Norwegian Fjords in Mid Summer Southbound

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

Norwegian Fjords in Mid Summer Southbound itinerary:

Day 1 - LONDON TO TROMSO

Transfer from the airport and disembark this morning.

Day 2 - ANDENES/BLEKSOYA/TROLLFJORD

We will arrive in Bleiksoya, a small triangle-shaped island just off the village of Bleik. Here we will find the largest concentration of puffins in the whole of Norway with 80,000 pairs. We also hope to see kittiwakes, cormorants, razorbills, guillemots and sea eagles. Over lunch we sail over to the small town of Andenes where we will use our ship to search for whales. There is an excellent chance for us to see sperm whales and if we are lucky we also hope to see minke whales and orcas.

Day 3 - LOFOTEN ISLANDS

This morning we arrive in the Lofoten Archipelago, an enchanting area of picturesque villages with jagged granite mountain peaks forming a dramatic backdrop. We will have a full day tour to explore the village and life of these islands. We will disembark in the small fishing village of Aa where we will visit the local museum before continuing to the nearby village of Reine. Our next stop will be the village of Sund where we will visit the blacksmith famous for their forged cormorants. We continue to the Viking centre at Borg where we enjoy a local lunch before continuing to Kabelva where we visit the Lofoten museum and Kare Espolin Johnson gallery a nationally recognised artist who took his inspiration from his life and the nature of the area. Our day ends in Svolvaer where the ship has sailed to meet us. This evening we enjoy a barbeque on deck as we sail through the beautiful, narrow and steep sided Trollfjorden enjoying the birdlife, waterfalls and dramatic scenery.

Day 4 - TORGHATTEN/BRONNOYSUND

This morning Mount Torghatten will come into view, one of the most famous landmarks on the Norwegian coast. A fairly strenuous optional walk will take you to the ‘hole’ in the mountain which has been eroded by the sea. During lunch we will sail through Bronnoysund and cruise this afternoon, arriving at the island of Vikingen in the early evening. We will enjoy an after dinner walk on the island and make a toast in the midnight sun as we reach the Arctic Circle.

Day 5 - TRONDHEIM

We arrive into Trondheim this morning and have a full day to explore. We will visit Munkholmen (Monk’s Island) situated in Trondheim harbour, with a fort which has served as a monastery, prison and execution venue. We will also see the outdoor Norwegian Folk Museum, the spectacular Nidaros cathedral and explore the town centre itself with its colourful wooden houses and canals.

Day 6 - OLDEN

This morning we arrive at the small village of Olden and from here we travel up the beautiful Olden Valley. Where the road ends we continue on foot to the great cascade of water which rushes from beneath the Briskdal Glacier. This afternoon enjoy the spectacular scenery of Nordfjord as we cruise to Trondheim.

Day 7 - SOGNEFJORDEN & NAEROFJORDEN

Sunnfjord lies at the heart of Western Norway with its starkly contrasting fjord scenery, half way between Bergen and Ålesund. Its little known fjord arms and gentler landscape in harmony with powerful and diverse watercourses have left their impression on the landscape and settlement. Today’s tour will take us through this beautiful environment with its magnificent waterfalls and mountains. We will visit Sunnfjord Museum, which provides an insight into how life was in Sunnfjord settlements in the mid-1800s, before taking a scenic drive to the region known as ‘the waterfall country’ making various stops at waterfalls and small settlements.

Day 8 - FLÂM

This morning we will embark on one of the most dramatic train rides in Europe. The Flâm Railway is only 20 kilometres long but a masterpiece of engineering. The train climbs up from sea-level to 867 metres during these 20 kilometres, crossing back and forth across rivers and through 20 tunnels. To allow you to view the magnificent scenery the train will proceed slowly and even stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall where you may leave the train to take a closer look or take some pictures. At Vatnahalsen you will leave the train and walk from the station to the Mountain Hotel. Here there will be time to relax and take a walk before re-boarding the train back to Flâm. After lunch onboard the afternoon is free to spend time relaxing in the village or join the excursion to Undredal. This small village lies in idyllic surroundings by the Aurlandsfjord which, until 1988 depended totally upon boat communication. It is a lovely little village with a population of 130 people and some 500 goats. We will taste some goat’s cheese, still made using traditional methods and also visit Scandinavia’s smallest church which is still in use.

Day 9 - BERGEN

Today we spend the day enjoying spectacular fjord scenery from aboard the MS Caledonian Sky. Sognefjorden, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord extends more than 200km inland and is surrounded by three national parks. Here we will see thundering waterfalls, glacier arms stretching down into green valleys and many small farms clinging to the mountainside. We will continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Naerofjorden, one of the many fjord arms of Sognefjord and considered one of the most dramatic fjords. This evening we will moor at the village of Flâm.

Day 10 - KIRKWALL, ORKNEY

Day 11 - HOLY ISLAND & BERWICK

Day 12 - WHITBY

Day 13 - LONDON

Map for Norwegian Fjords in Mid Summer Southbound

Caledonian Sky

The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, the ‘Club’ on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck. The ‘Club’ has wonderful views with ceiling to floor windows.

If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on board whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have been with us for many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere.

Your Suite
Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub.

Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort.

Your space
The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and hairdressers with appointments made on request.

Your dining
With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

For your comfort, safety and security
The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.

Gratuities
Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always having to remember to have some small change with you.