Itinerary

Your journey begins in Hamburg, a city shaped by water, trade and centuries of seafaring. Germany’s second-largest city is home to one of Europe’s great ports, making it a fitting place to begin our journey north towards Norway.

If you have time before boarding, explore some of Hamburg’s maritime character for yourself. Wander through the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stroll beside the canals or simply enjoy the bustle of the waterfront before making your way to the ship.

Once on board, settle into your cabin and begin exploring your home for the voyage ahead. Meet your Expedition Team, enjoy your first dinner on board and head out on deck as we leave Hamburg behind.

This evening, we set sail towards the North Sea. Ahead lie Norway’s fjords, coastal cities and mountain landscapes — but first, a relaxing day at sea as we make our way north.

Today we cross the North Sea towards Norway, giving you a full day to settle into life on board and enjoy the journey at a relaxed pace. Step out on deck for fresh sea air and wide-open views, or find a comfortable spot in the lounge and watch the horizon roll by.

It’s also a good opportunity to get to know your ship and the people you’ll be travelling with. Meet your Expedition Team and discover more about the landscapes, history and communities that await along Norway’s coast through talks and activities on board.

Between meals, take time to unwind in the ship’s facilities, chat with fellow travellers or simply enjoy having nowhere you need to be. As we continue north, anticipation builds for our arrival in Norway.

Tomorrow, the scenery changes dramatically as we enter Lysefjord, before spending time ashore in the coastal city of Stavanger.

The day today belongs to the Lysefjord, one of Norway’s most dramatic waterways. Towering cliffs rise more than 1,000m above the sea, and from the deck you may glimpse Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock – a sheer plateau that has become an icon of Norway’s wild beauty. The fjord’s name, meaning “fjord of light”, reflects the pale granite walls that gleam in shifting weather, shaped by ice and time.

Later, we arrive in Stavanger, a lively coastal city where Viking heritage meets modern energy. The Old Town’s white wooden houses line cobbled streets filled with cafés and galleries, while the waterfront offers museums, seafood restaurants and space to wander. As it’s a weekday, this is an opportunity to browse the shops for souvenirs such as Norwegian design, woollen sweaters and local crafts.

Please note: This is an explorer voyage, designed with the freedom to embrace scenic sailing. To give you the best possible experience, the Captain may adjust the route or the order of fjord visits in response to weather and light conditions.

Sailing into the Kvinnheradsfjord, a branch of the great Hardangerfjord, feels like entering a world carved by time itself. The fjord’s steep mountainsides, shaped by ancient glaciers, rise in sheer walls of green and grey, their slopes veined with waterfalls that plunge straight to the sea. Once an important route for farmers and traders, these deep waters still carry the quiet rhythm of coastal life.

At its heart lies Rosendal, a beatific village framed by orchards and the white peaks of the Folgefonna Glacier. Here, history lingers in the 17th-century Barony Rosendal, Norway’s only manor house of its kind, surrounded by serene gardens. You can stroll through these historic grounds, visit local art galleries, or enjoy coffee and home-baked treats in the garden café. Nearby, the Folgefonna National Park Centre reveals the story of the region’s ice, rock and natural formations.

Please note: This is an explorer voyage, designed with the freedom to embrace scenic sailing. To give you the best possible experience, the Captain may adjust the route or the order of fjord visits in response to weather and light conditions.

Sailing into the Sognefjord is like following a silver thread into the very heart of the country. Known as the King of the Fjords, it stretches over 200km inland – so deep that by the time you reach its end you are almost in the middle of Norway. Towering cliffs rise above still waters, their faces etched by glaciers and dotted with the remnants of abandoned farms and homesteads. These ruins bear silent witness to the generations who once carved a hard living from these steep slopes. 

At the fjord’s innermost point lies Skjolden, a tranquil village framed by waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. This was once a retreat for philosophers and artists seeking solitude, including the scholar Ludwig Wittgenstein. From Skjolden, you can explore the mighty Jostedalsbreen Glacier – mainland Europe’s largest – or follow scenic trails through valleys and flowered meadows that lead toward ancient farmsteads.

