Norwegian Fjords - changes afoot?

[BigAl94]

Having just returned from a fantastic cruise to the Norwegian Fjords on Apex I would encourage anyone with this on their "bucket list" to not delay! If you click on the video play button in this link, it gives an overview of the drastic changes the Norwegian government want to bring in 2026.

https://www.dw.com/en/norway-bans-polluting-cruise-ships/video-67882149#:~:text=Starting in 2026%2C only cruise,tourism from damaging the ecosystem.

[Norwaylady]

It's still possible, the new Excel ship is tri fuel. See the answer in Q & A. 

So she will meet the requirements;)  

 

And the other ships will still be aloud to all other port, just not the fjords. So they can sail, but they are not allowed into Geiranger etc.

Already for many years, the ships sailing in Norway needs too meet requirement for cleaner oil. 

So the fuel price for a Norwegian cruise is much higer than the Caribbean sailings who dont have requirements for fuel type/cleaned level of oil. 

That's one of the reasons fuel prices for Norwegian sailings is higer. 

[Norwaylady]

This link is from Innovasjon Norge, a governmental source in Norway. 

 

Her you can read more of the new rules and what the cruise lines must do to be able to visit Geiranger and Nærøyfjorden etc. 

 

https://businessnorway.com/articles/green-cruising-norway-world-heritage-fjords-becoming-emission-free

 

Electric plug for cruise ships has been available for a longer time in several ports in Norway. But the cruise ships has not been able to use it, unless the ship has been rebuild or it is newer. 

This is a very importen step to reduce fuel use and keep the air clean local. 

[the penguins]

9 hours ago, BigAl94 said:

Having just returned from a fantastic cruise to the Norwegian Fjords on Apex I would encourage anyone with this on their "bucket list" to not delay! If you click on the video play button in this link, it gives an overview of the drastic changes the Norwegian government want to bring in 2026.

https://www.dw.com/en/norway-bans-polluting-cruise-ships/video-67882149#:~:text=Starting in 2026%2C only cruise,tourism from damaging the ecosystem.

We have done the Fjords on Celebrity and Royal but neither come close to our experience with Hurtigruten on it's 12 night Classic Roundtrip Cruise from Bergen. 22 ports, numerous Fjords and hours of cruising the Fjords. We went over Christmas and New Year. Christmas Day we went dog sledding and after dinner the Lights made their first of several appearances. Choose the right cruise and if the Lights don't appear Hurtigruten will give you a free 7 night cruise to try again

[canderson]

Now they just need to insist that all of the other fjord traffic go zero emissions as well -- like the mail and supply boats.  Cruise ships are a small % of the total traffic there.  All those impacted for 2026 are cruise ships, tourist boats and ferries.  I'll believe Norway is serious about zero emissions when they put the hammer on all of the rest of the ships in the fjords.  If the mail and groceries stopped, it would be a different story.

 

Then there's the dodge of having cruise lines buying and using lower emission "alternative" fuels somewhere else, but not necessarily using them in the "zero emission" fjords.  Think of the "carbon offset" shell game.

 

Fjord1 (a large Norwegian ferry company) is going to make a run at 2026 with all-electric ferries.  Will see what that does to eventual operating costs.  Replacing 75 ships ain't cheap, and neither is electricity in that part of the world.

 

[zitsky]

I hope Norwegians practice what they preach and don’t cruise on any dirty ships, or large ones for that matter.

[NutsAboutGolf]

14 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

 

It's still possible, the new Excel ship is tri fuel. See the answer in Q & A. 

So she will meet the requirements;)  

 

And the other ships will still be aloud to all other port, just not the fjords. So they can sail, but they are not allowed into Geiranger etc.

Already for many years, the ships sailing in Norway needs too meet requirement for cleaner oil. 

So the fuel price for a Norwegian cruise is much higer than the Caribbean sailings who dont have requirements for fuel type/cleaned level of oil. 

That's one of the reasons fuel prices for Norwegian sailings is higer. 

 

X could also do what they have done in Alaska, a paid "tour" in which a small boat that comes up alongside the cruise ship, boards the paying guests, gets up close and personal with a glacier (or Fjords for Norway), and the boat drops you off at the next port.  For Norway, they just need to charter a boat that's in compliance 

[PTC DAWG]

4 hours ago, canderson said:

Now they just need to insist that all of the other fjord traffic go zero emissions as well -- like the mail and supply boats.  Cruise ships are a small % of the total traffic there.  All those impacted for 2026 are cruise ships, tourist boats and ferries.  I'll believe Norway is serious about zero emissions when they put the hammer on all of the rest of the ships in the fjords.  If the mail and groceries stopped, it would be a different story.

 

Then there's the dodge of having cruise lines buying and using lower emission "alternative" fuels somewhere else, but not necessarily using them in the "zero emission" fjords.  Think of the "carbon offset" shell game.

 

Fjord1 (a large Norwegian ferry company) is going to make a run at 2026 with all-electric ferries.  Will see what that does to eventual operating costs.  Replacing 75 ships ain't cheap, and neither is electricity in that part of the world.

 

Agree totally, are they hurting here is locals that sell to cruise tourists..

[NMTraveller]

49 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

X could also do what they have done in Alaska, a paid "tour" in which a small boat that comes up alongside the cruise ship, boards the paying guests, gets up close and personal with a glacier (or Fjords for Norway), and the boat drops you off at the next port.  For Norway, they just need to charter a boat that's in compliance 

They will likely sell it as an excursion ...

[NMTraveller]

It looks like Princess has two LNG ships ...

[NutsAboutGolf]

49 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

They will likely sell it as an excursion ...

