Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords in June - Thoughts

[ShawninFL]

5 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

We are considering Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords on Apex June 2025 out of Southampton. Would appreciate thoughts on cruising/destinations that time of year with crowds in ports, kids on the ship, weather, and any other thoughts? Thanks.

We did the Norwegian Fjords two years ago.  We did a 12 night on Royal Caribbean going all the way up to the North Cape.  There were very few children on the ship and we were the only ship in each port each day so we didn't have any issues with overcrowded ports.  It was an amazing cruise.  Experienced 5 days of complete sunlight...kind of crazy having to wear sunglasses at 2 in the morning. One piece of advice, is do your research and plan your days.  We rented a car in two ports and drove ourselves (The Atlantic Highway and Langfoss Falls).  In other ports we had pre-hired private guides to take us around for the day.  In Flam we bought train tickets up the mountain and then zip-lined and biked back.  We actually looking at a 7-night on Apex in 2025 that will get us to Geiranger and Bergen that were not on our itinerary 2 years ago.  If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to answer if I can help.

[ShawninFL]

2 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

When you cruise out of Southampton thoughts on flying into Southampton or London and then transportation to Southampton?

You're going to end up flying into Heathrow in London.  On our Baltics cruise in July, we only flew in the day before, so we hired a private transfer from Heathrow to our hotel in Southampton.  we stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to the port.  Walked to checkin the next morning.  Easy as can be.

[denby]

We were on Apex last June. Geiranger Fjord was amazing. Be sure to go to the Fjord Centre and walk down the stairs along the waterfalls. A bonus for us were the rainbows as we left Geirnager.

[ijscheer]

I notice that all the Norway itinerararies (and only these) include Zeebrugge.  Is there some reason for this?  It's fine with me since Bruges is one of my must-sees. Just wondering why only the all-Norway sailings include Zeebrugge.

[Norwaylady]

9 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

We are considering Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords on Apex June 2025 out of Southampton. Would appreciate thoughts on cruising/destinations that time of year with crowds in ports, kids on the ship, weather, and any other thoughts? Thanks.

Go for it! 🇳🇴 

 

The waterfalls are not frozen in June! 
it still may be snow in the mountains. 
It deepens on the temperature for melting. 
But the fjords are all green and lush. 

This is from Geiranger in mid June 

 

Pack for layers and different weather during the daytime. (It can change radically in a very short time) 

A decent rain/wind jacket is ideal. 
 

Bon Voyage⚓️ 

from the Norwegian 

 

[Torfamm]

I’ve been in late June and had fantastic weather. It was a 14 day itinerary with few children. The scenery was stunning. My favorites were the sail in to Geiranger and kayaking in the Naeroyfjord when we were in Flam.

[JeanieC,Aston]

Leaving Flam September 1st last year,,,,,sun cream required.

[wineoclock]

We went end May start June this year. Weather was fine and lots of waterfalls. Great time to go though I wouldn’t book uk half term again as no so many children on board!

[Shiba_Lover]

5 hours ago, Torfamm said:

I’ve been in late June and had fantastic weather. It was a 14 day itinerary with few children. The scenery was stunning. My favorites were the sail in to Geiranger and kayaking in the Naeroyfjord when we were in Flam.

Ooh we've booked Naeroyfjord kayaking out of Flam on one of the B2Bs and will do the train on the other.  Glad to hear the kayaking was good.  

[Torfamm]

2 hours ago, Shiba_Lover said:

Ooh we've booked Naeroyfjord kayaking out of Flam on one of the B2Bs and will do the train on the other.  Glad to hear the kayaking was good.  

I can’t say enough about how beautiful it was!

Edited November 21, 2023 by Torfamm

[sollan]

On 11/20/2023 at 7:09 PM, cruzzzinma said:

The magnificent waterfalls in the Norwegian Fjords will be almost completely frozen in June. By August, they should be thawed.

Not true. Maybe you should check your source of information....🤣

[sollan]

On 11/20/2023 at 7:43 PM, Lena11033 said:

 

I'm going there in July - I think it may be from 2026 that takes effect

Where have you got that info from? Greatful for link.

