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Norway Cruise With Indian Food:
The Honest Guide for Indian Families
You searched this because you had one simple worry: “Will I get to eat properly on a Norway cruise?”
Maybe your parents only eat Jain food. Maybe your kids refuse to try strange food. Or maybe you just cannot imagine 7 days without dal and rice. We get it. And the good news? You can absolutely do a Norway cruise as an Indian family — if you pick the right cruise line. This guide tells you exactly which ships have Indian food, what the food is actually like, what a Norway cruise costs in rupees, and what visa you need. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just the real answer.
Quick Answer: Yes, but only on specific cruise lines
Not every ship has Indian food. Some have nothing, while others have excellent dedicated Indian options or daily buffets.
P&O Cruises offers the best fine dining Indian experience at sea with their Sindhu restaurant, while Royal Caribbean provides free Indian dishes in their buffet and main dining room every single day. Others like Hurtigruten offer breathtaking local cruises but have no Indian options.
The Food Filter — Cruise Line Options
Here is the honest breakdown of how and where Indian food is served on Norwegian Fjords routes.
P&O Cruises — Best Indian Food at Sea (Sindhu Restaurant)
If Indian food is your top priority, P&O Cruises is your answer. They run a dedicated specialty restaurant called Sindhu on their ships. It is not just a 'curry corner' in the buffet; it is a proper sit-down Indian restaurant with a 7-course menu.
Details & Options
- Sev puri, paneer kebabs, vegetable samosas
- Mushroom biriyani or Vegetarian Signature Plate (three small curries)
- Cauliflower tempura, chickpea dahl, Malabar pancakes
- Selection of Indian sweets and desserts
- Main dining room vegetarian options clearly marked (V) daily
- Buffet has dedicated vegan and allergen-labelled sections
Royal Caribbean — Free Indian Food Every Single Day
Royal Caribbean is the best choice if you want Indian food included in your fare at no extra charge. Indian items are permanently available in the buffet and main dining room.
Details & Options
- Windjammer Buffet (every meal): Chana masala, paneer masala, dal, saag — available daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Main Dining Room (every dinner): One Indian vegetarian dish and one Indian non-veg dish, permanently on the menu
- No special requests needed for standard daily Indian dishes
Hurtigruten — The Real Norway, But No Indian Food
Hurtigruten is the original Norway coastal cruise (Bergen to the Arctic Circle, 34 ports, 12 days). It is breathtakingly beautiful, but there is no Indian food available on board.
Details & Options
- Authentic local Norwegian food (fresh fish, reindeer, local cheeses, Arctic herbs)
- Vegetarian options are available and well-labelled in main restaurants
- Dedicated vegan menu available
What About Jain Food?
Jain food (no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables) is available on two cruise lines as a formal request:
- Cunard: Advance request accepted.
- Azamara: Advance request accepted.
- P&O, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity: Jain meal request is possible but not a formal program. You must notify them 28-30 days before sailing and confirm with the restaurant manager onboard.
Do You Need a Visa for Norway?
Norway is in the Schengen Area (though not in the EU). For Indian passport holders, this means:
- Schengen Visa: Required to visit Norway. If the cruise starts/ends in a Schengen country (like Denmark or Germany), one Schengen visa covers it all.
- Southampton (UK) departures: You will need both a UK visa and a Schengen visa separately.
- Processing Time: 4-6 weeks minimum. Apply through VFS Global in your city.
How Much Does a Norway Cruise Cost? (In Rupees)
Let us be transparent about the full cost of a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.
- Interior Cabin (No Window)₹85,000 – ₹1.1 Lakh/pp
- Ocean View Cabin₹1.1 – ₹1.5 Lakh/pp
- Balcony Cabin₹1.5 – ₹2.2 Lakh/pp
- GST on Booking Fee5% Extra
- TCS (Tax Collected at Source)5% to 20% (Refundable Credit)
- Flights (India to London/Europe)₹35,000 – ₹70,000/pp
GST (5%): Applies when booking a cruise or international package through an Indian travel agent.
TCS (Tax Collected at Source): Applies on travel payments above ₹7L/yr (5% with PAN, 20% without). You can claim this back when filing your ITR, but you must pay it upfront.
