Norway & Arctic Circle

Let us help you plan your dream vacation to Norway.

When we were looking to step up our cruise experience a bit, we thought what better way than to experience Norwegian Cruise Lines to..... Norway! We want to share our knowledge of this unique destination with you so that you can make the most of your trip.

The photos shown were taken on a 15-night cruise from London (Southampton) round trip. We spent a few days in London touring the museums and of course taking tea in some of the most iconic hotels in town before heading down to the port. There is train service from central London to Southampton, or splurge a bit and hire a private car with wi-fi to pick you up at your hotel for the two hour drive and stop along the way at one of any number of amazing sights. On this trip, we chose Stonehenge for our easy detour before getting back in the car and popping down to the port for departure. Similar to Alaska, the cruise season in Norway is short, but the summer days are long and provide many sunlit hours for exploring and enjoying the view. In July, the midnight sun merely arcs down but never really goes below the horizon. Once boarding the ship, in addition to the numerous chances to visit and view snow capped mountains and glaciers along the way, there is a wide range of excursions available to choose from including: taking in panoramic views from the local ski resorts, tasting locally grown produce which is fantastic, flight-seeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and walking tours hosted by local Norwegians. Our favorite was a full day excursion from Honningsvåg, seeing reindeer along the way to visit Nordkapp (North Cape) which is the most northerly point of the European continent, located at 71-degrees North latitude inside the Arctic Circle. The lodge is warm and inviting and has a wonderful view and shows a very beautifully filmed movie about the local area including scenes of the aurora which can be seen in the winter months. The globe marker outside the lodge sits atop a concrete pedestal overlooking a fantastic cliff that drops more than 1000 feet or 307 meters to the Barents Sea. When you reach this point, the only thing between you and the North Pole is the Arctic ocean. Cruising Norway is very green and lovely in summer interspersed with snow capped mountains and immaculate towns that will enchant you at every turn. Similar to Switzerland, you just cannot take a bad picture in Norway. This itinerary is very relaxing and perfect for photographers, even amateurs like us!

London is a surprisingly easy gateway to many fantastic cruise destinations, including Norway. If you have a few days to spare, taking in the sights in London is a great way to start your cruise vacation. Most major US cities have nonstop flights to London, and this will allow you to adjust to the local time, tour some amazing historic sites in the UK, catch a great show in the theater district, visit world class museums (many of which are actually free), or simply enjoy the pageantry of this vibrant and energizing location. The public parks in and around London are a great place to wander and appreciate the beauty of manicured gardens, and London's diverse restaurants have something to suit the taste of everyone in your party. On our many visits to London, we have opted for afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton, The Savoy, and The Dorchester. The debate continues on which service was the most delightful. (Hint: they're all amazing. You really can't go wrong unless you fail to book well in advance.) And, once you are done touring your gateway city of London, you can totally disconnect when you board your cruise in Southampton. We have never been so completely relaxed as when cruising the Norwegian fjords. The experience is unforgettable.

Please call us for more information and to book your dream cruise to Norway to visit these amazing sites.

--Pat and Michelle

To view the short slideshow, please check your volume and then click the arrow below, or scroll down for still photos.