Scandinavian Cruise: a tailor-made travel guide

At a glance: a Scandinavian fjord cruise

• Recommended length: 8 days (7 nights); add 1 to 2 nights in Copenhagen before boarding.
• Best time to go: May to September: long days and accessible fjords. June and July are the brightest; August and September are often calmer.
• Starting budget: €1,400 – €1,800 per person for 8 days (return flight + cabin, excluding extras).
• Getting around: The ship is your hotel and your transport: unpack only once. Port calls often last only a few hours.
• Packages: Full board on board; drinks, excursions and gratuities are often extra depending on the package. Read your cruise line’s conditions.
• Entry requirements (French travelers): A valid ID card or passport is generally enough within the Schengen area, but some cruise lines require a passport: check with yours.
• Language and currency: Danish krone (DKK) and Norwegian krone (NOK); cards are accepted almost everywhere, Norway using very little cash.
• Good to know: The North Sea can be rough: bring a seasickness remedy. At popular ports such as Geiranger, several ships are often present at the same time.
• With a dog:Not recommendedMost cruise lines do not accept pets on board, except assistance dogs declared in advance. A cruise is therefore generally not compatible with traveling with a dog: consider a land-based stay in Scandinavia instead.

Entry requirements, health and safety: check the French foreign ministry’s travel advice before booking.

Sample 8-day itinerary from Copenhagen

• Day 1: Copenhagen: Nyhavn, canals, Tivoli, then boarding in the late afternoon.
• Day 2: A day at sea to enjoy the ship.
• Day 3: Hellesylt and the Geirangerfjord: waterfalls and cliffs, UNESCO-listed.
• Day 4: Ålesund or Flåm depending on the cruise line: Art Nouveau architecture or the Flåm scenic railway.
• Day 5: Bergen: the Bryggen district, the Fløibanen funicular, the fish market.
• Day 6: Stavanger or Haugesund depending on the itinerary.
• Day 7: A call in Germany (Kiel or Warnemünde) or a day at sea.
• Day 8: Return to Copenhagen and disembarkation.

To add Stockholm and the Baltic

Baltic Sea cruises (Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Copenhagen…) are a different format. To combine the fjords and Stockholm, the simplest option is to spend 2 to 3 nights in Stockholm before or after the cruise. The itinerary above is an example: ports of call vary by cruise line, ship and date.

Detailed indicative budget for a Scandinavian cruise

Indicative estimates per person (double cabin). Prices vary widely by cruise line, departure date and booking time. The starting budget shown at the top of the page corresponds to an inside cabin on a basic package.

Which cabin to choose and where to stay before boarding

• Inside cabin: The cheapest, with no view and quiet for sleeping; ideal if you spend little time in your cabin.
• Outside cabin (porthole): A little natural light, a good compromise.
• Balcony cabin: Recommended for the fjord passages: you can admire Geiranger from your cabin.
• Cabin position: Cabins midship and on lower decks move less in rough seas.
• Copenhagen before boarding: Indre By (the center) to do everything on foot, Vesterbro for dining and proximity to the station.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Booking excursions at the last minute: The most popular ones fill up fast at busy ports.

2. Arriving in Copenhagen on departure day: A delayed flight could make you miss the ship: allow 1 to 2 nights on site.

3. Leaving without a warm, waterproof layer: It can be cool at sea and in the fjords, even in summer.

4. Underestimating seasickness: Bring a remedy and choose a stable cabin.

5. Not reading the package conditions: Drinks, gratuities and wifi are not always included.

6. Assuming port calls are long: They often last a few hours: plan your visits.

FAQ: Scandinavian cruise