Norway's Northern Archipelagos with Lofoten


This cruise has now set sail.
Unfortunately, this cruise will not be going ahead as planned. Please click here to find out more >
Liverpool, England
Sep 25 | Depart - late afternoon

Liverpool is one of Britain's most iconic and interesting cities, and famously home to the Cavern Club and The Beatles.
Liverpool - a former European Capital of Culture - is globally-renowned for its music, arts, culture and diverse architecture, and attracts visitors from around the globe.
A busy port city, Liverpool is also known for its historic waterfront district and Albert Dock, where some of the city's best known galleries and museums can be found. The Tate Gallery, International Slavery Museum and 'The Beatles Story' exhibition are easily found on foot, and sit alongside the largest collection of Grade One listed buildings in the UK, including the iconic Liver Building and a number of structures associated with the ill-fated RMS Titanic.
Kristiansund, Norway
Sep 28 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early evening

Reaching out into the waters of Norway’s Western Cape on four, bridge-connected islands, the clean, open, operatic city of Kristiansund, and its stunning harbour, are impossible to ignore. Destroyed in the Second World War, nearly 80% of Kristiansund has been rebuilt since the 1940s. The city is now home to some of Norway’s most iconic modern architecture. Reminders of pre-war Kristiansund still remain, notably the city’s opera house – the oldest in Norway – which offers around 100 opera performances, an opera festival and an outdoor performance of Donna Bacalao every year.
The local history of Klippfisk (salted cod) can be uncovered at the town’s unique museum, while many visitors opt to travel along the renowned Atlantic Road, one of Norway's most photographed driving roads.
From Kristiansund, a trip to the nearby Grip Island, a prominent fishing settlement in the 15th and 16th centuries, is worth undertaking despite there being no permanent residents now. Exploring the abandoned villages and absorbing the eerie atmosphere of Grip Stave Church – built in 1470, is a must.
Cruising Rørvik, Norway
Sep 29 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early morning

Rørvik is a picturesque island village located on the eastern part of the Vikna archipelago, in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. This pretty village serves as the administrative centre for the municipality and has a population of approximately 3,000 inhabitants.
Cruising Torghatten, Norway
Sep 29 | Arrive - late morning | Depart - late morning

A scenic cruise along the shores of Toget Island allows you see one of Norway's most astonishing natural wonders - Torghatten Mountain. The mountain is known affectionately as 'the mountain with the hole', Torghatten is famous for the huge tunnel that strikes right through the middle of it and has has to be seen to be believed.
Cruising Seven Sisters mountain range, Norway
Sep 29 | Arrive - early afternoon | Depart - late afternoon

Forming a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sister mountain range is an awe-inspring backdrop to the myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes. Standing 1,000 feet above the shoreline, these beautiful women are perhaps best observed in all their glory from your ship. It is possible to climb them, and to learn the legend of the trolls who were turned to stone!
Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway
Sep 29 | Arrive - early evening | Depart - early evening

Crossing the Arctic Circle takes you into the lands of prolonged days and midnight sun. It is visible on a map - north of which the sun can be seen above the horizon even at midnight during the summer months. However, during the winter the sun stays below the horizon for most of the day. During the cold winter months, light is provided by the moon and stars in addition to the elusive but spell-binding Northern Lights.
Cruise Trollfjord, Norway
Sep 30 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early morning

The Trollfjord is a spectacular 2 kilometre long branch of the Raftsund straight that divides Norway's Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelagos.
One of the most popular sight-seeing destinations in Nordland county, the Trollfjord is a relatively short and narrow fjord that's lined with steep mountains and vast rocky cliffs. Fred. Olsen's more compact ships allow you to cruise directly into the heart of the Trollfjord to join the flocks of native Sea Eagles in their natural habitat.
Cruising Raftsundet, Norway
Sep 30 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - early morning

Pinched between the spectacular islands of Austvagoy and Hinnoya, the 25-kilometre-long, size-restricted Raftsundet Strait is only accessible to smaller ships such as those in the Fred. Olsen fleet.
On a scenic cruise through Raftsundet, your ship will navigate a narrow canyon of glass-like waters and mountains, bringing you almost to touching distance of the rugged, low-lying rock faces along one side of the sound, and the mighty Raftsundet Alps – which soar up to 1,200 metres – dominating the other.
Sortland, VesterĂ¥len, Norway
Sep 30 | Arrive - late morning | Depart - early evening

