Departing Hamburg

Your Norwegian adventure starts here

Your expedition cruise begins in Hamburg – a city full of history, art and culture. There's plenty to see and do in Hamburg so you may wish to spend some time here before boarding MS Otto Sverdrup.

Once settled in, get to know the comforts of your ship – designed for more sustainable exploration. Enjoy the first of many delicious, locally-sourced meals, as we sail along the Hamburg channel. It's also your first chance to meet the Expedition Team.

We'll stop at the port of Cuxhaven, where you'll hear local sea shanties and join an included tour of the Hapag-Halle museum – giving you a historical perspective on the journey ahead.

Norway bound

Relax as we cross the North Sea

Enjoy a day on board the MS Otto Sverdrup as we head north to the rugged Norwegian coastline – a great chance to unwind, but with plenty to keep you busy. Take in the views from the Observation Deck, get some tips from our onboard photographer, or head to the gym and hot tubs.

Join our Expedition Team for fascinating lectures in the Science Center and learn more about Norway and your adventures ahead.

Bergen should be our first stop tomorrow, weather permitting. If the conditions prove difficult, we'll chart a course further north to stunning Hjørundfjorden.

Beautiful Bergen

Visit UNESCO-listed Bryggen and Mount Fløyen

Weather permitting, we'll arrive in Bergen in the afternoon. Surrounded by seven mountains, the old capital is one of Norway’s most picturesque cities.

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Across from Bryggen, you'll find the city's famous fish market. From there, explore the cobbled streets on foot, stopping at artisanal boutiques and cafés.

You'll enjoy an included excursion to Mount Fløyen. Take the funicular railway up to the summit for amazing views over the city. If there’s time, we might even venture into the alpine forest for a short hike. 

Scenic Hjørundfjorden

Explore part of the UNESCO designated Fjords Norway

Surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, this is one of the most scenic fjords in all of Norway. Noted by UNESCO for its 'exceptional natural beauty', it's still largely undiscovered by most other cruise lines.

On a clear day, you’ll enjoy a 360° sensory experience of blue skies, dramatic forests, lush mountains and pristine waters.

We'll anchor close to Urke or Sæbø, where an expedition boat will take you ashore. From there, you can join a guided walk visiting the small communities along Hjørundfjorden. Or opt for more exhilarating excursions like mountain hiking or kayaking on the fjord.

Trondheim's Viking roots

Enjoy a summer day in historic Trondheim

Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral is a medieval masterpiece and the city's most famous landmark. You'll visit it today on an included tour as you learn about the city's Viking roots and its founder King Olav Tryggvason.

Stroll across Old Town Bridge and take in the colourful wharves of Bakklandet, and discover its cosmopolitan cafés and restaurants. You can also see the neighbourhood on an optional kayaking trip along the River Nid – a popular activity in the summer.

Trondheim's cobblestone streets lead uphill to Kristiansten Fortress. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of the city and island prison Munkholmen, the Viking equivalent of Alcatraz.

The islands of Træna

Nordic and Hawaiian cultures meet on this archipelago

Today we reach Træna, an archipelago of over 400 islands and islets right on the Arctic Circle, which we'll cross this evening.

Walk around the village of Husøya and you may be surprised by the Hawaiian influences, which include a local ‘Waikiki Beach’. Embrace the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv – a respect for nature and a love of the outdoors – and enjoy all Træna has to offer with our optional excursions.

If the weather is against us, we might take you to Svartisen Glacier instead, where you can join optional hikes to Norway's second largest glacier, and go kayaking.

Senja: Miniature Norway

Discover ruggedly beautiful Senja

Today we visit Senja, a lesser-travelled island – perhaps due to its remoteness – that features on CNN’s Top 10 list of ’World’s Most Beautiful Islands’. 

Nicknamed 'Miniature Norway' due to the diversity of its landscapes, Senja's northern coastline has sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lofty mountains. Southern Senja and Ånderdalen National Park offer rocky coastline and pine forests, while you'll find rolling hills and birch forests to the east.

The captain will decide where best to drop anchor so you can go ashore and enjoy a guided coach tour along the magnificent National Scenic Route.

The North Cape

Visit the North Cape at the top of the world

Relax on board this morning as we sail along the Helgeland Coast. From the fishing village of Skarsvåg, you'll enjoy an included excursion to the North Cape.

