Discovering Scandinavia's Viking Heritage

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Three swords monument, Stavanger, Norway Three swords monument, Stavanger, Norway

16 Aug 2023

Rosyth

9 nights

Balmoral

The cruise at a glance

The Olsen Way Highlights

On this journey to Scandinavia, we will visit destinations known for their links to the Vikings, allowing you to retrace the history of this legendary era. Many Viking-themed attractions await your discovery, including the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum, the burial ground at Lindholm Høje, and Stavanger’s three swords monument. Balmoral will cruise along Oslofjord, passing the Olsen family home in Hvitsten, before reaching Oslo, gateway to a number of Viking museums and burial grounds. Other scenic cruising highlights include the size-restricted Fedafjord, Norway’s narrow southern fjords, and a sailing past Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the first place the Vikings raided in Britain.

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Highlights

Figure heads in garden

Cruising by the Olsen family home

One of the highlights on this cruise is a Scenic Discovery past the Olsen family home in Hvitsten. The village grew in the 19th century as it was used as a winter harbour by shipowners. The striking wooden church was given to the village by Bolette Olsen – Fred. Olsen’s mother – in 1903; and it is her that our flagship Bolette is named after. Many ship figureheads stand in the gardens here, having been used on Fred. Olsen ships in the 20th century.

Stones at Viking Graveyard Lindholm Hoje in northern Denmark.

Viking history

Just outside Aalborg, one of Scandinavia’s best preserved Viking sites of Lindholm Hoje is an extensive burial location with tombs of Vikings dating back as far as the Nordic Iron Age. The area is marked by stone circles covering an entire hillside, where a total of 682 graves were found when it was excavated, and nearby also lies the remains of a Viking village.

Ivar Hellberg

Ivar Hellberg

On this cruise, you’ll be joined by guest speaker Ivar Hellberg, who will talk about Viking history in the destinations being visited. Ivar is a Commando Soldier who has seen operational service in many parts of the world before retiring to become a university lecturer. He has Norwegian blood in his veins through his father, and has participated in many winter training deployments in Norway with the Royal Marines. Over the last few years Ivar has been lecturing on Norwegian History, the Vikings, polar exploration and military history.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

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Life On Board

Introducing Balmoral

Beautiful Balmoral is small enough to navigate some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways so guests can enjoy hours of scenic cruising. Balmoral retains a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open deck space.

Balmoral
Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral sailing at dawn

Balmoral

Beautiful Balmoral is small enough to navigate Europe’s most picturesque waterways so guests can enjoy hours of scenic cruising. Balmoral offers a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open-deck space.

710 cabins
1,325 guests
551 crew
43,537 GT
16kts max speed
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Our Signature Experiences

To make your experience even more special, our Journey Planners have designed a unique programme of Signature Experiences which will allow you to discover real insights about the culture and nature of the places we are visiting, so you can arrive in each destination fully prepared to get the most out of your visit.

Itinerary Insights

We have carefully curated a programme of events to give you a deeper understanding of each of the destinations you will be visiting

Scenic Discoveries

Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of our ships

The Ship and the Sea

Maritime is in our DNA - our history in shipping goes back almost 200 years

The Sky at Sea

There’s very little in the natural world more beautiful than a clear night sky, sunrise or sunset seen at sea

Treats of the Region

We love to bring a taste of the region's food, drink, local tastes and culinary traditions to life on board

Cabins, Prices & Offers

Cabin Options On Your Cruise

Please call our Reservations Team for latest pricing and availability.

What's Included

SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED

As well as our Signature Experiences, there is a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.

Treats & Pastimes

In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.

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Enhance your cruise

Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.

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