Savour the Northern Lights - North (Spring 2027)

Oslo

Welcome to Norway. First stop: Norway’s thriving capital, Oslo.

If you have time before you board your ship for the voyage ahead, you’ll want to explore the many charms this cosmopolitan capital has to offer. Make your way to the city centre, where you can take snaps of the architecturally distinct Rådhuset town hall, Royal Palace, and Oslo Cathedral.

As afternoon turns towards evening, board your ship, MS Trollfjord. Once we’ve welcomed you and you’ve settled into your cabin or suite, you’ll meet your Coastal Experience Team. You’ll get to know each member of the team as they give lectures and organise onboard activities throughout your voyage.

Meet your fellow guests in the ship’s two-storey panorama lounge and watch as the capital’s twinkling lights fade into the distance.

This is your chance to settle into your cabin, get a taste of Norway’s coastal cuisine in the ship’s three restaurants and bar, and start to get to know your fellow passengers.

You’ll have time to simply watch Norway’s spectacular southern coast glide by. Take it all in from the expansive Observation Deck, from the comfort of your ship’s two-storey lounge and bar, or as you sweat it out in the panoramic sauna.

As well as the views, this stretch of coast is home to more than its fair share of enthralling stories. Find out more about Norway’s coast and the voyage ahead in the lectures, presentations, and onboard activities planned for today.

Stavanger

Today, you’ll wake to views of the beautiful Lysefjord. The 42-km-long fjord is home to one of Norway’s most famous sights: Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), which towers 604 metres above the fjord’s shimmering waters.

Kjerag mountain, at the end of the fjord, reaches even higher. Along the way, watch for mountain goats, waterfalls, and the famous Kjeragbolten, a glacial boulder wedged high up in a crevasse.

You’ll spend much of the rest of the day in Stavanger, a colourful waterside city with an international ambience and a lively cultural scene. Discover the architectural relics of Gamle (Old) Stavanger, which includes Northern Europe’s best-preserved collection of wooden houses, and Norway’s oldest cathedral, dating from the 12th century.

You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, pop into a local boutique shop, or simply enjoy a beer on the waterfront.

Ålesund

After breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock at a town that spreads out across a string of islands.

Many of the buildings here, from the bright colours to the rounded spires, were inspired by the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. You can get impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint.

You can also visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway’s first marine science centre. This is one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums, providing a home to seals, otters, and crabs, as well as many other kinds of marine life. You can even see Humboldt Penguins here, a species otherwise absent north of the equator.

Join an optional excursion to explore Ålesund on foot or by bus, as your guide reveals the town’s surprising secrets to you.

Rørvik - surrounded by thousands of islands

The cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago may look small but it has a huge history that is told through both the landscape and the town’s collection of museums.

Here, you can join an optional excursion and time travel through the last 10,000 years and get a glimpse of the future, thanks to the Ice Age-carved landscape, carefully preserved 19th-century living rooms, and the ingenuity of Norwegian salmon production – each preserved and explained in three excellent museums.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue sailing north through the Vikna archipelago made up of 6,000 islands, islets and reefs. The local gardens bloom with plum and apple blossoms in the spring, even at 65°N, thanks to the maritime climate.

As we sail through the night, we’ll leave the Helgeland coast behind us as we cross the Arctic Circle.

Svolvær – at the heart of Lofoten, Stokmarknes – the birthplace of Hurtigruten

On the penultimate day of your voyage, we explore Lofoten. As soon as you see the towering peaks with fishing villages clinging to their sides, you’ll understand why this island chain is praised as one of Norway’s most stunning locations.

We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær mid-morning. Located on the island of Austvågøya in the heart of Lofoten, Svolvær is the biggest town of the archipelago, humming with shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés to enjoy. You can also admire views of the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain named for resembling a goat and its horns.

A variety of optional excursions are available from Svolvær, including winter fishing, paddling along the coastline in a kayak, or embarking on a bus tour to learn more about Lofoten’s history.

We can’t visit the area without spending a couple of hours in Stokmarknes. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With. On the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken, encased in the Hurtigruten Museum’s glass building like a ship in a bottle.

Tromsø – gateway to the Arctic

We sail into Tromsø mid-morning. This urban city 350 km north of the Arctic Circle is a great place to disembark. It buzzes with life, with everything from trendy restaurants and cafés to boutique shops selling local crafts and produce, and even high fashion. If you can, give yourself time to explore Tromsø before you go home.

You’ve sailed on The North Cape Line, getting to know Norway’s coastal cities and villages all the way from its capital to deep inside the Arctic Circle. During the journey, you’ll have experienced Norway’s varied climate, seen majestic mountains and fjords, and maybe gazed up in awe at the Northern Lights once or several times.

We hope you’ll cherish each of the memories of The North Cape Line that you’ll take home with you. Come sail with us again soon, on another iconic voyage of our spectacular home: the Norwegian coast.