At just 1,300 miles from the Geographic North Pole, it's one of the northernmost points in Europe. Enjoy cliff-edge views out to sea, take a selfie at the Globe Monument, and visit the exhibits of North Cape Hall.

Optional activities include visiting the birder's paradise of Magerøya island – home to sea eagles, Arctic skuas, Northern Fulmars and Brünnich’s Guillemots. Back in Skarsvåg, try the delicious local fish soup before we start our return southbound.

Tromsø adventures

Discover Tromsø's polar exploration heritage

This cosmopolitan city has plenty of fascinating sights to discover, including the Arctic Cathedral, one of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø. If you visit between May 20 and July 22, you'll find the city bustling 24/7 under the Midnight Sun.

You'll visit the Polar Museum on an included excursion, where you'll discover the city’s heritage as a base for famous trappers and legendary explorers.

For incredible views, take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Mount Fløyfjellet. You can also choose from many optional excursions, including hikes with our Expedition Team, kayaking, boat trips and scenic bus tours.

Trollfjorden and Reine

An idyllic fishing village amid stunning scenery

We sail to spectacular Trollfjorden, a narrow channel flanked by vertical mountain walls. If conditions allow, you'll experience ‘threading the needle’. With remarkable seamanship, we sail into the fjord, so close to the cliff walls you can touch them, before turning 360° on-the-spot and manoeuvring out.

Idyllic Reine awaits in the afternoon. Its iconic red fishing huts, or rorbuer, dotted against granite peaks, make this one of Norway's most photographed landscapes. You'll visit a unique historical attraction on an included activity to Å – a traditional fishing village with a blacksmith, cod liver oil press and bakery.

Torghatten Mountain

A land of legends and wonder

You can enjoy views on deck, contribute to a Citizen Science project, or take a dip in the hot tub as we sail past Helgeland county and its thousands of islands this morning. Our destination is Torghatten, outside the town of Brønnøysund.

This mountain may be relatively small in stature, just 846 ft tall, but is known for its shape – it has a hole through its centre. Geologists will tell you this is from Ice Age erosion, but local folklore tells of a spurned troll lover who shot an arrow through it.

You can join the Expedition Team for an included hike either up to the hole itself, or along a less strenuous route around the mountain.

Charming Ålesund

From marine life to mountain peaks

Our expedition cruise continues to the captivating city of Ålesund, famous for its charming architecture and cobblestone streets. After a fire razed much of the city to the ground in 1904, it was rebuilt in the fashionable style of the time: Art Nouveau.

Nestled into the rocky coastline is the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway's first marine science centre. Here you'll find Humboldt penguins, octopus, seals and otters.

Today's included activity is a hike to the summit of Mount Aksla for incredible views over the city. Reward yourself with a delicious warm svele – a thick, crescent-shaped pancake – at the top.

Pretty Hardangerfjorden

An eclectic mix of orchards, glaciers and rose gardens

Enjoy the views as we sail towards Hardangerfjorden, the second longest fjord in Norway. Its hillside apple orchards supply the fruit for the award-winning local cider.

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

In Rosendal, visit the magnificent Baronial manor, its interiors preserved since 1927. A path through the stunning rose garden – blooming in July – leads you to the dramatic Hatteberg Waterfall.

Reflections of Norway

Enjoy your final expedition day at sea

It's our last day at sea and your Norwegian coast experience is drawing to a close. As we cross the North Sea, you might spot seabirds and perhaps even dolphins, which occasionally like to follow us along.

Make the most of your day on board MS Otto Sverdrup. You may want to soak your limbs in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Science Center, or relax in the Explorer Lounge.

Don’t miss the Expedition Team as they wrap up the journey with a review of the highlights of our memorable expedition cruise to the fjords of Norway and beyond.

Back to Hamburg

Enjoy Hamburg as your Norway adventure ends

Your expedition cruise to the west coast fjords of Norway will sail into Hamburg in the early morning hours. After breakfast, it’s time to leave MS Otto Sverdrup.

As you say goodbye, you'll take with you unforgettable memories of Norway’s magnificent fjords, cities and coastal communities and new knowledge about the region.

If you'd like to explore more of Hamburg, why not add an extra night and take a guided tour of this vibrant city and discover its UNESCO World Heritage Sites.