Fjord Norway – a spectacular cruise destination
Norway is often referred to as the land of fjords. The word fjord comes from Norwegian, where it can have a more general meaning: in many cases to refer to any long narrow body of water, inlet or channel.
Fjords are found in locations where current or past glaciation extended below current sea level. A fjord is formed when a glacier retreats, after carving its typical U-shaped valley, and the sea fills the resulting valley floor. This forms a narrow, steep sided inlet (sometimes deeper than 1300 metres) connected to the sea. The terminal moraine pushed down the valley by the glacier is left underwater at the fjord’s entrance, causing the water at the neck of the fjord to be shallower than the main body of the fjord behind it.
Thanks to the warming Gulf Stream and air currents caused by the coriolis effect, the Norwegian fjords enjoy a mild climate and remain virtually ice-free. Seals, porpoises and an abundance of different fish swim in the fjords, while eagles and other birds soar in the skies above.
Although most fjords are relatively narrow, they are generally so deep that crossing is only possible by ferry or boat. This means that there is large number of ferries in this region. It also means that the largest cruise ships can enter even the very narrow fjords. Valleys are typically extensions of fjords into the hinterland, in these valleys there are often deep lakes echoing the fjord below. The scale of a major fjord like Sognefjorden, is like the Grand Canyon in the western USA. Because fjords are extensions of the ocean they contain salt water, but due to the numerous rivers the salt content of the top layer is notably lower than in the Atlantic.
The Romsdalsfjord
The Romsdalsfjord strech from snowy mountains to beautiful coastline of islands and reefs. Experience all this in one day due to the short distance from mountains to coast. The Romsdalsfjord is located in the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Fjord Norway.
The Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord is like a fairytale. The Geirangerfjord attracts travellers to its pristine beauty. And the fjord is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Geirangerfjord is located in the southwestern part of the county of Møre og Romsdal, north in Fjord Norway.
The Nordfjord
The glaciers, fjords, sea and mountains in the Nordfjord area have some of the finest scenery Norway has to offer. The Nordfjord is located in the northern part of the county of Sogn og Fjordane, in the centre of Fjord Norway.
The Sognefjord
The Sognefjord, the king of the fjords, is the longest fjord adventure in Norway. Sognefjord stretches halfway to the Swedish border. The fjord is 204 kilometres long and 1308 metres deep. The Sognefjord is located located in the southern part of the county of Sogn og Fjordane, in the middle of Fjord Norway.
The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord
Nærøyfjord is the narrowest in the world. The Nærøyfjord is one of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic fjords. It is included in UNESCO´s World Heritage List. The Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord are located in the southern part of the county of Sogn og Fjordane, in the middle of Fjord Norway.
The Hardangerfjord
The Hardangerfjord area, the orchard of Norway, is known for summer skiing at Folgefonna glacier and a spectacular fruit tree blossoming in spring. Hardangerfjord is famous for its flowering fruit trees. The Hardangerfjord is located in the county of Hordaland, near Bergen, in the middle of Fjord Norway.
The Lysefjord
From island kingdom to deep fjords and high mountains; Ryfylke and the Lysefjord area are known for Preikestolen (the Pulpit rock) and Kjerag. The Lysefjord is located in the county of Rogaland, near Haugesund and Stavanger, south in Fjord Norway.