Sublime Svalbard – From Hamburg via Norway’s Springtime Fjords

Your adventure begins 

Your journey starts in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany and one of the greenest urban areas in Europe. 

There's much to see and do in Hamburg. If you have time, you'll find many attractions in the old town district of Altstadt, including the St Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße. Hamburg is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Chilehaus and the world's largest historic warehouse complex in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, the nation's foremost art museum. 

Once you embark MS Fram, you'll have time to meet the crew and Expedition Team and settle in as we set sail. 

Get a taste of Denmark on the Jutland peninsula 

Our first stop is Esbjerg, on the west coast of Denmark's Jutland peninsula. As we approach, look out for the giant "Man Meets the Sea" statues on the shore. 

Esbjerg blends historic charm with modern Scandinavian style, and it's easy to explore on foot. A shuttle bus takes you into the centre, where you can wander at your leisure. Try a classic smørrebrød for lunch: Denmark's famous open rye bread sandwiches, irresistibly displayed in bakery windows along the main streets. 

In the afternoon, we say goodbye to Denmark and set sail for Norway. Make the most of the ship's facilities as the coastline fades: relax in the hot tubs on deck or watch the world go by from the Explorer Lounge & Bar. 

Step back in time at the homeland of Vikings kings   

As we reach Norway, we’ll head for the region of Haugesund. Known for its Viking connections, it’s said that it was here that King Harald Fairhair first united Norway into a single kingdom. From this royal seat, Norway’s kings long controlled the renowned shipping route Nordvegen, or ‘the way to the north’, from which the country takes its name.

Today, this Viking past lives on in the area’s many historic sites. If conditions allow, we'll visit a recreated Viking settlement on the small island of Bukkøya, and on nearby Karmøy, you can delve deeper into Norway’s Viking and maritime history at the Nordvegen History Centre.  

Discover how glaciers shaped the Norwegian landscape 

In the morning, we plan to cruise deep into Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, to the tiny hamlet of Fjærland. Only 300 people live in this idyllic village with its charming old buildings and weaving traditions. This is also where Sognefjord meets Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European continent. 

A visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum is the included activity of the day. Learn why glacier ice is blue and how the fjords were formed, watch a panoramic film about Europe's largest glacier, then try your hand at experiments using 1,000-year-old glacier ice.

Soak up breathtaking panoramas in this fjordside town 

Nestled at the end of the Romsdalsfjord, Åndalsnes is surrounded by soaring mountains, deep valleys and dramatic fjords. The scenery around this alpine town is simply awe-inspiring. 

To take it all in, hop on the gondola from the town centre for the five-minute scenic journey up Mount Nesaksla, some 2,300 ft above sea level. Here you can revel in 360-degree views of the town and the towering mountains of Romsdalshorn and Venjetinden beyond. 

To truly immerse yourself in this incredible landscape, join us for an exhilarating hike or, if conditions allow, you can enjoy a peaceful kayak paddle in the fjord.  

Along the Helgeland coast to Arctic Norway

As we sail towards the wild beauty of the Lofoten archipelago, enjoy a day at sea. 

Continue your discovery on board with your Expedition Team by joining a talk or workshop and deepen your understanding with a visit to the Science Centre.  

Relax in the ship’s panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar as we pass the Helgeland coast and the Torghatten mountain, recognisable by its distinctive hole through the middle. Then head out on the deck to admire the dramatic, jagged silhouette of the Seven Sisters mountain range.  

Later in the day, we’ll cross the Arctic Circle as we venture further north and into the Arctic. 

Discover the glaciers of ‘black ice’   

Today, we'll sail into Holandsfjord off the rugged Helgeland coast, and head towards the Svartisen glacier. Covering 230 square miles and with 60 ‘tongues’, this incredible geographical feature is Norway’s second largest glacier after Jostedalsbreen. 

Meaning ‘black ice’, the epic Svartisen is made up of two separate glaciers, Vestisen and the Østisen, which are divided by the half-mile-long Vesterdalen valley. The ice colour can range from turquoise to dark blue, although never quite black.  

If conditions allow, your Expedition Team will land at a local jetty and lead you ashore, where we’ll take a hike to get a panoramic view of this incredible glacier.

Experience dramatic panoramas 

Approaching the dramatically steep mountains of Lofoten by ship is an experience that’s unforgettable. You’ll be in awe of the landscapes as we sail towards this region of windswept islands, sheltered bays, and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world. Look out for sea eagles as you admire the exceptional beauty of this stretch of coastline.    

Today we aim to explore the famed Lofoten Islands from the fishing port of Svolvær. Learn how the rugged landscapes and a history of fishing have influenced life in Lofoten. There are many ways to immerse yourself in the stunning landscape via small hikes, optional excursions, or just hanging out on the picturesque boulevard.  

Follow in the footsteps of polar explorers at the gateway to the Arctic 

Set in a majestic landscape, this small, cosmopolitan city has an exciting past and plenty of fascinating sights to discover. 

It was the base for many a historic Arctic expedition, including those of Roald Amundsen, and its situation 250 miles north of the Polar Circle has led to it being called the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. At the Polar Museum, discover the city’s exploration heritage, and see the Arctic Cathedral. With its huge stained-glass window, it’s one of the most striking landmarks in Tromsø. You can also take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Storsteinen for incredible views. 

Discover majestic Arctic landscapes at Europe’s northernmost point  

The captivating North Cape marks mainland Europe’s northernmost point. This rugged promontory on the north of Magerøya island truly feels like the end of the Earth.

Here, we’ll venture across the wild Arctic landscape towards the cape’s towering cliff edge, which sits around a thousand feet above the Barents Sea. Feel a sense of awe as you take in the panoramas, and as you gaze towards the horizon, think of the adventures yet to come as your voyage heads even further north.  

Discover more about the history of this remarkable site at the North Cape Hall. 

A peaceful interlude in your adventure   

Spend the day at your leisure as we sail across the Barents Sea deeper into the Arctic towards the Svalbard archipelago. Watch the open water slip by from the Explorer Lounge & Bar, soak in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds, or work up a sweat in the gym. The Expedition Team will set the scene for what's ahead with lectures on Svalbard's history, geology, and wildlife. This time is yours to enjoy. 

A land of spectacular beauty 

Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, is a wilderness of steep mountains, glaciers, and scattered offshore islands.  

 Over the next few days, we'll explore dramatic fjords where glaciers creak and calve icebergs into the sea, push north towards Northwest Spitsbergen National Park where sea ice may shape our route, and scan for the wildlife that thrives here: polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and colonies of seabirds nesting on the cliffs. 

Each day will be different. Landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hikes: be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team read the conditions and seize every opportunity the Arctic offers.

We may also head to the snowcapped peaks of Hornsund, or visit Ny-Ålesund, the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history. 

A final day on top of the world 

Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change than you arrived with and memories of an incredible experience.