The journey begins

Set sail from the White Cliffs of Dover to the historic port of Harwich

All aboard at Dover! MS Maud is ready to take you north toward Norway and Svalbard – the realm of the polar bear. Once on board the ship, you’ll meet your expert Expedition Team, your hosts and guides throughout the voyage.

When the ship sets sail, we’ll pass the white cliffs of Dover and head up the North Sea, calling at Harwich, one of the most important ports on the Essex coast and the point of departure for many historic explorers. In keeping with Harwich tradition, and to celebrate the start of your journey, you’ll enjoy a local sea shanty performance before crossing the North Sea.

Norway bound

Enjoy the ship’s superb facilities and learn about the places you‘ll visit

The next day at sea will give you time to enjoy onboard facilities, such as the hot tubs, sauna, and indoor gym. The Expedition Team, experts in their respective fields, will begin their series of insightful lectures over at the Science Center. You’ll find them to be walking, talking treasure troves of stories and information.

They’ll share their extensive knowledge about the places, history, nature, people, and natural phenomena we are likely to encounter during this cruise along the Norwegian coast. Today’s topics might include Norway's climate, the weather of the North Sea or the history of travel along the Norwegian coast.

Picturesque town of wooden houses 

Call in at delightful Egersund with its brightly coloured houses

Egersund is famous for its brightly coloured, wooden houses – a welcome sight as you approach the harbour. People have lived around the area of Egersund since the Stone Age, and ancient runes have been found carved into rocks nearby. It’s also one of the best natural harbours in Norway, and it used to be the most important in the country in terms of the quantity of fish landed each year. 

Enjoy exploring the delightful town centre, which has preserved some of the best examples of wooden houses – a few even dating back 160 years. The varied landscape surrounding the town is great for walking.

City of Seven Mountains

Experience stunning mountain views, and explore the charming city of Bergen

Bergen, one of Norway’s most beautiful cities, was Norway’s capital for many years. Your included activity is an excursion to Mount Fløyen. From the ship, we’ll hop on buses and drive to the Fløibanen funicular. At the summit, 1,049 ft high, bask in stunning views over the city surrounded by seven mountains and the sea.

Back in Bergen, you can explore the cobblestone streets and alleyways of this thriving, compact city. Also, be sure to stroll through the historic Bryggen district with its colourful wooden wharfs. The area dates back to the 14th century and now houses boutique stores selling a range of Norwegian arts and crafts.

Exceptional natural beauty

Walk amid breathtaking scenery, then spend the evening in beautiful Ålesund

Surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, Hjørundfjorden is one of the most scenic fjords in all of Norway and still undiscovered by most other cruise lines. After we anchor close to a settlement in the fjord, a local boat will take you ashore. There’s an optional guided walk taking in villages along Hjørundfjorden, or you can opt for more exhilarating excursions such as a mountain hike or kayaking.

In the evening, we’ll call at Ålesund, a small town with cobblestone streets, numerous spires, and highly ornate architecture. Look closely and spot the variety of stone statues carved into the buildings. As Norway’s fishing capital, Ålesund is also the site of the Atlantic Sea Park.

Expedition day

Embark on a day of adventure among Norway’s little-known islands

Our plan today is to explore the islands off the coast of central Norway. As part of an authentic adventure, the weather will determine our exact route and activities. If the weather is pleasant, we can stay out among the islands; otherwise, we can head into one of the sheltered bays.

Once the elements have helped us decide on our destination for the day, we’ll drop anchor and use our small exploration boats to get to shore. If conditions are right, you’ll be able to pick optional excursion hikes or kayaking, or possibly even both. Frøya, one of the islands we may explore, is rich in wildlife.

‘Black ice’

View the dark ice of Norway’s second biggest glacier

Sailing the Holandsfjord off the Helgeland Coast, we arrive at Svartisen (‘Black Ice’), Norway’s second largest glacier. The characteristically deep colour of the ice includes turquoise and dark blue, but never quite black. Surrounded by the Saltfjell mountain range, Svartisen is actually made up of two separate glaciers separated by the long Vesterdalen valley.