A little farther along the fjord stands the UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church, Norway’s oldest, its wooden carvings blending Viking artistry with Christian symbolism. Standing before its weathered timbers, surrounded by mountains, you sense the deep continuity of life along these shores, where faith, craftsmanship and landscape have been intertwined for nearly a thousand years.

Please note: This is an explorer voyage, designed with the freedom to embrace scenic sailing. To give you the best possible experience, the Captain may adjust the route or the order of fjord visits in response to weather and light conditions.

Arriving in Ålesund, you’ll find one of Norway’s most beautiful and distinctive coastal cities. Rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904, Ålesund rose again in the graceful curves and pastel hues of Art Nouveau architecture – turrets, towers and floral details reflected in the surrounding waters. The town’s setting is just as striking: a cluster of islands framed by mountains and sea, with views that unfold in every direction.

Wander the cobbled streets and waterfront cafés or visit the Jugendstilsenteret Museum to learn how European design movements shaped this northern gem. For a sweeping panorama, climb the steps to Mount Aksla, where the city’s intricate plan and the Sunnmøre Alps reveal themselves below. If time allows sample local seafood or browse small boutiques selling Norwegian crafts.

Please note: This is an explorer voyage, designed with the freedom to embrace scenic sailing. To give you the best possible experience, the Captain may adjust the route or the order of fjord visits in response to weather and light conditions.

The approach to Nordfjord is among the most scenic in Norway. Stretching over 100km inland, it links the open sea to glacier-carved valleys and mirror-bright lakes. The fjord’s sheltered waters once carried Viking ships and trading vessels; today, it reveals a gentler rhythm of life where red boathouses, pastures and forested slopes line the shore. Steep mountains rise abruptly from the water, their tops dusted with snow well into spring, while waterfalls descend in silver threads from high plateaus.

At the fjord’s innermost reach lies Olden, a peaceful village framed by the turquoise waters of the Oldeelva River and the mighty Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the largest on mainland Europe. From here, you can take excursions into the valley, visiting glacial lakes and viewpoints where ice, rock and meadow meet. Whether you wander the waterfront or join an excursion inland, Olden captures the stillness and splendour of Norway’s inner heart.

Please note: This is an explorer voyage, designed with the freedom to embrace scenic sailing. To give you the best possible experience, the Captain may adjust the route or the order of fjord visits in response to weather and light conditions.

We arrive in Bergen this morning, giving you a chance to explore the colourful city known as the Gateway to the Fjords. Framed by mountains and the sea, Bergen has been an important trading port for centuries and remains one of Norway’s most characterful cities.

Head to UNESCO-listed Bryggen, where rows of colourful wooden buildings line the historic harbour and narrow alleyways lead between former merchants’ houses and warehouses. Nearby, you can browse the fish market, visit one of the city’s museums or ride the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen for sweeping views across Bergen, its surrounding mountains and islands.

We spend most of the day here, so there’s plenty of time simply to wander the waterfront, stop at a café or pick up a few last Norwegian souvenirs and gifts before returning to the ship.

As we leave Bergen behind, it’s time to say goodbye to Norway and begin our journey back across the North Sea towards Germany. Settle back on board and watch the coastline recede, reflecting on the fjords, mountains, villages and communities you’ve encountered along the way.

(Image Credit: VisitNorway.com)

Today we spend a full day at sea, giving you time to relax and enjoy life on board as we cross the North Sea.

After days spent exploring Norway’s fjords and coastal communities, this is a chance to reflect. Find a comfortable spot in the lounge, step outside for some fresh sea air or make the most of the ship’s facilities. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand with talks and activities, offering a chance to recall some of the places and experiences from your voyage.

Enjoy your final meals on board, swap stories with fellow travellers and perhaps raise a glass to your journey as the ship continues south.

We arrive back in Hamburg early this morning, bringing our voyage to a close. After breakfast on board, it’s time to say goodbye to the ship, crew and fellow travellers who have shared your journey.

As you step ashore, take with you memories of Norway’s dramatic fjords, colourful coastal cities and mountain landscapes, as well as the quieter moments spent sailing between them.

From here, continue your journey home or spend a little more time discovering Hamburg before you leave. We hope you’ll join us again for another voyage.