Oslo

Explore the enchanting Norwegian capital of Oslo, admiring its panoramic views, contemporary architecture, and historical museums.

Day 1

Disembark the ship and transfer to the public boat pier where you will board a vessel and cruise along the Oslofjord. Along the way, you will see forested islands, the fortress of Akershus, and the two towers of the Town Hall, a building inaugurated in 1950 for Oslo’s 900th anniversary.

Back at the pier, drive to your hotel for check in. Once you have checked-in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure and meals are on your own.

As the hotel is in the city center, only a 10 minute walk from city hall and the harbor, you may enjoy a leisurely stroll on your own around Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, a popular area with plenty of restaurants.

Day 2

Following breakfast, you will drive through the City Center to the famed Oslo Opera House. Designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta, the contemporary marble-and-glass building is a work of art that has won countless awards. Pausing long enough for photos from the roof of the opera house (outside visit), you will enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding Bjøvika neighborhood.

Then, it’s on to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, an 80-acre green oasis with more than 200 bronze and granite sculptures of the human form in various positions. Commissioned by the city of Oslo, Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland created the sculpture park over a period of 20 years. “The Monolith,” a highly symbolic piece with 121 intertwined human bodies, is the centerpiece and took more than 14 years to create.

Note: you will have approximately 1 km of walking here.

Continuing on, you will drive to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, a towering monument of steel and concrete that opened in 2010 for competitive ski jumping. From the top, you will enjoy a magnificent view of Oslo, the fjord and surrounding islands.

Following lunch, you will drive on to the Norwegian Open Air Museum on the peninsula of Bygdøy. The exhibits reflect the daily life and living conditions in Norway from the 16th century to present time. More than 150 buildings from various parts of the country are displayed, including the 12th-century Stave Churches and an entire street depicting life in the year 1865.

Next visit the Maritime Museum which houses the 9th century Viking boat from the largest Gokstad Viking ship findings along with a wide range of Norwegian maritime cultural heritage including the country's oldest vessel (2200 years old).

View a new exhibition where ship builders will be reconstructing one of the smaller Viking boats from the “Gokstad” discovery using scientific and experimental methods that can provide unknown knowledge about the Vikings’ vessels.

This evening, enjoy a stroll around the city and a taste of some of the best Norwegian beers, cheeses and cured meats.

The first stop will be the most haunted place in Oslo, the Akershus Fortress, from where you’ll follow the ghosts to the center of medieval Christiania. The tour then continues with a stroll around the City Hall and its beautifully decorated entrance where you’ll learn more about Norse mythology.

Leaving the old times behind, the second part of our tour is dedicated to Norway’s modern history and culture which is highlighted by such sights as the Parliament building, National Theatre and the Royal Palace.

Conclude the evening with a 30-45-minute tasting session that includes 3 beer samples, Norwegian akvavit and a selection of traditional Norwegian cheeses and cured meat” In all, the evening program takes 2-2.5 hours.

Day 3

Following breakfast, your bus and guide will take you an another full sightseeing-day in Oslo. Your first goal will be the peninsula of Bygdøy with the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums.

"Fram" Polarmuseum: Norway is an Arctic Nation, and this Museum - built in 1936, and upgraded several times in the recent years is dedicated to the polar expeditions and the explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen and Otto Sverdrup –. The exhibits include Photographs, Film, Light Effects, Models and displays of Historical Artefacts. Further, there is an Aurora light-show in the roof and a “Dark Walk” aiming to give an impression of polar conditions. The main exhibit, however, is the complete polarship “FRAM” built in 1893 – specially designed to withstand the pressure of pack-ice. The proud little ship is still the surface vessel that has sailed both furthest North – reaching 85° 57'n latitude with Nansens expedition from 1893-1896 – and furthest South reaching 78° 41's latitude with Amundsens expedition to the South Pole from 1910-1912.

Kon-Tiki Museum: The museum houses the original balsa raft used by Thor Heyerdahl and his five companions in 1947 during their voyage from Peru to Polynesia, across 3000 kilometres of ocean. Further, you find the papyrus-boat RA II with which Tor Heyerdahl, again with his faithfully companions, successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1970. A good selection of documentary material is also on display.

After ample time to explore inside these two museums, the group will head back to town to visit the National Museum (opened late 2022) which offers a range of exhibitions showing Norwegian and international art, architecture and design. The famous “Scream” painting is always on display here among 50,000 other objects from the wide collection of Norwegian heritage. Your Oslo guide will give you a tour through this museum.

From the National Museum you will take the bus up to Ekeberg, making a short photostop at the so-called “Munch-svingen” – with an impressive view of Oslo, which is said to be the background for the famous “Scream-painting”. From Ekeberg you will start a guided walk through the privately arranged Ekeberg Scultpure Park, displaying some sculptures from famous artists all around the world, among them Rodin, Dali, Renoir, Henry, Hirst and many more.

The bus takes you back to your hotel after an another day full of interesting sights.

Dinner on your own.

