’t originally on our Norway cruise itinerary and was added more than two months before departure to replace Stavanger, for an unknown reason. While I was initially very disappointed I wouldn’t get to visit Stavanger and do the Pulpit Rock hike, Eidfjord turned out to be a wonderful replacement. 

Eidfjord was our favourite of the cruise ports in Norway we visited. This tiny village at the end of Eid Fjord, an inner arm of the Hardangerfjord, is backed by mountains and a short drive away from three of Norway’s impressive natural wonders- Vøringsfossen (Vøring Falls), the Måbødalen Valley, and Hardangervidda (Hardanger Plateau). 

The natural scenery around Eidfjord and along Hardangerfjord is gorgeous and just what I expected Norway to look like. We saw a lot of the landscape during our morning bus tour that took us to Vøringsfossen in the Måbødalen Valley, the Sysen Dam, and Hardangervidda.

After our tour, we walked around the village and visited the Old Eidfjord Church and its graveyard, some shops, and the bakery for some delicious treats. On a future visit, I’d love to hike the Haereid mountain plateau to see the Iron and Viking Age burial mounds.

Eidfjord Bus Tour- Vøringsfossen, Sysen Dam, Hardangervidda

A bus tour is a hassle-free way to see and learn about the landscape and attractions in the greater Eidfjord area. During the scenic drive from Eidfjord to Hardangervidda our guide shared plenty of interesting information about the local culture, geology, flora, and fauna.

The first stop on our tour was Vøringsfossen, a tiered waterfall that cascades 182 m/597 ft into the Måbødalen Valley, 145 m/475 ft of which is a direct plunge. The waterfall itself is stunning, but the valley below really makes it a spectacular setting that should not be missed.

There are several viewpoints along a rocky, uneven trail, plus a step bridge from which you can admire the falls from different angles. The tour only gave us 35 minutes at the waterfall, which was nowhere near enough time to walk the trails and visit all the viewpoints. 

Next up we visited the Sysen Dam. It was more interesting and scenic than I expected because it was an embankment dam made with only gravel and stones (no concrete) and offered views of the surrounding hills and Hardangerjøkulen, mainland Norway’s sixth largest glacier. We spent 30 minutes here, which was plenty of time to walk along the top of the dam.

From the dam, we drove along National Road 7 across the Hardanger Plateau, the largest eroded plain in Europe. Reaching an elevation of about 1140 m/3740 ft, we got to see Hardangervidda’s characteristic rocky, treeless landscape.

Hardangervidda experiences an alpine climate year-round so there are several species of arctic plants and animals here that are usually found further north. I was hoping to see some wild reindeer, since the plateau is home to a herd of about 8,000, but had no such luck.

I also would have liked to make some photo stops on the plateau, but the only place the bus stopped was at Halne Mountain Lodge where we were served heart-shaped Norwegian waffles. 

Eidfjord Old Church

The Eidfjord Old Church was built out of stone around 1309 with seating for only 100 people. It is now only used for special occasions, but visitors can peek inside to see how it looked in the 18th century. 

The small, pretty graveyard outside has some simple headstones from the 1800s.

Hardangerfjord Scenic Cruising

The so-called “Queen of Fjords”, Hardangerfjord is the second longest fjord in Norway, measuring 179 km from the Atlantic Ocean. 

As our ship glided down Hardangerfjord, we were in awe of the gorgeous scenery framing us. We saw countless waterfalls tumbling down the mountains, orchards nestled along the fertile shoreline, colourful small villages, and scenic arms branching off from the main fjord. We even passed by some fish farms.

Perhaps the most interesting moment was when our ship sailed under the Hardanger Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Norway. The bridge has a maximum deck height of 55 m/180 ft, so there wasn’t much clearance when our ship went under it!

Day 6: Flåm and Sognefjord

The last port of call on our Norway fjords cruise was Flåm, located at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjord branch of Sognefjord. Flåm is a tiny village of only a couple hundred residents, but because it welcomes around 450,000 visitors per year, it felt a little “touristy” compared to the other cruise ports in Norway we visited.

