In the Wake of The Coastal Express | Winter

Our voyage begins in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city. With links to trade and adventure that go back centuries, it's the perfect starting point.   

Hamburg is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the world's largest warehouse complex and the nearby Wadden Sea. If you have time, explore them before you board.   

Then, get settled on board MS Otto Sverdrup, enjoy the first of many delicious, locally sourced meals, and get to know your Coastal Experience Team. As night falls, we sail to Cuxhaven where we dock for a few hours.

Today we cross the North Sea so you can enjoy the day aboard MS Otto Sverdrup. Admire the views from the expansive Observation Deck, visit the Science Center for insights into the destinations ahead, or take advantage of the gym and hot tubs.  

Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers from our onboard photographer. You'll find the Explorer Lounge & Bar a comfy place to read or watch the world glide by. 

You can also enjoy a talk by the Coastal Experience Team. Listen to these experienced explorers share their engaging stories and knowledge of the places you’ll be visiting.

One of Norway’s oldest cities, today Stavanger is known for its international ambience and lively cultural scene.

Discover the architectural relics of Old Stavanger, including a magnificent 12th-century cathedral. Among the white-painted wooden houses, you’ll find spectacular street art, colourful wharves, and thriving galleries, cafes, and restaurants. You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, pop into a local boutique shop, or simply enjoy a beer on the waterfront.

Today we arrive at the charming coastal city of Ålesund. Its waterfront buildings, once wharves and warehouses and now apartments, are painted in pastel yellows and reds.

Walk its cobblestone streets and admire the numerous spires, towers, and ornate buildings. Look closely to spot the variety of stone statues carved into the buildings.

Due to a devasting fire in 1904, much of the city was rebuilt in the architectural style so fashionable at the time: Art Nouveau.

A hike to the summit of nearby Mount Aksla rewards you with views over the city and the other islands.

From Nordfjord, we head north towards enchanting Lofoten. 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.   

You’ll be in awe of the landscapes as we sail through this region of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. It’s also inhabited by a wide range of wildlife. Look out for Sea Eagles as you admire the exceptional beauty of this stretch of coastline.

Today we explore the famed Lofoten Islands. With steep mountains, beautiful beaches and pretty fishing villages, the archipelago is unlike anything you’ve seen.  

With its iconic red fishing huts, known as rorbuer,  dotted against a backdrop of granite peaks, Reine is an idyllic place to visit. You’ll soon see why this is one of Norway's most-photographed sites. And if the weather conditions aren’t quite right, there are plenty of other equally memorable ports in the area to explore, such as Svolvær.

Alta is known for Sámi culture, winter activities, and auroral displays. It sits at 70° North, directly beneath the Auroral Oval, a zone known for consistent Northern Lights activity. If the conditions are right, you could be in for quite the show.

The surrounding region is part of the traditional lands of the indigenous Sámi whose livelihoods revolve around semi-nomadic reindeer herding. You could visit the Sámi village of Máze, an ice hotel, or go dog sledding, fat biking, or aurora chasing on optional excursions.

Today marks the northernmost point of our cruise. After marvelling at the North Cape, we’ll begin our trip southbound.    

Spend the day exploring the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe. Standing at the edge of the cliff, there’s only the Svalbard archipelago between you and the Geographic North Pole, 1,300 miles away.   

Take in cliff-edge views across the sea, then take a selfie at the Globe Monument before visiting North Cape Hall’s exhibits on the area's history.

Our winter voyage reaches the capital of the Arctic – Tromsø. Set in a majestic landscape and packed with culture and history, this small, cosmopolitan city has plenty of fascinating sights to discover.   

At the Polar Museum, learn about the city’s Arctic and exploration heritage. See the Arctic Cathedral – with its huge stained-glass window, it’s one of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø. You can also take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen for incredible views.  

From December to April, you’ll have the chance to try exciting winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or dog sledding.

We return to the Lofoten Islands to dock in the picture-perfect fishing village of Reine. Red-painted rorbuer cling to a string of islands beneath sharp granite mountain ranges. The 450-metre-tall Reinebringen, one of the most distinctive peaks, is particularly dramatic when layered with snow.

The combination of setting and colour makes Reine one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Norway.

Today you can spend time in the ship’s lounge, soaking in a hot tub, or getting some fresh air out on deck. Whatever you do, don’t take your eyes off the jaw-dropping scenery as we journey south.

Pick out the peaks of the Seven Sisters mountain range, which legend says are the petrified bodies of seven troll sisters caught out at sunrise, and Torghatten mountain, with its distinct hole right through the middle.

The village of Olden is sandwiched between the two-pronged tip of Innvikfjord, the Briksdal Glacier, and mighty Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland glacier. To get there, we sail deep into Nordfjord, surrounded by the fjords and mountains that the Norwegian coast is so famous for.

The day's included activity is a visit to the Loen Skylift. It takes just five minutes for cable car to climb 1,011 metres to the top of Mount Hoven, for unforgettable vista over the fjord, mountains, glaciers, and lakes.

*Due to quay restrictions in Olden, this voyage will instead call in Åndalsnes on Day 12 for sailings beginning on 13/09/24.

Enjoy the unique charm of what was once Norway's capital, Bergen. It's one of Norway's most picturesque cities, surrounded by seven mountains and the sea.  

Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharves dating back to the 14th century. Explore the cobbled streets and alleys on foot, stopping at fascinating museums, artisanal boutiques, cafés, or a pub for a glass of local Hansa beer.  

Afterwards, enjoy an included excursion up Mount Fløyen on the funicular railway. At the summit, you'll find amazing views over the city. If there’s time, we might even venture into the alpine forest for a short hike.

Your voyage is drawing to a close but there are plenty of ways to make the most of your last full day on MS Otto Sverdrup.

As you cruise back across the North Sea to Hamburg, you'll have time to relax and look back on some of the incredible experiences you've enjoyed on your voyage. Spend time in the Explorer Lounge & Bar with your new friends or relax in the hot tubs or sauna.

If you have questions about anything you’ve encountered on this cruise, our Coastal Experience Team will be on hand to answer them. Don’t miss their review of the highlights of our unforgettable voyage.

Your voyage ends back in Hamburg. It’s time to say a fond farewell to the ship, the Captain, crew, the Coastal Experience Team, and your new-found friends.

As you head ashore, you’ll take with you special memories of Norway in winter: wonderful fjords, fascinating towns and cities, friendly people, and, hopefully, magical displays of the Northern Lights.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to explore this beautiful city before the cruise, make sure you do now. Many of the city's attractions are conveniently clustered in the Altstadt district, including the St Nikolai Memorial and historic Deichstraße street. Hamburg’s beautiful canals have earned it the nickname ‘Venice of the North’ and a canal tour is a great way to explore the city.