Oslofjord by Electric Boat: A Luxury Travel Diary from My First Oslo Adventure
Published by The Private Traveller
Fora Travel Advisor – Bespoke Travel, Luxury Hotels, Cruises, Trains & Wellness Retreats
The fully electric catamaran offering 1.5-hour Oslofjord cruises — a quiet and sustainable way to explore the city from the water.
First Time in Oslo: A City and a Fjord Full of Surprises
With this being my first visit to Oslo — and indeed to Norway — I was eager to craft a trip that paired great places to stay with a deeper sense of place. I researched some of the best things to do and, unsurprisingly, one of the top experiences was to see the Oslofjord from the water.
📍 You can explore my full Oslo luxury hotel itinerary here:
👉 Luxury Oslo Hotel Itinerary – Amerikalinjen, Sommerro & The Thief
The Oslofjord (Norwegian: Oslofjorden) is a beautiful 100–120 km long inlet that connects the city to the Skagerrak Strait and the North Sea. Technically not a glacial fjord, but rather a flooded rift valley, it’s a scenic and serene way to experience Oslo’s coastal geography.
Panoramic view of Oslo’s Barcode District with the Opera House, glass sculpture, and Ferris wheel along the waterfront.
Quiet Cruising: A Fully Electric Boat with TheFjords
I quickly landed on a peaceful and sustainable option — a fully electric cruise by TheFjords, part of Norway’s Best. What appealed most:
No loudspeaker commentary
Five daily departures from 10am to 6pm
A 90-minute itinerary at great value
Quiet, clean and eco-friendly travel
Even better? The boat departed just 5–10 minutes' walk from my first Oslo hotel, Amerikalinjen, so I chose the 10am sailing to kick off the day in style.
Akershus Fortress rising over the harbour — one of Oslo’s oldest and most historic landmarks.
Your Own Audio Guide: Listen or Don’t — It’s Up to You
Before travelling, I downloaded the Get Your Guide app and found a handy self-guided commentary that matched the cruise route. Once on board, I simply tapped through the landmarks on the interactive map and played each section as we passed it.
Highlights included:
Hovedøya
Akershus Fortress
The Nobel Peace Centre
Bygdøy and its museums
Holmenkollen & Frognerseteren
Dyna Lighthouse
DS Donau
Bjørvika & Barcode District
Each segment was concise and well-produced — and if you wanted peace and quiet, you could just skip it altogether.
Sunshine, Prosecco & the Best Views on Board
The boat was sleek and beautifully designed, with:
Spacious indoor seating on the lower level
A café offering Prosecco, soft drinks, snacks, ice cream, and more
Tiered viewing decks across multiple levels
Easy access ramps and plenty of room to move about
While everyone rushed for the top deck, I found that the middle level at the front offered the most uninterrupted views.
The weather was flawless: warm, sunny skies with a light breeze from the water. I stayed outside for most of the journey, but ducked inside for a glass of fizz and a well-earned bar of chocolate.
The quiet front lounge offered some of the best views during the Oslofjord cruise.
“Once You’ve Seen One Fjord…” — I Don’t Think So
On the way back, I overheard an American tourist comment, “Once you’ve seen one fjord, you’ve seen ’em all.” I couldn’t disagree more.
Seeing Oslo from the water gave me a whole new perspective. It was peaceful, insightful, and full of stories you wouldn’t discover on foot. From island summer homes to wartime history, I learned more about Oslo on that one cruise than I expected — and on my own terms.
The charming Dyna Lighthouse — still active today — stands proudly on a tiny islet in the Oslofjord.
Where I Stayed: Oslo’s Best Luxury Hotels
This cruise was just one part of a thoughtfully designed itinerary that included three of the city’s most stylish places to stay:
Amerikalinjen – Boutique heritage near the central station
Sommerro – Glamorous Art Deco with a rooftop pool
The Thief – Contemporary design on the waterfront
Explore the full guide here:
👉 Read the Oslo Hotel Itinerary
The iconic Oslo Opera House seen from the water, with its dramatic sloping roof and modern glass design.
Plan Your Own Oslo Adventure – With VIP Perks
Thinking of visiting Oslo or Norway? I’d love to help you plan a personalised itinerary that includes:
Curated hotels with exclusive Fora Travel perks
Local activities like fjord cruises, spas, and dining
VIP upgrades, daily breakfast, late check-out & more
📩 Submit a travel request now
or DM me via Instagram @theprivatetraveller
Oslo City Hall and harbourfront, captured on a perfect sunny day during the cruise.
Let’s Chat
Have you cruised the Oslofjord or stayed in any of Oslo’s design hotels? I’d love to hear your thoughts — or help you plan your next Nordic escape. Drop a comment below or reach out to start planning
