Seabourn
Small, sociable, quietly luxurious ships, with a sister expedition fleet.
- Best for: Couples and adult groups who value calm, warmth and a small ship
- Not for: You are bringing children
- Included: all-suite accommodation; drinks and dining
Best for
The best luxury Norwegian fjords cruises
Luxury Norwegian fjord cruises compared by Blackbury: no-fly departures from Southampton and Dover, small ships with the right decks, and which suits grandparents, couples and families.
The fjords are the no-fly luxury cruise, and the one we suggest to grandparents who find the Mediterranean too hot. The right ship has an outdoor deck worth sitting on and an observation lounge with a view.
| Criterion | Seabourn | Silversea | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Viking | Ponant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For grandparents | Seabourn Ovation from Dover, 7 nights, from about £4,800 pp; or Viking adults-only | ||||
| For couples | Silversea from Copenhagen or Southampton; Regent for included excursions | ||||
| For families | Ponant in the summer holidays with a kids' club; Explora when it sails north | ||||
| When | June to August for light and warmth |
Stars are Blackbury's editorial opinion, not independent ratings or customer reviews.
Geiranger, Flåm and Bergen are the core; Lofoten and the North Cape need twelve nights. We add a car to the port and, for those coming far, a night in Kent before boarding.
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Tell us who's travelling and what matters most. We'll say which of these we'd book for you, and why.
The lines
Read the full verdict on each
Silversea
Butler-served suites, serious destinations, and one of the strongest expedition fleets afloat.
- Best for: Couples and well-travelled grandparents, and families with teenagers on an expedition
- Not for: You need a kids' club or a big, lively pool scene
- Included: butler service in every suite; drinks and dining
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The most inclusive fare at sea, on all-suite ships that take elegance seriously.
- Best for: Grandparents hosting adult children, and couples who want a fully inclusive, elegant week
- Not for: Your party includes young children or you want a casual atmosphere
- Included: all-suite accommodation; shore excursions in every port
Viking
Calm, adults-only ships with Scandinavian design and an excursion included in every port.
- Best for: Adults-only parties who want calm, culture and value
- Not for: Anyone in your party is under eighteen
- Included: veranda staterooms; one excursion in every port
Ponant
French small ships and a true polar icebreaker, with a children's programme in the summer holidays.
- Best for: Families and couples who want small-ship adventure with a French accent
- Not for: You want a large suite and a resort atmosphere
- Included: dining and drinks; wi-fi
Keep reading
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Regent Seven Seas vs Seabourn: inclusive elegance two ways
Regent and Seabourn both sell small-ship luxury with most things included. Regent includes more and is a little grander; Seabourn is smaller, warmer and more sociable. We say which we would choose for which couple.
The best luxury cruises for grandparents and grandchildren
Which luxury cruise lines actually work when grandparents take the grandchildren: the ships with children's programmes and connecting suites, the ones to avoid, and how we would plan it.
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Tell us who's travelling, where you'd like to go and what matters most. We'll recommend the ships we'd actually consider.