Your Itinerary
We arrive in Oslo, Norway’s capital. If we have time before boarding, we might explore the city centre, with the Radhuset town hall, the Royal Palace and Oslo Cathedral.In the afternoon we board MS Trollfjord, settle into our cabin and meet the Expedition Team, then gather in the two-storey panorama lounge as the city lights fade behind us.Special InformationInternational airfares and transfers are not included. Final travel documentation will be provided approximately 30 days prior to departure.
A day at sea to settle in as Norway’s southern coast slides past. We can take in the views from the Observation Deck, the two-storey lounge or the panoramic sauna, and join the Expedition Team’s lectures and onboard activities.
We spend much of the day in Stavanger, a waterside city with a lively cultural scene. We can explore Gamle (Old) Stavanger and its preserved wooden houses, Norway’s oldest cathedral, and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.Inspiring HighlightsGamle (Old) StavangerOptional: guided city walk or Viking-themed bus tour
We dock at Alesund, a town spread across islands and known for its Art Nouveau architecture. We can take in the archipelago from the Mount Aksla viewpoint or visit the Atlantic Sea Park aquarium.Inspiring HighlightsMount Aksla viewpointOptional: Alesund walking tour or an island bus tour
We call at the fishing port of Rorvik in the Vikna archipelago, with museums tracing 10,000 years of local history. In the afternoon we sail on through the archipelago’s islands and reefs, and cross the Arctic Circle overnight.Inspiring HighlightsCrossing the Arctic Circle (overnight)
We reach the Lofoten Islands, docking at Svolvaer on Austvagoya, the archipelago’s largest town, with shops, galleries and cafes and views of the Svolvaer Goat rock formation.We also call at Stokmarknes, the birthplace of the Coastal Express in 1893, home to the Hurtigruten Museum and the 1956 ship MS Finnmarken.Inspiring HighlightsLofoten and SvolvaerStokmarknes and the Hurtigruten MuseumOptional: winter fishing, kayaking or a history bus tour
Our ship is in Tromso for eight hours, 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle. We can visit the Polar Museum, the Polaria aquarium, or the Arctic Cathedral with its stained-glass window.Inspiring HighlightsThe Arctic Cathedral and Polar MuseumOptional: dog sledding or a city bus tour
Day 8 - Honningsvag [Ship]
Today is Christmas Eve, the first day of Christmas for Norwegians, and we have a full day in Honningsvag. We can snowshoe across the plains with the Expedition Team.There is a Christmas lunch buffet, carols with the crew, and Norwegian Christmas traditions in the evening. On an optional excursion we can visit the North Cape, one of the northernmost points of mainland Europe, looking out over the Barents Sea.Inspiring HighlightsChristmas Eve in HonningsvagOptional: the North Cape, ice fishing
It is Christmas Day, in Alta at 70 degrees north, an area known for good Northern Lights visibility. Alta is home to the world’s northernmost ice hotel, built each year from the ice of the river Alta.On optional excursions we can see prehistoric rock art and the Northern Lights Cathedral, or try dog sledding.Inspiring HighlightsChristmas Day in AltaNorthern Lights viewing opportunitiesOptional: rock art, the Northern Lights Cathedral, dog sledding
Narvik sits where three fjords meet, a year-round ice-free port known for its wartime history and outdoor pursuits. There is another traditional Norwegian Christmas buffet today.Inspiring HighlightsOptional: the Narvik War Museum
We head south along the coast, past windswept islands, sheltered bays and fjords, with sea eagles overhead. A day at sea with time to enjoy the ship and the Expedition Team’s activities.
Day 12 - Andalsnes [Ship]
We dock at Andalsnes, at the head of the Romsdalsfjord and surrounded by mountains. We can take a city walk and ride the Romsdal Gondola to the top of Nesaksla for views over the fjord and the Rauma river.Inspiring HighlightsRomsdal Gondola to NesakslaOptional: the Rauma Railway scenic train
We reach Bergen, Norway’s old capital, surrounded by seven mountains. We can walk the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with its wooden wharves, visit the fish market, or take the Floibanen funicular to Mount Floyen.Inspiring HighlightsBryggen (UNESCO)The Floibanen funicularOptional: Mount Ulriken cable car and Fantoft stave church
The penultimate day sails south along Norway’s coast, around the tip of Denmark towards Copenhagen. A last full day to enjoy the deck, the lounge and the Expedition Team’s final lectures, and a last dinner in the ship’s restaurants.
We arrive in Copenhagen on New Year’s Eve and disembark. Traditionally Tivoli Gardens opens as a winter setting today, with a New Year’s fireworks display in the evening, and there is plenty to see in the Danish capital.Our voyage comes to an end. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable journey.Special InformationTransfers and international airfares home are not included.
