Your itinerary
Day 1
Hamburg
Explore Hamburg’s Altstadt, including St Nikolai Memorial and Deichstraße, plus UNESCO-listed Chilehaus and Speicherstadt; art lovers can visit Kunsthalle. Embark MS Fram, meet the crew and Expedition Team, and set sail.
Day 2
Esbjerg
Call at Esbjerg on Denmark’s Jutland coast; see the ‘Man Meets the Sea’ statues, take the shuttle into town to stroll and try smørrebrød. In the afternoon, depart for Norway and enjoy the ship’s facilities, from hot tubs to the Explorer Lounge & Bar.
Day 3
Haugesund
Sail to Haugesund, homeland of Viking kings and the historic Nordvegen route. If conditions allow, visit the recreated Viking settlement on Bukkøya and Karmøy’s Nordvegen History Centre.
Day 4
Fjærland
Cruise deep into Sognefjord to the hamlet of Fjærland, where Sognefjord meets Jostedalsbreen. Included visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum with exhibits, a panoramic film, and experiments using ancient glacier ice.
Day 5
Åndalsnes
In Åndalsnes, ride the gondola from town to Mount Nesaksla for 360° views of Romsdalshorn and Venjetinden. Join a hike or, conditions permitting, kayak the fjord.
Day 6
Cruising the Arctic Ocean
Day at sea along the Helgeland coast toward Lofoten. Join talks or workshops, visit the Science Centre, and watch for Torghatten and the Seven Sisters. Cross the Arctic Circle as we sail north.
Day 7
Svartisen Glacier
Enter Holandsfjord to view Svartisen, Norway’s second‑largest glacier, comprising Vestisen and Østisen divided by the Vesterdalen valley. If conditions allow, land at a local jetty and hike to a panoramic viewpoint.
Day 8
Svolvær
Approach Lofoten’s dramatic peaks. From Svolvær, look for sea eagles and explore the fishing heritage via short hikes, optional excursions, or time on the picturesque boulevard.
Day 9
Tromsø
In Tromsø, the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, follow in the footsteps of polar explorers. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral, and ride the Fjellheisen cable car to Storsteinen for sweeping views.
Day 10
Honningsvåg
From Honningsvåg, venture to the North Cape—mainland Europe’s northernmost point—for cliff‑top views over the Barents Sea. Visit North Cape Hall to learn about this remarkable site.
Day 11
Cruising
Leisurely day crossing the Barents Sea toward the Svalbard archipelago—a peaceful interlude to relax and disconnect at sea.
Day 12
Hornsund
Begin exploring Spitsbergen’s wild fjords where glaciers calve and sea ice may guide the route, potentially reaching Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Watch for polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer and cliff‑nesting seabirds. Depending on conditions, enjoy landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking and hikes; we may also head to Hornsund or visit Ny‑Ålesund—Amundsen’s ‘Norge’ launch point and a modern science hub.
Day 13
Hornsund
Hornsund
Day 14
Hornsund
Hornsund
Day 15
Ny-Ålesund
Ny-Ålesund
Day 16
Longyearbyen
Disembark in Longyearbyen and catch your flight back to Oslo, concluding your Arctic voyage.
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Sognefjord Scenic Cruise to Fjærland
Cruise deep into Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, where emerald water slices between snow-capped summits and steep farms cling to green slopes. From the rail, watch waterfalls thread down granite walls and feel the hush of misty mountain passes as the ship traces this storied waterway.
Glaciers once carved this dramatic corridor, leaving a masterpiece of U-shaped valleys and sheer rock faces. Approaching the tiny hamlet of Fjærland, the scenery narrows to intimate, photogenic vistas where fjord and icefield seem to meet.
Norwegian Glacier Museum, Fjærland
Step inside the Norwegian Glacier Museum to explore the science and stories of ice, climate, and landscape. Interactive exhibits and a panoramic film illuminate nearby Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier, and show how blue ice forms and fjords take shape.
