14-Day Exploring Norway, Sweden & Denmark Cruise

Day 1 - Dover, UK

Arrive: Sat 06 May 2028 / Depart: Sat 06 May 2028 at 17:00

Crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Great Britain, the first view of England is the milky-white strip of land called the White Cliffs of Dover. As you get closer, the coastline unfolds before you in all its striking beauty. White chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint rise straight from the sea to a height of 350’ (110 m). Numerous archaeological finds reveal people were present in the area during the Stone Age. Yet the first record of Dover is from Romans, who valued its close proximity to the mainland. A mere 21 miles (33 km) separate Dover from the closest point in France. A Roman-built lighthouse in the area is the tallest Roman structure still standing in Britain. The remains of a Roman villa with the only preserved Roman wall mural outside of Italy are another unique survivor from ancient times which make Dover one of a kind.

Day 2 - Portland, Dorset, UK

Arrive: Sun 07 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 07 May 2028 at 19:00

Portland Island and the resort town of Weymouth are connected by a 5-mile (8 km) long neck of white sand known as Chesil Beach. Renowned as the finest example of a barrier-type beach in Europe, Chesil Beach was formed 10,000 years ago as glaciers receded and sea levels rose. The rugged coastline of Dorset and the many attractions in the area are what make Weymouth such a popular vacation destination. The Old Harbour of Weymouth is an excellent Georgian-style harbor and one of the prettiest in Europe. It bustles with activity from large catamarans, fishing boats and yachts. Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park displays over 1,000 incredible sea creatures including sea turtles, crabs, octopuses and sharks. The nearby Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens is an impressive walled garden set in 20 acres (8 hectares) of woodland. Portland Island offers stunning views across the Chesil Beach, Portland Harbour, Fleet Lagoon and Weymouth. The little egret, once a rare bird in Britain, is now regularly seen along these shores.

Day 3 - St Helier

Arrive: Mon 08 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 08 May 2028 at 16:00

Jersey is a Crown dependency. It has formal relationships with, but is not part of the European Union nor the United Kingdom. As might be expected, its setting between those two has shaped a great deal of its history. The medieval castle of Mont Orgueil overlooking Gorey Harbour is a mute testament to the shifting political tides that have washed the island, as are the elaborate works created during the German occupation between 1940 and 1945. Wineries such as La Mare take advantage of the pleasant climate, as does the 32-acre Durell Wildlife Park, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell. His foundation now supports the facility, which is dedicated to preserving species at risk of extinction in the wild. Visitors are welcome to see and learn about the over 130 species they maintain, including a famous family of lowland gorillas. During your time on Jersey, you are also likely to spot an example of an indigenous domestic species: Jersey cattle, which are renowned for their high production of milk and cream.

Day 4 - Cherbourg

Arrive: Tue 09 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 09 May 2028 at 17:00

The seaport and naval station of Cherbourg is situated along the English Channel northwest of Paris at the mouth of the Divette River. Believed to rest on the site of an ancient Roman station, Cherbourg has been occupied since ancient times and was frequently contested by the French and English in the Middle Ages because of its strategic location. Most recently passed to France in the late 18th century, the town was extensively fortified by Louis XVI. During WWII the Germans held Cherbourg until it was captured by the American forces shortly after the Normandy landings. Following a vast rehabilitation program that returned it to working condition, Cherbourg became an important Allied supply port. Today, Cherbourg is important for transatlantic shipping, shipbuilding, electronics and telephone equipment manufacturing, yachting and commercial fishing.

Day 5 - Zeebrugge

Arrive: Wed 10 May 2028 at 10:00 / Depart: Wed 10 May 2028 at 19:00

Zeebrugge is a Belgian port and seaside resort. It's linked to the city of Bruges by the Baudouin Canal. The old fish market in the marina houses Seafront, a theme park focusing on the local seafaring and fishing heritage. Exhibits include a Russian submarine. In nearby Knokke-Heist, the For Freedom Museum evokes the area’s WWII history through dioramas. West along the coast are the De Fonteintjes wetland and dunes.

Day 6 - Antwerp

Arrive: Thu 11 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 11 May 2028 at 18:00

The true Flemish name of Belgium's second city is Antwerpen. In the 16th-century world, Antwerp became the most important commercial center, as well as a center of the new craft of printing. The golden age came to an end with the abdication of Charles V in 1555. The decline of Antwerp had already begun when its most illustrious painters, Rubens, Jordaens and Van Dyck reached the peak of their fame. Antwerp today is Europe's second largest port and has retained much of the zest often associated with a port.

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Hamburg, Germany

Arrive: Sat 13 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 13 May 2028 at 22:00

The residents of Hamburg have retained the independent spirit which earned this autonomous commercial center its 'Free City' designation in the Middle Ages. One of Germany's principal ports, Hamburg is surrounded by enormous dock areas and the gaudy, licentious Reeperbahn (which translates loosely to 'Anchorage of Joy') is fully prepared to offer every form of entertainment to the world's sailors. The vaudeville acts at the Hansa-Theater are bright and clever (and language is no barrier). The Kunsthalle (art museum) boasts an outstanding collection of 16th- and 20th-century masterpieces, and the Renaissance Rathaus (city hall) sits atop some 4,000 piles driven into marshy ground proving that the engineers of Hamburg have been skilled and imaginative for centuries.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Farsund,Norway

Arrive: Mon 15 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 15 May 2028 at 17:00

Farsund is located on the Lista Peninsula in southern Norway, which is filigreed with fjords and waterways such as the Lygdalsfjorden. It is a popular attraction for vacationers for its beaches and prolific birdlife, as well as hiking trails and historic events such as the pirate festival. The Vanse Church is one of Norway’s earliest, dating from 1037. The town was also an important part of the Atlantic Wall in WWII, with bunkers and fortifications such as the Nordberg Fortress, and nearby islands used as prisons for captured Axis soldiers. The Lista Lighthouse is a popular place to watch birds and get views over the beaches.

