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Cruising the Norwegian Fjords

8 days from $12,040

Aboard a 184-guest small ship

Voyage by Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS

Sail into the heart of the Norwegian fjords, discovering extraordinary landscapes of sheer cliffs, snowcapped peaks, jewel-toned lakes, and picturesque villages. See natural wonders from the Jostedal ice cap to precipitous Pulpit Rock, and venture to historic sites from Viking settlements to centuries-old ironworks. Opt for an active excursions of Nordic walking, and explore local music, art, and cuisine.

Ocean Cruising

or Call 855-330-1542

Highlights

The Smithsonian Journeys / PONANT Experience: Each cruise will be accompanied by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. An excursion or activity is included in each port of call. You may have a choice of excursions in many ports, so that you can delve more deeply into subjects that interest you.  

  • Alesund: Admire Art Nouveau architecture on a city tour, encounter the marine life of the region on an excursion to the Atlantic Ocean Park, or explore this stunning city of islands on a scenic and energetic hike. 
  • Norwegian Fjords and Glaciers: Venture deep into the fjord lands to the spectacular Geirangerfjord, and set out to explore a dramatic landscape of snowcapped mountains, verdant valleys, and glittering lakes. Then encounter continental Europe’s largest ice cap, exploring the edge of a glacier or riding a cable car for a panoramic view of the ice.
  • Stavanger and Lysefjorden: Explore Norway’s history at the important Viking site of Ullandhaug and the oil town of Stavanger, hear a recital at the 13th-century Utstein Monastery, or discover Stavanger the Norwegian way on a guided Nordic walking excursion. Then sail the magnificent Lysefjorden along iconic Pulpit Rock, rising nearly 2,000 feet above the water.
  • Arendal or Kristiansand (2028): Explore the fascinating Naes Ironworks Museum to see equipment that dates back to the 1600s and learn about the evolution of iron and steel production. Then visit picturesque Tvedestrand and enjoy free time to meander among the wooden houses of this “international book town.” Or opt for a hike along the coast in beautiful Raet National Park.
  • Gothenburg, Sweden: During a day in Sweden, discover lively Gothenburg on a panoramic tour, and visit either the world-renowned Museum of Fine Art—one of the best in Northern Europe—or the World of Volvo, which features interactive exhibits from the brand’s first vehicles through future technological solutions.

Itinerary

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

May 31—Jun 7, 2027

Day 1 — Bergen, Norway

Arrive in Bergen, Norway, and embark the ship this afternoon and enjoy dinner as the ship makes its way north along Norway’s coast. (D) 

Le Lapérouse

Day 2 — Alesund

Alesund enjoys a beautiful setting, straddling three islands with a backdrop of impressive peaks. Largely destroyed by a fire in 1904, the town was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style and is now a showcase of this early 20th-century architectural movement. Explore the town and its lovely environs on one of three possible excursions today. Take a walking tour that includes the Art Nouveau Centre and houses that exemplify the style as well as Norway's biggest fish-export harbor. Or travel to the Atlantic Ocean Park, a unique aquarium featuring the region’s marine life in tanks that resemble coastal environments. Learn about efforts to sustainably manage ocean resources; see penguins at the aquarium’s outdoor water feature; and enjoy the lovely setting on Breisundet, a wide sound where seals can often be spotted. (B,L,D)

Le Lapérouse

Day 3 — Geiranger and Hellesylt

Follow serpentine waterways deep into the fjord lands, arriving at magnificent Geirangerfjord, a World Heritage site. Here, the village of Geiranger nestles at the end of the blue fjord, surrounded by sky-high cliffs and tumbling waterfalls. Set off on an extraordinary drive through a landscape of snowcapped mountains and emerald-blue lakes, ascending to lookouts to take in the stunning panorama of peaks. Learn about continental Europe’s largest glacier at the Jostedal Glacier National Park Centre and then get a closer look at the glacier itself. Visit the village of Stryn and marvel at Hornindalsvatnet, one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Alternatively, follow Eagle’s Road through incredible mountain scenery to a local summer farm. Explore this picturesque 300-year-old farm, where wooden houses and goats dot the hillside beneath the mighty peak of Heregga. The farm is also home to cows, sheep, and fjord horses – including the blond pony native to the west coast. Meet the farmers and learn about their cheese-making process before sampling their goat’s milk cheeses and homemade caramels. Later, visit the Geiranger Fjord Center to learn more about local life. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the traditional village of Hellesylt. (B,L,D) 