 

Absolutely, the Alaska option wasn't cheap, $350ish in the summer of 2019, probably around $500 now.  With Alaska, the small boat picked up passengers directly from the ship.  As you're pointing out for Norway, the cruise ship could dock where allowed and then sell fjord tour executions on small boats

[the penguins]

10 hours ago, canderson said:

Now they just need to insist that all of the other fjord traffic go zero emissions as well -- like the mail and supply boats.  Cruise ships are a small % of the total traffic there.  All those impacted for 2026 are cruise ships, tourist boats and ferries.  I'll believe Norway is serious about zero emissions when they put the hammer on all of the rest of the ships in the fjords.  If the mail and groceries stopped, it would be a different story.

 

Then there's the dodge of having cruise lines buying and using lower emission "alternative" fuels somewhere else, but not necessarily using them in the "zero emission" fjords.  Think of the "carbon offset" shell game.

 

Fjord1 (a large Norwegian ferry company) is going to make a run at 2026 with all-electric ferries.  Will see what that does to eventual operating costs.  Replacing 75 ships ain't cheap, and neither is electricity in that part of the world.

 

Hurtigruten ships already perform this joint function I,e. Part cruise ship, part cargo vessels and part mail delivery. This is why the experience is unique. Crew are all paid local wages (ie high) with all the benefits of the Norwegian system. 

[Norwaylady]

As some have discovered Hurtigruten is already ready for this change. They have rebuild older ships to be updated to zero emission during fjord cruising. 

Hurtigruten is the local ferry, mail and cruise:) 

We use them to visit Mr family and we have done a full 12-n Norwegian coast cruise. Bergen-Bergen. 

I strongly recommend Hurtigruten for a Norwegian coastal cruise. 

But you need to understand that there are some differences compared to X/RCL/NCL etc. 

Food is local and very hige quality.

Crew is Norwegian majority. (several of Mr familie is working onboard in the engine department) 

The biggest difference is the entertainment. The view and outdoors are the "big" thing. 

So if you want a show in a theatre, you will be disappointed. 

They dont have a big pool out on deck, but some of the ships has a jacuzzi. 

But really a nice way to see Norway. 

Im sailings ready in 5.minutes notice🙃

 

Several of the local ferrys in Norway are already electric;) 

All new builds delivery to ferry companies in Norway needs to be approved for the new regulations. 

So several bigger ferry crossings have had electric power for years already.

And its electric plug in bigger ports, so its no need to use engines onboard during stay in ports. 

 

Color Line to Kiel has used this technology in Oslo for many years already. 

 

[NMTraveller]

Celebrity has not put out their 2026 schedules yet.  They may just skip the protected ports like Princess and HAL.

[NMTraveller]

The other issue is that Celebrity is putting E class ships on these itineraries.  Not good for a scenic cruise unless you are in a suite and have access to the front of the ship.

[the penguins]

44 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

The other issue is that Celebrity is putting E class ships on these itineraries.  Not good for a scenic cruise unless you are in a suite and have access to the front of the ship.

The amount of “scenic cruising” is so minimal I would think you would hardly notice it. In the few stops in the Fjords you’re docked by 9.0 so any cruising is when most are getting up and having breakfast ready for disembarkation. Sail away in the late afternoon i.e. when most are getting ready for dinner and enjoying the bars. If you want Fjords you really have to be more adventurous.

[NantahalaCruiser]

20 hours ago, the penguins said:

We have done the Fjords on Celebrity and Royal but neither come close to our experience with Hurtigruten on it's 12 night Classic Roundtrip Cruise from Bergen. 22 ports, numerous Fjords and hours of cruising the Fjords. We went over Christmas and New Year. Christmas Day we went dog sledding and after dinner the Lights made their first of several appearances. Choose the right cruise and if the Lights don't appear Hurtigruten will give you a free 7 night cruise to try again

However, Hurtigruten does not go into Flam, Geiringer or Olden

[asnaleah]

@Norwaylady, what do you know about Havila cruises? Thinking about it for 2026.

[Norwaylady]

4 hours ago, NantahalaCruiser said:

However, Hurtigruten does not go into Flam, Geiringer or Olden

Hurtigruten goes to Geiranger during summer season. 

[Norwaylady]

40 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

@Norwaylady, what do you know about Havila cruises? Thinking about it for 2026.

Havila is similar as Hurtigruten. 
It’s a competitor. 
Same sailing and ports of call on the classic coastal sailing. 
 

Ships in the Havila fleet is brand new. 
Hurtigruten has older ships. 
I haven’t sailed on Havila, just seen her in port. 
Ships look great and the amenities onboard are very nice 👍🏻 

 

So I personally is very tempted to test them💙

[Norwaylady]

 

During summer months Hurtigruten visits Geiranger❤️

 

 

 

 

just a ordinary day out fishing in Geiranger👌🏻😎

[Lena11033]

@Norwaylady  your going to end up running a group booking for cruise critic to Norway 😆

[bigbenboys]

17 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Absolutely, the Alaska option wasn't cheap, $350ish in the summer of 2019, probably around $500 now.  With Alaska, the small boat picked up passengers directly from the ship.  As you're pointing out for Norway, the cruise ship could dock where allowed and then sell fjord tour executions on small boats

You are so close. X has the execution at Hubbard Glacier for $526.05 on sale 5% now $498.99 pp.

[NutsAboutGolf]

10 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

You are so close. X has the execution at Hubbard Glacier for $526.05 on sale 5% now $498.99 pp.

 

My second guess was "One dollar!" ha ha

[Norwaylady]

16 minutes ago, Lena11033 said:

@Norwaylady  your going to end up running a group booking for cruise critic to Norway 😆

Norway 🇳🇴 has something for everyone😎

You never know😂😂😂