Norway won't ban cruise ships from sailing through the iconic fjords until 2032.
In 2018, the Norwegian government announced plans to ban all but zero-emissions cruise ships from the World Heritage fjords effective in 2026.
This week, however, the government changed course, announcing that the initial ruling only applies to tourist ships and ferries under 10,000 gross tonnes. Larger cruise ships, such as Celebrity Apex, will be allowed to sail through the fjords until 2032.
The five World Heritage fjords include Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjorden, Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden, and Tafjorden.
In a translated press release, Norway’s Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said, “The goal is to take care of the spectacular fjords and create sustainable tourism. The requirement for zero emissions will contribute to technology development, lower emissions, and secure the world heritage fjords and attractive tourist destinations."
Though small ships must comply with the zero-emission mandate effective January 1, 2026, larger cruise ships are exempt until January 1, 2032.
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Technology for zero-emissions cruise ships is still in development
Though cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are targeting a zero-emissions fleet, the technology doesn't exist yet.
For example, Royal Caribbean Group's Destination Net Zero is the company's vision for net-zero emissions by 2050, and they have plans to deliver a net-zero cruise ship by 2035, according to their latest sustainability report.
Additionally, Norway-based company Hurtigruten has released concept designs for its first zero-emission cruise ship that will have three retractable wing rigs covered in solar panels, which will be able to power the ship for 24 hours a day during Norway's Midnight Sun.
With just 270 cabins for 500 passengers, the vessel will be a far cry from larger cruise ships currently operating in the fjords. They hope that it will begin operations in 2030.
By delaying the cruise ship ban, Norway is allowing the industry more time to develop and implement the necessary technology and maintain high levels of tourist traffic in cities like Flåm and Geiranger.
"It has been important for me to find a solution that follows up the Storting's decision on zero emissions in the World Heritage fjords, stimulates technological development, takes into account tourism in the ports of call, and provides sufficient predictability for the industry. I believe we have now succeeded in this," says Eriksen.
Smaller ships will be permitted to use biogas
Biogas is an environmentally friendly, renewable energy source produced from organic materials like food scraps, animal waste, and wastewater.
In 2018, the biowaste collected from three Viking cruise ships produced 98,550 cubic meters of biogas, which is equivalent to more than 29,000 gallons of gasoline, Power Knot reported.
Moreover, the Norwegian government will aid in the funding of shore power in Flåm, which will be a requirement where available.
Cruises to Norway hit an all-time high in 2023
During the 2023 cruising season, there were 3,943 cruise calls at Norwegian ports with more than than 6.1 million recorded passenger visits, as reported by Forbes.
While passenger visits are counted per port—meaning that one cruiser will be counted at each port of call on their itinerary—the country saw an increase of nearly 1.9 million guests compared to 2022.
Bergen and Ålesund both claimed to be the busiest cruise port in 2023. Though Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, welcomed 358 cruise ships, Ålesund saw more than 650,000 passengers since they typically welcomed bigger vessels.
The 2024 cruise season is still in full swing; however, the Norwegian Coastal Administration estimated a 4% increase in the number of cruise calls compared to 2023, as well as a 6% increase in the number of cruise passenger visits.
If true, 2024 will be the first year cruise ships make more than 4,000 calls in Norway.
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"I look forward to going back"
On a post shared until Reddit's r/cruise thread, user curahee5656 shared their excitement over the news: "I was talking to store owners in Flam last month (before the announcement) and they were devastated to be shutting down. I look forward to going back. If you're thinking of booking, look for a cruise that has Flam, Geiranger, and Olden as ports. That's the hat-trick."
"We went this summer because of the impending ban. It was fantastic and great to get out of the hot US summer in July," added LeoMarius.
rocksteadyG wrote, "I went last year and loved it. Was sad thinking I wouldn’t be able to go back. Thanks for the update!"
Of course, some users are conflicted, resonating with Norway's desire to protect the fjords.
"Conflicted feelings on this, something needs to be pushing the cruise lines to innovate, so I'd rather Norway [introduce] some intermediate targets as well," shared crabdashing.
"It is so beautiful, Flam was our first stop of several in Norway, we're currently doing a B2B on RC's Jewel of the Seas, " explained Imguran, "Do hope we get to it again but with zero emissions. The beauty needs to be preserved."
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How much does a cruise to Norway cost?
The cost of a cruise depends on numerous factors, including which cabin category you book and whether you sail during a region's peak or shoulder season.
According to Royal Caribbean's website, a 7-night cruise to Norway starts at $1,203 per person in 2025. However, if you want a suite, expect to pay over $3,000 per passenger.
Similarly, Princess Cruises has weeklong sailings to Norway for as low as $1,039 per person in April 2025. Waiting until July or August sees an increase to over $1,300 per cruiser for an interior cabin.
Moreover, excursions in Norway are more expensive than those in The Bahamas or Caribbean. When Cruise.Blog writer Allie visited Norway this summer, she and her husband spent $870 on excursions. Their excursion in Flåm was the most pricey, coming in at $543.98 for the two of them.
Read more: How much is a 7-day cruise in 2024?
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