Le Lapérouse

Day 4 — Olden

Early this morning, arrive in the picturesque village of Olden, perched at the end of a meandering fjord.  Located near Jostedalsbreen National Park—home to Europe’s largest ice cap—this little village is perfect base for exploring  Briksdal Glacier or the breathtaking Stryn Lake. Ride a cable car 3300 feet to the top of Mount Hoven. Here, have a coffee while taking in spectacular views of the fjord and villages below, as well as the surrounding mountains. While at Mount Hoven, you may go on a short walk to soak up the scenery around you. Or enjoy a scenic drive through Oldedalen Valley to Briksdal glacier, and approach the glacier by electric “troll car.” Take a walk to the blue-hued face of the glacier and learn about the geological forces that keep the ice in constant motion. (B,L,D)

Le Lapérouse

Day 5 — Stavanger

Go ashore on Norway’s southwest coast at Stavanger where you’ll have a choice of three excursions today. Delve into Norway's rich maritime history on a visit to the Iron Age site of Ullandhaug, where the Viking king Harald Haarfagre defeated the last of the regional princes and founded the Kingdom of Norway in 872. In Stavanger, tour the historic district and visit the striking Petroleum Museum, set in the middle of the harbor. Or explore Stavanger the Norwegian way: on a Nordic walking excursion. Stop for a typical Norwegian trail snack of brown cheese and rye along the way. Alternatively, travel to Mosteroy Island to visit the 13th-century Utstein Monastery, now a museum, and enjoy a short music recital in the restored chapel here. This afternoon, sail between vertiginous granite cliffs on Lysefjorden, one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, and marvel at the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises nearly 2,000 feet above the water. (B,L,D)

Le Lapérouse

Day 6 — Arendal

A port town located Norway’s south coast, Arendal was known as a major producer of iron ore for centuries. Join a guide for a visit to the fascinating Naes Ironworks Museum, which showcases original ironworks buildings, machinery, and equipment that date back to the 17th century. The ironworks here were operational from 1665 to 1959, and the museum offers a fascinating glimpse of how iron and steel were produced in days gone by. Continue to the picturesque village of Tvedestrand and enjoy a guided walk among its white wooden houses—including Norway’s narrowest house. Tvedestrand is known as an “international book town” and presents a bookshop on nearly every corner. You’ll have free time to explore the village on your own before a scenic drive along the coast back to the ship. Alternatively, enjoy a hike along the coast in Raet National Park, established in 2016 to protect the unique topography of the moraine created by the retreat of a massive glacier at the end of the Ice Age. (B,L,D)

Le Lapérouse

Day 7 — Gothenburg, Sweden

Spend a day in Sweden in the lively harbor city of Gothenburg.  Take a panoramic tour, from the hilltop Masthugg Church overlooking Gothenburg to the elegant squares and boulevards of the city center. Choose to take a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts, home to masterpieces by Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh, and Claude Monet, as well as an excellent collection of Nordic art. Tour the private collection in the museum’s Fürstenburg Gallery before heading to Haga to explore this vibrant pedestrian district on your own. Or take a tour of the World of Volvo, which tells the story of one of Sweden’s most important companies. See an exhibit of Volvo's racing history, the latest concept cars, and "the world's fastest hybrid truck," as well as a life-sized Volvo SUV constructed with LEGO bricks—a marriage of two of Scandinavia's most famous brands. (B,L,D)

Le Lapérouse

Day 8 — Oslo, Norway/Return Home

Disembark in Oslo or Fredrikstad after breakfast and transfer to the Oslo airport for your flight home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

Fjord near Olden

Slideshow

Optional Extensions

Pre-Cruise Ext.: Bergen

Historic Bergen — 2 days, 1 night

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th centuries and has preserved much of its past. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is also a vibrant cosmopolitan city, known for its artist colony of painters, potters, and jewelers.

