In the Wake of The Coastal Express | Christmas Special
In the Wake of The Coastal Express | Christmas Special
- Sail from Hamburg and experience the magic of Christmas and New Year in Norway, taking in fjords, snow-covered mountains, and cosy, twinkling towns.
- Spend five days above the Arctic Circle under the Auroral Zone, where your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are even better. Sail with the assurance of our Northern Lights Promise.
- Absorb all the charm and cheer of the festive season and enjoy authentic yuletide traditions, while seeing some of Norway’s most beautiful coastal landscapes.
Current offers on this cruise:
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Northern Lights Promise
The beautiful Aurora Borealis is the ultimate light show and a must-see. We promise that if the Northern Lights do not appear on your voyage in Norway, we will give you another 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage free of charge.Terms and conditions apply.See Special Offer
Itinerary
Enjoy a magical Christmas and New Year along the beautiful Norwegian coast, bringing together yuletide traditions and, hopefully, the spectacular Northern Lights, with the assurance of our Northern Lights Promise.
DAY 1 : Hamburg & Cuxhaven
Sailing from Hamburg
Your voyage departs from Hamburg. Get settled on comfortable MS Otto Sverdrup as we sail north towards Norway and the Northern Lights.
We exit the Hamburg channel into Cuxhaven, a popular departure point for German seafarers over the centuries.
DAY 2 : At sea
Onboard enrichment
As we head towards the Norwegian coastline, your Coastal Experience Team will host talks and answer your questions about the places, people, and Christmas traditions we're likely to encounter.
With each sea mile that takes us northwards, we’re making our way ever closer to the Arctic Circle. The further north we sail, the greater your chances of seeing the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.
As we sail gracefully through the water, relax into shipboard life with a dip in the hot tub, or perhaps join an engaging science lecture by the Coastal Experience Team.
DAY 3 : Bergen
Beautiful Bergen
Surrounded by mountains and the sea, Bergen is one of Norway’s most beautiful and historic cities, with cobbled streets and alleys waiting to be explored.
Enjoy a walk around the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and discover its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. You'll feel like you have this charming city all to yourself, with the shops mostly closed for Christmas and the decorated streets much quieter than usual. For the quintessential Christmas experience, a visit to the miniature gingerbread city of Pepperkakebyen is a must.
Take the funicular railway up to the top of Mount Fløyen – it takes just six minutes – for amazing views over the city, lit up with colourful Christmas lights.
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IncludedBergen - The Fløibanen FunicularTake in panoramic views of the city from the top of Mount Fløyen and enjoy a short funicular ride.
DAY 4 : Hjørundfjord
Exceptional natural beauty
Surrounded by the Sunnmøre Alps with peaks soaring just over a mile straight up from the sea, Hjørundfjord is one of the most scenic fjords in all of Norway, and still undiscovered by most other cruise lines.
On a clear day, you’ll get the full 360° sensory experience: the bluest skies, the snow-laden coniferous forests, and mountain sides. The still pristine waters reflect the superb scenery in all its glory, merging the fjord and landscape perfectly.
You can explore the area further and learn about the history, nature, and royal connections of this splendid beauty spot.
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IncludedHjørundfjord - Fjord Village Visit and ConcertVisit Sæbø village, enjoy a local music concert and discover how avalanches have shaped Hjørundfjord.
DAY 5 : Trondheim
A Christmas Eve to remember
Norwegians celebrate Christmas on 24 December rather than 25 December. Your fellow shipmates and crew will greet you with hearty wishes and glad tidings, creating a warm atmosphere of goodwill.
Spend the morning getting in the festive mood as you stroll through the cosy streets of Trondheim, decked out in all their Christmas finery.
Back on MS Otto Sverdrup, our chefs will have been busy preparing a traditional Norwegian Christmas feast. This is usually washed down with a glass (or more) of local akevitt – aquavit – and beer. God jul to all!
DAY 6 : At sea
Relaxing coastal passage
Wake up to seasonal views of the snowy mountainous coastline gliding by. Today is another day of celebration and relaxation on board the ship. A luxurious soak in a hot tub up on deck could be the perfect after-breakfast activity. Or perhaps a light gym session followed by a sauna.
There’ll be a delicious food and drink spread for lunch, so you might want to take it easy and enjoy the scenery in the elegant Explorer Lounge & Bar in the afternoon. Or broaden your mind with a scintillating lecture given by one of the knowledgeable experts aboard.
As we sail northwards along the Norwegian coast, keep a lookout as darkness falls – you might just be rewarded with nature’s spectacular light display.
DAY 7 : Alta
Arctic Alta, Aurora city
One of the northernmost towns in the world and dubbed the Northern Lights City, Alta is a charming town to stroll around.
Lying 70º north of the Arctic Circle, Alta sits directly beneath the Auroral Oval, a zone known for consistent Northern Lights activity. If the conditions are right, you could be in for a show.
Learn more about the Aurora on a visit to Alta’s Northern Lights Cathedral, with its striking aurora-inspired architecture and fascinating interactive exhibition on Northern Lights research.
DAY 8 : Honningsvåg
The North Cape
From the small town of Honningsvåg, you’ll enjoy a scenic bus ride across a mountain plateau to the North Cape, just 1,300 miles from the Geographic North Pole.
Take in the cliff-edge views across the sparkling sea and mark the occasion with a photo at the Globe Monument before visiting North Cape Hall’s exhibits to learn about the cape’s history.