7 Insider Tips for Indian Families on a Norway Cruise
Crucial details that normal booking websites won't mention:
Secret #1: Book Sindhu on Embarkation Day
Do not wait until weeks before. Sindhu reservations open as soon as you board the ship. Head over or use the app immediately to book your dates.
Secret #2: Carry a Small Spice Kit
Even the best cruise Indian food is prepared milder than home cooking to suit a global palate. Carrying a small masala container is allowed in carry-on bags and can save your meals.
Secret #3: Summer Midnight Sun Daylight
Norway in summer has 20+ hours of daylight. Cabins are not always fully dark-proof, so packing a good sleep mask is essential to ensure quality sleep.
Secret #4: Sea Sickness is Less of a Problem
Norwegian fjords are sheltered like wide rivers, which means calm waters. If you are worried about motion sickness, this route is much safer than the open Atlantic.
Secret #5: Drinks Packages Can Be Expensive
Drinks packages cost £50–£70 per person per day. If your family does not drink alcohol, skip the full package and buy a soft drinks-only package instead.
Secret #6: Avoid Indian School Holiday Peaks
Norway cruises during Diwali, Christmas, or April–May summer breaks cost 20–30% more. Book in late June or September to save significant money.
Secret #7: MSC Cruises 'Ethnic Corner' Caution
MSC buffet has an ethnic corner that sometimes has Indian food, but it is not guaranteed. Do not rely on it if your family has strict vegetarian needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Norwegian food very different from Indian food?
Yes. Norwegian food is mostly fish and meat-based. Vegetarians and Indians used to spicy food often find Norwegian cruise food bland without the right cruise line. Choose P&O or Royal Caribbean specifically.
Can I carry packed Indian food on a cruise?
Sealed, commercially packed snacks (biscuits, namkeen, ready-to-eat pouches) are generally allowed. Fresh food and liquids over 100ml are not. Always check the specific cruise line's policy.
Is Norway safe for Indian families?
Norway is one of the safest countries in the world. Crime is extremely low. English is widely spoken in all tourist areas. Indian families travel there comfortably.
What is the best time for a Norway cruise from India?
June to August for midnight sun and green fjords. September to early November for Northern Lights (from cruise ports like Tromsø). December to February is cold and dark but popular for Aurora chasers.
Can I get a cruise that starts in Mumbai or another Indian city?
No direct cruises from India to Norway exist. You fly to the cruise departure port (Southampton, Copenhagen, or Bergen) and board there.
Which cabin type is best for a family of 4?
A balcony cabin for 2 adults + 1 or 2 kids is the most comfortable. Many cabins sleep 3–4 people. Always specify ages of children at booking — kids under 2 often sail free.
Is there a vegetarian-only cruise for the Norwegian Fjords?
No dedicated vegetarian cruise exists for Norway. But P&O Cruises' Sindhu restaurant and MDR vegetarian options make it very manageable for pure vegetarians.
DIY vs. Booking With Us
Here is what it takes to plan this trip on your own versus letting us coordinate everything for you.
The DIY Route
- Research 8+ cruise lines to find which ones have Indian/vegetarian food.
- Compare Norway itineraries across 3-4 booking websites.
- Calculate GST and TCS implications entirely on your own.
- Apply for UK/Schengen visas — collecting documents, appointments, and matching timelines.
- Book flights separately, ensuring enough buffer before ship departure.
- Call the cruise line directly to request Jain/vegetarian meals and follow up 28 days before sailing.
- Arrange mandatory travel insurance and coordinate port transfers on both ends.
With BookCruises.in
- Food vetting: We vet the cruise for Indian food and confirm your dietary needs with the ship.
- Visa guidance: Detailed document checklist tailored to your family for UK & Schengen at no charge.
- Flight sync: Full synchronization of flight timings to match the cruise port boarding.
- Cost transparency: No hidden shocks — simple, clear breakdown of GST and TCS.
- Zero booking fees: All planning assistance and coordination is completely free.
Norway Is Worth It — If You Plan It Right
Norway is genuinely one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Don't let the planning stress ruin the excitement. Let us handle the visa checklist, food vetting, and flight coordination — so you can focus on enjoying the Geirangerfjord with your family.
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