Cruising has grown dramatically in popularity over the years, and it is easy to understand why. Perhaps you have always thought, “Cruising isn’t for me,” without ever experiencing the freedom, variety and sense of adventure that comes with life at sea.
Today, there is no single definition of a cruise holiday or of a family holiday.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, with different ages, personalities, interests, and ideas of what makes a perfect break. That is one of the great strengths of cruising: it brings everyone together while giving each person the freedom to enjoy the holiday in their own way.
Whether you are travelling with young children, teenagers, grandparents, several generations or simply a family with very different interests, there is a cruise experience to suit.
For our family, this is precisely why we return to cruising year after year.
We are experienced cruisers, and each voyage reminds us why we enjoy this way of travelling so much. For this trip, we chose P&O Cruises’ Iona and a week exploring the spectacular Norwegian fjords.
Iona is also an excellent ship for anyone considering their first cruise. There is an abundance of choice, from restaurants and entertainment to activities and spaces for different ages, making it easy for everyone to settle into their own holiday rhythm.
For us, stepping aboard felt wonderfully familiar. The excitement begins immediately: discovering the ship, settling into our cabin, and knowing that over the next week we would wake up somewhere new each morning.
The Freedom to Holiday Your Way
One of the things we love most about cruising is that everyone can create their own version of the holiday.
Perhaps the children want to enjoy the activities and entertainment, while the adults take time to relax. Perhaps everyone wants to spend the day exploring together. Or maybe different members of the family choose different experiences before meeting up again for dinner.
All of those possibilities can happen naturally on the same holiday.
Iona provides plenty of choice, with dining, entertainment, and activities to suit different ages and interests. The ship becomes part of the experience, as much a destination as the places we visit.
And there is something wonderfully special about knowing that your cabin is waiting for you each evening, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Norway: A Destination Made for Cruising
Norway takes that sense of adventure to another level.
The Norwegian fjords are spectacular from the moment you sail into them. Towering mountains rise from the water, waterfalls cascade down the cliffs and tiny communities appear between the dramatic landscape.
If you are an early riser, heading onto deck as the ship approaches a new port is one of those experiences I would highly recommend.
Watching the landscape slowly emerge as you sail towards your destination is magical. There is a wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement—and even after many cruises, which feeling never gets old.
Our itinerary took us to four beautiful Norwegian ports, each offering something different.
Stavanger
Our first taste of Norway was Stavanger, a picturesque traditional Norwegian town filled with Scandinavian charm.
Its narrow streets are lined with cosy restaurants, lively bars and interesting shops, while historic buildings give the town plenty of character.
The harbour was buzzing with activity during our visit, with preparations for a festival adding to the atmosphere.
It was a wonderful introduction to Norway and a place that invited us simply to wander, explore, and enjoy its character.
Olden
From Stavanger, we sailed towards Olden, where the scenery became truly awe-inspiring.
Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and beautiful water, Olden is a destination that makes you pause and take it all in.
We chose to take the small land train for an hour-long journey around a magnificent lake, with stunning scenery and Kodak moments at every turn.
For those wanting to explore further, the Briksdal Glacier is one of the area’s popular excursions.
Hellesylt
Our next port was Hellesylt, another beautiful Norwegian destination framed by dramatic mountains.
A huge waterfall rushes down beside the harbour, creating a spectacular focal point, while fishermen standing along the dock added to the atmosphere of this charming mountain village.
It was another opportunity simply to appreciate the beauty surrounding us.
Haugesund
Our final port was Haugesund, a lively and charming town with plenty to discover.
From the ship, you can walk into town across a magnificent bridge, enjoying wonderful views across the estuary along the way.
The colourful, chocolate-box-style buildings and Scandinavian streets made it a lovely place to explore, with shops and local attractions adding to its charm.
It was a fitting final stop on our Norwegian adventure.
Something for Everyone
Across all four ports, there was an impressive choice of ways to experience Norway.
There were full- and half-day excursions, scenic tours, historical experiences, outdoor adventures, and water sports, alongside the freedom to simply step ashore and explore independently.
That variety is particularly appealing when travelling as a family.
Everyone can choose the experience that appeals to them, whether that means an action-packed adventure, discovering the history and culture of a destination, enjoying the scenery, or simply wandering through the local streets.
There really is something for every age and every interest.
Why We Return Year After Year
After experiencing many cruises, we know exactly what keeps drawing us back.
Cruising gives our family the freedom to enjoy a holiday together while still allowing everyone to have their own experiences.
It combines discovery with comfort, adventure with relaxation and spectacular destinations with the familiar surroundings of the ship.
And there is something wonderfully exciting about waking up each morning to discover where you are.
Norway was particularly memorable. From Stavanger’s charming streets to Olden’s extraordinary scenery, Hellesylt’s dramatic waterfall and Haugesund’s colourful waterfront, every port gave us another reason to step ashore and explore.
But perhaps the most special part was experiencing it all together.
For our family, cruising has become much more than a way of travelling. It is the way we love to holiday.
Iona and Norway gave us everything we look for: beautiful destinations, incredible scenery, choice, adventure, relaxation and, most importantly, time together.
And that is why, year after year, we keep coming back to the sea.
If our Norwegian adventure has inspired you to discover the fjords for yourself, Martin’s World Travel can help you find the cruise that is right for you and your family.
We are also delighted to introduce our new cruise website, 1st4Cruises, linked to Martin’s World Travel, bringing together a wide choice of cruises and destinations in one place.
Whether you are considering your very first cruise or, like us, already know how much you love life at sea, we can help you find an itinerary, ship, and experience to suit you.
Because the perfect cruise is different for everyone and finding the right one is where the adventure begins.
1st4cruises.co.uk at Martins World Travel
25 Market Place Bolsover S44 6PN Tel 01246 823763
46 Knifesmithgate Chesterfield S40 1RQ Tel 01246 220020