Back in Honningsvåg, you can stroll along the pretty harbour, browsing the charming shops, houses and church. This is the ship’s turning point. From here, we begin our trip southbound.
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IncludedHonningsvåg - The North CapeJoin a guided bus tour to the North Cape and Globe Monument at Europe’s northernmost point.
DAY 9 : Tromsø
Tromsø's winter delights
Set in a majestic landscape and packed with culture and history, the splendour and vitality of Tromsø surprises many visitors. The city is especially pretty at this time of year and offers a wide range of activities, from hiking and snowshoeing to dog sledding.
Or you could take in the town's sights such as the Arctic Cathedral. We'll visit the fascinating Polar Museum before heading back to the ship.
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IncludedThe Polar MuseumVisit Tromsø’s Polar Museum for a fascinating tour of Arctic exploration and polar expeditions.
DAY 10 : Lofoten
The charms of Lofoten
Today we explore the famed Lofoten Islands. With steep mountains, beautiful beaches, and pretty fishing villages, the archipelago is unlike anything you’ve seen.
With its iconic red fishing huts, known as rorbuer, dotted against a granite peak backdrop, Reine is an idyllic place to visit. You’ll soon see why this is one of Norway's most-photographed places. And if the weather conditions aren’t quite right, there are plenty of other equally memorable ports in the area to explore, such as Svolvær.
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IncludedReine - The Fishing Village of ÅWelcome to Å, a small village at the end of King Olav’s Road, the main road through the Lofoten Islands.
DAY 11 : At sea
Cruising the Inner Coastal Route
Today we travel through the windswept islands along the coast of Trøndelag. Admire the glorious views from the expansive Observation Deck, visit the Science Center for insights into the destinations ahead, or take advantage of the gym and hot tubs.
Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers from our onboard photographer. You'll find the Explorer Lounge & Bar a comfortable place to read or watch the world glide by. You can also enjoy a talk by the Coastal Experience Team, experienced explorers who will share their extensive knowledge of the places ahead with you.
DAY 12 : Nordfjord
New Year’s Eve
On the last day of the year, we’ll enter stunning Nordfjord – a realm of mountains and valleys, with old fishing communities nestled along its picturesque edges. One of these – Loen – provides the perfect setting to see in the new year with your shipmates.
But before the celebrations begin, there’s plenty of adventure to be had. You can take the Loen Skylift to the top of Mount Hoven – climbing over 3,280 feet in just five minutes. The views to Mount Skåla and Lake Lovatnet in the east, and the Jostedalsbreen glacier and Olden to the south, are unforgettable. You can also try snowshoeing or sledding on the mountain, and perhaps even go kayaking on the fjord if time and weather allow.
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IncludedLoen SkyliftTake the Loen Skylift from sea level to top the of mountain Hoven in 5 minutes. Enjoy spectacular views to mountains, glaciers and the fjord.
DAY 13 : Haugaland
Homeland of the Viking Kings
The region of Haugaland is known for its Viking connections. It was from here that the Viking king Harald Fairhair united Norway into a single kingdom, and the country’s Viking past lives on in a plethora of historic sites.
If weather conditions allow, we'll visit a recreated Viking settlement on the small island of Bukkøya. On the nearby island of Karmøy, the Nordvegen History Centre in Avaldsnes delves into the characters of sagas and ancient poems.
For a more recent perspective, the coastal city of Haugesund played an important role in Norway’s herring fishing heritage, while a scenic ride to the atmospheric town of Skudeneshavn takes in beautiful beaches and charming, 19th-century wooden buildings.
DAY 14 : At sea
Reflections of Norway
Your Christmas voyage is coming to an end. Enjoy your last day at sea as you relax on board in the hot tubs or sauna, or you might want to edit and curate your festive photographs with the help of our onboard photographer.
You can spend time with the Coastal Experience Team in the Science Center, discovering more about the places you've visited. Or sit back and enjoy the panoramic views from the Explorer Lounge & Bar, and reminisce with fellow guests over the great experiences you've shared on this special voyage.
DAY 15 : Hamburg
Arrival in Hamburg
Our ship docks in Hamburg. You'll still have time to enjoy a final breakfast on board before you leave. There's much to see and do in Hamburg so it's worth staying a little longer to explore – a wonderful finale to this festive voyage.
You'll discover most of the city's attractions in the Altstadt district, including the St Nikolai Memorial and historic Deichstraße street. You can also explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chilehaus and the world's largest warehouse complex.
What’s included
Included in your voyage
Voyage
- A stay in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages* in restaurants Aune and Fredheim
- À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board†
- Complimentary reusable water bottle
- Complimentary wind and water-resistant jacket
- German- and English-speaking Coastal Experience Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
*House beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water
†Please note there is very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal in the remote areas we travel to, and streaming is not supported.
Onboard activities
- Daily themed lectures, photography guidance, arts and crafts hosted by the Coastal Experience Team
- Use of the ship’s Science Center, which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- Photography tips and techniques for capturing landscape and wildlife from our onboard professional Coastal Experience Team
- Use of the ship’s outside pool, panoramic sauna, outdoor and indoor gyms
- Informal gatherings with the Coastal Experience Team for daily briefings
- Selection of equipment for outdoor activities
- Photographers on hand to assist you
- Escorted tendering
Not included in your voyage
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Coastal Experience Team
- Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding requirements
- No gratuities expected
