Begin in Bergen, famous for its Hanseatic wharf which still carries a few traces of the rich historical past of the city founded by the Vikings. Then visit Alesund, a historic town entirely built in an Art nouveau style. From the small and charming village of Olden, located a few kilometers from Jostedalsbreen National Park, which is home to one of the last ice caps in Europe, you will be able to explore the wonderful Briksdal glacier. Next, come to Flam, one of Norway’s most spectacular natural sites, then guests will make their way, either by ship or via a scenic train ride, to the municipality of Vik I Sogn, located on the southern shore of Sognefjorden. In Stavanger, a small town with a harmonious blend of old and modern styles, view the wonderfully preserved fishermen's houses that date from the 18th century.

Highlights

Discover gorgeous Norway and its extraordinary landscapes
View the Bryggen, former Hanseatic port of Bergen
Walk along one of the most beautiful glaciers in Europe, the Briksdal
Explore the “fjord of light”, Lysefjord

Activities

Places Visited

Europe
Norway
Scandinavia
Bergen
North Sea
Alesund
Flam
Geiranger
Olden
Stavanger

Activity Level: Relaxed

Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Bergen | Embark

1 Dinner

Embark on Le Jacques Cartier at the port of Bergen.

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewelers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the Hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. Discover gorgeous Norway

Day 2: Alesund

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Surrounded by a multitude of islands, fjords and majestic mountains, the town of Ålesund surprises many visitors. In fact, it is internationally renowned for its Art nouveau architecture. After the terrible fire of 1904 which reduced a large part of the town to ashes, Norwegian architects inspired by the Art nouveau style contributed to its reconstruction, with a very picturesque result. Not far from Ålesund, you will also discover Giske, the native island of Rollon, the great Viking leader who commanded the Norse expeditions to Normandy, or the beautiful island of Godoy and the village of Alnes, which offers a grandiose panorama over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands.

Please note the following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Aalesund And Open Air Museum, City Walk And Art Nouveau Museum, and Giske And Godoy Islands.

Day 3: Hellesylt | Geiranger

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Hellesylt is a small village located 20 kilometers from the Geiranger site. Here, you’ll get a taste of a traditional Norwegian village. Colorful houses, wooden walkways, rustic stalls where you can have a refreshment before heading off to discover more of the local color. The surroundings are simply magnificent with cliffs, mountains, and lakes with peaceful waters. The village is crossed by a river whose charming cascade tumbles into the fjord waters.

A must-see stopover in Norway, located halfway between Bergen and Trondheim, Geiranger offers the stunning beauty of a natural decor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The splendor of the sheer cliffs, dark rock, and crystalline water are the stars of the show here. The sides of the fjord offer many possibilities for hiking: the Eagle’s Road takes you up to a steep stretch offering a gorgeous panoramic view. A visit to Geiranger village will immerse you in the rhythm of life in the little local community.

Please note that the optional excursion "From Hellesylt To Geiranger" will be available for an additional charge.

Day 4: Olden

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

With its two wooden churches, one red and the other white, plus its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Oldeelva, Olden looks just like a picture postcard. Located a few kilometers from the Jostedalsbreen park, home to one of the last glacier polar icecaps, this little village is a definite must for exploring the blue languages of the Briksdal or Kjennalen glaciers. Make sure you find some time to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Absolutely amazing. Another gem is lake Lovatn and its turquoise waters inviting you to quiet contemplation.

Please note the following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Nordfjord Kayaking, Briksdal Glacier, and From Fjord To Sky

Day 5: Flam | Vik I Sogn

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Nestled in the heart of the fjord country, less than 200 kilometers from Bergen, the picturesque village of Flåm – pronounced Flôm – offers you an experience of authentic Norway. You can mosey around the brightly colored streets and admire the majestic contours of the surrounding mountains. The town is also the departure point for the mythical train route Flamsbana, 20 kilometers long, whose journey offers a superb view of the scenery, as sublime as it is pristine. This attraction makes Flåm one of the country’s main tourist destinations.

Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings and sail up Sognefjorden. Penetrating over 200 km into large mountainous massifs, this magnificent fjord, the longest in Norway, has breathtaking landscapes. One of its branches, Nærøyfjorden, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your journey, you will discover the municipality of Vik, located on the southern shore of Sognefjorden. Don’t miss the visit to its oldest church, the famous Hopperstad Stave Church, dating from the 12th century. Made of wood, it represents a perfect example of Viking art and will take you back to the era of the Christianisation of Norway. Travel in time, in a stunningly beautiful natural space.

Please note that Tvinde Waterfall And Stalheim optional excursion will be available for an additional charge.

Day 6: Ulvik

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

About 150 kilometers from Bergen, the little town of Ulvik is one of the rare pearls in the county of Hordaland, in the south-west of the country. You’ll find it tucked away in one of the quieter Hardanger fjords. Why not spend a quiet interlude in its orchards, between the apple and cherry trees. All around, a spectacular landscape of mountains with steep rock-faces culminates in a 1,000-meter high altitude – a paradise for walkers. On the mountainsides, a few scattered farmsteads stand witness to the region’s farming activity. At their feet, gentle hills of silky green tumble into the cobalt seas.

Please note the following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Norwegian Nature Centre, and Cider Factory & Scenic Tour Of The Fjord

Day 7: Egersund

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colors as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colorful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries, and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.

Please note the following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Egersund And Faience Museum, and Scenic Tour And Sokndal.

Day 8: Stavanger | Sailing in Lysefjorden

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

At the far end of the country, stands the harbor town of Stavanger, with its warm, friendly atmosphere. A friendliness you’ll notice in the little old town cobbled streets, which has some 170 old wooden houses, as well as in its modern city center, always bustling.

You will sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, its marvelous décor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometers, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 meters above the waters. A bit further on, Flørli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable spectacle.

Please note the following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: In The Footsteps Of Stavanger's Past, and Utstein Monastery And Music Recital.

Day 9: Bergen | Disembark

1 Breakfast

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewelers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the Hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at Bergen.

Ship/Hotel

Le Jacques Cartier

Indulge in an intimate cruise with the opportunity to visit an ever-expanding choice of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Authenticity and a love of travel are the focal points of this opulent setting.

Dates & Prices

Per person starting at

$5,930

Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.

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Deluxe Stateroom

19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Prestige Deck 4

19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Prestige Deck 5

19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Prestige Deck 6

19 m² area featuring a 4m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Deluxe Suite Deck 3

27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower

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Deluxe Suite Deck 4

27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower

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Deluxe Suite Deck 5

27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower

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Deluxe Suite Deck 6

27 m² area featuring, 6m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, 1 sofa, shower

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Prestige Deck 5 Suite

38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Prestige Suite Deck 6

38 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Privilege Suite Deck 6

32 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Privilege Suite Deck 5

32 m² area featuring an 8m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

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Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6

45 m² area featuring, 40m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Bathtub

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Owner's Suite

45 m² area featuring an 30m² Private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, King-size bed or twin beds, Shower

Notes

Please note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and are subject to change without notice.

Payment Details

Terms & Conditions

Operated by Ponant

Included

8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Port Fees
Unlimited Wifi
Onboard Entertainment
Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
Gratuities to Onboard Crew
“Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
24h Room Service (special selection)
English-Speaking Lecturer
Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite.

Excluded

Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Visa Fees
Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
Luggage Handling
Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions
Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.

Jack Charney

Inaugural Season - The Best of the Norwegian Fjords

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Bergen | Embark

Day 2: Alesund

Day 3: Hellesylt | Geiranger

Day 4: Olden

Day 5: Flam | Vik I Sogn

Day 6: Ulvik

Day 7: Egersund

Day 8: Stavanger | Sailing in Lysefjorden

Day 9: Bergen | Disembark

Ship/Hotel

Le Jacques Cartier