My OAT Fjord Cruise Lapland Review

Norway, Finland & the Arctic Circle: Was This OAT Trip Worth It?

Want a Trip Filled With First-Time Sights and Experiences?

How about a herd of reindeer opening the automatic doors at Ivalo Airport in Lapland, Finland? Yup, that's my photo!

Or crossing the Arctic Circle and seeing the sun still
shining on the horizon at 3 AM?

This trip is loaded with unique beauty and experiences you'll remember long after you've returned home. It's easy to understand why so many OAT travelers have such great things to say about Norway, Finland and the Lapland experience.

And sometimes, you just have to hang around outside the airport while everyone else goes inside. That's how you get the picture.

Is This Your First
OAT Adventure?

I created the Thrifty Senior Traveler website to share my experiences and tips with others who enjoy traveling (and bargains).

I hope you find it of value. And, if you are planning a first trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) I have a favor to ask.

The OAT Referral Program
I've now taken 19 OAT adventures and have another one booked. If you decide to travel with OAT, I'd really appreciate your telling them (when booking):
"I was referred by Jesse Slome
OAT #932019."

The OAT referral program helps me earn a
1-time credit toward a future OAT adventure. It costs you nothing. I only get credit once. Then you get to earn referral credits.

So far, 88 travelers have told OAT they were referred by Jesse Slome.

If you decide to take an OAT adventure, I hope you'll be #89!

Thank you - and I hope to see you somewhere in the world!

Why We Enjoyed OAT's Norway - Finland Trip and Cruise

As always, leave it to Overseas Adventure Travel to put together an excellent package at a value-packed cost. Here are some of the things that created wonderful travel memories for us.

Monumental Scenery and Arctic Contrast
Cruising through Norway's steep fjords, traveling along pristine coastlines and exploring the open tundra of Lapland are obvious highlights. But don't overlook the splendor of Bergen or Helsinki's remarkable and one-of-a-kind city library.

The Midnight Sun Experience
Visit in late spring or summer and you'll have the opportunity to experience 24-hour daylight above the Arctic Circle. There's nothing quite like waking up at 3 AM and heading out onto the deck to photograph the midnight sun.

Intimate Coastal Cruising
Forget the huge cruise ships packed with thousands of passengers. OAT uses working coastal ships that hug Norway's shoreline, navigate narrow fjords and pull into small, authentic coastal towns. The ships are comfortable, the food and service are excellent, and you don't feel as though you've sacrificed comfort by choosing this type of cruising.

Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
The spectacular scenery isn't limited to fjords and coastlines. Land excursions through Lapland brought their own surprises—including our memorable encounter with a herd of reindeer at Ivalo Airport.

Rich Local Seafood and Regional Cuisine
Fresh Scandinavian specialties, including local smoked salmon and a variety of herring preparations, were plentiful. But the Thrifty Senior Traveler has a confession to make: I love desserts. Once again, this tour did not disappoint.

Well-Located Accommodations and Amenities
One of the things we particularly like about OAT is its choice of hotels, often located right in the center of town. We're walkers, so being able to step outside and explore on foot is a big plus. The accommodations were excellent, complimentary coffee was appreciated, and one hotel even had a lobby tap offering free sparkling water. Now that's a nice touch.

Small-Group Value and Seamless Logistics
The trip combines OAT's signature small-group approach with knowledgeable local guides, easy cashless logistics and excellent organization. For a multi-country Arctic adventure, we thought the overall value was exceptional.

Tips To Have A Great Norway–Finland Trip and Cruise

Here are a few tips from Jesse Slome, the Thrifty Senior Traveler, to get even more enjoyment from this trip.

Bring an Insulated Travel Mug or Bottle
Coffee is complimentary during ship meals. Bring a thermal cup so you can fill it and enjoy a hot drink outside on deck during your leisure hours.

Bring an Eye Mask
Essential for sleeping during the summer months. When the sun never really sets, even the best hotel and cabin curtains may not keep your room completely dark.

Bring a Hat and Gloves
I didn't pack them because we were traveling in summer. Big mistake. They would have been very welcome when we visited the Magic Ice museum in Svolvær. The museum is still part of the itinerary, so pack a lightweight hat and thin gloves. You'll be glad you did.

Bring Something To Do On Board
There's plenty to see from the deck, but there is also some downtime during the coastal voyage. If you aren't someone who can happily sit and watch the scenery for hours, bring a book, cards or something else to keep you occupied.

Bring A Travel or Suitcase Lock
When we took our trip, there were places without safes. That may have changed but I would ask or bring a lock.

Before The Boat Departs
They have a lounge where they offer free sodas, etc. Grab a couple and save them for the boat ride. Just another Thrifty Senior Traveler tip.

Get a Special Arctic Circle Postmark
Here's a fun little souvenir. You can purchase a postcard on board and mail it after crossing the Arctic Circle, giving it a unique Arctic postal mark. Postcards are available on the ship, although you'll generally find them less expensive in Oslo or Bergen.

