Northern Europe Cruises Including Cruises To The Baltic

A Cold Welcome: Pre-Dinner Drinks At the Icebar

Tour Code: OSL-014

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 1 1/2 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Depart from the pier for a short but picturesque drive through Olso, taking in the views of some of the main attractions on Carl Johan Street, including the Royal Palace, the University, the National Theatre and the Parliament.

Before long, you'll arrive at Oslo's most unusual bar, where almost everything is made from solid blocks of ice, including the walls, bar counter, furniture and decorations. Warm clothing will be provided before you enter the bar, so you can be totally comfortable enjoying your pre-dinner cocktail, which is served in a glass made of ice, of course.After your time enjoying the coolest bar in Oslo, you will return to the ship.

Akershus Castle & Resistance Museum

Tour Code: OSL-009

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 2 1/2 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Departing the pier, walk approximately 15 minutes to Akershus Castle, located near the Akershus Cruise pier. Upon arrival, begin a guided visit of the castle's interior. Admire the beautifully restored halls, marvel at the gloomy dungeons and travel down dark hallways. Your guide will provide commentary throughout your visit, detailing the historical presence of Håkon V Queen Margrethe, Christian IV, the Norwegian poet HenrikWergeland and other fascinating former visitors.

Continue to the Resistance Museum, which adjoins a memorial to the Norwegian patriots who were executed by the Germans during World War II. During your visit, you will see objects, pictures, printed materials and exhibitions detailing life in Oslo while under foreign rule.

After your look into this interesting history, walk back to your ship.

Please note: As this excursion involves walking approximately 2 hours over uneven ground, cobblestones and through narrow passages, it is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. This excursion is not recommended for guests who are claustrophobic due to narrow and low ceiling passages in Akershus Castle. It is recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable shoes. Flash photography is not permitted in Akershus Castle. This excursion may be cancelled with little notice in the event the castle is closed due to official arrangements. The order of sights visited may vary.

Cruise On the Oslofjord

Tour Code: OSL-012

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Situated at the long fjord bearing its name, Oslo has a unique open-air recreation area that few other capitals are blessed with. There are plenty of small rocky islands called skerries, dottedwith idyllic summer houses and cabins. The skerries often extend right into the heart of Oslo filling the air with the cries of their resident sea gulls.

The tour starts with a short walk from your cruise ship to the pier, where you will board aclassic wooden sailing ship. Rather than using the sails, the ship will be powered by the engine for the approximately 3-hour-long cruise. That way, your journey won't be as affected by wind and weather conditions. After dropping anchor, you will enjoy a traditional Norwegian prawn buffet with all the trimmings. Afterwards, you will cruise back to the pier and then walk back to your ship.

Hadeland Glass Works

Tour Code: OSL-008

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 5 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

In our modern world glass is a part of our everyday life. This fascinating excursion will give you the opportunity to learn how glass is produced as well as how it is formed and finished today.

Departing the pier, it's a 90-minute drive to Jevnaker, travelling along the scenic Tyrifjord. In spite of its name, Tyrifjord is actually a freshwater lake. However, the lake has many side arms, thus it's called a fjord. As you follow the shoreline, you will be afforded lovely views of the lake and its many islands.

Arriving at Jevnaker, you will visit the Hadeland Glassworks, erected in 1762. Here, they not only produce articles for everyday use, but crystal and special collector's pieces as well. During your visit, you will be invited to observe the glassblowers as they demonstrate their skills in forming glowing, molten glass into beautiful shapes. A visit to the museum showcases a carefully selected choice of pieces that represent the very best designs over the years. It also shows the development of Norwegian glass making from 1762 until today and offers visitors a glance into Norwegian culture and glass history.

After a visit of approximately 90-minutes, it's time to re-board your coach and make your way back to the pier in Oslo where your tour ends.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 90-minutes of walking/standing. It is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, are able to make their own way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested.

Hadeland Glass Works & Viking Ships

Tour Code: OSL-013

Tour Length: Full Day (Approximately 7 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

The tour begins by driving through this impressive capital city past the City Hall, National Theater, and the Royal Palace to Bygdoy Peninsula. The Viking Ships Museum here is reminiscent of a cathedral, which seems a fitting homage as there are three inspirational Viking long ships inside, dating from 800-900 AD. You will be amazed at the incredible artisanship.

Rejoin the coach to travel through suburbs and farmland to the 230-year-old Hadeland Glassworks. During your visit, you will learn about the glasswork's history and its development through more than two centuries. You will watch glass blowers at work, creating beautiful pieces of art from sand and molten glass. Subsequently, lunch will be served in the restaurant.

Later, you can walk over to the Honey House, where you will see bees at work in the hives. Before you leave the grounds of Hadeland, be sure to visit the gift shops.

After approximately a one-hour drive through the Norwegian landscape, you will reach the Holmenkollen viewpoint. The view over Oslo, the fjord and surroundings is breathtaking. You can also admire the ski jump built for the 2011 Ski World Championship. After your visit at Holmenkollen, you will return to your ship.

