The North Cape Line From Hamburg (Summer)

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 the comfortable MS Otto Sverdrup, enjoy the first of many delicious, locally sourced meals, and get to know your Coastal Experience Team.

Today we cross the North Sea so you can enjoy the day aboard MS Otto Sverdrup. Admire the views from the expansive Observation Deck, or take advantage of the heated outdoor pool 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.

Stavanger has an international ambience and a lively cultural scene. Discover the architectural relics of Old Stavanger, including a magnificent 12th-century cathedral. You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, pop into a local boutique shop, or simply enjoy a beer on the waterfront.

Leaving Stavanger, we sail into Lysefjord to experience some of Norway's most striking vertical cliffs. As we sail through the fjord, you can enjoy impressive views from the ship, especially of the 1,980ft-high Preikestolen viewpoint, famously known as ‘Pulpit Rock'.

Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, the old capital of Bergen is one of Norway's most picturesque and historic cities. Get ready for its wealth of inimitable experiences.

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. 

Bergen's famous fish market is worth a visit, too. It promises to be a feast for the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of bountiful, fresh seafood available for purchase and cooked there and then.

After Bergen, we head north along the enchanting edge of the Norwegian coast. 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 gaze in wonder at the exceptional beauty of this coastline.

Træna is an archipelago that sits at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Made up of around 500 islands, islets and skerries, with only four inhabited year-round, Træna is a quiet municipality, with thriving birdlife.

Though small, this archipelago has a long history, with archaeological finds indicating that the islands have been inhabited since the Stone Age. Enjoy spending the afternoon in one of Norway's oldest fishing communities.

When it's time to leave in the evening, take some time to rest onboard and unwind. We'll cross the Arctic Circle as we continue heading north, commemorating the moment with a little Norwegian ceremony.

Today we visit Senja, a lesser-travelled island – perhaps due to its remoteness – that features on CNN's top 10 list of the 'World's Most Beautiful Islands'. 

Nicknamed 'Miniature Norway' due to the diversity of its landscapes, Senja's northern coastline has sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and lofty mountains. Southern Senja and Ånderdalen National Park offer rocky coastline and pine forests. You'll find rolling hills and birch forests to the east.

Depending on how the conditions are locally, we'll either dock alongside Honningsvåg or anchor outside the fishing village of Skarsvåg. From there, you'll visit the North Cape.

Standing at the edge of the North Cape – the northernmost point of Europe – there's only the Svalbard archipelago between you and the Geographic North Pole, 1,300 miles away. Make sure you visit the North Cape Hall's exhibits on the area's history.  

This is the northernmost point of our cruise. From here, we begin our trip southbound.

Set in a majestic landscape, Tromsø is a small, cosmopolitan city with a big past that has plenty of fascinating sights to discover.

Browse the many shops along the main street and partake in a meal at one of the chic restaurants. Why not also drop into Ølhallen, the city's oldest pub, to enjoy a range of locally brewed beers.

If the weather is in your favour, you can also take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Storsteinen for incredible views of the city and the surrounding Arctic fjord landscape.

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

With its iconic red fishing huts, known asrorbuer, dotted against a backdrop of towering, jagged granite peaks, Reine is an idyllic place to visit. You'll quickly see why this is one of Norway's most-photographed sites!

We head south from the Lofoten Islands 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 coastal areas 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.

After lunch, we'll spend the afternoon at Bessaker, a small village in Trøndelag county. Home to just 200 residents, it's known for its excellent fishing opportunities and the surrounding waters boast plenty of skrei, coalfish and pollock. The annual fishing festival, held on the third weekend of July since 1979, attracts thousands of visitors.

You can explore Bessaker and its impressive natural surroundings at your own pace, or opt to join an optional hike, local food tasting, or guided e-bike tour.

Surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps, Hjørundfjord is one of the most scenic fjords in Norway and largely undiscovered by other cruise lines. We anchor close to Sæbø and go ashore in our small boats to experience Norwegian nature and culture up close.

It's a beautiful spot to enjoy at your own pace. Or, you might have the opportunity to join a guided walk among the villages to discover the area's history and nature, see incredible views on a mountain hike, or soak up the silence while kayaking in the still fjord waters.

The Haugaland region 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 the atmospheric town of Skudeneshavn has beautiful beaches and charming, 19th-century wooden buildings.

It's our last day at sea and your voyage is drawing to a close. Now that you're more acquainted with the history of the Vikings, it's easy to picture their longships forging this same journey across the North Sea.

Make the most of your last full day on MS Otto Sverdrup. Scan the waves for seabirds and perhaps even dolphins, which occasionally like to follow us. Soak in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Wellness Center, or relax in the Explorer Lounge.  

Don't miss the Coastal Experience Team as they wrap up the journey with a review of the highlights of our memorable voyage.

Your voyage ends back in Hamburg. If you didn't get a chance to explore this beautiful city 15 days ago, make sure you do now.

Many of the city's attractions are 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.