Winter Voyage to Norway (Christmas and New Year)

After a short safety drill, you are free to take in the sea air and enjoy the panoramic views as you start your journey towards the snow-covered landscapes of Norway.

Some of the best-preserved wooden houses in Norway are found in Egersund. Many have been converted into small specialty shops, which sit comfortably side by side with private homes – as you explore, you might like to stop and enjoy a glass of mulled wine or other local treats!

The older parts of the town are of special historic interest, in particular the Hauen area, where houses, workshops and outhouses are all jumbled together, creating an eclectic mix of styles. The beautiful 17th century cruciform church is Egersund’s oldest building, and on most days is open to visitors; you may have the opportunity to attend a service or choir concert here to celebrate Christmas Eve. Elsewhere in Egersund, the tiny chocolate factory serves delicious gourmet treats which make ideal gifts.

Return to ship in the afternoon and continue sailing north. In the evening, your captain will navigate to calm waters where you can enjoy a special Christmas dinner, in which the menu will be a replica of the Christmas dinner explorer Fridtjof Nansen enjoyed in 1893. Your chefs will prepare a delicious meal of oxtail soup, fish terrine, tender reindeer with lingonberry sauce, stewed cloudberries and kransekake – a traditional Norwegian sweet made of almonds. All washed down with a glass or two of local akevitt (snaps) and beer!

The glacier village pf Fjaerland is where the Sognefjord meets Jostedalsbreen Glacier, the largest glacier on the European continent. Several outlet glaciers flow in many directions and in Fjaerland you are very close to two of these outlet glaciers – the views are marvellous!

You’ll have plenty of time to stroll around the village. If the weather permits, you can also choose to take part in a winter hike or enjoy an optional kayaking trip with your expedition team.

As the day closes, return to the ship for a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings.

You can expect fabulous scenery during today's journey – of the Norwegian coast, its many small isles, and of the Seven Sisters mountain range. You’ll also pass Torghatten Mountain, a famous landmark owing to the distinctive natural hole through its centre. These mountains are woven into many Nordland fairy tales, which abound with stories of frozen trolls and other mythical creatures hidden in their depths!

This evening, as you sail through the polar night, you will experience the “blue hour”, when the winter sun falls below the horizon and the residual light is reflected off the white snow and blue sea, creating a wonderful blue light. As you move closer to the Aurora Zone, your expedition team will be on hand, providing talks and advice on how to capture the best northern lights images.

The scenery as you approach the Lofoten Archipelago is a photographer’s dream. From a distance, the islands appear as if a huge wall of mountains and dramatic peaks rising up out of the sea, but as you get closer, you’ll sail past beautiful beaches and working fishing villages nestled in sheltered coves. The views are all the more dramatic if the aurora is swirling above.

You can expect to arrive in Svolvaer, the largest town in Lofoten, early this afternoon. Your first image as you enter the harbour of Svolvaer will be the rows of fishing huts (Norwegian “rorbuer”) and wooden drying racks that line the shore. This is where locally caught fish is dried and turned into stockfish, a prized local delicacy.

The afternoon will be free to explore Svolvaer independently or to join a guided activity. One possibility is to rent a kicksled for a traditional ride through the town (powered by kicking the ground!) Other optional guided excursions include snowshoeing or hiking in the spectacular Lofoten scenery, lit by headlamps and perhaps the Northern Lights. Or you may prefer to simply enjoy a leisurely stroll around the town with its many galleries and shops. If shops are open, this is a great place to buy delicious local caviar! A visit to the Magic Ice Bar is also highly recommended; this former warehouse is filled with ice sculptures depicting Lofoten life and Viking culture.

Narvik has a spectacular setting on a peninsula surrounded by three fjords – the Rombaken, Ofotfjord and Beisfjord – and mountains which shelter the town and its popular ski slopes from the powerful coastal winds.