Kroderbanen Veteran Train

Tour Code: OSL-006

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 4 1/2 hours)

Tour Effort: Easy

Norwegians do not have many railways but are proud of the few they have and of their railway history. Stretches of railway no longer in use for regular traffic, have been carefully maintained and are now used for "veteran" trains. The Norwegian Railway Society is run by volunteers, who in their private time, maintain and run the trains and are in charge of the crew and veteran material. Krøderbanen first opened for traffic in 1872 and since 1985, it has been used for vintage steam powered trains only.

Your tour begins with a scenic 1-hour drive to Vikersund where you will board your train for an approximately 1-hour journey along 16 miles of tracks to Krøderen. At a top speed of 18 miles per hour, you will pass a varied landscape of forests and farms as well as the station buildings which are all part of the Krøderbanen foundation and are important factors in keeping with the environment and period of the old trains. At Krøderen Station you will find a little shop selling memorabilia and exhibits that you may visit before joining your coach for the return to Oslo.

Please note: This tour has limited walking and is available to wheelchair guests who are able to both make their own way on and off the coach and the train. There is a high step to negotiate to enter and exit the train. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The tour may also be run in the opposite direction.

Nobel Peace Center & Walking Tour

Tour Code: OSL-007

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

This guided walking tour begins at the pier under the protective shadow of Akershus fortress and castle, passing the statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Starting off, you will first pass the City Hall, a modern landmark containing the works of some of Norway's most distinguished artists. From here, it's a short walk to the National Theater. Stop to view the Royal Palace as well as the Royal Guard before passing down the Main Street, Karl Johan and then passing by the University of Oslo and the Ibsen Museum.

Included in your tour is a visit to the Nobel Peace Center, inaugurated in 2005. The Peace Center's mission - in keeping with the spirit of Alfred Nobel's last will and testament - is to shed light on small as well as large-scale conflicts. The Peace Center is where the works of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and Alfred Nobel are on display.

The return to the ship will have you walking through the Akershus Fortress once a medieval castle and Royal Residence, before finding yourself back at the pier where your tour concludes.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 3 hours of moderate walking and is not available to wheelchair guests or those with mobility concerns. Flat, comfortable walking shoes, umbrella and layered clothing are suggested.

Oceania Exclusive - Panoramic Oslo

Tour Code: OSL-001OE

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 hours)

Tour Effort: Easy

Oceania Exclusive Tour

For those travelers who prefer an added measure of intimacy and flexibility, we are pleased to offer our new Oceania Exclusive tours. With a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum capacity of just 16 guests, each tour benefits from a higher level of personal attention and the added flexibility and agility that come from traveling in a small group.

Oceania Exclusive tours are available for a specially selected number of tours in almost every port we visit, in every corner of the world.

Situated above the pier are the walls of the Akershus fortress which dates back to the 13th century. After boarding your coach, you'll first make your way past this interesting and historic fortress, which today, is partly a museum and partly a military area. From here, you will then travel towards the City Hall, inaugurated in 1950 at Oslo's 900-year's jubilee, via one of the two main streets in the town center - Stortingsgate.

Continuing on, you will pass the Parliament before entering the second and most important street in Oslo, "Karl Johan", named after the Swedish-Norwegian King who ruled in the early part of the 19th century. Coming down this street you will view the oldest part of the university which dates back to 1813.

At the top of the hill lies the Royal Palace, built in the first half of the last century and the residence of the Royal Family. Next, it's on to the sight of the Vigeland Sculpture Park before beginning the climb up Holmenkollen Hill, sight of the former world-famous ski jumping arena. On clear days the view over the town and the Oslofjord is simply amazing.

Returning towards the town center you'll pass the busy "Bokstadveien" with its many shops, the Royal Park, the House of Artists and the market square where you will also find Oslo Cathedral which was built in 1697. Other sites you will see are the Central Railway station and the tallest building in the city, hotel Oslo Plaza.

Your tour will conclude with a scenic drive up the Hill of Ekeberg for a fantastic view of the harbor, the fjord with its many islands and a large part of the town that stretches out in the valley below you. A scenic drive along the shoreline brings you back to the pier.

Please note: This tour includes limited walking. It is available to wheelchair guests with a collapsible wheelchair who are able to both make their way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.

Olympic Wheelbob in Lillehammer

Tour Code: OSL-010

Tour Length: Full-Day (Approximately 8 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

From the pier, your air-conditioned motor coach ventures past Town Hall and proceeds east through Oslo's industrial districts. Soon, the landscape changes into inviting suburbs, verdant farmland and wooded hills.

Pass the village of Eidsvoll, where the Norwegian constitution was formed in 1814. Reaching Lake Mjoesa, your motor coach approaches Lillehammer, a picture-postcard city certainly deserving of being the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. The main street is lined with picturesque, wooden buildings and a church spire rises proudly against the sky.

