Things to know before booking your Stavanger fjord cruise tickets
Booking window:
• Stavanger fjord cruises operate year-round, with the highest demand from May to September due to longer daylight hours and clearer fjord visibility. Summer departures, especially silent and dinner cruises, sell out quickly.
• Booking at least a few days in advance is recommended in peak season. RIB tours have smaller group sizes and may require earlier reservations.
Cruise types & formats:
• Standard Lysefjord sightseeing cruises offer multilingual audio guides and stable vessels, making them ideal for first-time visitors wanting to see Pulpit Rock and Lysefjord comfortably.
• Silent hybrid-electric cruises provide warm indoor lounges, Wi-Fi, and panoramic decks. These are best for photography, quiet sailing, and relaxed sightseeing.
• RIB speedboat tours focus on adventure, using high-speed boats and thermal suits to reach fjord areas faster and closer than larger vessels.
• Dinner cruises from Stavanger combine fjord sailing with a gourmet Nordic 3-course meal and indoor panoramic seating, ideal for travelers prioritizing dining and atmosphere.
Routes & duration:
• Most sightseeing and silent cruises explore Lysefjord, passing major landmarks such as Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Fantahålå cave, and Whiskey waterfall.
• Dinner cruises focus on Stavanger’s archipelago rather than Lysefjord, offering coastal island views instead of deep fjord landmarks.
• Standard sightseeing and dinner cruises typically last about 2.5 hours, while RIB tours run around 2 hours with faster travel and more dynamic movement.
Comfort & onboard experience:
• Larger sightseeing and silent vessels include indoor seating, toilets, and stable decks, making them suitable for families, seniors, and longer cruising comfort.
• RIB tours provide safety gear including thermal suits, goggles, and life jackets, but remain exposed to wind and weather conditions.
Policies & rules
• Boarding takes place directly at Stavanger harbor, within walking distance of the city center.
• There are no airport-style security checks, but arriving 15–20 minutes before departure ensures smooth boarding.
• Wildlife sightings and waterfall visibility depend on weather and natural conditions.
• Cruises operate in light rain and typical fjord weather, but strong winds or severe conditions may lead to route adjustments or rescheduling.