Narvik is a relatively modern town with a thriving outdoor sports centre specializing in skiing, paragliding and diving. Yet its modern face belies a longer history. Narvik took form in the 19th century, when the town was established to handle the iron ore brought by train from northern Sweden. Its iron ore docks, walkways, cranes and funnels are immediately conspicuous, and give the town a ‘frontier’ Arctic feel. Narvik was also of great importance for Germany during the Second World War. If you’ve an interest in this era, you might consider a visit to the War Museum, where you can view exhibits and artifacts from the 1940s, including many related to ‘Operation Wilfred’, a pivotal moment in the war in which British and Allied forces sought to liberate the town from the Nazis.

Later you may enjoy browsing the town’s shops, galleries and restaurants. If the weather is kind, you can also take a cable car to the top of Mount Narvik for wonderful views of the town adorned in Christmas lights. Optional excursions include guided hikes, snowshoeing and kayaking.

Indeed, Alta is one of the northernmost towns in the world, and one of the best places to see the northern lights, as the town is situated directly below the Auroral Oval, known for its consistent auroral activity.

Arriving into Alta early this afternoon, you’ll stay in the town until after midnight so that you can enjoy the star-filled night sky and watch for the Aurora.

While in Alta, you’ll also enjoy a tour of the Northern Lights Cathedral, which, with its modernist architecture and spiral belfry, stands out as one of the most distinctive features of the town’s skyline. The cathedral houses an interactive exhibition that chronicles Northern Lights research in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As part of your visit, you will be treated to a classical concert in the cathedral to mark the festive season.

Alta is also part of the traditional lands of the Sami, whose livelihoods revolve around semi-nomadic reindeer herding. During the course of the day, you will have the option to take an excursion to a Sami Village located along the Kautokeino River, where you can experience Sami culture and food.

While en route to Tromso this morning, the MS Maud’s deck is the perfect spot to look out for humpback whales, who are frequent visitors to these waters owing to the abundant herring. The expedition team will be on hand to alert you to any sightings.

Arriving in Tromso around lunchtime, you’ll spend the rest of the day and early evening exploring its fascinating history and culture. Tromso’s most iconic building is the Arctic Cathedral, which can be seen from the harbour. Another highlight is the Polar Museum, which provides a fascinating look at the lives of the early trappers and explorers, such as Fritjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen.

If time allows, a ride on the Fjellheisen cable car (421m) to Mt. Storsteinen will provide fabulous views of the islands, fjords, mountains and sea.

Tall Reinebringen, at 450 metres, is the most distinctive of Reine's surrounding peaks, though there are several others. If the Northern Lights are active, the photo opportunities are even more spectacular!

Included today is a bus ride to Å, a small and beautifully-preserved fishing village. At the heart of the village is the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, which provides an insight into Lofoten fishing culture over the last 250 years.

Later, return to Reine where there may be opportunities to join optional activities, such as a hike with the expedition team or kayaking.

Leaving Reine, you cross Vestfjorden to calm waters for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. Among the delicious food provided will be caviar, king crab, beef, salmon and nut roast, with an aquavit sorbet to round off your meal. At midnight, you may be treated to both fireworks and the northern lights in the skies above – a fantastic way to see in the new year!

The name Kalvag means “frozen bay”. Owing to the location, it is not always possible to land here, but provided a safe landing can be made you can expect an enthusiastic welcome from the villagers of this picturesque village. Enjoy a walk along the old waterfront, with its wooden wharf and salting warehouses. If time allows, you may like to join an optional hike or kayaking excursion.

Mosteroy is a small island whose economy is centred on fishing and agriculture. Pretty hamlets are scattered around the island, which is connected by bridge to Klosteroy. The even smaller island of Klosteroy is home to the historic Utstein Abbey and the 800-year-old Utstein Church, Norway’s best-preserved medieval monastery.

NB. Landing on Mosteroy and Klosteroy is dependent on the weather, as the islands are very exposed. Weather permitting, you will land in the morning and will be offered optional excursions for walking and winter kayaking with the expedition team.