MS Otto Sverdrup, your comfortable expedition ship, will be waiting for you at the port of Hamburg.

Once you board the ship, pick up your complimentary expedition jacket, and settle into your cabin. Feel free to explore the ship before attending a mandatory safety drill.

After the first of many sumptuous dinners and a welcome toast by the Captain, you’ll meet your expert Expedition Team. They’ll be your knowledgeable lecturers, warm hosts, and good-natured guides throughout your journey. Many of them grew up and live in the places you’ll visit, and they are passionate about sharing their home with you. But first and foremost, they’ll keep you safe. Their first priority will be to run through important health and safety information with you and your shipmates.

Add an extra night in Hamburg before your expedition cruise and explore the maritime spirit of this Hanseatic, vibrant city during a guided city tour.

As we exit the Hamburg Channel, we reach Cuxhaven, where we’ll go alongside and celebrate the start of our journey to Norway. For hundreds of years, German seafarers and emigrants leaving Germany have used the port of Cuxhaven. Join us for this ceremony, where the expedition team will fill you in on the upcoming adventure in the land of the Midnight Sun. A local sea shanty choir will entertain us and at the museum of the Hapag-Halle will offer historical perspective to our journey.

Enjoy a day at sea as we head north to the rugged Norwegian coastline. You’ll have plenty of time to unwind, relax, and get ready for this expedition cruise. Admire the waves from MS Otto Sverdrup’s expansive Observation Deck or settle into the Fredheim restaurant with a good book and a freshly baked pastry. Don’t forget to take full advantage of the gym and hot tubs!

You’ll be invited to talks hosted by the Expedition Team, who will happily share their extensive knowledge of Norway with you. Topics will change each day and often be relevant to the area you are sailing in. For instance, as we sail across the North Sea (well-known for its oil and gas reserves divided among the U.K., Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands), the Team might give its lecture about the geology of the North Sea out on deck instead of in the Science Center.

These added insights will enhance your experience, filling your sense of discovery and inspiring your curiosity.

We also support a number of Citizen Science projects, which we encourage you to join. These include the Happywhale project, where your photographs help identify and track whales as they travel across the planet. You may also join the Globe Observer project, which combines your observations of clouds and sky conditions with satellite data.

Not only will you be supporting the scientific community, you’ll also be gaining a better understanding of the world around you.

If we have calm seas and good weather conditions, we can expect to reach the Lysefjord the next morning.

In the afternoon, you’ll get your first glimpse of the Norwegian coast. Small islands and mountain silhouettes draw closer. We’ll leave the North Sea behind and enter the scenic straits and fjords. Weather permitting, we’ll start our visit in the Lysefjord, one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords and a great place to begin our expedition.

We’ll sail as deep as possible into the imposing Lysefjord, toward the iconic viewpoint at Preikestolen. The Lysefjord is 25 miles long, up to 1,384 feet deep, and boasts some of the most striking vertical cliffs of all the Norwegian fjords. Preikestolen, also known as ‘Pulpit Rock’, is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in all of Norway. Hopefully we’ll be treated to a fine view of this incredible rock formation from below as we approach Preikestolen.

In the morning, we’ll sail into the into the Sognefjord, nicknamed the ‘King of the Fjords’, as it is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. Stretching 127 miles inland from the coast, we plan to cruise deep into the fjord to the tiny village of Fjærland.

Only 300 people live here. We’ll go ashore to discover this idyllic village and its many charming old buildings. Fjærland is a designated ‘Norwegian Book Town’, with picturesque second-hand book shops and stands that dot the entire village. But Fjærland is not all about books.  

This is where the Sognefjord meets Jostedalsbreen, one of Norway’s best-known glaciers. It’s the largest glacier on the European continent and has several smaller glacial arms stretching out in many directions, including Bøyabreen and Supphellebreen.

This makes Fjærland the perfect place to learn about how glaciers created Norway’s beautiful fjords, which makes a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum a perfect included activity for the day.

At this award-winning museum, designed by world-famous architect Sverre Fehn, you’ll engage with hands-on exhibits that explain why glacier ice is blue and how the fjords were formed. You can even perform a few experiments with 1,000 year-old glacier ice and watch a panoramic film about Europe’s largest glacier.

