Sky Princess Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review: Olden, Bergen, Stavanger & Skjolden Guide
A cruise through the Norwegian Fjords is one of those bucket list experiences that sounds almost too perfect to be real. Towering mountains, deep blue water, cascading waterfalls — it almost feels staged.
But nothing quite prepares you for the reality.
We recently sailed through Norway on Sky Princess, visiting Skjolden, Bergen, Olden and Stavanger — and in short, it was breathtaking from start to finish.
The Overall Experience: Simply Breathtaking
If we had to describe this cruise in one word, it would be breathtaking.
The scenery throughout the Norwegian Fjords was the best we have ever experienced on any trip. The landscapes felt almost unreal — dramatic mountains, mirror-like waters and endless natural beauty in every direction.
In fact, the scenery in Olden was so spectacular that we completely forgot how cold it was… and ended up swimming in the ship’s pool with snow-covered mountains behind us.
That’s not something you forget in a hurry.
Sailing Through the Norwegian Fjords
One of the absolute highlights of the entire cruise was simply sailing through the fjords.
It was peaceful, slow and incredibly scenic. Unlike many cruises where the journey is just a means to an end, here the sailing is the experience.
Standing on deck as the ship glided between towering cliffs and still waters felt almost surreal.
If you do one thing on a Norwegian Fjords cruise — make sure you’re awake for the sail-ins.
Olden: The Most Stunning Port
For pure scenery, nothing came close to Olden.
It is one of the most visually stunning places we have ever visited. Mountains rise dramatically around the village and the water is impossibly clear.
Loen Skylift Experience
One of the biggest highlights here was the Loen Skylift.
It is easily accessible from the cruise port. You can buy tickets much cheaper from local vendors at the port compared to cruise ship prices — and these often include the bus transfer, which runs frequently and takes around 12 minutes.
The cable car ride itself offers incredible views, but the real reward is at the top.
At the summit, the panoramic views over the fjords are absolutely stunning.
The only slightly nerve-wracking moment comes on the way down, when the lift passes over the cliff edge. Even if you’re not looking directly at it, you can definitely feel the shift as you descend.
Arriving early is key — when we went up, there was no queue. By the time we came down, the queues were significantly longer.
Stavanger: Culture and Walkability
While Olden was all about scenery, Stavanger stood out for a different reason.
It felt like the most culturally “Norwegian” port on the itinerary. It was easy to explore, very walkable, and gave a great insight into local life.
A perfect balance of scenery, culture and relaxed exploring.
Bergen: A Classic Fjord City
Bergen offered a completely different vibe again — colourful buildings, waterfront charm and a bustling atmosphere.
It’s one of those cities that feels both historic and lively at the same time, and it works perfectly as a cruise stop.
Skjolden: Quiet and Scenic
Skjolden is much quieter than the other ports, but still incredibly scenic.
It’s a peaceful stop that really lets you soak in the fjord surroundings rather than rushing between attractions.
What Surprised Us About Norway
There were two big surprises for us:
1. No Litter Anywhere
Not once did we see a single piece of litter. Everywhere was incredibly clean, which really stood out.
2. Prices (In a Good Way)
We expected Norway to be extremely expensive, but clothing prices were actually quite reasonable. Even more surprising was the quality — noticeably higher than the UK, making it feel like excellent value for money.
Our Sky Princess Experience
Life onboard Sky Princess exceeded expectations.
Food
The food was consistently high quality, with plenty of choice and generous portions.
Cabin
We stayed in a balcony cabin, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the cruise.
On a personal note, it was my birthday during the trip, and one of the highlights was sitting on the balcony opening presents and cards while surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
Entertainment
Entertainment on board was genuinely impressive — easily West End standard, with excellent guest acts throughout the cruise.
Overall Feel
The ship felt comfortable, well-run and very high quality throughout.
Balcony Cabin: Is It Worth It for Norway?
Absolutely — yes.
A balcony cabin is almost essential for a Norwegian Fjords cruise.
The views alone make it worth it, especially during sail-ins and sail-outs.
It transforms the experience completely.
Top Tips for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
Here are the most important things we learned:
- Get up early for sail-ins — they are unforgettable
- Don’t miss the scenic cruising through the fjords
- Book Loen Skylift independently for better value
- Arrive early at attractions to avoid queues
- Choose a non-obstructed balcony if possible
- Pack warm layers — it is colder than expected
- Time-lapse the sail-ins if you can — they make incredible memories
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Without question — this cruise was fantastic.
The combination of breathtaking scenery, excellent ports and a high-quality ship made it one of our favourite cruise experiences to date.
We came away with three clear conclusions:
- We want to cruise with Princess Cruises again
- We want to return to Norway
- And we want to relive those fjord sail-ins all over again
The Norwegian Fjords are every bit as magical as people say — and on Sky Princess, they’re even better.
