Print a pdf of this cruise
Adventure voyage following in the wake of the Vikings from Denmark to Scotland.
Join us on this adventure cruise across the North Sea, embarking from a pier in central Copenhagen. We will visit the small scenic town of Skagen, at the pointed ‘top’ of Denmark, where many famous Danish artists once resided together in an artists’ colony. Continuing into the open sea, we make a call to the west coast of Norway, a stronghold for fierce Viking warlords over a thousand years ago. The Viking Sagas tell us that Haugesund was the burial place of Harald, the first Viking king. We will make a visit to his monument in this quaint seaside town. We continue in the historical Viking slipstream across the sea towards the British Isles whilst imagining how these brilliant skippers braved and navigated the same waters towards the unknown.

The Shetland Islands, like neighbouring Orkney, were once ruled by Vikings. They came across the North Sea with a reputation as fearsome warriors, but surprisingly they settled down and became farmers for the next 500-600 years, leaving a lasting imprint of Norse placenames, daily expressions, and traditions.

Our new expedition vessel, Ocean Albatros, will be our home for this unique cruise. She is a revolutionary and stylish small ship that combines exquisite comfort with modern technology and outstanding stability in rough seas. The elaborate design, together with fantastic service from the staff, provides an intimate atmosphere on board.

Highlights


• Skagen, Denmark. Northernmost Point Of Jutland, Lively Fishing Town And Painters Colony

• Haugesund, Norway. A Town Of Herring And Vikings

• Shetland Islands, Scotland. Lerwick: Iron Age Dwellings, Peat Fuel And Quaint Fishing Village

• Orkney Islands, Scotland. Historic Kirkwall

DAY 1 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE FROM CENTRAL COPENHAGEN

The cruise begins in the heart of Copenhagen, where Ocean Albatros is moored. After embarkation and mandatory safety procedures, the lines are cast and the captain sets a northbound course out of the Sound. You will be shown to your cabin, and the mandatory security procedures are carried out. While dinner is served in the elegant restaurant, we will pass the castle of Kronborg, made famous by a certain Hamlet!

DAY 2 SKAGEN, DENMARK. NORTHERNMOST POINT OF JUTLAND, LIVELY FISHING TOWN AND PAINTERS COLONY

Ocean Albatros will moor in the important fishing port of beautiful Skagen. Skagen is known for its fantastic sunlight, vibrant city life, characteristic yellow houses and white sandy beaches. We start the day with a coach tour to Grenen, the pointed peninsular marking the northernmost point of Denmark. Join the tractor-bus called ‘Sandormen’ and see where the waters of Skagerrak and Kattegat meet in culminating waves. Always a popular excursion for Skagen visitors. After the visit, we take a leisurely city walk, which includes Skagen Art Museum, where visitors will see the permanent collection of works by the famous Danish painters, Anna Ancher, P.S. Krøyer, Holger Drachmann and others. In the 19th century, these world-renowned artists created works of art in the artists' colony, which primarily consisted of Scandinavian painters, known as “the Skagen Painters”. After experiencing the "top" of Denmark, we return to the port of Skagen to re-embark our ship for a late lunch – and for the continuation into the North Sea onwards to Norway. The seafarers, known today as Vikings, consisted of people from the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Their expeditions aboard the famed longships took them all over the known world, where Viking settlements were established and thus impacted on the history of western Europe quite profoundly. As we brave some of the routes the Vikings sailed, we delve into their history and quite possibly debunk some romanticized views of these folk along the way.