After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour winter safari by snow sleigh or snowmobile across frozen lakes and snowy birch forests to Koltavuoma, where the yellow border cairn marks the peaceful meeting point of Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Covering about 19 miles (30 km), this unique journey lets you cross three countries in under a minute. The tour includes expert guidance, thermal gear, professional photos, and a pastry with a warm drink back at the hotel.

The afternoon is free for personal exploration. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel, followed by a guided Northern Lights hunt with your tour managers, weather permitting.

Note: For Sep - Nov 2026 departures, the "Border of Three Countries" excursion is replaced with a visit to a Sámi Reindeer farm. Meet the Tornensis family, learn about reindeer herding traditions, feed the reindeer. Afterwards, relax by the fire in a cozy log cabin as you hear Sámi stories and enjoy treats such as homemade biscuits and berry juice. 

Today, travel by private coach along the scenic Sweden–Finland border to the charming resort town of Levi. You’ll spend two nights in a private Aurora Cabin, also known as a glass igloo. Located away from light pollution, these unique accommodations provide clear views of the night sky, with the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights right from your bed. After arrival and check-in, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.In the evening, have dinner at the hotel before embarking on 3-hour evening of aurora huntingin the wilderness (weather permitting). The bus heads north, passing Jerisjärvi or Ounasjoki, where Northern Lights sightings are more likely. Stops for photos are made before continuing to the shore of Lake Äkäslompolo. Experience the magic of the aurora in a peaceful, remote setting. If conditions are calm, you may even hear the whisper of the skies. Note: Northern Lights visibility depends on weather conditions.Accommodation notes:29 Jan and 26 Feb departures: Levin Iglut Hotel (glass igloos). 9 Apr departure: Aurora Pyramid Glass Igloos. Experience the magic of the Northern Lights in comfort, with expert guidance and unforgettable scenery.

After a cosy night’s sleep, you’ll swap the snowmobiles from the night before for husky sleds. The energetic team of dogs will take you on a 5-kilometre sleigh ride through Lapland's pristine forests. This unforgettable trip promises a fast-paced, memorable journey through the winter wonderland. Following the safari, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, with options to join additional activities such as a reindeer or snowmobile safari (weather permitting). End your day with dinner at the hotel restaurant.    Please note: on tours with the following departure dates it’s likely that the sleigh will run on wheels as there may not yet be enough snow on the ground:  25 Sep, 9 Oct, 23 Oct and 6 Nov 

After breakfast, we’ll board a private coach for a scenic journey from Levi to Kemi. Arrive at the Experience 365 winter resort and check into the unique Glass Villas, where you’ll spend the night enjoying panoramic views of the landscape.  In the afternoon, head to Ajos pier on Bothnian Bay and board Sampo, an icebreaker ship. It’s a thrilling experience as the icebreaker ploughs powerfully through the frozen sea. If you’re brave and bold, take a refreshing dip in the icy waters while wearing a full-body waterproof survival suit. Return to the resort for a delicious dinner to complete your day. Please note: on tours with the following departure dates, the icebreaker ship will not be sailing due to expected sea conditions. Instead, you’ll be given a tour of the ship and will still be able to do the Arctic dip in a survival suit:  25 Sep, 9 Oct, 6 Nov, 26 Mar and 9 Apr.  Important information: Departure: 25 September 2026 (Day 11)For this departure, the Icebreaker experience will be replaced with Like a Finn – Guided Walking Tour with a Visit to a Local Home.Enjoy a guided walk through Kemi, passing the SnowCastle, city park, historic harbour and local landmarks before visiting a local home. During the visit, you'll learn about everyday life in Kemi—past and present—while enjoying traditional Finnish treats including crispbread, kampanisu pastries and buttermilk cake, served with tea, kotikalja (traditional Finnish small beer) or water.Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours, depending on the group's walking pace.

Today we’ll travel by train from Kemi to Helsinki, where we’ll spend two nights. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best cities to live in, Helsinki is vibrant and colourful, offering a balance of historic architecture and contemporary living. With many trails nearby, the city is also known for its incredible natural scenery. 

A two-hour city tour will take you to explore key landmarks including City Hall, the Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House and, weather permitting, the famous Sibelius Monument. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church). As its name implies, this wonderful building is carved into solid rock. In the evening we'll enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel with your fellow travellers. NB: Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) is closed from January to May 2027.

Sadly, today marks the end of our adventure. After breakfast at the hotel, say your goodbyes to your guides and fellow travellers.  From the far south of Norway up along its coast, then down through Finnish Lapland – you’ve been on quite the journey. You’ve travelled across two Scandinavian countries, with the Northern Lights hopefully making a pleasant appearance, not just one but a few times. Thank you for coming with us on this Signature tour. We hope to see you again soon for another adventure. 

Itineraries are subject to change.