[montythecat]

Early to mid June is good. Long days and 24 hours sunshine if

you are far enough north. Wonderful experience and most British 

kids would still be at school. July probably more popular and 

crowded. Waterfalls ought to be spectacular. Heathrow

Airport to Southampton is pretty easy at any time, but watch

out for planned strikes on the railways.

[the penguins]

On 11/20/2023 at 5:23 PM, JDPCruisers said:

We are considering Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords on Apex June 2025 out of Southampton. Would appreciate thoughts on cruising/destinations that time of year with crowds in ports, kids on the ship, weather, and any other thoughts? Thanks.

Whenever anyone asks about the Fjords my question is "Which is more important seeing Fjords or the experience associated with cruising"?

If it's the latter then X is a great choice and we have  done with them and Royal.

However if you want to really experience the Fjords then Hurtigruten's 12 night (or the new 16 nighter) Classic Roundtrip Bergen to Bergen is in a class of its own. 22 ports in 12 days, fjords that the big ships just can't reach and the true Norwegian experience. The ships are small  but perfect for the route. Great viewing areas. Local food mainly served buffet style. 

Cabins that are functional rather than luxurious but some larger suites. No theatre of casino. A piano bar.

Numerous excursions including dog sledding and a private concert in Tromso Cathedral. 

Check it out.

[maggieq]

On 11/20/2023 at 1:55 PM, mac_tlc said:

Jump on it. We considered going back on Apex in 2025. 
 

To whet your appetite, here is my live review from Jewel of the Seas.

 

 

We were going to cruise on a 7 night fjords on the apex in 2024.  A deal that I could not pass up on the jewel 12 night arctic circle came my way and we are booked for may 30 2024 😊 

[JDPCruisers]

Thanks to all that have responded. We did indeed book it and while 18 months away, we can't wait! 

[kmsnyg]

2 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

Thanks to all that have responded. We did indeed book it and while 18 months away, we can't wait! 

It will be lovely in June! We went late May this year and there was only snow on the mountain tops.

[travelbuds]

On 11/20/2023 at 4:38 PM, ShawninFL said:

You're going to end up flying into Heathrow in London.......so we hired a private transfer from Heathrow to our hotel in Southampton.  we stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to the port.  Walked to checkin the next morning.  Easy as can be.

Curious what private transfer service you used. Thank you.

[kr00t0n]

I have done early May (plenty of snow when taking the train up the mountain in Flam) and late June (still plenty of roaring waterfalls in Geiranger), so either works.

 

The constants for both trips were rainy Bergen, drizzly Alesund, and complete scorchers in Stavanger (30ºC / 90ºF)

[Dancing Shoes]

We were there in June 2023.  Great weather and plenty of water falling as posted in Geiranger and other stops.

[JDPCruisers]

On 2/6/2024 at 8:30 AM, kr00t0n said:

I have done early May (plenty of snow when taking the train up the mountain in Flam) and late June (still plenty of roaring waterfalls in Geiranger), so either works.

 

The constants for both trips were rainy Bergen, drizzly Alesund, and complete scorchers in Stavanger (30ºC / 90ºF)

Very good to know, thanks!

[JDPCruisers]

14 hours ago, Dancing Shoes said:

We were there in June 2023.  Great weather and plenty of water falling as posted in Geiranger and other stops.

Thanks for the feedback, looking forward to it!

[ncgolferette]

I think the June5 sailing on the Apex is the only cruise for 2025 that goes to both Flam and Geiranger. 

[travelbuds]

On 2/6/2024 at 8:02 PM, Dancing Shoes said:

We were there in June 2023.  Great weather and plenty of water falling as posted in Geiranger and other stops.

This will be our first cruise to Norway. Wondering if there are vendors lined up at Norwegian ports like they are in Alaska such as in Juneau. We rarely did excursions sponsored through ship. We usually have made independent reservations before leaving home.

[Dancing Shoes]

We did a ship tour in Ulvik, as it is a small port that was switched from Eidfjord. In Geiranger I booked a bus tour on our own.  Alesund had some vendors and Bergan we didn't notice.  We were docked away from the city at Bergen.   We were on HAL, Rotterdam.