British Isles & Viking Fjords Explorer Cruise

Day 1 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive: Fri 07 July 2028 / Depart: Fri 07 July 2028 at 16:00

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. The city owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, and boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Copenhagen deserves its accolade as the Venice of the North. Founded on a series of islands and islets, the city today is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city. Stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses. Browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Day 2 - Skagen

Arrive: Sat 08 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 08 July 2028 at 15:00

On Denmark's northern tip, where the Baltic meets the North Sea, lies Skagen (pronounced "Skain"). Skagen is a fishing town with a maritime history that reaches back to the early Middle Ages. Boasting white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and stunning natural landscapes, the area has lured artists since the mid-19th century, drawn to the radiant light's interplay on the rugged landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes. The town has been featured in world-famous paintings by artists such as Michael and Anna Ancher and P.S. Krøyer, and the area has long enjoyed a rich artistic heritage. Guided bicycle excursions give a unique, up-close perspective on this pretty town, with its picturesque white-picket fenced neighborhoods featuring brightly painted yellow houses crowned by red-tiled roofs. Stroll through one of the many art galleries and museums, such as Skagen Art Museum and the Skagen Odde Nature Center. When it's time to taste the delicacies of the region, head to Pakhuset for a chance to discover one of Skagen's most iconic foods-marinated herring accompanied by Aquavit, a traditional spirit of Scandinavia infused with spices and herbs. A visit to Grenen, where the North and Baltic Seas converge, is a must for all voyagers-you can even straddle the waters with a foot in each mighty sea.

Day 3 - Stavanger

Arrive: Sun 09 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 09 July 2028 at 15:00

Norway's fourth largest city, Stavanger lies at the mouth of the Gandsfjord. The old port, attests to the sea's enduring role in Norwegian history. Here, Vikings once sailed on voyages of conquest and exploration. In later centuries, the port served as a major hub for Norway's mercantile and fishing fleets. By the mid-20th century, however, Stavanger had fallen on hard times as the fishing grounds dwindled. In 1969, the discovery of North Sea oil opened a new chapter in Stavanger's history. At the "Sword in the Rock" Monument, three giant crossed Viking swords commemorate King Harald Fair Hair's unification of Norway in 872 following his victory at the Battle of Hafrsfjord.

Day 4 - Skjolden/Sognefjord

Arrive: Mon 10 July 2028 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 10 July 2028 at 18:00

Situated in the heart of the Norwegian fjords, the port of Skjolden-Sognefjord is your gateway to a world of wonder: this land abounds with national treasures, thundering waterfalls, two UNESCO sites, ice-blue fjords hemmed in by sky-reaching mountains and scenery so unbelievably spectacular you just may lose your breath. From the ruggedly handsome mountains in Jotunheimen National Park to the humble stave churches that dot the landscape, this captivating area is yours to discover.

Day 5 - Nordfjordeid

Arrive: Tue 11 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 11 July 2028 at 20:00

Day 6 - Andalsnes

Arrive: Wed 12 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 12 July 2028 at 17:00

As the dense fog parts, it reveals the truly epic scenery of Åndalsnes and its surrounding mountains and fjords. This small alpine village in western Norway is a fisherman's paradise, where the Rauma River and majestic Romsdalsfjord yield a high volume of cod, haddock and herring, to name a few. Not for the faint of heart, the main attraction in Åndalsnes is the winding Trollstigen, a winding scenic road to Geiranger that offers commanding views of breathtaking Geirangerfjord and the thundering Stigfossen Waterfall.

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Seydisfjordur

Arrive: Fri 14 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 14 July 2028 at 17:00

Considered the cultural capital of Eastern Iceland, Seydisfjordur lies at the head of a narrow fjord flanked by high mountains. This town of some 700 souls achieved municipal status in 1895, the first town in the East of Iceland to do so. The city is also the terminus for the ferry service linking Iceland to the Faeroe Islands and Denmark. Seydisfjordur is your gateway to the wild and isolated scenery of the Eastern Fjords. In myth, these narrow bays and towering mountains were once the home of trolls, elves and ogres. Seydisfjordur boasts a wealth of well-preserved 19th century homes and buildings. In the summer the small town can take on a cosmopolitan air as visitors flock to town aboard the ferry.

