Join the MS Lofoten on this 6-day southbound voyage through the Norwegian fjords. Begin in Kirkenes, cross the Arctic Circle, navigate your way through pristine fjords, and stop to greet the locals in charming coastal villages. The fjords of Norway offer wonderful opportunities for photographers with their unmatched, unspoiled beauty.
Highlights
Visit Hammerfest, where signs of settlement date back to the Stone Age
Pass through the inlets and isles of the Lofoten Islands
Cross the Arctic Circle and celebrate in an on-deck ceremony
Tour Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia's largest medieval building
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Board the ship in Kirkenes, known as the Capital of the Barents Region and the Gateway to the East. The people who live in Kirkenes speak Norwegian, Sámi, Finnish, and Russian. Settle in to your cabin and begin your southbound journey down the coastline of Norway.
Reach Honningsvåg early in the morning and begin your day with an excursion to the North Cape. Enjoy breakfast 1,000 feet above the churning Atlantic Ocean. Hammerfest, where signs of settlement date back to the Stone Age, still plays an important role as a fishing settlement. Visit the Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise measurement of the globe - an achievement so important it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Tromsø, where you may choose to book a seat at the Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral.
The Helgeland coast, which offers hundreds of islets, fertile farmlands, and steep mountains is worth getting up early to experience. Legends and myths are numerous along this part of the coast. Celebrate the second crossing of the Arctic Circle out on deck.
Arrive in Trondheim in the early morning. Nidaros Cathedral, in which three Queens and seven Kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia's largest medieval building and definitely worth a visit. The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway's 'cured cod capital,' owing to the nature of its main export.
Day 6: Bergen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Make the most of your final impressions of Norway as you say goodbye. Enjoy the last few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you, such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. Navigate the estuary of the mighty Sognefjord and get the best views of the archipelago en route.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,339
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Notes
Originally launched in Oslo, Norway, the MS Lofoten provides a voyage of real nostalgia with an intimate informal atmosphere. Named after the Lofoten Islands just north of the Arctic Circle, which are famous for their dramatic scenery and often described as 'a masterpiece,' the MS Lofoten delights her passengers with her careful navigation skills and attention to detail. The second ship in her fleet to carry the proud name of Lofoten, she was refurbished and refitted in 2003 with most of the original style and atmosphere preserved. With unique lounges and panoramic decks, the MS Lofoten is simply incomparable. Her cabins are comfortable and cozy, and her experiences are once-in-a-lifetime.
Expedition team on board
MS Polarlys has her own on-board Expedition Team and serves as a university at sea. Interesting lectures, presentations and activities inside as well as out on the sun deck of the ship make this an exciting and educational journey. Topics depend on the season and the waters we sail in. The Expedition Team will host a lecture and presentation programme and evening gatherings daily. Out on deck you may participate in live points of interest to learn more about the nature, culture and other phenomena we encounter along the coast. In addition, the Expedition Team will introduce you to the uniquely Norwegian notion of `friluftsliv´, and encourage you take part in `friluftsliv´ hikes and activities during the journey.
The dedicated Expedition Team has one mission: to enhance your experience by engaging you and interpreting the nature, wildlife, and culture you encounter during the voyage.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.