Day 1 — Bergen, Norway

Arrive at Bergen Airport, Flesland, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Norge in the center of the city and your home for the night. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Relax and unwind at the hotel or explore some of the sites that are just steps away from the front door. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Hotel Norge by Scandic

Day 2 — Bergen | Embark

After breakfast aboard, disembark for a tour of Bergen and the surrounding area. Begin with a visit to Fantoft Stave Church, originally built in 1150 and reconstructed after a fire in 1992 exactly as it was in the 12th century. You will also tour Troldhaugen, once the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg and now a museum and concert venue. Following lunch at a restaurant back in Bergen, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bryggen, the old waterfront wharf, a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Finally, transfer to the pier to embark Le Laperouse and set sail in the evening.

Your hotel:

Hotel Norge, first opened in 1885, was completely renovated in 2018. Located in the center of the city, it is within walking distance of the Festplassen and several nearby restaurants. It has a modern, informal, and international atmosphere. The hotel has 415 rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows, and it features a lobby bar, a café, and a fine-dining restaurant.

Your program includes:

  • 1 night at the Hotel Norge by Scandic (or similar)
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on Day 1
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the pier on Day 2
  • Breakfast on Day 2
  • Lunch on Day 2
  • Welcome Reception on Day 1
  • Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day
  • Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

  • It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.
  • Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
  • The official currency is the Norwegian krone. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
  • This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodation, meals, or excursions.
  • Program is offered on a space available basis.
  • Program is subject to change without notice.

Post-Cruise Ext.: Oslo

Oslo Landmarks — 2 days, 1 night

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

Oslo is a city that combines a reverence for its history with a commitment to cutting-edge innovation in architecture, culture, and everyday life. This carefully curated program offers a glimpse into Norway's unique blending of past, present, and future as it creates an identity both forward-looking and steeped in the heritage of the past.

Day 1 — Oslo | Disembark

After breakfast aboard, disembark for a tour of Oslo’s landmarks and trace the city's architectural transformation over time. Begin with the stately City Hall, site of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, and the 19th-century National Theater, where many of Ibsen's plays were first performed. Visit the imposing neo-classical Royal Palace, and stroll along Karl Johan Gate, the city's main shopping street, to reach the harbor and Oslo's stunningly modern Opera House. At the National Museum, admire Edvard Munch’s world-famous The Scream, a masterpiece that captures profound emotion and has become a symbol of Norwegian artistic innovation. The museum’s diverse collection spans centuries, blending historical works with bold contemporary pieces that echo the forward-thinking spirit of Oslo itself.

Exploration of the museum is followed by a Nordic-inspired gourmet lunch at Ankerbrygge, a premier waterfront restaurant, where the freshest local ingredients are crafted into exquisite dishes that showcase the best of Norway’s cuisine. With panoramic views of Oslo’s harbor as backdrop, this meal highlights the city’s close connection to nature and its maritime heritage. After lunch, transfer to the renowned Amerikalinjen Hotel in the center of the city, your home for the night. Relax and unwind at the hotel or explore some of the sites that are just steps away from the front door. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Amerikalinjen

Day 2 — Oslo | Homeward

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Oslo Gardermoen Airport for flights home.

Your hotel:

Once the headquarters of Norwegian American Lines, the Amerikalinjen has now been converted to a vibrant boutique hotel located within walking distance of the Opera, the Kvadraturen shopping district, and the nightlife of Youngstorget. Its rooms and suites are furnished with all of the amenities you would expect from a luxury property. It houses several restaurants and bars, as well as a popular Jazz Club. A fully equipped exercise room is available 24 hours a day.

Your program includes:

  • 1 night at the Amerikalinjen Hotel in Oslo (or similar)
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
  • Breakfast on Day 2
  • Lunch on Day 1
  • Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
  • Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

  • It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
  • Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
  • This program includes a significant amount of walking, may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.
  • The official currency is the Norwegian krone Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
  • This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodation, meals, or excursions.
  • Program is offered on a space available basis.
  • Program is subject to change without notice

Dates & Prices

Click on the departure date to see pricing. Click the for more information.