DAY 3 HAUGESUND, NORWAY. A TOWN OF HERRING AND VIKINGS

The home of the first Norwegian Viking king, Harald Fairhair, Haugesund is located between Bergen and Stavanger in southwestern Norway. Here, nestled among small islands and mountains is where this wonderful old town by Kamsundet can be experienced. The strait itself, which protected the passing ship traffic, was also a source of massive herring fishing, which was the city's growth engine. “Sildebyen” (literally translates into “Herringtown”) also offers a distinctive pink town hall from 1931. The history of shipping and shipbuilding is clearly seen and has manifested itself as Norway's 4th largest shipping town back in 1913. The waterway also gave many of the inhabitants the opportunity to explore the world, and many captains and sailors have embarked from here on their first long voyages around the globe. Norway is still a great seafaring nation, with hundreds of thousands of Norwegians working on the oceans every day (Ocean industries count for about 70% of Norway’s export earnings). Many Icelandic sagas tell us stories of the first Viking king, where the Orkneyinga and Heimskringla sagas specifically recount a military voyage to the Hebrides. Here the king fought to clear the islands of dissident pirate Vikings, who were raiding the Norwegian coasts. The expedition later continued to Scotland, much in the same way as our route takes us.

DAY 4 SHETLAND ISLANDS, SCOTLAND. LERWICK: IRON AGE DWELLINGS, PEAT FUEL AND QUAINT FISHING VILLAGE. OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO CLICKIMIN BROCH. ISLE OF NOSS, BIRDWATCHING

We are set to approach Lerwick near the "Main Land" of the Shetlands in the morning. The Shetland Islands consist of more than 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited year-round. The islands form the northernmost part of the United Kingdom, located approximately 300 km north of the mainland of Scotland. For those who are on the optional excursion: "Clickimin Broch and Shetland sightseeing" Once securely docked at the port, we depart through Lerwick towards Scalloway for a short scenic drive. From the elevated position we can enjoy the view of the charming village and the imposing Scalloway Castle. After a short photo stop, we continue eastwards through the area that is locally known as the “Black Gates” – an area where peat is still cut and used as fuel. Following the road northwards, our main destination of Clickimin Broch is only a short drive. There will be free time to discover this well preserved and restored Broch and learn more about life in the Iron Age. (Please note: The coach excursion is part of the optional excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip). Afterwards, we will return to Lerwick and after some time at leisure in the port town, we reboard around lunchtime. As we finish our meal, our ship moves to the nearby Isle of Noss, where we will encounter many bird colonies. Depending on the weather we hope to make either a Zodiac cruise or a landing with a smaller hike on the island. We leave the Shetland Islands and explore the seas towards the Orkney Islands due south.

DAY 5 ORKNEY ISLANDS, SCOTLAND. HISTORIC KIRKWALL, GREEN ENERGY, DISTILLERIES AND NORSE HERITAGE. OPTIONAL EXCURSION: HIGHLIGHTS OF ORKNEY

During the night we will have sailed south on the waters between the Shetlands and the Orkneys, and in the early morning we’ll reach the town of Kirkwall on the windy Orkney isles off the mainland of Scotland. Orkney is old Norse for the "seal islands", and, like the other North Atlantic islands, the Orkneys has a rich Viking story. Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney. Orkney has a fascinating history, and contains one of the highest concentrations of Stone-Age remains anywhere in the world, preserved in the islands' softly blowing sand. These sites range from the dramatic stone circle of Brodgar to the touchingly intimate Neolithic houses of Skara Brae, preserved so perfectly they could almost still be inhabited. Unlike the Scottish mainland, Orkney and nearby Shetland were colonised by Norse settlers, and were a part of the Kingdom of Norway until the late 1400s; the islands' language, culture and architecture is subsequently distinct to the rest of Scotland. Locals are proud of their Nordic heritage, which is evident almost everywhere you go in the city, from the magnificent St Magnus' Cathedral (the founding of which is detailed in bloody sagas; it is also one of the only churches in the world to have its own dungeon), to street names, to the world-renowned Highland Park distillery. More recently, the islands were of huge military importance to the British state, and an entire German fleet lies scuttled at the bottom of Scapa Flow, just outside the city. The barricades between several of the islands were conducted after a daring U-Boat raid in the Second World War; along with the magnificent Italian Chapel (built by prisoners of war) bear testament to the islands' intricate history. Today, the islands have again reinvented themselves; visitors are warmly welcomed, and the bustling port is littered with equipment and parts devoted to tidal and wind energy, as Orkney seeks to capitalise on its abundant green energy. For those who participate in the optional excursion: “Highlights of Orkney”: We depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. Along the way we will pass through rolling gentle landscapes into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney, an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, we will stop at the 5000-year-old ceremonial circle: the Ring of Brodgar. We continue to the pretty fishing village of Stromness. After a briefing and orientation enjoy free time to explore the picturesque harbour in Stromness and stroll along the quirky flag-stoned streets. Maybe visit the beautifully refurbished Pier Arts Centre with exhibitions by both local and international artists and relax with a hot beverage in a café or explore the craft shops selling local knitwear, pottery and art work. Finally we return to the coach and continue our circular route following the coastline of Scapa Flow, a famous British Naval Base in both World Wars. (The excursion is part of the optional excursion package and not included in the price of the trip). For guests wishing to stay in Kirkwall, a short walking city tour will be arranged, passing by St. Magnus cathedral as well as the picturesque ruins from Bishop's and Earl's Palace. In the afternoon we departure south to Aberdeen.