Flåm and the surrounding area are known for its steep fjords and valleys, abundance of waterfalls, and green meadows dotting the countryside. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, sightseeing fjord cruises, and visits to scenic viewpoints, but the most popular excursion in Flåm is a ride on the Flåm Railway.

The Flåm Railway excursion sells out quickly, so my mom and I chose two other enjoyable activities- I went kayaking in Nærøyfjord while she went on a bus and boat tour of Nærøydalen (Naeroy Valley) and Nærøyfjord. After my kayaking trip I wandered around the Fretheim Cultural Park.

Kayaking Nærøyfjord

Flåm was the place on our Norway cruise itinerary I was most looking forward to visiting because I wanted to kayak in Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

As the narrowest arm of the Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord is only 250 m/820 ft wide in places. Its towering rock walls, tall waterfalls, and hanging valleys are exceptionally beautiful, making Nærøyfjord an outstanding landscape for kayaking.

Our tour group paddled about 12 km round trip, going from the village of Gudvangen to a little beach across the fjord from Tuftefossen waterfall. After a provided lunch on shore, we paddled back to Gudvangen.

I loved kayaking Nærøyfjord so much, even though the rudder on my kayak wasn’t set up properly and the local guides were a bit disorganized and didn’t add much to the experience. Regardless of some downsides, this was a thoroughly enjoyable excursion and I’m thankful for the perfect weather!

Bus and Boat Tour of Nærøyfjord and the Naeroy Valley

While I was kayaking down Nærøyfjord my mom went on a sightseeing cruise of Nærøyfjord then a bus tour of the Naeroy Valley.  

Departing from Flåm on the Vision of the Fjords, she sailed through Aurlandsfjord then down the entire 17 kilometres (10.5 miles) of Nærøyfjord. Over the course of two hours, the boat passed by fjord villages and steep mountains, even getting up close to a waterfall.

After arriving at Gudvangen, the group transferred to a bus and then drove up Norway’s steepest road, the winding Stalheimskleiva, to the historic Stalheim hotel for tea and pastries. The hotel had a stunning view of the Naeroy Valley and after seeing her pictures, I was sad I missed it!

Fretheim Cultural Park

On the hill behind the Fretheim Hotel, directly in front of where the cruise ships dock, is the Fretheim Cultural Park. The park has 1.6 kilometres/1 mile of trails that lead to viewpoints and artworks. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to walk the entire trail because of heavy rain, but I did enjoy the misty views of the harbour.

Sognefjord Scenic Cruising

Our 12 hour day in Flåm ended with an evening cruise along Sognefjord. Nicknamed the “King of the Fjords”, Sognefjord is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, stretching 205 km/127 mi from the ocean and reaching a depth of 1308 m/4291 ft below sea level.

As we’d now come to expect from previous days cruising the Norwegian fjords, we saw tall cliffs and mountains, waterfalls, small towns, and several smaller fjords branching off from Sognefjord. The scenery, even under a gloomy sky, was a wonderful send-off from Norway.

Day 7: At Sea- Cruising to Amsterdam

Our Holland America Norway cruise itinerary ended with a day at sea sailing back to Amsterdam. This last sea day gave us one final opportunity to enjoy the ship’s amenities, take part in some more activities, and try another specialty restaurant.

Norway Cruise Review- Final Thoughts About Our Norway Fjords Cruise

We really enjoyed our cruise to Norway and thought it was not only a great introduction to the country, but a relaxing and budget-friendly way to visit Norway for the first time.

While cruising Norway we got to float down some of the most beautiful Norwegian fjords and their smaller arms. I loved the steep walls of rock framing the fjords and the towering waterfalls tumbling down. I’ve always been amazed at how glaciers can dramatically shape a landscape and the Norwegian fjords were a great reminder of the power of nature.