At this day at sea, spend time in the ship’s Explorer lounge & bar, soak in a hot tub, or take in the scenery from the deck as we sail through Helgeland County.

You are now halfway up Norway’s extensive coastline  and we are approaching the Arctic Circle .

The Expedition Team will continue its onboard lecture series, sharing their vast knowledge and experience about the geography, culture, and history of Norway’s long and varied coastline.

In the morning, we’ll sail along the coast of Helgeland with nothing but sky and sea ahead. In the distance, you can see mountains rise from the horizon. This is Træna, an archipelago made up of over 400 islands and islets, right on the Arctic Circle. We’ll go for a scenic walk around the village of Husøya, where most of Træna’s fewer than 500 inhabitants live.

Surprisingly, there is a ‘Nordic-Hawaiian’ atmosphere on the islands. Visit the permanent outdoor photography exhibition, the themed café, and even a local ‘Waikiki Beach’.

Similar to the Hawaiian spirit, Norwegians believe in their own philosophy of friluftsliv—a respect for nature and a love of the outdoors.

This expedition is the perfect time not just to learn about this life philosophy, but to live it. Træna is also the perfect place for you to try one of a host of optional excursions.

Remember, though, that this sea can be rough all year round. If weather prevents us from landing this far from the coast, we may take you to Svartisen Glacier instead, where you can join a hike to the glacier or go kayaking on an optional excursion. At approximately 140 square miles, Svartisen is Norway’s second-largest glacier, after Jostedal Glacier.

We’ll cross the Arctic Circle in the evening and mark the occasion with a special ceremony. What’s that ceremony about? You’ll just have to be out on deck to find out!

Looking for Arctic adventure? Tromsø is the place. Set far above the Arctic Circle, the Midnight Sun shines here from May 20 to July 22, and during the peak of summer, it never gets dark. There are plenty of great hiking trails to explore and water sports to enjoy around the harbor area. Or, join our Expedition Team on an optional excursion such as hiking, kayaking, a boat trip, and a scenic bus tour. 

Nicknamed the ‘Paris of the North’, Tromsø is a lively college town. It has a large brewery and several microbreweries, along with a selection of great restaurants specializing in fresh regional food. It is also rich in Arctic history and culture. Our Expedition Team will share more with you about polar history and exploration in one of their lectures. 

As the gateway to the Arctic, Tromsø was the starting point for many polar expeditions and a very welcome first stop on explorers’ return to civilization. Visit the Polar Museum to learn more about the famous explorers and expeditions originating from the city.

The Arctic Cathedral is a city landmark, featuring modern architecture and a striking stained-glass window. The Fjellheisen cable car is one of the main attractions, bringing you to the top of a nearly 1,400 foot mountain. At the summit, enjoy sweeping views of the city, mountains, and fjords. Curious about Arctic marine life? The Polaria Arctic Experience Center is a family-friendly aquarium featuring seals, as well as the fish, shellfish, and plants that inhabit the region’s polar waters. 

We’ll spend the morning today sailing through Arctic Norway. Notice how the landscape and scenery is different from the Helgeland Coast. The weather is a usually a bit cooler here, too. Relax on board, share stories with new friends, visit the gym, or check out the Science Center. Today’s lecture topics focus on Norwegian history, so you can learn about the country’s Viking past, the Pomor trade with Russia, or discover more about the Indigenous and semi-nomadic Sámi people of Troms and Finnmark County.

After lunch, we’ll arrive in Skarsvåg. This small fishing village is only a scenic bus ride away from the North Cape. An included excursion will bring you to this site, one of the northernmost points in Europe. The scenic bus ride passes small bays and tiny villages, then crosses a mountain plateau before arriving at the spectacular North Cape.

At 71°N, it is just 1,300 miles from the Geographic North Pole, with only the Svalbard Archipelago in between. Stand at the cliff’s edge and gaze across the sparkling sea. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. Take the obligatory selfie at the Globe Monument before visiting North Cape Hall for exhibits and a short film that chronicle the history of the North Cape. You can combine this included trip with other optional experiences on the rugged and remote island of Magerøya. This island is a birder’s paradise, as it is home to hundreds of sea eagles and other birds, such as Arctic Skuas, Northern Fulmars, and Brünnich’s Fuillemots. They congregate in large numbers around the bird cliffs of Gjesværstappan, attracted to the nutrient-rich waters. 

