Oslo: Fjord Evening Cruise With Shrimp Buffet

The shrimp-buffet evening cruise is a Norwegian institution, not a generic dinner boat.

Overview

A restored wooden sailing ship leaves from Rådhusbrygge 3 in Oslo each evening and spends three hours working the inner Oslofjord while passengers eat their way through a shrimp buffet. The route hugs the Bygdøy peninsula, slides past Hovedøya and other green islands, and sails past the Dyna Lighthouse, with the city lights coming on as the light fades. There is no assigned seating, so early arrivals tend to get the best spots on deck or inside.

Food is a Norwegian shrimp buffet served during the cruise, and it is included in the ticket. Drinks are not: the onboard bar sells beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and snacks, and outside drinks cannot be brought aboard. Warm blankets, heaters and an indoor area mean the trip runs in light rain as well as clear weather, and reviewers who sailed in drizzle said the canopy and heaters kept things comfortable.

The pace is slow and social rather than narrated. Some reviewers noted there is little or no commentary about the sights passing by, so it helps to know roughly what you are looking at, or just to treat the evening as a relaxed dinner on the water. It suits anyone who wants a calm end to a day in Oslo more than a guided sightseeing tour.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Rådhusbrygge 3Check in at the pier at Rådhusbrygge 3 in Oslo. Arriving early is advised since seating is not allocated.
2. Board the sailing shipPassengers board the restored wooden ship, which departs into the inner Oslofjord.
3. Cruise the fjord (3 hours)The ship passes Hovedøya, the Dyna Lighthouse and a network of islands and narrow inlets, with sheltered bays along the way.
4. Bygdøy peninsulaThe route runs close to Bygdøy, passing Huk Bay beach, the Maritime Museum with its veteran sailing ships, and the Fram Museum.
5. Shrimp buffet onboardA Norwegian shrimp buffet is served during the cruise, with soft music playing. Drinks and snacks can be bought at the bar.
6. Return to Rådhusbrygge 3The ship arrives back at the same pier where the evening began.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the evening go more smoothly, from seating to weather.

• Arrive early. Seating is not allocated, and the listing advises turning up ahead of departure to get a preferred spot. One reviewer also praised the check-in process, so it pays to be there in good time.
• Dress for the water. Comfortable shoes and clothes are what the listing recommends. Warm blankets and heaters are provided, and reviewers who sailed in rain and cold said the canopy and radiant heaters made a real difference, but a layer of your own is sensible on deck.
• Drinks cost extra. Drinks are not included. The onboard bar sells beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and snacks, and bringing your own drinks is not allowed.
• Shrimp, plenty of it. Multiple reviewers described the buffet as generous, with more than enough to eat. One found the food itself underwhelming, so expectations should center on quantity and the setting rather than a fine-dining meal.
• Little commentary. This is not a guided narration. One reviewer could not hear any announcements on deck, and the platform review summary makes the same point, so read up on the islands beforehand or simply enjoy the view.
• Rain or shine. The cruise runs in all weather, and reviewers who sailed through light rain said it did not spoil the trip. There is an indoor area if the deck gets cold or wet.

Common issues. The main complaint, raised both in individual reviews and in the platform summary, is the lack of clear commentary about the sights being passed, which matters if you want a narrated tour. One reviewer felt three hours was longer than necessary and would have preferred a shorter trip, and the same reviewer found the shrimp dinner disappointing even though the quantity was ample. Drinks cost extra and cannot be brought aboard, and the tour runs in rain, so weather can affect the deck experience even with canopies and heaters.

Common Questions