Just as delightful as the natural scenery were the ports of call on our Norway fjord cruise. I especially liked visiting the small fjord villages, but was also pleasantly surprised by Oslo. 

One thing I noticed about the cruise ports in Norway we visited was that the port areas were not at all (or significantly less) touristy than the Caribbean cruise I went on. We just stepped off the ship and into a community that wasn’t putting on a show for tourists or trying hard to get their money. So refreshing!

The time we had in port was pretty good, as far as cruises go, and I think most people would be satisfied with it. However, as someone who wants to do all the things in all the places, I wish we had 10-12 hours at each stop.

As for our Norway cruise itinerary, it included a mix of well-known/popular destinations and some places I was unfamiliar with and wouldn’t have thought to go if I was travelling independently. We liked everywhere we visited and would even go back to a few places. I would have loved to go further north and visit more destinations in Norway, so maybe next time we’ll choose a longer cruise.

On this Norway cruise with Holland America Line, there was a nice balance between the destination and ship amenities. On some cruises, the ship takes centre stage and the destinations feel like an afterthought. Not in this case- the focus was definitely on Norway, but the ship experience wasn’t overlooked. Rotterdam was an attractive, comfortable mid-sized ship that kept us entertained, but Holland America also made sure to include some presentations, live narration, movies, and menu items that highlight Norway and Scandinavian culture.

For me, the only thing that this specific cruise lacked was a proper hiking excursion. I would have loved to venture out on a day hike with a local guide to be more immersed in nature. At least there were several other active, outdoor adventure-type excursions to do in each port of call. 

Overall, I’m very happy that I was able to enjoy a Norway cruise as someone who prefers independent travel. It was nice for once not to have to worry about how to get around, where to eat, where to stay etc. My mom has always loved cruising and this experience was no different. We definitely recommend a cruise if you want an easy, stress-free, and affordable way to see the Norwegian fjords.

Tips for Going on a Norway Cruise

Here are a few tips for making the most of a Norway fjords cruise:

Staterooms: We recommend getting a balcony room if your budget allows. I loved stepping out onto our balcony first thing in the morning to check out the scenery and have my room service breakfast. If I saw a nice view while we were getting ready in the morning or for dinner, I could quickly get outside to take pictures. A balcony room also gives you a place to relax outdoors away from the crowds. 

Port Services: Most destinations had visitor centres at or near the port area where you could pick up a map and get some information about things to see and do.

• Some of the port areas also had places where you could rent a car.

Shore Excursions: If you’re interested in doing some of the cruise company’s shore excursions, we recommend booking them as soon as possible because they do sell out. In our experience, some excursions were sold out two months before sailing (the Flåm Railway being one). 

• You don’t have to book a shore excursion from the ship (they can be pricey). As an alternative, you can reserve tours and activities with local guides and companies online here . 
• If you prefer, you can also walk around the ports of call on your own or rent a car to explore further afield.

I was hosted by Holland America Line in order to bring you this story. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles.

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2 crew members die on Holland America ship; fire breaks out on Carnival cruise

MIAMI — Two crew members died on board a Holland America cruise ship, and a fire broke out on a Carnival ship while both of the ships were in the Bahamas this weekend, officials said.

The two crew on the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam died Friday during an "accidental steam release" while it was calling at the private resort island Half Moon Cay, Holland America said in a statement on Sunday.

"There was an accidental steam release in an engineering space on board Nieuw Amsterdam, which sadly resulted in the death of two crew members," the cruise line said.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Dutch Safety Board were investigating the exact cause of the release, Holland America said.

A representative of the Bahama’s Coroner’s Court did not immediately respond to a request for information, such as the crew members’ identities and the cause and manner of death.

The cruise line said the conclusions of any investigation would be taken seriously. "Safety is always our top priority, and we are working to understand what, if anything, can be learned from this tragic accident," it said.

Passenger Laine Doss said she was on board when the captain announced the deaths on the vessel's P.A. system.