Dates

Availability

Price

May 31 - Jun 7, 2027
Available
from $12,040 $10,390

Special Offer

Early booking savings available for a limited time!

Ship: Le Lapérouse Experts: Peter Bobrowsky | Randolph Ford

Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe stateroom (204 sq. ft.), picture window with door onto private partial wall balcony (43 sq. ft.). Deck 3.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $12,040 $10,390 $23,040 $19,740

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,300 $11,460 $25,560 $21,880

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,940 $12,000 $26,840 $22,960

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $14,710 $12,650 $28,380 $24,260

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe suite (291 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to private balcony (65 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa. Decks 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $20,290 $17,400 $39,540 $33,760

Prestige Suite - Deck 5

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen

Occupancy Double Single
Price $27,260 $23,320 $53,480 $45,600

Prestige Suite - Deck 6

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen

Occupancy Double Single
Price $28,660 $24,510 $56,280 $47,980

Privilege Suite

Privilege suite, (344 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa convertible to single twin. Decks 5 and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $30,060 $25,700 $59,080 $50,360

Grand Deluxe Suite

Grand Deluxe suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (323 sq. ft.), a large sitting area with half bath, master bedroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $32,970 $28,180 $64,900 $55,320

Owner's Suite

Owner's suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (323 sq. ft.) with outdoor hot tub. Large sitting area with half bath, master bathroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 5.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $34,630 $68,220
Le Lapérouse deck plan image

A deposit of 25% of the cruise price is required to reserve space on a cruise. Deposits are applied toward final payment of the cruise price.

Rates include port taxes and fees. Most shore excursions are included in the rates.

Pre- and post-program options and optional excursions, where applicable, are available at an additional cost.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

Experts

Peter Bobrowsky
Departure: May 31 - Jun 7, 2027

Peter Bobrowsky

Archaeologist & Engineering Geologist

Peter Bobrowsky is an archaeologist and engineering geologist with a 40-year career working as a scholar, teacher, researcher, explorer and consultant across the globe. Given …

Peter Bobrowsky is an archaeologist and engineering geologist with a 40-year career working as a scholar, teacher, researcher, explorer and consultant across the globe. Given his academic achievements of almost 500 publications, including 20 technical books he has held numerous leadership roles including President of the Geological Association of Canada, Canadian Quaternary Association and International Consortium on Landslides and has received over a dozen awards—most notably the Edward B. Burwell Jr. Award for Engineering Geology, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the James Harrison Outstanding Achievement Award.

His multi-disciplinary background and extensive travel to more than 120 countries have made Peter a popular lecturer for Smithsonian Journeys since 2004. Following the collaborative partnership between Smithsonian Journeys and Ponant Cruises, Peter has embarked on several unique ship-based expeditions to a wide range of destinations. Dr. Bobrowsky has previously visited all the stops on this particular sailing, and during his career has participated in field work and excursions to multiple locations in Scandinavia. A born extrovert with an easy-going manner, he strives to understand and explain the crucial links between a diverse and dynamic Earth and the evolution of changing societies through history. He is excited to share his experiences and knowledge on a range of topics of relevance to this journey.

+ Show more

Randolph Ford
Departure: May 31 - Jun 7, 2027

Randolph Ford

Historian

Dr. Randolph Ford is an assistant professor of Ancient Studies and affiliate faculty member of the Asian Studies Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore …

Dr. Randolph Ford is an assistant professor of Ancient Studies and affiliate faculty member of the Asian Studies Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Randolph’s initial academic interests in Iceland and Scandinavia in the middle ages were accompanied by the study of Latin and Chinese and the ancient world more generally, and these seemingly disparate pursuits led him to study and work in both Norway and China for several years before beginning graduate work in Icelandic medieval literature. Yet in reading Old Icelandic texts, he was intrigued by the ways in which the memory of events that took place along the frontiers of the Roman Empire were preserved in the poetry and prose literature of medieval Iceland. These later accounts of wars between Goths and Huns and large movements of pastoral societies of Central Eurasia led his interests back to the Classical world while also spurring his interests in Central Asian history. Eventually, he was able to combine his study of Latin, Greek, and Classical Chinese texts at NYU’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient world, where he received his PhD in 2016.

