Itinerary

Our voyage begins in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city. With its links to trade and adventure that go back centuries, it's the perfect starting point.   Hamburg is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the world's largest warehouse complex and the nearby Wadden Sea. If you have time, explore them before you board.    Then, get settled on your comfortable ship, MS Otto Sverdrup, enjoy the first of many delicious, locally sourced meals, and get to know your Expedition Team.

Today, we cross the North Sea so you can enjoy the day aboard MS Otto Sverdrup. Admire the views from the expansive Observation Deck, or take advantage of the hot tubs.    Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers from our onboard photographer. You'll find the Explorer Lounge & Bar a comfy place to read or watch the world glide by.   You can also enjoy one of the daily themed talks by the Expedition Team, such as Vikings or Norway’s oil and gas history. Listen as they share their stories and knowledge of the places you’ll be visiting.

Stavanger has an international ambience and a lively cultural scene. Discover the architectural relics of Old Stavanger, including a magnificent 12th-century cathedral. You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, pop into a local boutique shop, or simply enjoy a beer on the waterfront.    Leaving Stavanger, we enter the Lysefjord to experience some of the most striking vertical cliffs of all the Norwegian fjords. As we sail through the fjord, you can enjoy impressive views from the ship, especially of the 1,980 ft high Preikestolen viewpoint, famously known as ‘Pulpit Rock’.

Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, Norway’s former capital Bergen is one of the nation’s most picturesque and historic cities.   Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. Explore the cobbled streets and alleys on foot, stopping at fascinating museums, artisanal boutiques, cafés, or a pub for a glass of local Hansa beer.   Bergen’s famous fish market is worth a visit, too. It promises to be a feast for the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of bountiful, fresh seafood which can be cooked there and then.  You can explore the city on a sightseeing tour, visit Bryggen, and ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen on an optional excursion.

After Bergen, we head north along the Norwegian coast. You’ll be in awe as we sail through this region of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. It’s also inhabited by a wide range of wildlife, such as magnificent Sea Eagles.  When we started sailing north of the Trøndelag region in 1893, much was still unknown about the coastline but, over the years, we’ve become experts in these waters. Today, we are among the few with the maritime knowledge and skill to take you through the many skerries, islets, and hidden fjords that characterise this stretch of coast.

Træna is an archipelago of around 500 islands that sits at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Only four are inhabited year-round. Though small, this archipelago has a long history, and is one of Norway’s oldest fishing communities.   Today’s selection of activities and excursions take you to the heart of the archipelago’s sights and traditions. You could go island hopping, join a hike or cultural walk, or immerse yourself with a sauna and refreshing dip in the Arctic Ocean.  We cross the Arctic Circle as we continue heading north, commemorating the moment with a traditional Norwegian ceremony on board.

Today we dock at Torsken to visit Senja, one of 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. To the east, you'll find rolling hills and birch forests.  There’s so much to see here – and so many ways to explore with an optional excursion. Join a hike, pedal an e-bike, ride a RIB, or sit back to enjoy a scenic bus tour.

We dock alongside Honningsvåg, gateway to the North Cape. The town has several boutique shops, Arctic dining experiences, and galleries. It’s also your starting point if you choose to visit the North Cape.  Standing at the edge of the North Cape – the northernmost point of Europe – there’s only the Svalbard archipelago between you and the Geographic North Pole, 1,300 miles away. Make sure you visit the North Cape Hall’s exhibits on the area's history.    Join an optional excursion and watch the tip of the continent edge closer on a guided bus tour to the North Cape. Or you can combine a tour there with a tasty introduction to the King of the Barents Sea – king crab. More active options include hiking, or riding a quad bike.  This is the northernmost point of our cruise. From here, we begin our trip southbound.

Set in a majestic landscape, this small, cosmopolitan city with a big past has plenty of fascinating sights to discover.  Browse the many shops along the main street and partake in a meal at one of the chic restaurants. Why not also drop into Ølhallen, the city’s oldest pub, to enjoy a range of locally brewed beers.    If the weather is in your favour, you can also take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Storsteinen for incredible views of the city and the surrounding Arctic fjord landscape.   Today’s optional excursions highlight Tromsø’s nature, culture and history, with hikes and bus tours. They’re a great way to get to know this fascinating city of the Arctic.

Today we explore the famed Lofoten islands. With steep mountains, beautiful beaches and bays, and pretty fishing villages, the archipelago is unlike anything you’ve seen.  With its iconic red fishing huts, known as rorbuer, dotted against a backdrop of towering, jagged granite peaks, Reine is an idyllic place to visit. You’ll quickly see why this is one of Norway's most-photographed sites!   There are lots of ways to explore Lofoten on today’s excursions. Take to the water in a kayak, hike through the beautiful scenery, or cover even more ground on a scenic bus tour.

We head south from the Lofoten Islands along the enchanting ’inside passage’ of the Norwegian coast. As well as the views of the area’s fjords, windswept islets and skerries, it’s another opportunity to admire the navigation skills of your Captain.  As you gaze out from the deck of MS Otto Sverdrup at one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the world, look out for birds swooping and soaring across land and sea. This is a wonderful area for birdwatching. Or you could simply soak in the hot tub.  After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon at Bessaker, a small village in Trøndelag county. Home to just 200 residents, it’s known for its excellent fishing opportunities and the surrounding waters boast plenty of skrei, coalfish and pollock. The annual fishing festival, held on the third weekend of July since 1979, attracts thousands of visitors.   You can explore Bessaker and its impressive natural surroundings at your own pace, or opt to join an optional hike, local food tasting, or guided e-bike tour.  

Surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, the Hjørundfjord is one of the most scenic fjords in Norway and largely undiscovered by other cruise lines. We anchor close to the village of Sæbø and go ashore to experience Norwegian nature and culture up close.  It's a beautiful spot to enjoy at your own pace. Or you can see more on an optional cultural and scenic sightseeing excursion. You could join a guided walk among the villages to discover the area’s history and nature, and see incredible views on a mountain hike.

The region of Haugaland is known for its Viking connections, so you can expect a Viking theme for today’s talks and optional excursions. It was from here that the Viking king Harald Fairhair united Norway into a single kingdom, and the country’s Viking past lives on in several historic sites.  We'll visit a recreated Viking settlement on the small island of Bukkøya. On the nearby island of Karmøy, the Nordvegen History Centre in Avaldsnes delves into the characters of sagas and ancient poems.  If you feel inspired, you can adopt the Viking sense of adventure and choose to explore by RIB or e-bike on one of today’s optional excursions.

It's our last day at sea and your voyage is drawing to a close. Now that you’re more acquainted with Viking history, it’s easy to picture their longships forging this same journey across the North Sea.   Make the most of your last full day on MS Otto Sverdrup. Scan the waves for seabirds and perhaps even dolphins, which occasionally like to follow us. Soak in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Wellness 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 voyage.

Your voyage ends back in Hamburg. If you didn’t get a chance to explore this beautiful city 15 days ago, make sure you do now.   Many of the city's attractions are clustered in the Altstadt district, including the St Nikolai Memorial and historic Deichstraße street. Hamburg’s beautiful canals have earned it the nickname ‘Venice of the North’, and a canal tour is a great way to explore the city.