Our aim for the day is to land on the local jetty and visit the Svartisen Glacier Museum. You’ll also have opportunities to take optional excursions near the glacier and its surroundings. From Svartisen you’ll also see the Engen glacier, which can be reached on an extended optional excursion hike.

Iconic Lofoten landscapes

Visit idyllic Reine and the historic fishing village of Å

Along a coast of distinctive peaks, sheltered bays, untouched beaches, and picturesque fishing villages, we’ll aim to land in idyllic Reine in the morning. As part of an included activity, you’ll board a bus to the historic fishing village of Å, with its well-preserved houses, smithy, old cod liver oil press, and bakery. The local museum explains how cod fishing has been key to establishing Norway as a country.

From Reine, we sail to Trollfjord, a narrow waterway where vertical mountain walls loom above. Depending on weather conditions, you might get to experience the ship sailing so close to the cliff walls that you’ll feel you could reach out and touch them.

Gateway to the Arctic

Encounter the fascinating history and culture of the gateway to the Arctic

Arriving in Tromsø early in the morning, you get to spend the entire day and evening exploring its fascinating history, culture and bold architecture. Historically, Tromsø was a frontier town for returning hunters and explorers, and a launch point for several Arctic expeditions. Today you can browse the shops, sample the region’s fresh produce, or visit the world’s northernmost brewery.

Your included activity in Tromsø is a visit to the Polar Museum, and optional excursions include nature hikes and scenic bus rides.

To the top of the world

Experience the spectacular North Cape and the best seafood in Europe

Starting the day by arriving at the small town of Skarsvåg, you’ll now visit one of the northernmost points in Europe as part of an included excursion. The scenic bus ride passes small bays and tiny villages, then crosses a mountain plateau before arriving at spectacular North Cape.

Take a selfie at the Globe Monument before visiting the North Cape Hall for several exhibits and a short film chronicling the history of the cape.  Your included visit to the North Cape can also be combined with experiences on the island of Magerøya, where the local restaurants have the best seafood dishes, and king crabs are available all year round.

'Bear Island’ without the bears

Island nature reserve with a spectacularly scenic coast

About midway between the mainland and Spitsbergen, we arrive at Bjørnøya, or Bear Island. The island is actually more renowned for birdlife than for sightings of polar bears! Except for a small meteorological station, the entire island is a nature reserve. It’s mainly flat and dominated by shallow lakes, but the landscape starts to get more mountainous in the south.

The coast is spectacular with its striking rock columns and caves, and tall cliffs dominate the southern tip of the island, making for fantastic views. If conditions allow, we may go ashore for hikes and do small boat cruising. You may even get to go kayaking as an optional activity.

South Spitsbergen National Park

Watch for bears and other animals at this polar national park

Today we explore the wonderfully varied landscape of Hornsund, part of the South Spitsbergen National Park and one of the most spectacular natural corners of the world. On a clear day, you may see Hornsundtind towering 4,695 ft above sea level. The possibility that we might see polar bears makes a visit to Hornsund so special. Other animals to watch for are walruses, seals, reindeer and Arctic foxes.

Our custom-made explorer vessels allow us to attempt landings where other ships can’t, giving you a better chance of seeing 15-mile-long Hornsund up close. Depending on weather and sea ice, there are also optional excursions such as hiking, kayaking and small boat cruising.

Second-longest fjord in Svalbard

Prepare for a day of exploration in this glacier-carved region

Get into explorer mode as we sail into the second-longest fjord in Svalbard. A lush and beautiful system rich in wildlife and vegetation, it has immense valleys carved out by glaciers some 10,000 years ago. Remains of Svalbard’s whaling and hunting heritage can be found along the beaches and bays.

South of the fjords lies the famous Isfjord Radio station, a former radio and weather station that now serves as one of the most beautifully situated hotels in the world. The landscape of the inner parts of Isfjorden changes constantly, so we will decide where to go and what to do based upon weather and ice conditions when we arrive.

Beauty and history in one

Look out for reindeer and historic ruins at beautiful Bellsund

A 12-mile-long sound, Bellsund derives its name from the bell-shaped mountain Klokkefjellet at its mouth. You might catch sight of migrating Svalbard reindeer grazing the lush vegetation that is richly fertilised by droppings from the seabirds above – just the circle of life at work!