Randolph is now writing his second book, a comparative historical study of the fate of the Roman and Chinese empires between the 4th and 6th centuries AD/CE. His first book—Rome, China, and the Barbarians—was published by Cambridge University Press in 2020.

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Alexia Smith
Departure: Aug 12 - 19, 2028

Alexia Smith

Anthropologist & Archaeologist

Peter Bobrowsky is an archaeologist and engineering geologist with a 40-year career working as a scholar, teacher, researcher, explorer and consultant across the globe. Given …

Peter Bobrowsky is an archaeologist and engineering geologist with a 40-year career working as a scholar, teacher, researcher, explorer and consultant across the globe. Given his academic achievements of almost 500 publications, including 20 technical books he has held numerous leadership roles including President of the Geological Association of Canada, Canadian Quaternary Association and International Consortium on Landslides and has received over a dozen awards—most notably the Edward B. Burwell Jr. Award for Engineering Geology, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the James Harrison Outstanding Achievement Award.

His multi-disciplinary background and extensive travel to more than 120 countries have made Peter a popular lecturer for Smithsonian Journeys since 2004. Following the collaborative partnership between Smithsonian Journeys and Ponant Cruises, Peter has embarked on several unique ship-based expeditions to a wide range of destinations. Dr. Bobrowsky has previously visited all the stops on this particular sailing, and during his career has participated in field work and excursions to multiple locations in Scandinavia. A born extrovert with an easy-going manner, he strives to understand and explain the crucial links between a diverse and dynamic Earth and the evolution of changing societies through history. He is excited to share his experiences and knowledge on a range of topics of relevance to this journey.

+ Show more

Maya Wei-Haas
Departure: Aug 12 - 19, 2028

Maya Wei-Haas

Science Reporter

Maya Wei-Haas is an award-winning science reporter who writes about all things science with a particular affection for rocks and reactions. She works as a …

Maya Wei-Haas is an award-winning science reporter who writes about all things science with a particular affection for rocks and reactions. She works as a freelancer for a range of outlets, but before setting off on her own she was a staff writer for National Geographic for nearly five years and an assistant editor at Smithsonian digital news for nearly three years. 

Maya holds a BA in geology from Smith College and a PhD in Earth science from The Ohio State University. She has traveled the world in the name of science, scooping ice melt from the top of Antarctic glaciers, hauling up sediments from Svalbard lakes, and monitoring water chemistry in Alaskan rivers. This journey helped her realize that the part of science she loves most is communication. She made the jump to journalism as a fellow for the AAAS Mass Media program. Now she's working to bring these types of adventures and the science that surrounds us to the general public.

Her work was awarded American Geophysical Union’s David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism (2020) and the American Society of Civil Engineers Excellence in Journalism Award (2021). In addition to science news and features, she authored the solar system section of the National Geographic Stargazer’s Atlas. She also published her first children’s book, What a Rock Can Reveal, which guides young readers through the exciting stories hidden in stone. She is currently writing a book for National Geographic about gems, minerals, and rocks around the world.

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Ship

Le Lapérouse

Le Lapérouse photo

Slideshow Deck Plan

Guest Capacity: Up to 184 Guests Crew Size: 118 crew members Length: 430 feet Width: 59 feet Flag: France

