Savor the Northern Lights

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.    

 Once you’ve boarded your ship and settled into your cabin or suite, meet your Coastal Experience 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 panoramic lounge and watch as the capital’s twinkling lights fade into the distance

Breakfast & Dinner Elite World Hotel

Today, you’ll wake to views of the beautiful Lysefjord. The 26-mile-long (42-km-long) fjord is home to one of Norway’s most famous sights: Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), which towers almost two thousand feet (604 meters) above the fjord’s shimmering waters. 

Kjerag mountain, at the end of the fjord, reaches even higher. Along the way, watch for mountain goats, waterfalls, and the famous Kjeragbolten, a glacial boulder wedged high up in a crevasse.

You’ll spend the rest of the day in Stavanger, a colorful 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, browse the local boutique shops, or simply enjoy a drink on the waterfront.

After breakfast on the ship, we’ll dock at Ålesund, a town on a small peninsula surrounded by beautiful mountains and islands.   

Many of the buildings here, from the bright colors to the rounded spires, were inspired by the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in the early 1900s. You can get impressive photos of the archipelago from the nearby Mount Aksla viewpoint.   

You can also visit the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway’s first marine science center. 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. See Humboldt Penguins here, a species otherwise absent north of the equator.   

Join an optional excursion to explore Ålesund on foot or by bus as your guide reveals the town’s surprising secrets. 

The cozy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago may look small but it has a huge history told through both the landscape and the town’s collection of museums.  

Join an optional excursion to three of Rørvik’s excellent museums. Time travel through the last 10,000 years in Ice Age-carved landscapes, carefully preserved 19th-century living rooms, and the ingenuity of Norwegian salmon production.  

In the afternoon, we’ll continue sailing north through the Vikna archipelago made up of over 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.

Today, we explore Lofoten. As soon as you see the towering peaks with small villages clustered around them, you’ll understand why this island chain is praised as one of Norway’s most stunning locations.    

We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær mid-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. Look out for the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain so named for resembling a horned ruminant.    

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 a couple of hours in Stokmarknes. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With. On the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken encased in the Hurtigruten Museum’s glass building like a ship in a bottle.

Tromsø is often called the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. Sitting around 217 miles (350 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, the city is known for great winter activities and for chances of seeing the Northern Lights.   

Once you’ve arrived and disembarked, you will meet your tour manager before setting off from Tromsø in a private first-class coach.  

 Your land-based adventure begins as we head east into the majestic Lyngen Alps, with scenic fjord crossings on local ferries. We’ll drive along one of Norway’s most breathtaking roads, following the stunning Lyngen Fjord.  

Arriving in Skibotn, we journey southeast, crossing into Finland and reaching the picturesque Finnish resort village of Kilpisjärvi, just about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the Norwegian border. 

After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour winter safari by snow sleigh or snowmobile across frozen lakes and snowy birch forests to Koltavuoma, where the yellow border cairn marks the peaceful meeting point of Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Covering about 19 miles (30 km), this unique journey lets you cross three countries in under a minute. The tour includes expert guidance, thermal gear, professional photos, and a pastry with a warm drink back at the hotel.

The afternoon is free for personal exploration. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel, followed by a guided Northern Lights hunt with your tour managers, weather permitting.

Today, travel by private coach along the scenic Sweden–Finland border to the resort town of Levi, where you’ll spend two nights in a private Aurora Cabin—also known as a glass igloo. Located away from light pollution, these unique accommodations offer clear views of the night sky, with the chance to spot the Northern Lights right from your bed.

After check-in, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel. In the evening, set out on a 3-hour Aurora hunting safari in a sleigh pulled by snowmobiles, gliding through peaceful, moonlit forests in search of the Northern Lights. The experience includes expert guiding, thermal clothing, and warm treats by the fire—perfect for capturing photos and enjoying the moment.

After a cozy night’s sleep, you’ll swap the snowmobiles from the night before for husky sleds. The energetic team of dogs will take you on a 3-mile (5-km) sleigh ride through Lapland’s pristine forests. This unforgettable trip promises a memorable journey through the winter wonderland. 

Following the safari, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, with options to join additional activities such as a Reindeer or Snowmobile safari, weather permitting. End your day with dinner at the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, we’ll board a private coach for a scenic journey from Levi to Kemi. Arrive at the Experience 365 winter resort and check into the unique Glass Villas, where you’ll spend the night enjoying panoramic views of the landscape.  

In the afternoon, head to Ajos pier on Bothnian Bay and board Sampo, an icebreaker ship. It’s a thrilling experience as the icebreaker ploughs powerfully through the frozen sea. If you’re brave and bold, take a refreshing dip in the icy waters while wearing a full-body waterproof survival suit. Return to the resort for a delicious dinner to complete your day.

Today we’ll travel by train from Kemi to Helsinki, where we’ll spend two nights. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best cities to live in, Helsinki is vibrant and colorful, offering a balance of historic architecture and contemporary living. With many trails nearby, the city is also known for its incredible natural scenery. 

A two-hour city tour will take you to explore key landmarks including City Hall, the Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House and, weather permitting, the famous Sibelius Monument. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church). As its name implies, this wonderful building is carved into solid rock. 

In the evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel with your fellow travelers. 

Sadly, today marks the end of our adventure. After breakfast at the hotel, say your goodbyes to your guides and fellow travelers.  

From the far south of Norway up along its coast, then down through Finnish Lapland – you’ve been on quite the journey. You’ve travelled across two Scandinavian countries, with the Northern Lights hopefully making a pleasant appearance, not just one but a few times.