Northern Europe

The quirky and heritage-filled Hamburg is a true city of water, nestled snugly between the Baltic and North seas and intersected by a frayed network of rivers and canals, spanned by hundreds of pretty bridges. Explore the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse district and a UNESCO site, known for its neo-gothic architecture.

The nearby Elbphilharmonie concert hall is impressive with its striking design and views over the Elbe River. For a taste of local life, visit the lively Fish Market or stroll along the waterfront at Landungsbrücken, where ferries offer scenic river cruises along the canals.

Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Stavanger offers a blend of nature and culture, with its colorful wooden houses lining Old Town's cobblestone streets. A highlight is the nearby Lysefjord, where the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) provides breathtaking fjord views after a rewarding hike. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum dives into the region’s oil history, while Gamle Stavanger, the best-preserved wooden settlement in Europe, transports visitors back in time with its charming 18th-century homes.

Soaring turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation adorn the buildings throughout Ålesund, giving it a distinctive flair and earning the town a revered architectural reputation. Seven islands comprise Ålesund , and they’re cleverly connected by an elaborate set of underwater tunnels. Feeling energetic - climb the 418 steps to Mount Aksla for panoramic views of the town, surrounding islands and fjords or how about visting the Atlanterhavsparken aquarium, which offers an immersive look at marine life.

Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Longyearbyen, set in the remote wilderness of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago, offers a unique blend of rugged Arctic landscapes and a surprisingly vibrant community. The town serves as the main cruise port, welcoming visitors to explore its distinctive attractions and key landmarks including the Svalbard Museum, where the island's natural and human history come to life, and the iconic Svalbard Church.

For a taste of local life, try traditional dishes like reindeer stew or Arctic char in the town's cozy eateries. Beyond Longyearbyen, the stark beauty of the Arctic awaits. where you can embark on guided tours to witness majestic glaciers, fjords, and the elusive polar bear. The area around Longyearbyen offers opportunities for dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, and, in the right season, viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

Called the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape (or Nordkapp) is situated at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle. Home to where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet and with only the Svalbald archipelago standing between it and the North Pole, this is the true land of the midnight sun.

Lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water and the tall cliffs their home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at odds with the otherwise stark and barren landscape.

The world’s northernmost village, Honningsvag is the gateway to the North Cape. It is a completely modern fishing harbour set in a land of forests, fjord waters, and crashing waterfalls. The cliffs of the North Cape are perched 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean and provides a lookout over a limitless panorama.

Top Things to Do in Honningsvag:

• visit the North Cape cliffs and hall
• birdwatch on Gjesvaerstappan Island
• go crabbing in Sarnesfjorden
• ATV in the North Cape
• have a drink at the Artico Ice Bar

An urban surprise along a barren, mostly uninhabited coast, Hammerfest is an arctic town full of life and outdoor adventures. Surrounded by mountains, sandy beaches, and impressive coastal landscapes, the worlds northernmost town is known for its colourful homes lining the sea, contemporary attractions and welcoming locals.

Top Things to Do in Hammerfest:

• take in the views from atop Mount Salen
• visit a Sami camp
• tour the Museum of Reconstruction
• drive to the scenic Finnmark Mountain Plains

Tromsø, nestled within the Arctic Circle, is ideal if you want to see the northern lights, and offers a lovely mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, and restaurants that serve Arctic delicacies. The Arctic Cathedral, with its striking design, is a must-see. Take a cable car up Storsteinen Mountain for panoramic views of the fjords and surrounding islands.

Tromsø is also renowned for its Northern Lights, visible from September to April. The Polaria Arctic aquarium provides a unique insight into Arctic marine life, and the Polar Museum offers a fascinating look at the region's polar history. Stroll through the city center to explore charming cafes, shops, and the historic wooden houses of Skansen.

Way beyond the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Islands are truly considered to be in 'another world'. A jewel of nature in its most pristine state, this archipelago with its jagged coastline offers you majestic settings of high alpine summits, sandy beaches, green prairies and fjords of a deep blue, where countless bird colonies make their nests.

Top Things to Do on the Lofoten Islands:

• visit the Svolvaer Magic Ice Bar and Gallery
• explore the preserved Nusfjord fishing village
• take a boat tour among the Lofoten Skerries
• visit the Gallery Lofoten House

Leknes is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery in Norway. Pretty red houses lay dotted on the green covered hills, while jagged mountains soar behind in a magnificent backdrop. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the pier.

Top Things to Do in Leknes:

• explore the UNESCO listed Nusfjord
• visit the 18th century Flakstad Church
• trek from Utakleiv to Haukland Beach
• visit the Viking Museum in Borg
• look for sea eagles along the Leknes coast

Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Norway’s beauty shines brighter than ever in Bergen, where colourful wooden buildings line every street. From the historic wharf called the Bryggen to the neighbouring fjords just waiting to be explored, a day in Bergen makes for a fun mix of city and seclusion, outdoor adventure and arts and culture. Ships will dock at the Skolten cruise port.

Top Things to Do in Bergen:

• take in the views from atop Mount Floyen
• visit the Bryggens Museum
• explore the famous fish market
• fly over Hardangerfjord in a seaplane

Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

The quirky and heritage-filled Hamburg is a true city of water, nestled snugly between the Baltic and North seas and intersected by a frayed network of rivers and canals, spanned by hundreds of pretty bridges. Explore the Speicherstadt, the world’s largest warehouse district and a UNESCO site, known for its neo-gothic architecture.

The nearby Elbphilharmonie concert hall is impressive with its striking design and views over the Elbe River. For a taste of local life, visit the lively Fish Market or stroll along the waterfront at Landungsbrücken, where ferries offer scenic river cruises along the canals.