Sortland, the largest town of the beautiful Vesterålen archipelago, is one of Northern Norway’s most unique destinations.
Nicknamed ‘Blue Town’, Sortland is almost entirely painted in various shades of blue, thanks to any idea put forward by artist Bjorn Elvenes at the start of the new millennium. Elvenes proposed that – with the help of other local artists and residents – Sortland should become a living 3D painting, and today the town’s mix of architecture, comprising Swiss style wood, concrete and glass structures, is an exhibit of his vision. It’s worth exploring the town to see how the blue colour scheme is developing alone, though there are plenty of attractions such as interesting art exhibitions, a beautiful early 20th century church and the pretty downtown, where you can enjoy ‘Writings on a Field of Blue’.
Visiting Sortland offers chances to seek-out Vesterålen's natural treasures, too. Rugged, unspoilt countryside landscapes and miles of gorgeous island coastline are within reach, while the archipelago and its surrounding waters are also home to diverse wildlife, from seals and seabirds to whales. In the summer months it is possible to experience the magical midnight sun here; and in the winter, visitors might be lucky enough to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights.
Tromsø, Norway
Oct 01 - 02 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon

The island city of Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s true delights. Rich with neo-classical architecture, the city known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ contains the largest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, and its old world charm makes it a joy to explore.
A major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the colourful Northern Lights that often light up the night sky. The city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, the cathedral’s distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of Northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.
The many museums and galleries in the city include the Perspektivet Museum – set in a neo-classical building built in 1838 that has exhibits from Tromsø’s past, plus the Art Museum of Northern Norway and the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is also home to Polaria, an Arctic aquarium that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The aquarium’s tanks are full of Arctic fish species, and the friendly bearded seals always delight the visiting crowds.
Tromsø, and the stunning landscapes that surround it, are best viewed from the top of the Storsteinen Mountain, which stands 420 metres above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the peak is easy to reach and one of the most popular spots on the edge of the city.
Leknes, Norway
Oct 03 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon

Leknes, one of the first ports inside the Arctic Circle, looks out over the stunning Lofoten Islands, which are rich in Viking history and Arctic nature. The wild landscape of jagged peaks, cliffs and bright-white sandy beaches makes the area one of the most picturesque in Norway.
The nearby village of Borg is home to a Viking museum, based on one of the largest buildings of the Viking era that has ever been discovered. The museum is very much alive: partly lit by oil lamps, it has exhibits of gold fertility figures, pottery, and glassware and regular displays of handicrafts. In the outside area are domestic animals, many of which are ancient breeds that were raised by the Vikings.
Cruising by Reine, Norway
Oct 03 | Arrive - late afternoon | Depart - early evening

Reine, situated on the southeast coast of Moskenesøya Island in the remote Lofoten Archipelago, is one of Norway's most spectacular locations, surrounded by breathtaking, snow-capped granite peaks, flower-covered meadows and bathed in silken Arctic light.
Aboard your smaller Fred. Olsen cruise ship you'll pass slowly by Reine, taking in remarkable scenes that have inspired artists and photographers for centuries. Be sure to have your camera to hand to capture this unmissable photo opportunity.
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Oct 05 | Arrive - early morning | Depart - late afternoon

Lerwick is the friendly capital of the 100 islands and islets of Shetland. The bustling, cosmopolitan seaport is the islands’ only town, and its wonderful natural harbour is a joy to explore.
Until the 1600s, Leir Vik – Norse for a muddy bay – was little more than a few huts. However, conflict between the British and Dutch, whose fishing fleet fished for herrings off the islands, led to the building of a permanent settlement. This included Fort Charlotte, which once overlooked the harbour but has now been enclosed by the town following land reclamation.
Despite the wealth created by North Sea oil, modern Lerwick retains many fascinating small shops and historic buildings. Wandering along atmospheric Commercial Street is a delight, and the Böd of Gremista – a “fishing booth” built in 1780, is now a fascinating museum. The ground floor has the salt store and the kitchen, where herrings were hung to dry. Outside the town are the well preserved remains of the Broch of Clickimin, a small Bronze-Age settlement excavated in the last century.
Liverpool, England
Oct 07 | Arrive - early morning

Liverpool is one of Britain's most iconic and interesting cities, and famously home to the Cavern Club and The Beatles.
Liverpool - a former European Capital of Culture - is globally-renowned for its music, arts, culture and diverse architecture, and attracts visitors from around the globe.
A busy port city, Liverpool is also known for its historic waterfront district and Albert Dock, where some of the city's best known galleries and museums can be found. The Tate Gallery, International Slavery Museum and 'The Beatles Story' exhibition are easily found on foot, and sit alongside the largest collection of Grade One listed buildings in the UK, including the iconic Liver Building and a number of structures associated with the ill-fated RMS Titanic.
Unfortunately, this cruise will not be going ahead as planned.
We are aware that if you are sailing with us, you will have many questions about what these cancellations mean for you and we will be in touch as soon as we can.
We are likely to be very busy in our call centre over the next few days. Please bear with us, there is no rush for you to make a decision. We are working very hard for you and promise that we will deal with each and every one of your questions as soon as we possibly can.