The North Cape Line Special Christmas Norway Voyage

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. Once we’ve welcomed you and you’ve settled into your cabin or suite, you’ll meet your Expedition 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.

Today, you’ll spend much 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. Optional excursions are also available, such as a guided city walk, as well as a Viking-themed bus tour.   

After breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock at Ålesund, 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 explore the surrounding picturesque islands by bus, and visit a striking lighthouse next to a beautiful beach. 

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.

Today, 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 in the 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 rock formation 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 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 shaped like a ship in a bottle.

This urban city, 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is buzzing with life, with everything from trendy restaurants and cafés to boutique shops selling local crafts and produce, and even high fashion. Our ship will be in port here for eight hours, giving you plenty of time to join optional excursions and explore the city yourself.  You can visit the Polar Museum, which chronicles the city’s legacy of Arctic hunting and trade.  Head to the Polaria centre, an aquarium home to a variety of Arctic marine species, including seals. Across the water from Polaria, you’ll find the Arctic Cathedral, standing out in the cityscape due to its striking design and impressive stained-glass window.  Tromsø is the place to tick off some of those bucket-list experiences. Optional excursions include dog sledding through the snowy scenery, or exploring this remarkable Arctic city on a bus tour.

Today is Christmas Eve, which is the first day of Christmas for Norwegians. Arriving in the morning, you’ll have a full day in Honningsvåg. This far north, winters are long and snowfall is high, so get ready for some fantastic winter scenery. Feel the snow crunching under your snowshoes as you hike across the plains with the Expedition Team. On optional excursions, you could try your hand at ice fishing, a beloved winter tradition in the far north. Get a taste of the local delicacy, king crab, which is caught in the waters around Honningsvåg and served year-round. The highlight of any trip to Honningsvåg is a visit to the North Cape, which looks out over the Barents Sea, also available as an optional excursion. This is one of the northernmost points of mainland Europe, and as we’re visiting in winter, you can expect snowy landscapes and dramatic views. Today there will be a Christmas lunch buffet, and you’re welcome to join the crew as they sing carols later on. There will also be coffee and cake at all times in the bar, and in the evening things may get lively as we join in to celebrate Norwegian Christmas traditions together.

It’s Christmas Day, and there’s nowhere better to celebrate it than in Alta. At 70 degrees north, this town is far above the Arctic Circle. The area is known for particularly good Northern Lights visibility, so keep your camera ready. On an optional excursion, you can find out more about day-today life in Alta, see prehistoric rock art and visit the Northern Lights Cathedral, which has an exhibition showing how Alta became the epicentre for ground-breaking research of the Aurora Borealis between the 19th and 20th centuries. Increased snowfall in the winter allows for some truly authentic Arctic excursions, like dogsledding. You can try this on wheels if you’re here when there’s no snow on the ground! The snow and climate of Alta also create the perfect conditions to build and maintain the Igloo Hotel. Located on the banks of river Alta and made from 250 tonnes of ice, this is the world's northernmost ice hotel, decorated with ice sculptures and wall carvings.

Narvik sits on a peninsula where three beautiful fjords meet. It was originally developed as a year-round, ice-free port for the nearby iron ore mines. Nowadays, it’s known for its World War II heritage and as a gateway to active pursuits such as skiing, dog sledding and hiking. On optional excursions, you can dive into Narvik's intriguing past at the Narvik War Museum, where the town's World War II history comes to life with engaging exhibits and narratives. If you’re still in the mood for Christmas, there will be another traditional Norwegian buffet today.

After Narvik, we head south along the enchanting Norwegian coast. You’ll be in awe of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and passing by some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. It’s also inhabited by a wide range of wildlife, such as majestic 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. Today takes place at sea meaning there’s plenty of free time to enjoy the facilities on the ship. Perhaps you will have made some new friends during your Christmas cruise – now’s the time to meet for a drink and talk about your shared experiences. With a whole day at sea, it’s time to relax and reminisce.

After docking in the town centre in the morning, you have the chance to explore Åndalsnes, a picturesque coastal town located along Isfjord at the end of Romsdalsfjord.  The literal highlights of Åndalsnes are the mountains that tower over the town. They are the reason the town has become Norway’s go-to destination for hikers, climbers, skiers, and more. The Troll Wall, a 1,000-m vertical cliff along the Romsdalen valley also attracts adrenaline seekers the world over. Take in the sights with a city walk and a relaxing ride on the Romsdal Gondola which takes you to the top of Nesaksla Mountain, 708 metres above sea level. There, enjoy a 360-degree view of the mighty Romsdalshorn, Åndalsnes town centre below, and the Rauma river. For those who love train rides, don’t miss the opportunity to join an excursion riding the Golden Train, which has been called “the most scenic railway journey in Europe” by Lonely Planet. 

Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, the old capital of Bergen is one of Norway’s most picturesque and historic cities, as well as being its second largest.  Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. 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 for you. One of the best-known attractions in Bergen is the Fløibanen funicular, which brings you to the top of Mount Fløyen. The summit has a wonderful view over the city, the nearby fjord, and the other surrounding peaks.Another option is to join an excursion by cable car to Mount Ulriken, the tallest of the city’s seven mountains. On this tour you’ll also get to visit Fantoft stave church, a beautiful replica of the 12th century Viking church which stood nearby.  

We arrive at Copenhagen in the morning on New Year’s Eve. Denmark’s capital is famously described as ‘wonderful’ and I’m sure you’ll agree. There are so many things to see and do here and it’s worth lingering longer if you are able. Traditionally, Tivoli Gardens – the world’s oldest theme park – throws its doors open today revealing a winter wonderland; and later on there’s a family friendly firework display to see in the New Year. We hope you have enjoyed experiencing Norway’s festive traditions with us on this unique sailing and look forward to welcoming you back one day. As we say in Norway – godt nytt år!

Itineraries are subject to change.