Don't Bother Exchanging Much Foreign Currency (If Any)
Norway and Finland are highly cashless countries, and credit cards are widely accepted—even for very small purchases. We found that carrying a lot of cash simply wasn't necessary.

Visit the McDonald's in Bergen
Yes, the Thrifty Senior Traveler is giving you another reason to visit McDonald's. (Read my Porto, Portugal review.)

The Bergen location is housed in a distinctive historic building, making it unlike your typical American fast-food stop. If you go inside, check to see whether they have any uniquely Norwegian or European menu items. You may find something you won't see at your local McDonald's.

Dine Inside a Historic Wooden Villa at Café Regatta in Helsinki
This is one of those little discoveries that makes traveling fun. Right on the waterfront, Café Regatta is a tiny red 1890s log cabin serving coffee and delicious cinnamon buns.

And outside there's an open fire where you can roast sausages—yes, right there on the Helsinki waterfront. It's quirky, memorable and exactly the kind of place the Thrifty Senior Traveler likes to find.

Comparing Viking, Celebrity, Princess Cruises To OAT's Fjord Cruise: Pros & Cons To Consider

If you've ever opened your mailbox and found a beautiful brochure from Viking, Celebrity or Princess promising the Norwegian fjords, you're not alone. Norway is a popular cruise destination, and these companies offer excellent ways to see it.

But here's a question worth asking: Do you want a Norwegian cruise—or do you want a broader Norwegian and Arctic adventure that includes a cruise?

They're not quite the same thing.

I've taken 19 OAT trips, and one of the things I've learned is that OAT isn't necessarily trying to compete with the big cruise lines on their terms. It's offering a different kind of travel experience.

Here's how I'd look at the choices.

Viking, Celebrity or Princess: The Pros

A traditional cruise offers some real advantages. You unpack once, your ship is your hotel, and there's plenty to do when you're not exploring a port. Depending on the cruise line and ship, you may have multiple restaurants, entertainment, pools, fitness facilities, spas and other onboard amenities.

Viking, for example, includes features such as its Nordic Spa and Fitness Center, alternative restaurant dining, 24-hour room service and an included shore excursion in each port on its current Norwegian itineraries. Princess offers a wide selection of Norwegian ports, including Bergen, Stavanger, Tromsø and Oslo.

The Potential Downside

The cruise is the vacation.

That can be exactly what you want. But if your goal is to really experience Norway, Finland and Lapland, a traditional Norwegian cruise may not give you the same kind of land experience.

You generally spend your nights aboard ship and your days visiting selected ports. Excursions are available, but you're still working within the schedule and structure of a cruise.

OAT's Fjord Cruise: The Pros

OAT takes a different approach.

The cruise is part of the adventure—not the entire adventure.

You travel through Norway and Finland, experience Lapland, cross the Arctic Circle and spend time in cities and communities on land. The coastal voyage then becomes another way to experience Norway rather than the sole focus of the trip.

For us, that made a difference.

We weren't looking for a floating resort. We wanted to see what was beyond the fjords.

We also liked the smaller-group experience, the local guides and the fact that OAT handles the logistics of moving from place to place.

OAT's Potential Downsides

Let's be fair. OAT isn't for everyone.

If you love cruising, enjoy having lots of onboard entertainment and amenities, and like returning to the same cabin every night, a traditional cruise may be a better fit.

OAT's itinerary involves more moving around, more time on land and more opportunities to get out and explore. That can mean a little less relaxation and a little more luggage handling.

And if you're looking for a large ship with a casino, multiple pools and Broadway-style entertainment, this isn't that trip.

So Which Would We Choose?

If your idea of the perfect vacation is a beautiful ship, spectacular fjords and plenty of time enjoying the ship itself, I'd look seriously at Viking, Celebrity or Princess.

But if you want to experience Norway, Finland and Lapland—and you're happy to have a coastal cruise be one of the highlights rather than the entire vacation—I'd give OAT's Fjord Cruise & Lapland serious consideration.

For us, that's what made this trip special.

We weren't just cruising past Norway. We were experiencing it.

Thinking About Making This Your First OAT Trip?

If you've never traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) before, this would be a pretty terrific way to start.

You're going to see Norway's spectacular fjords, travel into Finland and Lapland, cross the Arctic Circle and experience the remarkable midnight sun. But you'll also discover what makes OAT different: smaller groups, local experiences and a trip where the journey is every bit as important as the destinations.

And if you decide to give OAT a try, I'd be delighted if you'd tell them Jesse Slome (OAT #932019) referred you.

You'll receive OAT's applicable referral benefit ($100 off) and I'll get a 1-time credit for introducing another traveler to OAT.

After 19 OAT adventures, I don't make that recommendation lightly.

I think you're going to have a wonderful trip.

Written by Jesse Slome, The Thrifty Senior Traveler
Originally published August 27, 2026 | Last updated August 27, 2026