Day 9 - Akureyri

Arrive: Sat 15 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 15 July 2028 at 18:00

The town is your gateway to the famous "Land of Fire and Ice" - Iceland's dramatic landscape of volcanic craters, extinct lava lakes and majestic waterfalls. Visitors to Akureyri have a hard time grasping the fact that the town lies just below the Arctic Circle. The climate here is temperate: flower boxes fill the windows of houses, and trees line the neat, well-tended avenues. Thanks to that mild climate, Akureyri's Botanical Gardens provide a home for over 2,000 species of flora from around the world - all surviving without greenhouses. No wonder Icelanders refer to Akureyri as the most pleasant town on the entire island.

Day 10 - Isafjordur

Arrive: Sun 16 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 16 July 2028 at 17:00

The town of Ísafjördur is the municipal centre of the West Fjords peninsula. The West Fjords are Iceland's least populated region, with 9,600 inhabitants in the area of 9,520 km. Isafjördur (population 3,500) formerly one of Iceland's main trading posts, was granted municipal status in 1886. Some of Iceland's oldest and best-preserved buildings, dating from the 18th century, are located in Ísafjördur. The town is still predominantly a fishing centre. A vigorous and varied cultural and artistic scene flourishes in the town as well. Mountains surround Ísafjördur on the three sides and the sea on the other. The ancient settlement site of Eyri downtown is enclosed by the narrow Skutulsfjördur fjord, which shelters the harbour in all weathers.

Day 11 - Reykjavik

Arrive: Mon 17 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 17 July 2028 at 19:00

The patron saints of Reykjavik are fire and ice. Iceland is a land of volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and green pastures, boiling thermal springs and ice-cold rivers teeming with salmon. This unspoiled demi-paradise is also home to a very old and sophisticated culture. The northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik was founded in 874 when Ingolfur Arnarson threw wood pillars into the sea, vowing to settle where the pillars washed ashore. Today, Iceland is an international center of commerce and home to one of the most technologically sophisticated societies in the world. Reykjavik is the gateway to Iceland's natural wonders, which range from ice fields to thermal pools. The island is in a continual process of transformation much like its society, which blends Nordic tradition with sophisticated technology.

Day 12 - Grundarfjordur

Arrive: Tue 18 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 18 July 2028 at 18:00

Sailing into Grundarfjordur, one travels into Iceland's heroic past, for this township - village really - is one of the oldest settlements on the island. The imposing landscape with its austere mountains, volcanoes and lava fields provided the dramatic setting for one of Iceland's cultural treasures, the sagas. Composed in the 10 and 11th centuries, the Icelandic sagas represent one of the oldest literary traditions in Western Europe. They are tales of migration and settlement, war and blood feud, Christianity versus the old dark gods of Norse mythology. In Grundarfjordur, the world of the saga is still present. One can tread the "Berserkers' Path" or climb the hillock called Helgafell, the "Holy Hill" mentioned in the Laxdæla saga where Vikings once worshipped Thor. Much of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a national park. The park's centerpiece is the mighty Snæfellsjokull, an imposing stratovolcano with flanks buried beneath a glacial flow. The mountain is a frequent setting in Icelandic myth. The peninsula is also a birdwatcher's paradise.

Day 13 - Isafjordur

Arrive: Wed 19 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 19 July 2028 at 17:00

The town of Ísafjördur is the municipal centre of the West Fjords peninsula. The West Fjords are Iceland's least populated region, with 9,600 inhabitants in the area of 9,520 km. Isafjördur (population 3,500) formerly one of Iceland's main trading posts, was granted municipal status in 1886. Some of Iceland's oldest and best-preserved buildings, dating from the 18th century, are located in Ísafjördur. The town is still predominantly a fishing centre. A vigorous and varied cultural and artistic scene flourishes in the town as well. Mountains surround Ísafjördur on the three sides and the sea on the other. The ancient settlement site of Eyri downtown is enclosed by the narrow Skutulsfjördur fjord, which shelters the harbour in all weathers.