Launched in 2018, Le Lapérouse is among a new fleet of luxury expedition ships launched by PONANT. These ships combine revolutionary design and a new standard of luxury. Spacious, Ocean-view Suites and Staterooms Each of the 92 elegant suites and staterooms features a private balcony, while Grand Deluxe Suites have a bay window and spacious private terrace. The deluxe, air-conditioned staterooms and suites (up to 484 square feet) have two twin beds that convert to one queen-size bed. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower (bathtub in limited number of staterooms) and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including individual climate control, satellite flat screen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table, and plush robes. Chic and Casual Dining International and regional cuisine are served in the stylish, spacious indoor-outdoor restaurant in a single, unassigned seating; at the casual pool deck grill; or from 24-hour room service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner are served daily. Wine is served at your table during lunch and dinner and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included throughout the cruise. Spacious Public Areas, Intimate Atmosphere, and World-Class Service The warm and inviting public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy sweeping views from the Observation Lounge and Main Lounge, both of which open to the outdoors, and lectures, cultural performances, or film screenings in the state-of-the-art theater. For your convenience, Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. The ship also features the first luxury underwater observatory, the Blue Eye, a multisensory underwater observation lounge that incorporates decor and technology to immerse you in the beauty of the ocean's ecosystem. Here, you can observe fascinating marine life through the large subaquatic windows while digital screens and the specially designed global listening system relay the sights and sounds beneath the ocean surface.  Other amenities aboard ship are a Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa and sauna, fitness room, and two elevators. In addition, there is a three-level marina platform with complimentary kayaking and snorkeling equipment, as well as 10 easily accessible Zodiacs.  The highly trained, English-speaking international crew are personable and attentive, and the ship has an infirmary staffed with a doctor and nurse. Respect for the Environment The newest additions to a fleet that has been awarded the prestigious "Clean Ship" designation, a rarity among ocean-cruising vessels, these expedition ships are designd with energy efficient, advanced eco-friendly features that protect fragile marine ecosystems while provideing a safe and comfortable voyage.   

Tour Details

Activity Description

Expectations: Long touring days with half- and full-day motor coach excursions. Standing and walking for long periods of time during city tours, museum visits, and/or outdoor activities. Walking over sometimes difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, and an absence of elevators); some longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited. Possible exposure to higher altitudes. This cruise offers a choice of excursions with varying activity expectations.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).

Reading List

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

Read more about Orcas off the Norwegian Coast in Smithsonian Magazine.