Handle pieces of 1,000-year-old glacier ice and try hands-on experiments that bring the cryosphere to life. This experience turns vast geologic forces into something tangible, deepening your understanding of Norway’s glacier-sculpted world.
Bukkøya Viking Settlement Landing (Haugesund)
Go ashore at Bukkøya to visit a recreated Viking settlement near Avaldsnes, seat of King Harald Fairhair. Wander among turf-roofed longhouses and boat sheds as guides bring to life daily crafts, seafaring skill, and the power politics along the Nordvegen ‘way to the north’.
Hear how this coastal corridor shaped Norway’s identity and trade. Smell woodsmoke, feel salt wind off the strait, and picture clinker-built ships departing these shores—living heritage set amid authentic island scenery.
Helgeland Coast Sail: Torghatten & The Seven Sisters
Trace Norway’s Helgeland coast and sail past Torghatten, the legendary mountain with a distinctive hole eroded clean through its granite heart. Keep watch for the dramatic skyline of the Seven Sisters ridge marching along the horizon.
Glacial ice and relentless seas sculpted this coastline into a gallery of peaks and skerries. From the deck, changing light and sea birds wheel across vast skies as you push toward the latitudes of Arctic Norway.
Svartisen Glacier Landing & Panorama Hike
Disembark at a local jetty for a guided walk toward a scenic overlook of Svartisen, Norway’s second-largest glacier. Follow your expedition team to hike to a panoramic viewpoint, where the ice’s turquoise-to-deep-blue tones contrast with dark rock and spruce-lined shores.
Hear how two ice fields—Vestisen and Østisen—shape the fjord landscape. Crisp air, creaking ice, and sweeping views make this an elemental encounter. Landings and routes are weather-dependent for safety and the best experience.
Lofoten Sail & Svolvær Port Exploration
Approach the towering ramparts of the Lofoten wall and dock at the charismatic Svolvær fishing port. Learn how cod migrations, drying racks, and stockfish exports shaped these islands, and keep an eye aloft for white-tailed sea eagles riding coastal thermals.
Color-washed rorbuer cabins line the waterfront while granite peaks plunge straight into cold, clear seas. This exploration blends maritime heritage with magnificent scenery, revealing why Lofoten has captivated sailors for centuries.
North Cape Plateau & North Cape Hall (Honningsvåg)
Journey across Magerøya’s tundra to venture to the North Cape Plateau, where 1,000-foot sea cliffs drop sheer to the Barents Sea. Stand by the globe monument and feel the raw exposure of Europe’s far edge.
Inside North Cape Hall, exhibits and a panoramic film trace exploration and life at this latitude. The stark geology and sweeping horizon make this a powerful vantage point for photos and contemplation.
Hornsund Glacier Fjord Zodiac Cruise (Svalbard)
Board expedition boats to cruise among glacier fronts beneath the horn-shaped peaks of Hornsund. Drift in quiet bays as calving icebergs crackle and turn the water a milky Arctic blue, with your guides positioning for light, safety, and low disturbance.
Part of Northwest Spitsbergen’s protected realm, Hornsund reveals Svalbard’s high-Arctic character—sharp relief, floating brash ice, and seabirds skimming mirror-still leads. Conditions shape each sortie for the richest experience.
Arctic Wildlife Watch: Cliffs, Ice & Tundra
Join your team on deck and ashore to scan for polar bears on ice, listen for walrus haul-outs, and watch cliffside seabird colonies spiral in dense, noisy clouds. Binoculars and spotting scopes help bring distant movement to life.
Guides interpret behavior and habitat of Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer while emphasizing respectful distances. Sightings are never guaranteed; the thrill lies in patient searching amid vast, elemental landscapes.
Ny-Ålesund Research Station Visit & Historic Airship Mast
Walk the world’s northernmost settlement to visit the Ny-Ålesund research settlement, where international scientists study glaciers, permafrost, and atmosphere. See Amundsen’s airship mast, launch point for polar flights including the 1926 Norge, and learn how expeditions pushed north from here.