Day 11 - Oslo

Arrive: Tue 16 May 2028 at 09:00 / Depart: Tue 16 May 2028 at 19:00

Norway's capital lies at the head of the majestic Oslofjord, encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. Dating back to the mid-11th century, it was at one time renamed Christiania while under Danish and Swedish rule. An act of Parliament finally changed the name back to Oslo in 1925. With barely half a million inhabitants, Oslo is the smallest among the Scandinavian capitals. Yet it has much to offer - most notably its spectacular scenic beauty, as well as many of the nation's finest cultural achievements. Arriving by ship, your first sight is the imposing Akershus Fortress towering above the docks. With the city center only a few blocks from the pier, you can easily spot the handsome modern City Hall with its two block towers. Dedicated in 1950 to commemorate Oslo's 900-year anniversary, it is the city's most familiar landmark. Many of Norway's leading artists contributed to the decoration of the interior and as a result Socialist modernism in its purest form can be seen here. More extraordinary art works can be admired at Frogner Park, site of the famous Vigeland sculptures depicting a world of human beings and animals in stone. Fine examples of Scandinavian impressionists, referred to as the "Northern Light" artists, are exhibited in the National Gallery. The Munch Museum houses an enormous collection of art bequeathed to the city by Norway's leading artist Edvard Munch. Most of Oslo's historic sites are concentrated on the Bygdoe Peninsula; the Norwegian Folkmuseum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram, and the Kon-Tiki Museums are outstanding.

Day 12 - Gothenburg

Arrive: Wed 17 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 17 May 2028 at 18:00

Gothenburg is situated on the Göta älv River on Sweden’s west coast. An important seaport, it's known for tree-lined boulevards, quaint cafes, shops, theaters and sculptured gardens. The 340-acre (137 hectare) Trädgardsföreningen Park is a natural gem and a wonderful place to relax along a scenic 17th century canal. At Slottskogen Park one can view many of Sweden’s wildlife species, in particular the impressive elk, known in North America as a moose. Local people refer to the park as the ‘green lungs of the city.’ Explore the nearby botanical gardens with its beautifully sculpted flower beds, and award-winning stone gardens, where North America, Europe and Asia are represented by some 5000 plant species. Those with an interest in modern architecture should discover the prize-winning wonder of Museum für Weltkultur. Gothenburg was founded as a trading colony in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus and is now the largest port in the Nordic countries. Gregarious and beautiful Gothenburg will charm everyone!

Day 13 - Skagen

Arrive: Thu 18 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 18 May 2028 at 16:00

At the tip of the flat, sandy Jutland peninsula, Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town and a popular holiday destination for Danes. It was long Denmark’s most important fishing port, but its popularity as a recreation area began at the end of the 19th Century when Queen Alexandrine, the wife of King Christian X, fell in love with the rustic character of the place and built the summer residence Klitgaarden. The royal couple invited other Scandinavian and European royalty to share holidays with them and Skagen’s reputation grew. At the same time, the Skagensbanen railway made travel to Jutland easier. Impressionist artists were attracted by the exotic sand- and seascapes and the vivid light reflected from the sea, and a school of Skagen Painters thrived in the first quarter of the 20th century. Arts and crafts still remain an important local tradition, and the town has many shops and galleries offering handmade goods to visitors. There is a venerable lighthouse near the peninsula’s tip, where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet, but due to their differing densities, their margins can clearly be seen. A St. Lawrence’s Church was built in Skagen in the 14th century, but it was eventually inundated by drifting sand dunes. The Skagen Church of today was built in 1841.

Day 14 - Wismar

Arrive: Fri 19 May 2028 at 12:00 / Depart: Fri 19 May 2028 at 19:00

Wismar, on the Baltic just east of Lubeck, is one of the most important cities of the Hanseatic League. Shortly after its founding, it banded together with Lübeck and Rostock in a defensive alliance, which led to the formation of the League. Today it has one of the finest preserved and restored treasuries of German Brick Gothic architecture existing, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It has the largest Market Square in Germany, anchored by the wrought-iron Waterworks from 1602, and surrounded by stellar buildings. The city was ruled by Sweden from 1648 until 1903. It was heavily damaged during World War II, and was a part of the GDR after the war until 1990. There are many fine examples of Hanseatic era patrician gable houses in Wismar, most notably the Alter Schwede (Old Swede) from 1380. The architectural heritage in the city spans eras from Gothic through Art Nouveau styles.

Day 15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive: Sat 20 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 20 May 2028

Denmark's capital is arguably one of the world's best-loved cities, and certainly the liveliest of all the Scandinavian capitals. It is a gracious and comfortable place, with a decidedly friendly, hospitable and fun-loving atmosphere. If there is such a thing as a cozy city, Copenhagen is it. From the lingering memory of the tales of Hans Christian Andersen to the colored lights of Tivoli Gardens, there is a delightful ambience that surrounds the visitor everywhere. Tidy, narrow streets are lined with tempting restaurants and cafes, and the pedestrian-only Stroget abounds with stylish shops. The spirited Copenhageners are imaginative and unconventional and exude a "do-what-you-want" philosophy that embraces and respects almost all aspects of life. Every friendly Dane you meet further illustrates the city's motto "Wonderful, wonderful, Copenhagen."