Waterfall Tasting Cruise review
My verdict: the family pick. One hour on the white catamaran, with the stop the name promises: the boat pulls up at the Friaren — the Suitor — and you drink water straight from the fall. 4.5 from 148 reviews, wheelchair accessible, and the only tour of the five where the children on board consistently rate the day higher than the adults do.
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 catamaran runs the classic route from the Geiranger pier — Seven Sisters on one wall, the Suitor on the other — and then does the thing no other boat does: it noses up to the Friaren and cups come out. The water is snowmelt, and tasting it mid-fjord is a small ritual that lands surprisingly well, especially with children. There is an on-board bar for the adults, an English-speaking guide, and an audio app in 14 languages for everyone else. Seating is the one practical note: the outdoor seats are limited and unshaded, so on a bright day pack sunglasses — the what-to-wear guide covers the rest.
What reviewers say
“The staff were so friendly, and the waterfall tasting was the icing on the cake.”
— Paolo, Italy
“A clean boat, and no exhaust fumes.”
— Uli, Germany
“The kids loved having an extra activity on board.”
— Sandra, Poland
Adrian from Norway called it picturesque with great photo chances; Peggy from Germany would do it again anytime; Hagen called it budget-friendly and said it left a lasting impression. Annika’s highlight, like most people’s, was tasting the water. Andreea from Romania summed up the route itself: waterfalls, up close.
What works
- The tasting stop — a genuine extra, not a gimmick, and children love it
- Wheelchair accessible, unusual among the small boats
- Guide on board plus an audio app in 14 languages
- On-board bar and a clean, modern catamaran
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Worth knowing
- Outdoor seating is limited and unshaded — bring sunglasses
- One hour means one pass of the route, no lingering
- Fewer reviews than the big two, so the 4.5 rests on a smaller base
- If you want spray and speed, this is not that boat
Arrive fifteen minutes early — the boat leaves from the Geiranger Hurtigbåtkai and boarding a catamaran with strollers and wheelchairs takes a little longer than the schedule suggests.
Who it suits
Families, first and foremost, and anyone who needs step-free access to see the fjord from the water. It pairs well with the free stair path along the Storfossen waterfall in the village — 327 steps, 20 to 30 minutes up — for a full waterfall day without a long booking. If you are choosing between this and the classic cruise, my sightseeing cruise review covers the trade; the wider field is compared on the Geiranger cruise page.
Other boats to consider
Bucket listGeiranger: Fjord & Waterfalls Sightseeing Cruise
Small groupRIB Geiranger — Fjordsafari
Full dayÅlesund – Geirangerfjord Round Trip by Hybrid-Electric Boat
Frequently asked questions
Do you really taste the waterfall?
Yes. The catamaran stops at the Friaren — the Suitor — and you drink snowmelt straight from the fall. It is the tour’s namesake moment and the one reviewers mention most, particularly parents. The fall is at its strongest May to July, when the snowfields above are melting — the timing guide explains the seasonal curve.
Is this the best fjord tour for kids?
Of the five I review, yes. The tasting gives children something to do rather than just look at, the boat has an indoor cabin and a bar, and the hour-long format matches a child’s attention span. The RIB is the wrong choice for small children — its review explains why.
Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
Yes — this catamaran is the accessible option among the Geiranger short cruises. Arrive fifteen minutes early for boarding. The full-day Ålesund round trip is also accessible, with two dedicated spots.