No-fly Norway Fjords & Cities with Seabourn

Today, make your way to England’s south coast to board your luxury no-fly Norwegian fjords cruise with Seabourn. Your ship will depart in the early evening with dinner served onboard. 

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Shift into holiday mode and take advantage of the many amenities offered on the beautiful Seabourn Sojourn during your days at sea. Your luxury small ship features spacious living areas, multiple delicious dining options, a lovely pool and whirlpool, a relaxing spa, and an array of public common areas in which to unwind, enjoy a drink, and watch the world go by. The most unique of these lounge areas is Seabourn Square, which replaces a traditional lobby with a relaxing “living room” with easy chairs, sofas, and cocktail tables.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Trondheim dates to 997, making it one of Norway’s oldest cities. Situated midway between southern and northern Norway, it straddles both sides of the River Nid, on Trondheimfjord. Its most dominating landmark is the massive Nidaros Cathedral, and many call this place the “Royal City” because Norwegian kings were traditionally crowned in this iconic cathedral.

Your activity options are many and varied today. Take an easy highlights tour to learn about the history of Trondheim, including a devastating fire in 1681, or indulge your foodie side with a culinary visit to a local’s home. Visit the monastery on Tautra Island by RIB boat or explore Trondheim on a bicycle.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

The coastal city of Brønnøysund has deep-rooted Viking heritage, dating to the 13th century, but was also settled over multiple centuries by immigrants from southern Norway and Sweden. Today, the local dialect, which is distinctly Swedish, hints at this past.

Brønnøysund is surrounded by waterways and a maze of small, scenic islands. Colourful houses are framed by lush greenery and turquoise blue waters. Torghatten Mountain towers above the picturesque town and is home to a great natural curiosity: a 160-metre hole piercing completely through the mountain’s centre. The Vikings believed a horseman’s arrow caused the wound, but scientists know it was actually formed during the last Ice Age by erosion from ice and water.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

The Lofotens appear to be a wall of solid rock but are actually several islands huddled together. When the ice disappeared from the last Ice Age, their scenery was fully revealed, and today they are known for some of the most dramatic views in Norway.

Svolvaer, located on the island of Austvaagoey, is the Lofotens’ most important city. It only received town status in 1996 and is home to about 4,500 residents. The town is dominated by a mountain peak called Svolvaergeita, which avid climbers flock to. Fishermen are also drawn here when the Norwegian Arctic cod spawns in the Vestfjord. Budding artists enjoy trying to capture the region’s picturesque setting and extraordinary light conditions.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Tromsø is northern Norway’s largest city and is home to a sophisticated art scene, international cuisine, modern and historic architecture, and festivals. Tromsø sits 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the summertime land of the midnight sun and wintertime Northern Lights. The sea doesn’t freeze here during the winter, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, meaning there is no permafrost. It is noticeably milder than other towns at the same latitude.

It is also known as the “City of Explorers” for the expeditioners who have set off from its shores to discover the polar realm. Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen frequently recruited Tromsø locals. Today, the Norwegian Polar Institute continues Tromsø’s role as a key centre of Arctic explorations.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Your day will be spent exploring Honningsvåg and cruising the scenic North Cape, or Nordkapp in Norwegian. The North Cape’s perpendicular cliffs mark the very top of the European continent. Adventurous royalty have always been drawn here, including Oscar II, King of Norway and Sweden, who visited in 1873.

The North Cape is located on the island of Mageroey, whose name comes from a word that means “meagre.” You’ll see why when you take in the lunar landscape, but it’s not really as isolated as it appears. Honningsvåg is only 21 miles away and is home to some 4,000 inhabitants, a number that swells in the summer months when the Sami people and the reindeer settle on the outskirts of town.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Enjoy two more days at sea to unwind after your Norwegian explorations, recharging before your journey’s final stretch. Sit by the pool with a book, sip a cocktail in the lounge or at the bar, or treat yourself to a relaxing massage in the spa.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Olden is a small village located deep in the Nordfjord, cradled in a lush valley framed by snowcapped peaks. There are some ancient farms in this area, including some believed to predate the area’s Christian era.

Less than four miles away, Loen sits at the base of Mount Hoven, where a Skylift cable car carries visitors from sea level up 1,011 metres to the mountaintop in about five minutes. From here, enjoy panoramic views of surrounding peaks, glaciers, fjords, farms, and villages. If you’re intrepid, try clipping on the Via Ferrata strung cable car and ascending the mountain on foot. The village is also a gateway to the sprawling Jostedalsbreen National Park, whose glaciers feed waterfalls including the Ramnefjellsfossen, the world’s third-highest waterfall. 

Your last stop in Norway is Bergen, a city which offers the perfect combination of nature, culture, and urban life. It's also the perfect gateway to Norway’s fjords. The city was founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre as Bryggen. Its history has been marked by multiple great fires. Its postcard-perfect old inner harbour remains today and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bergen is a cultural melting pot, hosts concerts and international festivals, and is home to museums of all kinds. The Hanseatic Museum and Gamlehaugen Mansion, the residence of the Norwegian Royal Family, are two of its many highlights. Also of note at the Den Nationale Scene Theatre, the Christ Church Cathedral (built in 1066), and the Bergenhus Fortress (built in 1240).

Enjoy one last day at sea as you make your way back from Norway toward home. Relax and rejuvenate in the spa, take in a talk by an expert lecturer, and enjoy the many culinary delights available onboard.

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

There’s time for one more delightful stop on your way home: Amsterdam! This attractive city is home to many of the world’s greatest artistic treasures and is a major centre of the glamorous diamond trade. Historic architecture blends seamlessly with superb modern structures, and the city is easily explored by its web of straight and curved canals.

Generations of travellers have marvelled at the local hospitality in Amsterdam. Indeed, the Dutch’s respect for and tolerance of the beliefs of others has attracted refugees from around the world for centuries. As you explore Amsterdam today—whether you’re exploring a renowned museum, taking a canal cruise, seeking out windmills, or taking a highlights tour—you’ll learn of the city’s welcoming history. 

Stay: Seabourn Sojourn

Your ship will dock in Dover early this morning. After a last tasty breakfast onboard, disembark and make your way home.