DAY 6 ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND. DISEMBARKATION AFTER A WONDERFUL VOYAGE

The Captain will lead the ship southwards along the east coast of Scotland, and we’ll arrive in Aberdeen, the Granite City, which is Scotland's third-largest city. At this point we’ll say farewell to the ship and its crew before departing the ship.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

07 May, 2024 to 12 May, 2024
ship icon Ocean Albatros
Book now

Category F Stateroom - Triple Stateroom (Porthole)

$4,290 USD pp
Category F Stateroom - Triple Stateroom (Porthole)
Triple Stateroom (Porthole) - 22 m2 There are four Triple Staterooms on board Ocean Albatros featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms. Triple staterooms are normally with twin beds however a double bed can be accommodated.

Category D Stateroom - Albatros Stateroom (Porthole)

$4,990 USD pp
Category D Stateroom - Albatros Stateroom (Porthole)
The standard Stateroom on Ocean Albatros is close to the Mudroom and has quick access to the Zodiac platforms for disembarkation during landings. This is very convenient if you have more limited mobility and would like a short distance to the Zodiacs. The State Rooms are perfect for those who wish a comfortable base during their stay onboard Ocean Albatros. The standard State Rooms all have a double bed or 2 single beds and a bathroom. The State Rooms are located on deck 3 and 4.

Category E Stateroom - French Balcony Stateroom

$5,390 USD pp
Category E Stateroom - French Balcony Stateroom
French Balcony Stateroom - 16 m2 The French Balcony Stateroom is a standard Stateroom with a French balcony, a double bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and a bathroom. All French Balcony Suites are located on Deck 7.

Category G Stateroom - Single Stateroom (Porthole)

$5,790 USD pp
Category G Stateroom - Single Stateroom (Porthole)
Single Stateroom (Porthole) - 14 m2 Standard single Stateroom onboard, located on deck 3. This is a conveniently located State Room close to the Mudroom which facilitates access to the Zodiacs during embarkation and disembarkation to begin your adventures.

Category C Stateroom - Balcony Stateroom

$5,790 USD pp
Category C Stateroom - Balcony Stateroom
Balcony Stateroom - 22 m2 The most abundant type of Stateroom on Ocean Albatros located on decks 4 & 6. They have a balcony, a double bed or two single beds, a bathroom, and a seating area with a table and chair (some staterooms have a sofa that can be used as a bed for a third occupant). If you desire to book two staterooms with connecting doors, this is also a possibility within this category.

Category B Suite - Balcony Suite

$6,890 USD pp
Category B Suite - Balcony Suite
Balcony Suite approximately - 32 m2 Ocean Albatros has 6 Balcony Suites on board located on decks 4 & 6. The suites feature double or twin beds and a seating area, bathroom, and a large balcony. The balcony suites can host 2 people.