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Check out and transfer (private vehicle) to the airport based on your flight details.

Check out time is at 12:00pm. For guests with late flights, you may store your luggage at Reception until your transfer time.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.

DAY 1

9:00am Disembark the ship and transfer to the sightseeing boat (luggage will be stored on a coach)

10:15am Start your guided tour by a short bus-ride to the dock (luggage will be stored on the bus)

10:30am Depart for a 2-hour cruise on the Oslofjord (non-exclusive boat)

12:30pm Arrive back at the pier and transfer to the hotel

12:45pm Arrive at your hotel for check in

Remainder of the day is at your leisure

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Depart from the hotel for a city tour, with a photo stop at the Opera House (outside visit)

10:00am Visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park (approx. 1 km of walking)

11:00am Depart the Vigeland Sculpture Park

11:15am Visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump

12:15am Depart for lunch

12:30pm Buffet lunch at a local restaurant

2:00pm Depart from the restaurant

2:30pm Tour the Norwegian Open-Air Folk Museum – guided visit

3:30pm Depart from the museum

3:45pm Tour the Maritime Museum

4:30pm Depart from the museum

4:45pm Arrive at the hotel

5:30pm Evening stroll with beer, cheeses and meat tasting – 2-2.5 hours

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

9:30am Depart from hotel by bus for a tour to the Bygdøy Peninsula

10:00am Arrive Fram Museum – guided visit and film

11:10am Depart on foot, short walk to Kon-Tiki

11:15am Arrive Kon-Tiki Museum – guided visit

12:00pm Depart and drive to City Center

12:20pm Arrive at the Munch Museum

Depending on availability – lunch at the museum’s restaurant (or as alternative somewhere downtown)

Guided tour of Munch Museum

3:00pm Depart by bus and drive up to Munch-svingen, photo stop

3:45pm Guided walk at Ekeberg with its incredible views and sculptures from famous artists from all around the world

5:00pm Depart by bus and return to your hotel

5:30pm Arrive at your hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out time at the hotel

Private transfer to the Airport based on your flight time. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel.

Extra Nights:

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

Expected Weather:

The temperature can vary from 5? to 30? degrees Celsius (41? to 86? Fahrenheit). Weather conditions can be sunny, windy, rainy and foggy.

What to Bring:

Weather-appropriate warm clothing is recommended, including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and flat comfortable walking shoes.

Local Currency:

Norwegian Kroner. U.S. dollars are only accepted in souvenir shops, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Electricity:

European standard plug. We recommend bringing your own international travel adaptor if you have electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required.

Accommodations:

Grand Hotel Oslo

Karl Johans gate 31, 0159 Oslo, Norway

Phone: +47 23 21 20 00

*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.

Program Includes for guests

•3 nights at the Grand Hotel Oslo - Superior Room

•3 breakfasts

•2 lunches including soft drinks

•Evening stroll with 3 beer tasting samples, 1 akvavit, selection of cheese and cured meat samples

•All entrances mentioned in the itinerary

•2-hour Oslofjord cruise

•Airport transfer on Day 4

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

•Dinners or any other meals not listed above

•Alcoholic beverages

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

Travel throughout the dramatic, naturally beautiful Norwegian fjord country, visiting historical sites, riding Europe’s steepest railway, ferrying across Sognefjord and cruising down the arm of another majestic fjord.

Day 1

Upon arrival at the Oslo International Airport, you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the Grand Hotel Oslo. Check in is at 2:00pm. The remainder of the day is yours for discovering the city at your own pace.

As the hotel is in the city center, only a 10-minute walk from city hall and the harbor, you may enjoy a leisurely stroll on your own around Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, a popular area with plenty of restaurants.

Day 2

Following breakfast at your hotel, check out and the day begins with a short sightseeing drive through Oslo before continuing to the mountain area of Gol and Hemsedal, a popular-ski resort. On the way, you will pass idyllic lakes and spectacular mountain scenery, before arriving at Borgund Stave Church, the best preserved of the 28 stave churches still remaining in Norway. The church dates back to the 12th century.

After an outside visit of the church and short coffee/tea break, you will continue down to one of the arms of Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Crossing by ferry, you will then follow a coastal road to the historical Kvikne Hotel in Balestrand, where you will stay for the evening.

Day 3

Following breakfast, you will enjoy a ferry crossing over the Sognefjord from Dragsvik to Vangsnes. From here, the road climbs steeply and bends sharply. Drive through the mountain area via Stalheim and Norway’s steepest road.

After arriving at Gudvangen, enjoy some free time before you proceed by boat for one of the most beautiful crossings of the Norwegian fjords through the narrow and scenic Nærøyfjord. It has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site for its towering mountain walls, beautiful waterfalls and tiny goat farms.

Upon arrival in Flåm there will be a short walk to a local restaurant for lunch. Next you will board a train for a one-hour ride (the steepest in Europe) that ascends almost 3,000 feet, from the fjord to Myrdalsberget Mountain. The route to Geilo passes breathtaking mountains, beautiful lakes, and quaint cabins in the woods.