"We were celebrating the last day of the cruise," she said, when the mood changed "to something extremely somber."

The captain's voice broke, she said.

"He broke down crying," Doss said. "There was a moment of silence that the captain requested. And that entire scenario did affect the entire cruise. Things were canceled, joyous events were canceled, and we really just thought about mortality — the people who perished on the ship."

Crew members were being offered counseling, Holland America said.

Dutch government inspectors determined the vessel to be "fully operable," and this was "confirmed" by the U.S. Coast Guard, the cruise line said.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said she was looking into the statement and was unable to immediately confirm it.

The Nieuw Amsterdam returned Saturday to its home port of Fort Lauderdale, guests disembarked, and the vessel has embarked on a cruise with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Monday, Holland America said.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this event," the cruise line said. "We’ve been in contact with the families of both team members and are offering our support to them and to all of our crew at this difficult time."  

The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

Fire on the port-side exhaust funnel of another Florida-based cruise ship in the Bahamas, the Carnival Freedom, rocked some passengers Saturday and took the ship out of commission for repairs, the cruise line said.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement Sunday, Carnival Cruises acknowledged witness reports of a lightning strike or the sound of thunder before the fire erupted.

Passenger Heath Barnes said the ship was on a detoured path, destined for an unscheduled stop in Freeport, as a result of stormy weather and high winds when fire started.

"I was shocked," he said. "I mean, I looked out there and you're not supposed to see black smoke and fire shooting out of the tail end of the cruise."

The blaze was preceded by "the loudest thunder-lightning clap that I've ever heard in my life," Barnes said.

Ship personnel extinguished the fire, Carnival Cruises said.

The cruise line said a technical team determined the ship sustained enough damage that it will need repairs before it can be returned to scheduled cruises. The funnel was stabilized, passengers were expected to be returned to Port Canaveral, and the ship will set off to Freeport for repairs, it said.

"The damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," Carnival Cruises said.

Passengers scheduled for those late-March cruises are being offered full refunds and credit that can be used for a future cruise, it said.

It was the second funnel fire on the Carnival Freedom since 2022.

Marissa Parra is a national correspondent for NBC News based in Miami, Florida.

Dennis Romero is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 

Travel | Travel: Alaska is ready for another…

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Travel | travel: alaska is ready for another record-breaking cruise season.

Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

Looking at the most-visited Alaskan port as a proxy for the ship-shape southeastern side of the state, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from early April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Danali-sized jump of 30% compared to the previous mark set in pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which is scheduled to dock in rustic Skagway on April 8. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line ( ncl.com ) has nearly 100 more after that. Impressive, but two competing companies have staked out larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush; Holland America Line ( hollandamerica.com ) is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises, and at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises ( princess.com ), which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich that they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pitstop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparallel wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau ( traveljuneau.com ). “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears, and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city and other places within this magnificent state.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port has over 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said. “Make time to enjoy the fascinating culture, spectacular outdoor recreation, unique shopping, amazing restaurants and artist galleries that Juneau and all of Southeast Alaska have to offer.”

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises’ ( celebritycruises.com ) popular Edge class will make her Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line, meaning it’s between the economical mainstream class and pricy luxury level, has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises ( silversea.com ) ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which prizes openness over symmetry and incorporates an unprecedented use of approximately 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The near-four-week-long itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn ( seabourn.com ) strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Carnival Cruise Line ( carnival.com ) is staying with a three-ship deployment in Alaska this season. Sharing the workload of 55 roundtrips generally lasting seven to 11 days are Carnival Spirit (2,610 passengers) and Carnival Luminosa (2,260) out of Seattle, and Carnival Miracle (2,667) from San Francisco. Another mainstream cruise line, Royal Caribbean ( royalcaribbean.com ), has four ships making 85 runs to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage: Ovation of the Seas, (4,905) and older sister Quantum of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas (2,543) and Radiance of the Seas (2,466).

