Your Nordic adventure begins in Tromsø, the Arctic Capital. Often called the ‘gateway to the Arctic,’ Tromsø is Norway’s northernmost city. It buzzes with everything from trendy restaurants and cafés to boutique shops selling local crafts and produce.

Sitting around 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the city usually has a blanket of snow in the spring and winter, giving it the look and feel of a winter wonderland – one that reflects the Northern Lights when they appear.

*Please note that if the date you make your booking is less than 90 days before your chosen departure date, your voyage will start on Day 2 in Tromsø and end on Day 8 in Oslo.

After your first night on the ship, we arrive at Lofoten, a striking group of islands that rise out of the Norwegian Sea. As soon as you see the towering peaks around you with fishing villages clinging to their sides, you’ll understand why this island chain is so often praised as one of Norway’s most stunning locations.

We can’t visit the area without spending some time in Stokmarknes. This historic town is part of Vesterålen, an archipelago just northeast of Lofoten. For us, this place is particularly special. Shipping pioneer Richard With founded the Original Coastal Express here in 1893.

The Coastal Express soon became a lifeline for Norway’s remote coastal communities. Fittingly, our legacy has been immortalized in the place where it all began. Standing on the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken, encased in a glass building like a ship in a bottle.

This is Hurtigrutemuseet, the museum that chronicles our history as Norway’s leading expedition cruise line. On a guided tour, explore the retired vessel and experience the atmosphere of a bygone era.

We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær in the afternoon. Located on the island of Austvågøya in the heart of Lofoten, Svolvær is the biggest town of the archipelago, humming with shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés. You can also admire views of the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain that resembles a goat and its horns.

A variety of optional excursions are available from Svolvær, including winter fishing, paddling along the coastline in a kayak, or embarking on a bus tour to learn more about Lofoten’s history.

After a hearty breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock mid-morning at Ålesund, a town that spreads out across a string of islands.

As we approach the shore, you might notice the distinctive architecture. Every detail of the buildings, from the bright colors to the rounded spires, were inspired by art nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. Almost the entire town received a makeover in the style when it was rebuilt after a major fire in 1904.

As you leave the waterfront, you’ll enter a fairy-tale town, filled with narrow streets lined with unique houses. If you don’t fill up your camera’s memory card with this, snap some impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint. The 418 steps leading there might look intimidating, but the views are well worth the effort.

You can also visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway’s first marine science center. This is one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums, providing a home to seals, otters, and crabs, as well as many other kinds of marine life. You can even see Humboldt Penguins here, a species otherwise absent north of the equator.

Optional activities may include a fjord tour of either Geirangerfjord or Hjørundfjord. If weather allows, kayaking may even be an option. Imagine gliding across the surface of the fjord and skimming your hand over the pristine water as marine life swims in the depths below.

Sitting along the southern tip of the country, Kristiansand is Norway’s fifth largest city. We aim to be alongside from mid morning to early afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore. 

As you walk around Kristiansand, you might notice that the city is built on a very uniform grid plan, with several straight roads running from the harbour all the way through the city. These roads are lined with architecture from different eras, evidence of the extensive rebuilds the city had to go through after major fires in the 18th and 19th centuries-, and a World War II attack. 

Kristiansand is on a mission to become the most sustainable port in Europe. Find out more about this admirable quest on an optional excursion that includes a visit to Odderøya Island. Here, you can see beautiful views of the ocean and city and visit 18th-century military barracks transformed into creative artist studios that run several sustainable initiatives. 

Kristiansand’s 20th-century military past is the focus of an optional excursion to Batterie Vara. Originally built as a German fort in World War II, it features the world’s second largest cannon ever to be mounted on land. 

Another optional excursion takes you to the working Lindesnes Lighthouse, which marks Norway’s southernmost point. See the beacon that has been guiding seafarers to safety on dark nights since the early 20th century, and learn about the long history of the site that goes all the way back to 1656.  

After waking up in your hotel, you’ll have the entire day to explore more of Oslo at your leisure. You’ve had a long journey at sea, and now you have some time to relax before leaving Norway tomorrow. 

Today gives you the perfect opportunity to get some last-minute souvenir shopping done. Pop into the local shops to find handmade crafts and trinkets to bring home for family and friends. 

For lunch, head to one of the city’s many restaurants to sample classic local dishes, from Norwegian hotdogs to fresh seafood. Relax, savour the Nordic flavours, and enjoy the atmosphere. 

If you still find yourself full of energy, why not rent a bike and tour more of the city’s landmarks? There are plenty of cycle routes to choose from, both in the city, as well as in the natural areas surrounding it.