Highly Recommended

History of Norway
By: Yilek, John A.
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The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings (Hist Atlas)
By: John Haywood
Viking marauders in their longships burst through the defences of ninth-century Europe, striking terror into the hearts of peasants and rulers alike for two centuries. But the Vikings were more than just marine warriors and this atlas shows their development as traders and craftsmen, explorers, settlers and mercenaries. With over sixty full colour maps, it follows the tracks of the Viking merchants who travelled deep into Russia, of Viking mercenaries who served in the emperor’s bodyguard at Constantinople, and Viking mariners who sailed beyond the edge of the known world to North America.
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Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki (Walker Studio)
By: Kevin Crossley-Holland
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DK Norway (Travel Guide)
By: DK Travel
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Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings
By: Price, Neil
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Norway - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (99)
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Norway To America: A History of the Migration
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Traces Norwegian immigration to the United States from 1825 through the twentieth century and examines the lifestyles and culture of Norwegian American pioneers who formed settlements and journeyed across the continent to California
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The Fellowship of Ghosts: Travels in the Land of Midnight Sun
By: Paul Watkins
From the author of The Ice Soldier, comes a real-life adventure among the fjords and icy mountains of Norway.Certain geographies speak to people. We are awed by mountains, challenged by the ocean, haunted by the bleakness of deserts. The effect of landscape on human consciousness is at the heart of novelist Paul Watkins's exhilarating travel story. Long bewitched by the stark beauty of the Scandinavian Alps, Watkins sets off among the ice-clad peaks and dark fjords of the arctic with only a tent and rucksack. On the way, he stops at rustic inns, follows the paths of other solitary travelers, navigates the punishing weather, and confronts the magisterial presence of the past among these mountains--a journey that makes for one of our finest accounts of the life and the land in the frozen north.
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King Harald's Saga: Harald Hardradi of Norway: From Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla (Penguin Classics)
By: Snorri Sturluson
This compelling Icelandic history describes the life of King Harald Hardradi, from his battles across Europe and Russia to his final assault on England in 1066, less than three weeks before the invasion of William the Conqueror. It was a battle that led to his death and marked the end of an era in which Europe had been dominated by the threat of Scandinavian forces. Despite England's triumph, it also played a crucial part in fatally weakening the English army immediately prior to the Norman Conquest, changing the course of history. Taken from the Heimskringla—Snorri Sturluson's complete account of Norway from prehistoric times to 1177—this is a brilliantly human depiction of the turbulent life and savage death of the last great Norse warrior-king.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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History of Sweden: A Captivating Guide to Swedish History, Starting from Ancient Times through the Viking Age and Swedish Empire to the Present (Scandinavian History)
By: History, Captivating
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Norway: Land of Fjords and the Northern Lights
By: Martin, Claudia
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Norway and Its Glaciers: Visited in 1851; Followed by Journals of Excursions in the High Alps of Dauphiné, Berne, and Savoy (Classic Reprint)
By: Forbes, James D.
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The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia
By: Michael Booth
The Christian Science Monitor's #1 Best Book of the YearA witty, informative, and popular travelogue about the Scandinavian countries and how they may not be as happy or as perfect as we assume, “The Almost Nearly Perfect People offers up the ideal mixture of intriguing and revealing facts” (Laura Miller, Salon).Journalist Michael Booth has lived among the Scandinavians for more than ten years, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the rose-tinted view of this part of the world offered up by the Western media. In this timely book he leaves his adopted home of Denmark and embarks on a journey through all five of the Nordic countries to discover who these curious tribes are, the secrets of their success, and, most intriguing of all, what they think of one another.Why are the Danes so happy, despite having the highest taxes? Do the Finns really have the best education system? Are the Icelanders as feral as they sometimes appear? How are the Norwegians spending their fantastic oil wealth? And why do all of them hate the Swedes? In The Almost Nearly Perfect People Michael Booth explains who the Scandinavians are, how they differ and why, and what their quirks and foibles are, and he explores why these societies have become so successful and models for the world. Along the way a more nuanced, often darker picture emerges of a region plagued by taboos, characterized by suffocating parochialism, and populated by extremists of various shades. They may very well be almost nearly perfect, but it isn’t easy being Scandinavian.
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Authentic Norwegian Cooking: Traditional Scandinavian Cooking Made Easy
By: Scott, Astrid Karlsen
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Mysteries (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics)
By: Knut Hamsun
The first complete English translation of the Nobel Prize-winner’s literary masterpiece Mysteries is the story of Johan Nilsen Nagel, a mysterious stranger who suddenly turns up in a small Norwegian town one summer—and just as suddenly disappears. Nagel is a complete outsider, a sort of modern Christ treated in a spirit of near parody. He condemns the politics and thought of the age, brings comfort to the “insulted and injured,” and gains the love of two women suggestive of the biblical Mary and Martha. But there is a sinister side of him: in his vest he carries a vial of prussic acid... The novel creates a powerful sense of Nagel's stream of thought, as he increasingly withdraws into the torture chamber of his own subconscious psyche.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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In Cod We Trust: Living the Norwegian Dream
By: Eric Dregni
Eric Dregni’s great-grandfather Ellef fled Norway in 1893 when it was the poorest country in Europe. More than one hundred years later, his great-grandson traveled back to find that—mostly due to oil and natural gas discoveries—it is now the richest. The circumstances of his return were serendipitous, as the notice that Dregni won a Fulbright Fellowship to go there arrived the same week as the knowledge that his wife Katy was pregnant. Braving a birth abroad and benefiting from a remarkably generous health care system, the Dregnis’ family came full circle when their son Eilif was born in Norway. In this cross-cultural memoir, Dregni tells the hair-raising, hilarious, and sometimes poignant stories of his family’s yearlong Norwegian experiment. Among the exploits he details are staying warm in a remote grass-roofed hytte (hut), surviving a dinner of rakfisk (fermented fish) thanks to 80-proof aquavit, and identifying his great-grandfather’s house in the Lusterfjord only to find out it had been crushed by a boulder and then swept away by a river. To subsist on a student stipend, he rides the meat bus to Sweden for cheap salami with a busload of knitting pensioners. A week later, he and his wife travel to the Lofoten Islands and gnaw on klippefisk (dried cod) while cats follow them through the streets. Dregni’s Scandinavian roots do little to prepare him and his family for the year in Trondheim eating herring cakes, obeying the conformist Janteloven (Jante’s law), and enduring the mørketid (dark time). In Cod We Trust is one Minnesota family’s spirited excursion into Scandinavian life. The land of the midnight sun is far stranger than they previously thought, and their encounters show that there is much we can learn from its unique and surprising culture.
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History of the World Map by Map
By: DK
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Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.