Back in Skarsvåg, stroll along the pretty harbor and admire the charming houses and the church. The village’s lone shop is also the local restaurant. It serves up king crab all year round, along with a traditional fiskesuppe made by the owner, Heidi. It may be the best fish soup we’ve ever tasted! Skarsvåg is the ship’s turning point and from here, we start our return trip southbound.

Today, we dock at Senja, one of Norway’s most ruggedly beautiful and least-visited islands. This scenery will leave you awestruck and you’ll understand why it made CNN Travel’s list of the ‘10 of the world’s most beautiful islands’.

Senja is Norway’s-second largest island, but has fewer than 8,000 inhabitants, most of whom are employed in the fishing and aquaculture industries. The Captain will decide on a location to drop anchor or a port where we can dock. Should the weather be rough on the coastal side, we’ll seek a bit more shelter in a bay or inlet.

Sometimes referred to as ‘Norway in miniature’, the island boasts diverse landscapes that seem to change in the blink of an eye. Senja’s northern coastline features lofty mountains that plummet straight into the sea, interspersed with isolated coves and sandy beaches flanked by crystal-clear, turquoise waters. South Senja is distinguished by a rocky coastline and pine forests, and is home to Ånderdalen National Park. Senja’s eastern side has a gentler landscape, with rolling hills and birch forests. One of the best ways to see the island’s beautiful and contrasting topographies is a road trip along the National Scenic Route. Setting off from a local village, we’ll take a guided bus tour along part of the route and see Senja’s magnificent, untamed coastal landscapes. You’ll be amazed by the dark, jagged peaks of the Okshornan mountain range, which is aptly nicknamed the ‘Devil’s Jaw’.

The approach to Lofoten is not to be missed as a formidable wall of mountains greets you. The islands here are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The breathtaking scenery is a masterpiece of distinctive peaks, sheltered bays, untouched beaches, and idyllic fishing villages.

We’ll start the day by sailing to the Trollfjord, a narrow waterway where vertical mountain walls loom beside you. At the Captain’s discretion and weather conditions permitting, you might get to ‘thread the needle’ as the ship sails into the fjord so close to the cliff walls that you’ll feel like you can reach out and touch them. Once safely within the fjord, the ship will then turn 180° on the spot. You’ll be holding your breath again as the ship maneuvers back out through the tight entrance. It’s a thrilling experience and a feat of superb seamanship. Thankfully, our Captains have that in spades!

We’ll land in idyllic Reine in the afternoon. It’s one of the most photographed nature landscapes in Norway, for good reason. Characteristic red fishing huts known as ‘rorbuer’ dot the shoreline against a backdrop of granite peaks jutting out from the fjord. An included activity here includes boarding a bus to visit the picturesque fishing village of Å—a unique, historical attraction. Here, you’ll see well-preserved houses, a blacksmith, an old cod liver oil press, and a bakery that might very well be whipping up a fresh batch of lefse, a sweet flatbread. The local museum explains how cod fishing was been key to Norway’s establishment as a country.

In the morning, we’ll sail through Helgeland County and the thousands of islands of the lowland area. Count the peaks of the Seven Sisters mountain range, long fabled to be the seven troll sisters who were petrified by the sun’s rays at dawn.

Our goal for today is to explore famous Torghatten, a small mountain outside the town of Brønnøysund. It is only just over 840 feet tall, but has a distinctive hole straight through its center! It is easily one of the most photographed—and iconic—places in Norway.

Geologists generally agree that the hole in the center of Torghatten is due to erosion during the last Ice Age. The locals prefer a more fanciful explanation. Norwegian folklore tells of the troll Hestmannen, who was enraptured by the fair troll maiden Lekamøya. When his advances were spurned, Hestmannen flew into a rage and attempted to kill Lekamøya with an arrow. Witnessing this, the troll-king Brønnøy threw his hat in the path of the arrow to protect Lekamøya. At that very moment, the sun rose and turned everything to stone. Lekamøya herself is immortalized as a small mountain to the south of Torghatten.