Cultural remains from other periods can be seen throughout Bellsund. Ruins of 1900s mining settlements are still visible, and you can see them as we spend the day exploring the area with landings, hikes and optional kayaking activities, if weather conditions allow.

Heading south again

Wind down after your exciting Svalbard experience

After our Svalbard adventure, we start our journey southward, crossing the Barents Sea. It’s named after the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz, who discovered Spitsbergen and Bear Island. Unwind in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, soak in a hot tub or enjoy the vastness of the never-ending horizon.

The Expedition Team continues its onboard lecture series, possibly talking about the battle of the Barents Sea during WW2. Spend some time in the Science Center and learn some useful hints on expedition photography from our onboard expert.

Norway in miniature

Spend a day exploring the diverse landscapes of a ‘miniature Norway’

Today, we dock at Senja, one of the most ruggedly beautiful and lesser-visited islands in Norway. Optional excursions may include guided hikes or kayaking. 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 is characterised by lofty mountains plummeting straight into the sea, interspersed with isolated coves and sandy beaches that fringe crystal-clear, turquoise waters. Southern Senja is distinguished by its rocky coastline and pine forests and is home to Ånderdalen National Park. The eastern side of Senja has gentler, more forgiving landscapes with rolling hills and birch forests.

Far out at sea

Enjoy an excursion to a 400-island archipelago on the Arctic Circle

Sailing along the Helgeland coast, with nothing but sky and sea ahead, mountains rise from the horizon. This is Træna, an archipelago of over 400 islands right on the Arctic Circle. We plan to go on a scenic walk around the village of Husøya where most of Træna’s 454 inhabitants live.

Optional excursions might include hiking, island hopping, enjoying a sauna, observing sea eagles, tasting local fish dishes or bathing in the Norwegian Sea.

There’s also Kirkhellern ‘Cathedral’ Cave on the island of Sanna. The acoustics make it ideal for outdoor concerts, but the main draw is evidence of human life in the cave as far back as 9,000 years ago.

Rest and relaxation

Dabble in science or simply relax and watch the world go by

Part of being on an expedition is knowing how to enjoy the moment and just taking time out to reconnect with nature and the world around you. So, settle into a sofa in the panoramic Explorer Lounge, soak in a hot tub out on deck, or sit back and simply take in the serene scenery.

There’s more to learn in lectures from the Expedition Team. and you can dabble in a bit of science in the onboard Science Center. We also support a number of Citizen Science projects that you can join in.

The longest fjord of Norway

Learn all about glaciers and how they shaped the Norwegian landscape

In the morning we plan to cruise deep into Sognefjorden, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, to the tiny hamlet of Fjærland. Only 300 people live in this idyllic village with its many charming old buildings and picturesque second-hand book shops. This is also the place where Sognefjorden meets Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European continent.

A visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum is the included activity of the day. There you can learn 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.

Relax and unwind

Take the time to relax with friends and look back on your adventures

On the return journey you can spend time chatting with new friends, perhaps recalling the best moments of your expedition together. Enjoy drinks in the Explorer Lounge & Bar while swapping friendly banter and stories of past adventures. You might even catch a couple of the crew and Expedition Team here too. 

Make the most of your day on board MS Maud. You may want to soak in a hot tub, work out in the gym, relax in the Explorer Lounge, or edit the photographs from your trip. Don’t miss the Expedition Team as they review the highlights of your memorable expedition cruise to the Svalbard archipelago and the coast of Norway.

Return to England

Say farewell to your ship, its Captain and crew, and the Expedition Team

We arrive at Dover during the early morning hours and dock at the town’s harbour. After breakfast, it’s time to leave your home for the past 21 days. Before you rush off, you might to like to visit Dover Castle, said to be the largest in England. There is a rare Roman lighthouse here, one of only three in the world and reputedly the UK’s oldest building.

You can also go on a tour of the underground hospital and secret WW2 tunnels that run beneath the castle complex. Whatever’s next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you on your next adventure!