Disney Cruise Line ( disneycruise.com ) is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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2 crew members die during 'incident' on Holland America cruise ship

Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship's engineering space

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship's engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas , Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members were being offered counseling.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time,” the statement said. “The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority.”

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members. It later said the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

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Holland America Line Unveils Mexico and Pacific Coast Cruises for 2025-2026

H olland America Line has set the stage for an extraordinary adventure with the announcement of its 2025-2026 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons.

Promising rare itineraries with longer calls at unique ports, like Mexico's Loreto and Topolobampo, these cruises offer travelers the chance to explore diverse landscapes, experience rich cultures and encounter remarkable wildlife. These cruises will run between August 2025 and May 2026, with durations ranging from a single day up to a 29-day Collectors' Voyage.

The announcement comes on the heels of the cruise line opening Hawaii and Panama Canal sailings for 2025-2026.

Pacific Coast

Long known as a leader in Alaska and Pacific Northwest cruises, Holland America will follow a rarely cruised route during its seven-day “Great Bear Rainforest” itinerary, which hasn’t been available in decades. Sailing roundtrip from Seattle aboard the Noordam with two departures on October 5, 2025 and April 19, 2026, this voyage will take passengers on a uniquely intimate and immersive exploration of the Pacific Northwest.

It will navigate through the historic Inside Passage, sailing through breathtaking fjords and pristine waters, with ample opportunities for wildlife sightings along the way. Stops in Ketchikan, Alaska and Prince Rupert, Nanaimo and Victoria, British Columbia offer a glimpse into the region's vibrant communities and natural wonders.

"This in-depth exploration of the PNW takes guests through the historic Inside Passage, sailing through some of the most confined waters our ships have ever sailed,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. "This is the true Inside Passage, the storied route between Seattle and Alaska that ships have been sailing since as far back as the gold rush era.” He added, “It is a first for our company to plan a sailing focused on this fjord-like waterway that maximizes a daylight transit to allow best opportunities for wildlife sightings.”

In addition to the Great Bear Rainforest voyage, Holland America will offer ten more itineraries that follow along the Pacific Coast, showcasing the region's stunning scenery and vibrant cities. Travelers can embark on cruises ranging from one day to multiple weeks, with options for roundtrip voyages departing from the U.S. in San Diego or Seattle, or from Vancouver, Canada. These voyages call at such popular ports as Ensenada, Mexico; Santa Barbara and San Francisco, California ; and Astoria, Oregon. 

For those seeking sun-soaked escapes, Holland America Line’s Mexico season provides the perfect opportunity to experience the country's iconic ports and vibrant culture. These voyages sail roundtrip from San Diego, or between San Diego and Vancouver, transporting guests to such sought-after destinations as Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta . They also provide guests with even more access to the stunning Sea of Cortez with calls at Guaymas and Santa Rosalia, while late-night calls in Loreto and Topolobampo offer the chance to explore lesser-known gems, their history and dramatic scenery.

"Our Mexico cruises are favorites among many guests due to the incredible weather and beautiful landscapes, with ports boasting on average 300 days of sunshine a year," said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. "And there's so much more to experience beyond the scenery. Guests can delve deep into the culinary delights of the region through shore excursions, while also enjoying local fresh fish like yellowfin tuna on board."

For the 2025-2026 season, Holland America Line will also operate a total of 15 Collectors' Voyages, ranging from 14 to 29 days in length, each of which combines back-to-back nonrepeating itineraries, enabling guests to experience the Pacific Coast, Mexico and even Hawaii in one seamless sailing

To enhance the cruising experience, Holland America Line is offering special bonuses for guests who book select 2025-2026 Pacific Coast and Mexico cruises. The “Have It All” premium package—the standard package of amenities, such as shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages and Wi-Fi—will come with the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, and free upgrades to Premium Wi-Fi and the Elite Beverage Package.