Cruise ferries can be one of the best travel bargains in Europe, if you travel out of school vacation periods.
PA Images via Getty Images
Scandinavia is famous for fjords, cutting-edge design and sky-high prices. Yet hidden in plain sight is one of the region’s most affordable luxuries.
The overnight cruise ferry between Copenhagen and Oslo isn’t just a way to get from A to B. It’s a 17.5-hour mini-cruise with restaurants, entertainment, late-night bars and wonderful views of the Oslofjord.
The real surprise? If you book smart, it can cost less than a night in a city hotel.
What Are Cruise Ferries?
The concept of a cruise ferry is popular across Northern Europe. Larger than a simple car ferry but less formal than a traditional cruise ship, these vessels combine transport with leisure.
Passengers can board with a car, camper, or just on foot, yet once onboard they’ll find a choice of cabins, multiple restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. The overnight sailings take long enough that the ship effectively becomes a floating hotel.
Many travelers use it as a one-way link between Denmark and Norway, while others treat it as a mini-cruise; arriving in the morning, spending a few hours exploring Oslo or Copenhagen, before returning on the evening departure.
The ‘Nordic Pearl’ in Copenhagen awaiting guests for the daily crossing to Oslo.
David Nikel
But perhaps what defines the cruise ferry experience most of all is the atmosphere.
The Copenhagen To Oslo Experience
The mix of vacationers, locals on weekend getaways and families heading to visit relatives makes for a uniquely lively blend aboard the Nordic Pearl.
While not every passenger is onboard to party, the cruise ferry features a show lounge, bars open late into the night and a sizable duty-free store. Passengers can expect live music, trivia contests and an international crowd, with English as the working language.
Families aren’t left out: there’s a dedicated kids’ entertainment program, plus a family-focused splash zone alongside the regular pool and hot tubs.
Dining is plentiful, though prices vary. The a la carte and buffet restaurants lean expensive, but an Italian-inspired venue offers better value. Arrive early, as it doesn’t take reservations and fills quickly with passengers hunting for budget-friendly meals.
Bars and lounges aboard the ‘Nordic Pearl’ are of cruise ship standard.
David Nikel
Out on deck, the sun bar comes alive during sailaways when the weather cooperates. And whether you’re leaving Oslo in the evening or gliding into the Norwegian capital at dawn, the passage through the Oslofjord is a highlight.
Bargain Travel In Scandinavia
For years, DFDS operated the Copenhagen—Oslo route, but it has recently been taken over by the awkwardly-named Go Nordic Cruiseline. The new company has refurbished the two ships, now known as Nordic Pearl and Nordic Crown.
Cabins range from basic interior bunks to refurbished suites with balconies. Passengers can walk on, bring bicycles, or even load up cars and campers.
Unsurprisingly, prices vary, but the deals can be exceptional. For foot passengers who don’t mind simple accommodation, fares for a basic cabin typically range from $35—$75 per person.
Even better, Go Nordic’s “mini-cruise” option—sailing overnight, spending 6.5 hours in either Oslo or Copenhagen, and returning on the same vessel—can drop as low as $25 during sales.
When you consider that an average hotel night in Oslo or Copenhagen now costs well over $100, the ferry can feel like free transport.
The view of the Oslo waterfront draws many passengers out on deck for the arrival and departure of the Copenhagen ferry.
David Nikel
In a region where bargains are few and far between, that makes the cruise ferry one of Northern Europe’s best-kept travel secrets.
Other Notable Cruise Ferry Routes
The Copenhagen–Oslo crossing is just one of several long-distance cruise ferry routes that crisscross Northern Europe.
Another popular route from Oslo is the overnight sailing to Kiel in northern Germany, operated by Color Line. The line deploys two of the largest cruise ferries in the world, Color Fantasy and Color Magic, complete with theaters staging evening shows, multiple dining options, and even a shopping arcade.
Elsewhere, DFDS runs the Newcastle to Amsterdam service, popular again for its “mini-cruise” option, available from as little as $70 per person in sale periods.
The Baltic Sea is a busy place to cruise ferries. Stockholm to Helsinki sees several operators competing for your business on the 17-hour crossing between the two Nordic capitals. Helsinki to Tallinn is another competitive route, although the crossing is much shorter at just two hours.
Not every ferry emphasizes nightlife. Along the Norwegian coast, the daily departures of Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages function as working coastal ferries, carrying mail, cars, and locals between small ports from Bergen to Kirkenes.
Yet their spectacular scenery and comfortable ships make them attractive to international travelers, many of whom book the full 12-day roundtrip as a cruise experience.
For something more adventurous, Smyril Line runs a weekly ferry between Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. With limited departures, it feels more like a lifeline service than a party boat, but for travelers seeking a slower, more atmospheric way to reach the North Atlantic, it offers a rare and memorable journey.
MORE FROM FORBESForbesHow The Øresund Bridge Transformed Travel In ScandinaviaBy David NikelForbesWhy Denmark Is The Scandinavian American Travel Destination For 2025By David NikelForbesScandinavia Struggling To Cope With ‘Coolcation’ Motorhome TouristsBy David Nikel