You might have heard that Norway is closing its fjords to cruise ship traffic in 2026.  This isn’t entirely accurate, but it will be greatly restricted after next summer.  Some of you have asked, so here are some quick bits about Norway and its fjords.  Some of you know Kim from our office, and she and her husband visited Norway in July!

About Norway:

• It’s about the same size as Montana, and is home to 5.5 million people.  
• Norway has the world’s 2^nd longest coastline (after Canada), so it’s no wonder people want to visit the Norwegian coast.
• Norway’s largest industries are petroleum, fishing, and ship building – so you can see how restricting traffic to the fjords affects all three (imagine the politics!)
• The Norwegians have been a bit smarter than us about their oil industry.  A set amount from each barrel of oil is retained in their “Heritage Fund” that now amounts to $1.62 trillion or about $300,000 for every person in the country.
• We love to celebrate Christopher Columbus (even though he never set foot in the United States), but the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World by about 500 years. 

Are the Norwegian Fjords Closing?

• No… but traffic will be greatly restricted starting in 2026.
• Only cruise ships running on alternative fuels will be allowed after 2025, and ALL vessels will have to be zero-emissions by 2035.
• You MAY be able to take excursions into the fjords via the electric boats that have been operating there for years.  
• Some cruise lines have already begun the shift to liquid natural gas, hybrid-electric, liquid hydrogen, and biofuels.  More to follow in the next few years.

When to go

• Norway is a long way north (Oslo is only slightly south of Anchorage in terms of latitude), so most people visit May through September.
• There are cruise options in the winter (for Northern Lights), but it is mostly dark and cold then (but undoubtedly a fantastic experience). 
• 2025 will offer more choices and options to the Norwegian Fjords until further notice.  Again… the technology will catch up with the regulations, but it might take a few years.

What’s the Attraction?

• Pristine scenery, waterfalls, wildlife and nature
• Charming small townships with well-endowed parks and public space
• Norwegians!  This is a small, but really impressive country.

The bottom line here is that Norway will continue to be a significant cruise destination in Northern Europe, but if you want to get into the fjords on your preferred cruise line, then 2025 is potentially the last year to do that until ALL the cruise lines have upgraded their fleets.  

Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA 10% OFF PRIVATE SALE

You’ve got a few more days before this offer disappears at the end of the month.  There are over 200 itineraries that can get you 10% OFF the best price on SilverSea’s website: https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-time-to-try-classic-luxury/ .  

Here are some SilverSea options if you want to visit Norway:

NORWAY: Round-trip from Copenhagen departing August 15 for 12-days

• Visit 7 ports in Norway including Oslo (overnight) and Skagen.
• Fares from $5940

NORWAY & UK:  Edinburgh to Longyearbyen departing May 25 for 18-days

• Visit 3 ports in the Shetland Islands, Noss (Scotland), 12 ports in Norway including Tromso and Svalbard.
• This cruise is on the former Crystal ship, Endeavour — that holds just 200 guests!
• Fares from $23,310

NORWAY & IRELAND: Copenhagen to Dublin departing July 25 for 9-days.

• Visit 3 ports in Norway, Shetland Islands, Noss, Orkney Islands, Shiant Islands, Loch Ewe, Lunga.
• Fares from $5040.  Also available from Dublin to Copenhagen on July 16.

HURTIGRUTEN:  Norwegian Coastal Cruises

As a Norwegian company, Hurtigruten is in the region year round:

NORWAY FJORDS IN SUMMER:  Midnight Sun cruises round-trip from Bergen for 15-days

• 10 port stops in Coastal Norway including Svalbard and Tromso. 
• Departures May through September from $4702.

NORWAY ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS:  Oslo to Helsinki for 17-days

• First, travel from Oslo to Bergen on the Flam Railway.  Then board the Norwegian Coastal Express for 7-nights in the Fjords.  Do a Reindeer Safari in Northern Finland, visit the Santa Claus Village, do a Husky Safari, stay in a Glass Igloo in Lapland, and finish in Helsinki.
• Departures September 2025 through March 2026 from $6412 pp

AMA WATERWAYS

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing July 4 for one-week

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Afurada.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• This trip is on the brand new AMA Sintra, carrying just 102 guests
• BONUS: This trip is already offered at 10% off, and we have TWO remaining vouchers for an additional 5% (Up to $300 off).
• Verandas $6268.  Windows $4199

EGYPT for 12-days (4 nights Cairo and 7-nights on the ship)

• See the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum (with King Tut’s room), Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and a Nile Felucca ride 
• BONUS: Business Class Air for $2499 round-trip
• November 22 or 29, 2024 from $6549
• December 2024 departures from $6149

CANADA LAND-CRUISE WITH TAUCK

Canada is “domestic” in terms of trip logistics, but still offers unique experiences.  Here are two different ways to see our neighbo(u)r to the North: 

URBAN: Canada’s Capital Cities & Niagara Falls for 10-days from Toronto to Quebec City

• Visit Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City
• Do a day cruise on the St. Lawrence, a walking and tasting tour of Old Montreal, see a maple sugar demonstration, see the walled city and citadel at Quebec, and visit the Plains of Abraham (where the epic battle between Wolfe and Montcalm took place (the result of which is why you’re speaking English right now)).
• 2024:  Depart September 28 for $5890
• 2025:  Departures May through October from $5690

MARITIMES:  Round-trip from Halifax for 11-days

• Visit the famous lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, see Lunenburg (a UNESCO site), witness the 38 foot tides at the Bay of Fundy, visit Saint John, do a Lobster Cruise on Shediac Bay, enjoy Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island, see the site of Anne of Green Gables, travel Cape Breton Island, and stop in at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (this Scottish-born Canadian invented a lot more than just the telephone!)
• 2024:  Depart September 27 for $6990
• 2025:  Departures June through September from $5790

ICYMI: 5 -year travel plan:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley