10-day Special Norwegian Fjords

Departure: April 9, 2010

This special Norwegian fjords cruise takes you to the beautiful western coast of Norway, the land of fjords, fairytales and trolls. Norway may be best known for its magnificent, unspoiled nature, but you will also find cozy villages clinging to the dramatic landscapes and modern bustling towns lining its pristine shores. During this 10-day Norwegian fjords cruise, you will go from Dover, U.K., across the North Sea to Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway. From there, visit 12 of Norway's wonderful fjords, as well as some of the charming villages along them. You will enjoy the ports of Alesund and Bergen before heading southwest to end your Norwegian fjord cruise in Norway's cosmopolitan capital, Oslo.

Norwegian Fjord Cruises Include:

Backed by its famous White Cliffs, Dover lies in Kent, on England's southeastern tip, Britain's closest geographical point to continental Europe. Every day of the year, regular cross-Channel ferries travel between the Dover and Calais and Dunkirk in France, and Ostend in Belgium. Here, you'll find fairytale castles and imposing fortresses by the sea, Roman houses, and high-tech galleries. Dover is both a busy, modern port and a quaint seaside village, filled with history, restaurants, and shopping. After a day of exploration, embark on the The MS Fram and begin your Norwegian fjords cruise.

Enjoy the comforts of the MS Fram as you cross the North Sea bound for Norway. Our Expedition Team will engross you in interesting lectures about the history and biology of the areas you will be visiting during your unforgettable Norwegian fjord cruise.

Stavanger is the fourth-largest city of Norway, with a population of approximately 290,000, and is commonly referred to as the petroleum capital of Norway. With a history stretching back to the Viking Era, the city was already a historical, cultural, and administrative center long before it was chosen to be the on-shore center of Norway's North Sea oil industry in 1969. Today, Stavanger is a combination of new and old; the most ancient cathedral in Norway, finished in 1125, sits right in the heart of the city. You will leave Stavanger in the evening, headed for the extraordinary Hardangerfjord.

In the early morning, you will visit Ulvik, in the Ulvikfjord arm of the inner Hardangerfjord. Ulvik is home to 661 inhabitants; the village center, Brakanes, has a cinema as well as a few shops. Continue into the Eidfjordand call at port. The Eidfjord is known for the waterfall Vøringfossen, with a free fall of some 600 feet, and the visitor's center of the Hardangervidda National Park. Once you leave the Eidfjord in the afternoon, you will sail out again through the 111-mile-long Hardangerfjord, the second-largest fjord in Norway.

You arrive in Flam around noon. This village, home to some 500 inhabitants at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjord, has been a popular tourist destination since the late 19th century. Most come to ride the spectacular, 12.5-mile Flamsbana railway between Flam and Myrdal, one of the steepest railway tracks in the world. From Flam, you will sail into the very end of the Naeroyfjord to reach the village Gudvangen for an evening visit. Then spend the late hours sailing out of Sognefjord before turning north towards Alesund

Alesund is a colorful, picturesque coastal town renowned for its charming art nouveau architecture. After a devastating fire in 1904, Alesund was rebuilt in the ornate construction style, fashionable at that time and distinguished by elaborate spires, towers of all shapes, and highly detailed ornamentation Spend some time in Alesund before sailing into the Geirangerfjord for a visit to Geiranger in the evening. This fjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, jointly with Naeroyfjord, since 2005. The fjord is lined with a number of abandoned farms and boasts several impressive waterfalls, such as the Seven Sisters and the Bridal Veil.

Sail into the Nordfjord, the sixth-longest fjord in Norway. Its 65 miles encompass the rough coastline of Stadhavet, as well as the glacier Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland glacier. You will enter the Utfjord and the Innviksfjord to reach Olden. From here, the lovely valley stretches south some 12 miles between slopes rising to more than 5,500 feet to the edge of the Jostedalsbre. Olden has two churches. The one in the village was built in 1759 on the site of a stave church dating from around 1300. The new church, a short distance along the valley, was built in 1934. You will spend the day in Olden, and on the way back to the sea, take a late evening cruise in the Hyenfjord.

Call at Bergen in the morning. Enjoy the day in this international city with small-town charm. Stroll through the picturesque streets and enjoy well-known sites and sights such as Hakon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, St. Mary's Church, Bergen Harbor and the famous Fish Market. Bergen, surrounded by seven mountains, was founded in 1070, and a visit to the Unesco World Heritage famous medieval wharf houses of Bryggen should not be missed.

The whole day will be spent sailing around Norway's south coast towards Oslo. Your Expedition Team will wrap up your on-board academic program; enjoy the lectures, take in the view from the MS Fram's observation lounge or simply relax in one of our outdoor Jacuzzis.

Today you will sail up the last Norwegian fjord in the program-the Oslofjord-and arrive in Norway's capital city in the morning hours. This is where your Norwegian fjord cruise ends. Before continuing your journey home, be sure to take a short ferry ride from the city center to the Fram Museum, where the original 19th century explorer ship Fram is on display.

Single supplement 50%

*Cabin category H is equipped for physically challenged guests.

Single supplement 50%

*Cabin category H is equipped for physically challenged guests.

Prices are per person, double occupancy, in USD and subject to change without notice.
Early booking rates valid for bookings made by Jan. 31, 2010 and subject to change or withdrawal without notice.
Single supplement 50%
Discount per person for 3 or 4 passengers in stateroom 15%
Child Discount 25%

Hurtigruten explorations, including the Norwegian fjords await. Request a brochure or contact a travel agent. Embark on a journey of exploration, adventure and luxury with Hurtigruten, authentic voyages to pristine lands.