You will finally arrive in Geilo and check into the historical Dr. Holms Hotel for dinner and to spend the evening.

Day 4

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will drive east, admiring a different sort of rural landscape along the way. Around mid-day, you will arrive at Jevnaker to tour Hadeland Glassworks, which was established in 1762. Here, you will watch glassblowers demonstrate their skills, shaping molten glass into the most extraordinary items. Later, you will visit the museum at the glassworks, where more than 700 pieces of distinctive glassware are on display. The exhibits show the development of Norwegian glass making from the 1700s until today and offer a fascinating look into the Norwegian culture.

After free time for shopping and lunch, you will continue towards Oslo, passing Tyrifjord, which is actually a lake not a fjord. In time, you will arrive back in Oslo and embark the ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

• Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

Extra Nights

• If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

• If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 2:00pm.

• If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Individual arrivals throughout the day.

Private transfer from the airport to your hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo (or similar hotel)

Meet and Greet and transfers

• Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

• Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

• Meet and Greet and transfers for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing.

• If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

7:00am Breakfast at your hotel

8:00am Depart by bus and drive along the Oslofjord via Hønefoss and Gol to Hemsedal, scenic drive along many lakes up into the mountain area

12:00am Arrive to a local restaurant for lunch

1:30pm Depart and drive downhill to the Norwegian Fjords, to Lærdal

2:45pm Arrive Borgund Stave Church – guided visit and coffee break (coffee/tea and Danish pastry incl)

3:10 pm Depart and drive to Salmon Centre

3:40 pm Visit Salmon Centre and coffeebreak (coffee/tea and Danish pastery)

4:30pm Depart by coach, drive to Balestrand – via ferry-crossing Fodnes- Manheller and Hella-Dragsvik, drive along the beautiful Sognefjord

8:00pm Arrive at the Kviknes hotel in Balestrand, check-in, dinner included

Overnight at Kviknes Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

7:00am Breakfast at your hotel

8:00am Transfer by bus to the pier and ferry-crossing from Dragsvik to Vangsnes

Drive through mountain area and via Stalheim and Norways steepest road

11:20am Arrive Gudvangen

11:30am Depart by sightseeing-boat “Vision of the fjords” to Flåm – and enjoy a sailing through Norways most narrow fjord, Nærøyfjord, a Unesco Heritage Site to Flåm

1:30pm Arrive Flåm – short walk to nearby restaurant for lunch

4:05pm Depart Flåm by train (Europe’s steepest railway) to Myrdal and continue by train to Geilo via the Hardangervidda mountain plateau (train schedule TBA so this is subject to change)

6:56pm Arrive to Geilo – short transfer by bus to the hotel

7:10pm Arrive at your hotel and check in. Dinner included

Overnight at the Dr. Holms Hotel or similar

DAY 4

7:00am Breakfast at your hotel

8:00am Start the day by leaving Geilo by bus, photostops en route to Hadeland

12:00pm Arrive Hadeland Glass Works – guided visit and lunch

2:30pm Depart Hadeland, scenic drive along several lakes to Oslo

4:00pm Approximate arrival at the port of Oslo for embarkation

Expected Weather:

As the tour covers mountain areas as well as the fjords, the temperature can vary from 5° to 30° degrees Celsius (41° to 86° Fahrenheit). Weather conditions can be sunny, windy, rainy and foggy.

What to Bring:

Weather-appropriate warm clothing is recommended, including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and flat comfortable walking shoes.

Local Currency:

Norwegian Kroner. U.S. dollars are only accepted in souvenir shops, while credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Electricity:

European standard plugs. We recommend bringing your own international travel adaptor if you have electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required.

Hotels

*Note that at Kviknes and Geilo Hotels, guests may be required to carry their own luggage to their rooms depending on availability of porters.

Balestrand: Kviknes Hotel

Kviknevegen 8, 6899 Balestrand, Norway

Phone: +47 57 69 42 00

Geilo: Dr. Holms Hotel

3580 Geilo, 3580 Geilo, Norway

Phone: +47 32 09 57 00

Oslo: Grand Hotel

Karl Johans gate 31, 0159 Oslo, Norway

Phone: +47 23 21 20 00

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used

Program Includes for guests

• 2 dinners including soft drinks

• 3 breakfasts

• 3 lunches including soft drinks

• 1 coffee break

• All entrances in the above itinerary

• All ferries/boat rides in the above itinerary

• All trains in the above itinerary

• 1-night accommodation in Balestrand at the Kviknes Hotel (or similar hotel), superior room

• 1-night accommodation in Geilo at the Dr. Holms Hotel (or similar hotel), superior room

• 1 night accommodation in Oslo at the Continental Hotel Oslo (or similar hotel), superior room

• Private airport transfer on Day 1

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes for guests:

• Any meals not listed above

• Alcoholic beverages

• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

• Gratuities to drivers and guides

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.