Feeling adventurous and hungry for beautiful views? Join the Expedition Team to hike up to the mountain’s hole. Up for something less strenuous? There’ll be a walk around the mountain on offer, too.

Welcome to the charming coastal city of Ålesund! This small city shines from the shores of a thin island chain. Its waterfront buildings, once wharves and warehouses, are now charming, colorful apartments painted in yellows and reds. Join a guided walk through the cobblestone streets of Ålesund and admire the spires, towers, and ornate buildings rising up around you. Look closely and spot the variety of stone statues carved into the buildings

After a devastating fire in 1904, much of the city was rebuilt in the most fashionable architectural style of the time: Art Nouveau. The extensive project was partly funded by Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, who enjoyed vacationing in the Sunnmøre region. He was such a fan that he is known to have visited Norway at least 22 times!

Approximately 20 master builders and 30 Norwegian architects, educated in Trondheim and Berlin, drew inspiration from all over Europe when designing the many buildings that stand here today.

Ålesund is Norway’s fishing capital, and is also the site of the Atlantic Sea Park, recently given designated as Norway’s first marine science center. A spacious Humboldt penguin park is built into the coastal landscape at Tueneset, along with Europe’s biggest seal pool and an underwater observatory. The park’s Otter Island is home to three sociable and adorable otters. You can call them by their names: Nusse, Muffe, and Pia.

There’s also a decent hike to the summit of nearby Mount Aksla, giving you views over the city and the other islands. At the top, refuel at the café with an ice cream. Don’t miss the warm svele, a thick, crescent-shaped pancake popular in these parts. To add a bold Norwegian twist (and feel like a local), add a slice of brunost, Norwegian brown cheese, so it melts in the middle.

The Expedition Team’s lecture series continues, perhaps with a talk on glaciers, about Norway’s climate, or providing some background on the geology of the area you’re about to see. Just before lunch, the peaks of tall mountains will appear on the horizon. Between these peaks lie Norway’s world-famous fjords.

One such fjord is the Hardangerfjord. The most picturesque apple orchards in all of Norway blanket the hillsides, filled with ripening fruit in July and August. The region is understandably famous for its apple products, from jams and juice to its award-winning cider, which one wine critic described as ‘Nordic champagne’. No taste captures the spirit of outdoor life better than a refreshing glass of cider!  

Today, we’ll either explore the villages of Sunndal or Rosendal, depending on the conditions. From Sunndal, located close to the Bondhus Glacier, you can join an optional excursion to explore the area on a scenic hike or go kayaking with the Expedition Team.

With only 800 inhabitants, Rosendal is a small, charming village. The biggest attraction is the 16th-century Baronial manor, famous for its beautiful rose garden and landscaped grounds, which are in full bloom in the summer months. Why not stop at one of the village’s small cafés and sample delicious local fare? 

Near the end of the day, we’ll leave the Hardangerfjord and begin our journey south. It’s time to head back to Hamburg and leave the fjords, islands, and the Norwegian coast behind.

Our final day at sea is also the last full day of this memorable expedition cruise. As we cross the North Sea, keep an eye out for the seabirds and dolphins that like to follow the ship.

Relive your wonderful experiences of coastal Norway sharing stories and photos with fellow guests over drinks in the Explorer Bar or soak up the fresh sea air in the hot tub or on deck. Visit the Science Center and chat with Expedition Team members to answer any last-minute question you may have, and get ready to attend their expedition review, featuring a slideshow of all the highlights.  

We’ll dock in Hamburg during the early morning hours. After breakfast, it’ll be time to say a fond farewell to everyone on MS Otto Sverdrup who has made your expedition so special.  

We hope you’ll disembark with wonderful memories of Norway’s wonderful fjords, impressive nature, fascinating towns and cities, and the friendly people you met along the way. 

Consider adding an extra night in Hamburg and explore the maritime spirit of this vibrant Hanseatic city during a guided city tour.

We hope you’ll join us for another adventure soon!