The North Cape Line

• Day 1 Oslo (Norway)

  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.

• Day 2 At Sea

  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.

• Day 3 Stavanger

  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.

• Day 4 Ålesund

  After a hearty breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock mid-morning at Ålesund, a town that spreads out across a string of islands. As we approach the shore, you might first notice the distinctive style of architecture. Every detail of the buildings, from the bright colours to the rounded spires, was inspired by the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. Almost the entire town received a makeover in the style when it was rebuilt after a major fire in 1904. As you leave the waterfront, you’ll find yourself in a fairy-tale town, wandering narrow streets lined with unique houses. If your camera’s memory card isn’t already full after this, you can get impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint. The 418 steps leading there might look intimidating, but the views are well worth the effort.

  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. 

• Day 5 Rørvik

  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.

• Day 6 Svolvær and Stokmarknes

  Today, we explore Lofoten, a striking group of islands that rise out of the Norwegian Sea. As soon as you see the towering peaks around you with fishing villages clinging to their sides, you’ll understand why this island chain is so often 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 some time in Stokmarknes. This historic town is part of Vesterålen, an archipelago just northeast of Lofoten. Of all the places we visit, this one is particularly special to us. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With. The Coastal Express soon became a lifeline for Norway’s remote coastal communities, and fittingly, our legacy has been immortalised in the place where it all began. Standing on the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken, encased in a glass building like a ship in a bottle.

• Day 7 Tromsø

  Today you’ll get the chance to see the Arctic Capital itself. Often called the “gateway to the Arctic”, Tromsø is Norway's northernmost university city, and the ideal place to enjoy some proper winter activities, like dog sledding and snowshoeing.   Sitting around 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø experiences Polar Night for just over a month in the winter, and will give you a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights.   This urban city is buzzing with life, with everything from trendy restaurants and cafés to boutique shops selling local crafts and produce, and even high fashion. MS Trollfjord will be in port here for 8 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. For live animals, 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.

• Day 8 Honningsvåg

  Arriving early in the morning, you’ll have a full day in Honningsvåg. The northernmost city on the mainland, Honningsvåg’s landscape is quite distinctive, with barely any trees or bushes. This far north, winters are long and snowfall is high, so get ready for some fantastic winter scenery and activities.

  Feel the snow crunching under your snowshoes as you hike across the plains with your Expedition Team. You might even be able to 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. Don’t miss Honningsvåg Church, the oldest building in the area, dating back to 1885.

  The highlight of any trip to Honningsvåg is a visit to the North Cape. This is one of the northernmost points of mainland Europe, and as we’re visiting in winter, we can get there by snowmobile. Standing near the northern edge of Norway and looking out over the Barents Sea under the polar night sky is a truly special experience. Add the ethereal Northern Lights dancing in the sky above, and you’ve got a sight you’ll never forget. The cape is marked with a famous globe monument, which demands a selfie or two… or five. When you’re ready, head inside North Cape Hall to warm up, and learn about life in the High Arctic through a short film and a variety of exhibits.

  Having reached the northernmost point of our voyage, we’ll turn around and begin going south as we sail away in the evening.

• Day 9 Alta

  Alta is one of the bigger coastal towns we visit, with a population of over 20,000 people. A particularly famous part of the town is Alta River, one of Norway’s best salmon rivers. Here, large salmon are regularly caught, with some even weighing up to 24 kg. You won’t regret trying some fresh grilled salmon in one of the local restaurants. 

  At 70 degrees north, this town is still far above the Arctic Circle. The area is known for particularly good Northern Lights visibility, so keep your camera ready. If the skies are clear and the conditions are right, you should be able to get some amazing shots of the lights dancing above you.  You can learn more about this incredible natural light show on a guided tour of the town. The Northern Lights Cathedral even 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 creates the perfect conditions to build and maintain the Igloo Hotel, located on the banks of river Alta. You’ll have the chance to visit and tour the world’s northernmost ice hotel, built out of snow and ice every winter and carved with different artistic themes by local sculptors. Head to the hotel’s ice bar, decorated with handcrafted ice sculptures and order a drink in an ice glass – no ice cubes needed. 

• Day 10 Narvik

  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.  

  For panoramic views of Narvik from above, ride the cable car to the top of Narvikfjellet.

• Day 11 Cruise the inner coastal route

  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.

• Day 12 Åndalsnes

  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. 

• Day 13 Bergen

  In many ways, Bergen is like a medieval living museum. Founded by King Olaf III in 1070 AD, Bergen was Norway’s capital for many years. As you wander its cobblestone streets and alleyways, you’ll note how this bustling city has lost none of its heritage and historic charm. Depending on how much time you have, you can take a funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. At the summit, you’ll be able to take in spectacular views of Bergen, its neighbouring fjords and surrounding mountains. For dinner, what better place to go than the fish market in the city centre? There, various indoor stalls cook fresh seafood on the spot for you, filling the air with appetite-arousing aromas.

  Perhaps go on an optional guided sightseeing tour of Bergen. Enjoy visiting well-known sites such as Nordnes peninsula, medieval Håkon’s Hall, the Renaissance-era Rosenkrantz Tower, and 12th century St Mary’s Church, known as Mariakirken in Norwegian. Your tour will also take in the UNESCO-listed buildings in the Bryggen district. Once the haunt of 14th century Hanseatic League traders, these colourful wooden wharves now house artisanal boutiques and galleries ideal for souvenir shopping.

  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.

• Day 14 Kristiansand

  We spend the last afternoon of our voyage in Kristiansand, Norway’s fifth-largest city, sitting along the southern tip of the country,  

  Kristiansand is on a mission to become the most sustainable port in Europe. Find out more about this admirable quest on an optional excursion that includes a visit to Odderøya Island.  

  Or delve into Kristiansand’s 20th-century military past on an optional excursion to Batterie Vara. Originally built as a German fort in World War II, it features the world’s second largest cannon ever to be mounted on land.  

  Back on the boat, we’ll end our voyage on a high note with an end-of-trip farewell dinner. Take this opportunity to trade photo highlights and experiences with your fellow travellers one last time.

• Day 15 Oslo

  From the south to the north, and back to the south, reflect on your journey as you watch our return to our first – and now last – port of the voyage, Oslo, in the early morning. Say your goodbyes to the crew and disembark the ship, marking the end of your travels with us.  

  You’ve sailed on The North Cape Line, getting to know Norway’s coastal cities and villages all the way to the top of the European continent. 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.

The North Cape Line Itinerary The Captain reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.