Northern Europe And Scandinavia Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 – Southampton, UK
The Southampton cruise port offers a city centre full of charm and a mix of old city walls plus a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored when in a cruise from Southampton. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.
Day 2 – At Sea
Day 3 – Haugesund, Norway
Haugesund, homeland of the Viking kings and birthplace of Norway, is a place where you can inhale the Viking spirit. Surrounded by beautiful coastline, spectacular waterfalls and majestic fjords it’s no wonder the kings called this extraordinary setting home. Populated for thousands of years, you can walk in the footsteps of the great kings at the Nordvegen History Centre and travel back over 3,500 years. St Olav’s Church, dating from 1250 AD, is a monument to the former days of glory, and next to the church stands one of Norway’s tallest pillars, Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle.
In nearby Rehaugene you can explore the ‘Pyramids of the North’ – six intriguing Bronze Age, earthen burial mounds. And if you are feeling like a spot of retail therapy, you’re in luck – not only is Haugesund filled with charming markets it’s also home to Norway’s longest pedestrian street.
Day 4 – At Sea
Day 5 – Olden, Norway
Norwegian Fjords Paradise: Olden
The peaceful village of Olden has the perfect Fjordland cruise setting – nestling at the southern end of one branch of the beautiful Nordfjord and at the entrance to the gorgeous Oldedalen Valley.
Olden is blessed with a beautiful fjordic coastline, towering mountains and the biggest glacier on mainland Europe, Jostedalsbreen. There’s easy access to both the Briksdal and Kjenndalen glaciers, plunging dramatically into the valleys below. Crystal-clear Lake Oldevatnet is set among steep mountains and roaring waterfalls. In a nutshell, it’s Norwegian nature at its finest.
Innvikfjorden
Once you’ve seen the fjords, you’ll know what ‘wow factor’ is! It’s no exaggeration to say this is a truly breath taking destination. The dramatic scenery, the clean air and the purest silence are like nowhere else on earth. Nicknamed ‘Mother Nature’s wonderland’, a holiday here resets the senses as you sail past powerful ancient peaks and tumbling waterfalls: your chance to feel in touch with Norway’s natural wonders.
You’ll find Innvikfjorden central to all the ‘typical’ highlights of any Norwegian Fjords holiday. This is where people come from all over the world to see the famous sights of Geiranger, Trollstigen and Vestkapp.
Around the sleepy ports of Innvikfjorden, it’s hard to imagine a host of action-packed activities going on but there is a fast, exciting side to holidaying here – should you wish to experience it! Your choice of adventures could include guided kayaking, hiking tours, driving up to panoramic viewpoints and seeing the famous Briksdal and Kjenndal glaciers. No matter what you choose, the backdrop of Norway’s scenery is sure to amaze.
Nordfjord
Sailing through the Norwegian fjords is one of the great maritime experiences. Formed during the Ice Age when the glaciers retreated, the deep valleys and narrow inlets were flooded with seawater creating these natural wonders. Thanks to the warmth of the Gulf Stream these natural wonders are virtually ice free and easily explored.
Nordfjord, located in western Norway, is astonishingly beautiful and diverse. You’ll find peaceful valleys and well-kept farms, as well as gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and towering, snow-capped mountains. The mountains plunge from altitudes of a few thousand metres, straight down into the seawater. The sixth longest in Norway, Nordfjord’s deep-blue waters stretch 106 km (66 miles) from Stad on the coast, deep into the town of Stryn on the east. It also flows past a lovely collection of picture-postcard coastal towns and villages on the way.
Day 6 – Andalsnes, Norway
People have been cruising to Andalsnes for more than 120 years because of its stunning location. For, an Alpine town as well as a cruise port, Andalsnes nestles where the towering Romsdal Alps meet the northern end of the sparkling Romsdalfjord.
A small, friendly town with shops and markets, Andalsnes is also close to the famous Trollstigen road. This leads through pretty villages, past scenic fjords and majestic mountain peaks and across the stone bridge over the cascading Stigfossen waterfall to the Trollvegen (Troll Wall) which – at nearly 6,000 feet – is the highest vertical drop in northern Europe.
Another way to see the Troll Wall and even more dramatic Alpine scenery besides is to take the Rauma Railway steam train which leaves from a station right by the cruise port.
Day 7 – At Sea
Day 8 -9 – Oslo, Norway
Oslo, founded in 1050 and Norway’s capital since the end of the 11th century, now a modern city with an eclectic mix of ancient castles, frescoed 18th century houses, vast parks and glittering lakes, is a delight. Nestled between rolling green hills and tranquil fjords, the Norwegian capital is a compact city that’s perfect for exploring on foot or on two wheels. Named European Green Capital for 2019, it’s renowned for its green spaces, including Frogner Park, which contains the world’s largest sculpture park by a single artist, with more than 200 works by Gustav Vigeland. Marvel at the city’s modern architecture in the shape of the sculptural glass Opera House and the striking Barcode, 12 individually designed buildings of different heights and widths. For the best views in the city, climb to the roof of the Opera House, or the observation deck at the top of Holmenkollen ski jump.
Day 10-11 – Copenhagen, Denmark
Despite being home to around 1.3 million people, Copenhagen goes by the nickname byen – meaning ‘the village’. Part of the magic of Denmark and its capital are the contradictions. Copenhagen is where classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and the famous Little Mermaid statue meet a vibrant art scene and trendsetting fashion. You’ll find tiny, traditional bodegas (pubs where smoking is still allowed), next to new, polished juice bars selling matcha lattes. And for all their sleek and minimalist Nordic design, Danes certainly know how to get cosy – or ‘hygge’ themselves, as they say.
Day 12 – At Sea
Day 13 – Hamburg, Germany
On the banks of the Elbe River, 70 miles inland from Travemunde, lies the city of Hamburg. Germany’s second-largest city is bursting with centuries of maritime heritage: a key Hanseatic port in the Middle Ages, today it’s an irresistibly cool blend of old and new, with a buzzing nightlife of brewhouses, cocktail bars and clubs. With more than 2,300 bridges (more than Venice, London and Amsterdam combined) and many parks (it’s one of Germany’s greenest cities), Hamburg is a delight to explore.
Day 14 – At Sea
Day 15 – Southampton, UK
Disembark your cruise and travel home.