Category A Suite - Junior Suite

$7,890 USD pp
Category A Suite - Junior Suite
The 4 junior suites aboard Ocean Albatros have a great view from their location high up on the ship on deck 7. The suites feature a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, a spacious bathroom and a private balcony. The suite can accommodate up to 3 people.

Premium Suite - Freydis Suite

$9,490 USD pp
Premium Suite - Freydis Suite
Premium suite - 45 m2 – FS (Freydis Suite) The second largest of all the staterooms on board the Ocean Albatros is the Premium Suite. This 2-bedroom suite features a double bed (or twin beds), a sofa bed, table and chair, a balcony and a spacious bathroom. Located on deck.4. This category is available upon request. Please refer to Albatros Expeditions for price.

Family Suite - Brynhilde Suite

$11,990 USD pp
Family Suite - Brynhilde Suite
Family suite - 52 m2 – BS (Brynhilde Suite) The largest of all the staterooms on board the Ocean Albatros is the Family Suite. The Double-Bedroom, Family Suite is going to be located on Deck 7, featuring two interconnecting French Balcony Suites, accommodating up to 5 people on two double beds and a sofa bed. This category is available upon request. Please refer to Albatros Expeditions for price.

Ocean Albatros

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition

Passenger Capacity: 169 (95 cabins)

Length: 104.4 m

Built: 2022

The Ocean Albatros, sistership to the Ocean Victory, will join the fleet of Albatros Expeditions in November 2022.

The Ocean Albatros will be deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations, Antarctica, the Arctic, any various exciting new destinations in between.

With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.  The vessel will have more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and be one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros will also offer a unique panorama sauna, and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement.

BRIDGE

Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship's bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader.

STATEROOM SERVICE

Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services.

ZODIAC LANDINGS

One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros's fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber "Zodiac" boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment.

The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago.

Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear.

Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps.

GRATUITIES

Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary.

DRESS CODE

The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style.

INTERNET / PHONE

Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off.

RECEPTION

The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00.

ALBATROS OCEAN SHOP

The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold.

HEALTH / MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.

Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms.

Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY

Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs.

SEASICKNESS / STABILISATORS

The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible - ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship.

LAUNDRY

If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.

Cabin layout for Ocean Albatros

Inclusions


• Voyage in selected cabin category
• Accommodation in shared inside or outside cabins as booked
• English speaking expedition team
• Shore landings by zodiac
• Information briefings and lectures held on board by expedition team
• All meals while on board
• Welcome and farewell cocktails
• Free tea and coffee on board
• Complimentary use of boots for shore landings
• Digital journal link after voyage (Includes voyage log, gallery, species list and more)
• Port Fees, taxes and AECO fees and tariffs

Exclusions


• Flights to/from departure port unless specified in itinerary
• Hotel accommodations unless specified in itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Cancellation insurance
• Additional excursions and activities not mentioned in itinerary
• Meals when not on board the ship
• Beverages other than tea/coffee and water
• Gratuities for crew (recommended USD$14.00 per passenger per day)
• Any items of a personal nature
Ocean Albatros
British Isles ExpeditionExpedition
Enquire Now
Add to ShortlistRemove from Shortlist
6 Days from
$4,290 USD pp
Map for Vikings of the North Sea
Enquire Now

or call us on

NZ Freephone
0800 945 3327

AUS Freephone
1800 107 715

to help you make your reservation

Get Our Latest Brochure

Featuring the latest small ship cruises to a number of destinations, our Small Ship Cruising brochure is carefully curated to include small ship cruises from expeditions to luxury cruises to the world's most fascinating destinations including Alaska, Croatia, the Galapagos and the Antarctic and Arctic.

Request a Brochure

Our Associates Include

Adventure Canada
Heritage Expeditions New Zealand
UnCruise Adventures
Hurtugruten
Ponant
Pandaw