Day 14 - Akureyri

Arrive: Thu 20 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 20 July 2028 at 18:00

The town is your gateway to the famous "Land of Fire and Ice" - Iceland's dramatic landscape of volcanic craters, extinct lava lakes and majestic waterfalls. Visitors to Akureyri have a hard time grasping the fact that the town lies just below the Arctic Circle. The climate here is temperate: flower boxes fill the windows of houses, and trees line the neat, well-tended avenues. Thanks to that mild climate, Akureyri's Botanical Gardens provide a home for over 2,000 species of flora from around the world - all surviving without greenhouses. No wonder Icelanders refer to Akureyri as the most pleasant town on the entire island.

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - Runavik, Faroe Islands

Arrive: Sat 22 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 22 July 2028 at 16:00

Day 17 - Shetland Islands (Lerwick)

Arrive: Sun 23 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 23 July 2028 at 18:00

The Shetlands are the most northerly of the British Isles and consist of over one hundred islands, of which a mere 16 are inhabited. Lerwick is the capital of the archipelago. Located on the eastern shore of Mainland, the largest Shetland Island, the town was largely developed by Dutch herring fisherman in the 17th century. The islands are renowned for their superb crafts ranging from woolen and cashmere knitwear to intricate lace shawls and fine jewelry. Note: Lerwick is an anchorage port. Guests transfer to shore by ship's tender.

Day 18 - Invergordon, Scotland

Arrive: Mon 24 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 24 July 2028 at 17:00

In 1933, an enterprising editor in Inverness enlivened a slow news week with the story of an odd sighting in Loch Ness. The legend grew overnight - and today individuals still scan the dark waters of the Loch for a sight of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Legend goes back as far as the 6th century and insists that the celebrated Loch Ness Monster inhabits a cave beneath the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle. Welcome to Invergordon, your gateway to Loch Ness and that area of the Highlands known as the "Great Glen."

Day 19 - Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland

Arrive: Tue 25 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 25 July 2028 at 18:00

Edinburgh is Scotland's compact, hilly capital. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers.

Day 20 - At Sea

Day 21 - Southampton (London)

Arrive: Thu 27 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 27 July 2028 at 16:00

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside - and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway. The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.

Day 22 - At Sea

Day 23 - Galway

Arrive: Sat 29 July 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 29 July 2028 at 17:00

Galway, a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast, sits where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops and traditional pubs that often offer live Irish folk music. Nearby, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, which retains portions of the medieval city walls.

Day 24 - Killybegs

Arrive: Sun 30 July 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 30 July 2028 at 18:00

Day 25 - Belfast

Arrive: Mon 31 July 2028 at 07:30 / Depart: Mon 31 July 2028 at 20:00

The capital of Northern Ireland - part of the United Kingdom - Belfast has experienced a renaissance since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 that promised an end to the decades-old "Troubles" between Catholics and Protestants. Stretching along both sides of the River Lagan, this graceful city of Victorian and Edwardian buildings has become a cosmopolitan tourist destination. Once a major industrial center, Belfast is also your gateway to the rich, Irish countryside of Counties Antrim and Down. Belfast was an industrial giant in the 19th century, famed for its linen and its shipyards. Explore this exuberant city, marvel at the Giant's Causeway or shop for superb Irish linens.

Day 26 - Dublin (Dun Laoghaire)

Arrive: Tue 01 August 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 01 August 2028 at 19:00

The coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire is popular for strolls on the East Pier, and locally caught fish and chips. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland has nautical art and artefacts inside a 19th-century sailors’ church, while the harbour is a busy hub for fishing, water sports and cruises.

Day 27 - Cork (Cobh)

Arrive: Wed 02 August 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 02 August 2028 at 17:00

Day 28 - Cornwall (Falmouth)

Arrive: Thu 03 August 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 03 August 2028 at 17:00

Situated along Cornwall's Riviera Coast, Falmouth has a maritime charm with a superb natural, deepwater harbor -- the third largest in the world. Picture-perfect harbors such as Polperro and Charlestown lie nearby. And the area’s golden stretch of beachfront draws thousands of visitors each year.

Day 29 - Southampton (London)

Arrive: Fri 04 August 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 04 August 2028

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside - and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway. The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.