Geiranger Fjord & Waterfalls Cruise review
My verdict: this is the default Geirangerfjord cruise, and for most visitors it delivers — Seven Sisters, the Suitor, Bridal Veil and the cliff farms, from a boat with proper decks and an indoor cabin. It also carries the lowest rating of the five tours I review, 4.3 from 1,499 reviews, and the complaints cluster on one thing: the 75-minute boat gets crowded when cruise ships are in port. My advice is simple — take the 2-hour silent hybrid-electric option if the timetable allows it.
Planning your fjord day?Summer departures sell out days ahead, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Reserve a spot now, decide later.
Check availabilityWhat the cruise is like
The boat leaves the pier behind the tourist information and runs the length of the fjord’s famous stretch: the Seven Sisters with their 410-metre drop, the Suitor directly opposite, the Bridal Veil, and the abandoned farm ledges of Skageflå and Knivsflå high above the water. On a quiet morning you might see seals, otters or seabirds. Commentary comes from a downloadable audio app in 12 languages — get it on Wi-Fi before boarding, because reception in the fjord is patchy. There are outdoor decks and an indoor cabin, so rain doesn’t sink the trip; if anything it feeds the waterfalls, as I explain in the month-by-month guide.
75 minutes or 2 hours — this is the real decision
The listing covers two different boats. The 75-minute highlights cruise runs on a traditional vessel and carries most of the volume; the 2-hour premium cruise runs on a silent hybrid-electric boat with more space per passenger. The rating gap between them is visible in the reviews. Carmen from Spain put the criticism plainly:
“Beautiful scenery, but the boat was crowded and in poor condition.”
— Carmen, Spain
That is a 75-minute-boat complaint, and in July and August, when the port logs its share of the 80-plus cruise calls, it is a fair one. The 2-hour boat reads differently. Peter from Austria took it and praised the ride and the app explanations; Yvonne from Germany called it a new boat with snacks and drinks available. If you are ashore from a ship yourself, mind the clock — the port-day guide covers which departures fit a call.
What works
- Passes every headline sight — Seven Sisters, the Suitor, Bridal Veil, the cliff farms
- The 2-hour hybrid-electric boat is silent, newer and roomier
- Indoor cabin and outdoor decks — works in any weather
- Audio app in 12 languages, useful for mixed groups
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Worth knowing
- Lowest rating of the five tours — 4.3, dragged down by peak-season crowding
- The 75-minute boat fills up when cruise ships are in port
- Commentary is an app, not a live guide — download it before you board
- You stay at deck height; the RIB gets closer to the falls
What reviewers say
“Silent, chilled cruising, and the guide was genuinely funny.”
— Eglė, Australia
“A comfortable boat, and great with small children.”
— Magali, France
“An indispensable experience.”
— Cindy, Germany
Henriette from Austria noted how close the boat drove to the waterfalls; Domenica from Italy wrote about the lush nature and spectacular landscapes. The pattern across 1,499 reviews is consistent: the fjord itself never disappoints, and the grumbles are about elbow room, not scenery.
Exchange your ticket at the tourist information office before departure and be at the pier ten minutes early — the boat leaves from the Hurtigbåtkai directly behind it, at Geirangervegen 2.
Who it suits — and who should book differently
This is the right boat for families with small children, for anyone who wants a roof and a toilet within reach, and for first-timers who want the classic route with commentary. If you want spray and sea-level closeness instead, read my RIB safari review — it outscores this cruise by half a point. And if the fare matters, the factors that move it are boat type, duration and season, all covered in the cost guide; the widget below shows today’s price in your currency.
Other boats to consider
Small groupRIB Geiranger — Fjordsafari
Waterfall tastingGeiranger Fjord Boat Tour with Waterfall Tasting
Full dayÅlesund – Geirangerfjord Round Trip by Hybrid-Electric Boat
Frequently asked questions
Is the fjord and waterfalls cruise worth it?
Yes, with one caveat. The route covers everything the fjord is famous for, and on the 2-hour hybrid-electric boat the experience matches the scenery. The 4.3 rating reflects crowding on the 75-minute boat in peak season, not the fjord — for the bigger question, see is the Geirangerfjord worth visiting.
Should I book the 75-minute or the 2-hour option?
The 2-hour hybrid-electric cruise, if it fits your day. It is the quieter, newer boat with more room, and it is the option reviewers consistently rate higher. The 75-minute cruise still works when time is short — the Geiranger cruise overview compares it against the other short boats.
How crowded does the boat get?
In July and August, when Geiranger takes most of its 80-plus cruise calls, the 75-minute boat can feel full. First and last departures of the day are noticeably calmer, and May, June and September are calmer months altogether — the timing guide has the rhythm.
Where does the cruise leave from?
The Geiranger Hurtigbåtkai, the boat pier behind the tourist information at Geirangervegen 2. Exchange your ticket at the tourist information office first and arrive ten minutes before departure.