Norway’s fjords offer a spectacular combination of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls and peaceful waters, with colourful towns and historic harbours to explore along the coast. A cruise brings these experiences together, pairing time ashore with scenic sailing and the chance to enjoy the journey from the comfort of the ship.
In May 2026, we joined Mummy Bird for our first cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne. Our seven-night voyage from Southampton took us to Stavanger, Skjolden, Ålesund and Haugesund, with scenic cruising through Sognefjord and Lustrafjord. From mist-shrouded mountains and Art Nouveau buildings to cinnamon buns, leisurely dinners and Cunard’s signature Afternoon Tea, it was a holiday with plenty for both our eyes and our taste buds.
Aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne – Our First Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords
Our first experience of cruising brought together delicious food, comfortable accommodation, evening entertainment and a crew who helped make the week particularly memorable. We explore life aboard Queen Anne, from dining in Britannia and Afternoon Tea to accessible accommodation and our experience of travelling with Mummy Bird.
Read about our time aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne
Exploring Norway’s Fjord Ports – Stavanger, Skjolden, Ålesund and Haugesund
Each of our four ports offered a different taste of Norway. We explored Stavanger’s colourful streets, enjoyed the tranquillity of Skjolden, admired Ålesund’s distinctive architecture and discovered Haugesund’s Viking connections. Naturally, there were plenty of café stops and tempting local treats along the way.
Read about our visits to Norway’s fjord ports
Cunard’s Queen Anne
Queen Anne was our home throughout the voyage, allowing us to explore several destinations without unpacking at every stop. Our interconnecting staterooms made travelling together easier, while Mummy Bird’s accessible accommodation provided space for her walking aid and a shower seat. Our onboard article covers the accommodation alongside the ship’s restaurants, lounges, activities and entertainment.
Explore our Queen Anne review
Food was a big part of our Norwegian adventure, both aboard the ship and during our visits ashore. Queen Anne offered everything from served meals in Britannia to the Artisans’ Foodhall, light lunches in the Carinthia Lounge and the ceremony of Afternoon Tea.
On land, our discoveries included Bøker og Børst and Sirkus Renaa in Stavanger, Racoon Coffee in Ålesund and Naturbakst in Haugesund. Cinnamon buns became something of a holiday habit, with hot chocolates, pastries and a sea buckthorn tart adding to the temptation.
Discover the café stops and treats in our port visits article
You can see all our photos in these albums:
Norway’s western coast is known for its dramatic fjords, mountain scenery and colourful waterfront towns. Exploring by cruise offers the chance to visit several destinations while enjoying the changing scenery from the ship, with time ashore for sightseeing, café stops and discovering local life.
Our Norwegian Fjords voyage departed from Southampton aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne and visited Stavanger, Skjolden, Ålesund and Haugesund. Stavanger offered historic wooden buildings and colourful streets, while Skjolden provided a peaceful setting at the head of Lustrafjord. Ålesund stood out for its Art Nouveau architecture and harbour views, and Haugesund introduced us to the region’s Viking heritage.
Our two main articles bring together our experiences of life aboard Queen Anne and exploring the four ports, including dining, accommodation, travelling with limited mobility and the places we discovered along the way.
Jordan – Discover ancient cities, dramatic desert landscapes and memorable food experiences, from Petra and Wadi Rum to the shores of the Dead Sea.
Last updated October 2026. Travel articles, accommodation details and photo highlights have been added following our Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne, visiting Stavanger, Skjolden, Ålesund and Haugesund.
