Hamburg To The North Cape And Back In Winter

Explore Hamburg

Our expedition cruise 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 your comfortable expedition ship, MS Otto Sverdrup, enjoy the first of many delicious, locally-sourced meals, and get to know your Expedition Team. As night falls, we sail to Cuxhaven where we dock for a few hours.

Relax on board MS Otto Sverdrup

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 Expedition Team. Listen to these experienced explorers share their engaging stories and knowledge of the places you'll be visiting.

Step back in time to the age of the Vikings 

The region of Haugaland is known for its Viking connections. It was from here that the Viking king Harald Fairhair united Norway into a single kingdom, and the country's Viking past lives on in a plethora of historic sites. 

If weather conditions allow, we'll visit a recreated Viking settlement on the small island of Bukkøya. On the nearby island of Karmøy, the Nordvegen History Centre in Avaldsnes delves into the characters of sagas and ancient poems.

For a more recent perspective, the coastal city of Haugesund played an important role in Norway's herring fishing heritage, while a scenic ride to the atmospheric town of Skudeneshavn takes in beautiful beaches and charming, 19th-century wooden buildings.

Enjoy the glacial beauty of Nordfjord

In the morning, we'll enter Nordfjord and head towards Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. 

As we cruise past picturesque inlets, you'll spy old fishing communities dating back to pre-Viking times. One of these is Loen, where we'll anchor if conditions are right. In the shadow of the mighty glacier, there's much to discover. 

After a short boat ride to the floating jetty, you'll take the Loen Skylift to enjoy spectacular views from the summit of Mount Hoven. After, you may be able to take part in activities like snowshoeing, hiking or winter kayaking.

Explore central Norway's wild and wonderful coast 

From Nordfjord, we head north towards enchanting Lofoten. 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.

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.

Majestic peaks, sheltered bays and pristine beaches 

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.

Enter a winter wonderland

At 70° North, conditions can be unpredictable, so we adapt our route and activities according to the sea and weather conditions.

If you visit in October and November, we'll use the daylight hours to scan the sea for whales or explore a scenic fjord. From December to March, you can enjoy all manner of activities in Alta, including dog sledding, snowmobiling and visiting snow hotels, under the beautiful blue glow of the Polar Night.

Lying directly beneath the Auroral Oval, Alta also offers some of the best chances to see the Northern Lights, so if conditions are right, you could be in for quite a show. The majestic mountain, fjord and glacier views are here whatever the weather!

Visit the top of world 

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.

Experience the delights of Tromsø 

Our winter cruise 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.

From glaciers to hidden islands – expect the unexpected! 

There's plenty to enthrall you along the rugged coast of Helgeland, from remote archipelagos to beautiful fjords and icy glaciers. The Arctic Circle also slices through the coast here, marking the southernmost extent of the Polar Night. 

In true expedition style, your activities and landings will be chosen by the Expedition Team on the day, depending on the weather conditions. We might take our expedition boats to go ashore and explore a wild island up close, discover a hidden fjord, or gaze at Svartisen, the second-largest glacier on mainland Norway.

Admire the coastal views – and the skill of your captain 

On our third sea day of the trip, we head south along the enchanting inside passage of the Norwegian coast. As well as the views of the area's fjords, windswept islets and skerries, it's another opportunity to admire the navigation skills of your captain. 

As you gaze out from the deck of MS Otto Sverdrup at one of the most beautiful areas of coast in the world, look out for birds swooping and soaring across land and sea. This is a wonderful area for birdwatching. Or you could simply soak in the hot tub.

Glaciers, world-class fjords and books galore

Today, we cruise along Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord, and Fjærlandsfjord, which branches off to its north. Here, we'll drop anchor and go ashore in our small expedition boats for the afternoon, exploring the village of Fjærland and beyond.

You'll marvel at the magical views of majestic peaks towering above the fjord. The icy fingers of the Jostedalsbreen glacier hang over the mountain behind Fjærland, where you'll also find Norway's leading glacier museum.

The village has a surprising status as an International Book Town. Look out for book shops almost everywhere you go, from the ferry quay to abandoned pigpens.

Visit Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen district

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.

Relax at sea as we return to Hamburg

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 this expedition cruise. Spend time in the Explorer Lounge & Bar with your fellow adventurers or relax in the hot tubs or sauna.

You can also enlist the help of our onboard photographer for editing tips on the photos you've taken on this cruise. If you have questions about anything you've encountered on this cruise, our Expedition Team will be on hand to answer them – just head to the Science Center to discover more.

Discover historical, architectural and cultural delights

Your expedition cruise ends back in Hamburg. 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.