Taking Children on a Safe Fjord Ferry Trip

Choosing a Crossing That Suits Young Children

Not every fjord ferry is a twenty-minute hop. Some crossings link villages along a coastal route and take three, four or even five hours, particularly on the outer stretches where the shelter of the fjord gives way to open sea. Before you book, check the timetable carefully and note the scheduled duration, whether the vessel carries cars, and what facilities are on board. A ferry with an indoor lounge, toilets and a small kiosk will make a long crossing far easier than a bare commuter boat with bench seating and an open deck.

If your children are new to boats, start with a short crossing early in the trip. A ninety-minute sailing between two fjord villages builds confidence and shows you how everyone copes with the motion and the noise. Save the longer coastal legs for later, once you know which child needs a window seat and which one goes quiet the moment the engine note changes. In July and August, popular crossings fill up, so reserve your space in advance rather than turning up and hoping.

Tickets, Boarding and Keeping Everyone Together

Keep hold of your tickets. Phones lose signal in narrow valleys, batteries drain quickly in cold air, and a booking reference buried in an email is no use when a crew member is waiting at the gangway. Print a paper copy or tuck the confirmation into a zipped pocket, and take a screenshot as a backup.

Boarding with a car is a choreographed affair. Stay in the vehicle until a crew member signals, keep children belted and doors closed, and apply the handbrake firmly once parked. On foot, gather everyone to one side of the queue so you are not blocking the ramp. Count heads before boarding, on the vehicle deck and again before you settle. Agree a meeting point, such as the information board by the main lounge, and write your mobile number on a card for any child old enough to read it.

Outside Decks: Fresh Air with Firm Rules

The open deck is where a fjord crossing becomes memorable, but it demands attention. Wind funnels through the gaps, spray makes steel slippery, and the deck can lurch without warning.

• Children stay on the inside of the railings at all times, with no climbing, sitting or leaning on the rails.
• Hold hands with under-sevens near the edge, and keep pushchairs well back from the sides.
• Wear shoes with grip; smooth soles are a poor choice on wet metal.
• Ask a crew member about child-sized life jackets before heading outside, especially on smaller vessels.
• Keep clear of mooring lines, winches and the car ramp during docking. The gap between ship and quay is dangerous for a moment and fascinating to a child.

Watch the weather. A calm morning on the fjord can turn into a squally afternoon, and the temperature drops the moment the boat moves. Ten minutes outside, then back in to warm up, is often the right rhythm.

Snacks, Layers and Small Comforts

Long crossings and hungry children do not mix, and onboard food is limited and pricey. Pack a proper day bag rather than leaving supplies in the car boot, which you may not be able to reach during the sailing.

• Water bottles and a flask of hot chocolate or soup for cooler days.
• Sandwiches, fruit, oatcakes, plain biscuits and a few treats for morale.
• Wool base layer, fleece, waterproof shell, hats and gloves, even in midsummer.
• Sun cream and sunglasses, because light bouncing off the water is fierce.
• Cards, a notebook, colouring pencils and headphones for the indoor lounge.
• Nappies, wipes, a spare set of clothes for the youngest and a bag for wet things.

Weather, Seasickness and Heading Inside

Fjord water is usually sheltered, but crossings that reach the open coast can be lumpy. Watch for the early signs: a child who goes quiet, yawns repeatedly or turns pale. Sitting low and towards the middle of the vessel helps, as does looking at the horizon rather than at a screen. Fresh air on deck is often the best remedy, provided the child stays seated and well away from the railing.

If someone is unwell, stay with them rather than letting them wander. Speak to a pharmacist before you travel about remedies suitable for your children's ages, and ask the crew where the calmest seats are. Most are happy to help and have seen it all before.

Making the Crossing Part of the Adventure

Slow coastal travel is not a delay between two places; it is the day out. Give children a job: spotting waterfalls, counting tunnels, watching for porpoises, seals or a sea eagle. A small notebook for tallies and sketches keeps everyone engaged. Buy a waffle from the kiosk if there is one, learn a few Norwegian words together, and let the crossing take the time it takes. The ferry is not simply how you reach the fjord. It is the fjord.