From mining outpost to global climate research hub, Ny-Ålesund reveals layers of Arctic history. A tiny post office, colorful houses, and multilingual signs underscore its unique, cooperative purpose at high latitude.
Expedition Lectures & Science Center Workshops
Meet your Expedition Team and join expert lectures on geology, wildlife, and polar history that illuminate what you’re seeing outside. In the Science Center, take part in hands-on Citizen Science projects that transform observation into meaningful data.
Handle specimens, examine plankton under microscopes, and map sea-ice and seabird sightings with real datasets. These sessions deepen context and sharpen the way you read coastlines, ice, and sky throughout the voyage.
Romsdalen Gondola to Mount Nesaksla (Åndalsnes)
Ride the Romsdalen Gondola from fjord level to the summit of Mount Nesaksla, where a panorama terrace frames the granite towers of Romsdalshorn and Venjetinden and the sinuous Rauma River far below.
Enjoy time for photos or a short summit stroll on well-marked paths. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; operations are weather-dependent for views and safety.
Guided Kayaking on Romsdalsfjord
Set out with a qualified guide to kayak on Romsdalsfjord, skimming along mirror-calm waters beneath green slopes and granite walls. Learn efficient paddle strokes and glide past small coves where waterfalls thread into the sea.
All equipment and instruction are provided; suitable for active beginners. This small-group outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with departures subject to weather and sea conditions.
Nordvegen History Centre Guided Visit (Haugesund)
Travel to Avaldsnes to explore the Nordvegen History Centre, where multimedia galleries trace Harald Fairhair, Viking power, and the maritime corridor that enabled the unification of Norway. Exhibits place sagas alongside archaeology for a vivid picture of early kingship.
Guides connect artifacts to coastal landscapes you’ve sailed. This cultural experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; timing may pair well with time at the nearby reconstructed settlement.
Tromsø: Polar Museum, Arctic Cathedral & Fjellheisen Cable Car
In Norway’s Arctic ‘capital’, discover the Polar Museum to meet trappers, explorers, and Amundsen’s legacy, then see the Arctic Cathedral whose stained-glass wall glows like northern light. Cap the outing by riding the Fjellheisen cable car to Storsteinen for sweeping city-and-fjord views.
Perfect for travelers keen on polar history and panoramas. This multi-stop excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with admissions and timings coordinated locally.
Guided Sea Kayaking in Svalbard
Join a polar-qualified guide to paddle beneath glacier fronts across mirror-like Arctic waters, weaving through drifting brash ice while keeping a respectful buffer from wildlife. The low, quiet vantage point amplifies sound—ice fizz, kittiwake calls, distant calving.
Dry suits, gloves, and stable doubles are provided; a basic level of fitness is required. This small-group adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour, weather and ice permitting.
Svolvær Small-Group Ridge Hike (Lofoten)
Set out with a mountain guide to walk a coastal ridge above Svolvær, where peaks rising from the sea frame fishing villages and skerries. The famed Arctic light sharpens colors—red rorbuer, green slopes, blue water—making a photographer’s playground.
Routes and pace are tailored to group ability; sturdy footwear recommended. This active experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with trail selection made for safety and conditions.
Esbjerg Sail-by: ‘Man Meets the Sea’ Sculptures
Glide toward Denmark’s Jutland coast and sail past the ‘Man Meets the Sea’ sculptures, four monumental white figures gazing over the North Sea. From the open decks, admire the Jutland’s west coast dune line and the clear, salt-brisk air that defines this working port and university city.
Unveiled in 1995 by artist Svend Wiig Hansen, the nine-metre statues symbolize humanity’s meeting with nature. This coastal approach makes a striking first impression and invites you to pause for photos and reflection as Esbjerg’s waterfront comes into view.