As fairy-tale perfect as Lillehammer is, the town also has an adventurous side, which you will experience as you arrive at the Olympic Bob & Luge Track. Seated in a four-person wheelbob steered by an expert pilot, thrill to the ride of a lifetime, reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

Afterward, you will be treated to a delicious two-course lunch and brief sightseeing tour of this charming city.

You will pass the Lysbakkane Ski Jumping Arena, another enduring symbol of Lillehammer's Olympic past, on your return journey to the pier and your ship.

Please note: Although the suggested age for this excursion is 12 and above, children 10 or 11 years old may participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Due to the adventurous nature of this excursion, guests must be in good physical condition, be free of back, neck or heart conditions and, for women, not be pregnant, in order to participate. It is recommended that guests dress in warm, layered clothing and wear flat, comfortable closed-toe sports shoes. Thermal hats, gloves and underwear are also recommended. The order of sights visited may vary. The operation of this excursion is dependent on prevailing weather conditions.

Oslo Highlights & Vigeland Sculpture Park

Tour Code: OSL-005

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 4 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Your tour begins with a scenic drive through the Akershus Fortress area, passing the Parliament, the National Theater, the Royal Residence and the suburban villa area of Holmenkollem Hills.

Arriving at the Vigeland Sculpture Park, you can see many of the 200 sculptures that are arranged over the Park's 80 acres, all created by Gustav Vigeland. Making the sculptures even more interesting is that the artist never explained his works, leaving the interpretation to each beholder.

Returning towards the town center you'll pass the busy "Bokstadveien" with its many shops, the Royal Park, the House of Artists and the market square where you will also find Oslo Cathedral which was built in 1697. Your tour also includes a visit to the city hall. Other sites you will see are the Central Railway station and the tallest building in the city, hotel Oslo Plaza.

Your tour will conclude with a scenic drive along the shoreline bringing you back to the pier.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 1.5 hours of walking/standing. The tour is available to wheelchair guests with a collapsible wheelchair who are able to make their own way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.

Oslo’s Contemporary Art & Architecture

Tour Code: OSL-011

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 4 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Depart the pier by air-conditioned motor coach and travel to Oslo's beautiful Opera House, which opened in 2008. Upon arrival you will notice the amazing architecture, a design created by a Norwegian architectural firm that won the Opera House's anonymous design competition. Mainly created with marble and granite, its striking shape rises out of the fjord in the Oslo city center.

Entering the Opera House, you will be welcomed by a warm interior, adorned with oak and stained in multiple rich hues. Beginning a guided behind-the-scenes visit, learn about the architecture, the building process and the backstage technical solutions. After your interior visit, proceed to the Opera House's roof, which offers a splendid view of Oslo.

Leaving the Opera House, rejoin your motor coach and proceed on a sightseeing drive of the city, including views of the Royal Palace, the Parliament, the National Theater, City Hall, Nobel Institute, Akershus Fortress and the Old University.

Soon, you will arrive at the Henie Onstad Art Center, which is beautifully situated by the Oslo fjord and surrounded by an extensive park area with sculptures from the Henie Onstad Collection.The collection, as well as the building, was a joint venture by ice skater and Hollywood star Sonja Henie and her husband NielsOnstad.

Entering the gallery, you will be invited to a guided visit of the exhibitions. Among the art you may see are works by Picasso, Matisse, Lèger, Villon, Bazaine, Manessier and others from the Paris school. The gallery also offers work by CoBrA artists such as Corneille and Jorn, as well as Norwegian artists such as Weidemann, Bergman and Gundersen.

After your visit, you will have time to stroll around the beautiful outdoor sculpture park before returning to your ship.

Please note: It is recommended that guests dress in warm, layered clothing and wear flat, comfortable shoes. Guests should bring raingear in case of inclement weather. The order of sights visited may vary. The gift shop and restaurant at Onstad Art Museum are not open on Mondays.

Oslo's Maritime Highlights

Tour Code: OSL-002

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 hours)

Tour Effort: Moderate

Begin with a scenic drive through central Oslo, passing the City Hall, National Theater, Royal Residence and suburban villa areas while on your way to Bygdøy. Once the King's private property, today it is partially designated as a museum area.

Your first stop is the famous Viking Ships Museum. The ships on display here are very well-preserved and serve as an excellent example of the Viking period's daring initiative and ship building craftsmanship. There is also a collection of household implements found during the excavations of the ships.

Continue on to the Kon Tiki Museum, housing the original balsa raft used by Thor Heyerdahl and his five companions. In 1947, their voyage took them from Peru to Polynesia, crossing 1,864 miles of ocean. You will also find the papyrus-boat RA II with which Thor Heyerdahl used to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1970. A good selection of documentary material is also on display.

Finally, we pay a visit to FRAM, built by Colin Archer in 1892 to explore the Polar Regions. FRAM was the ship that was used in expeditions of the Artic and Antartic regions by the Norwegian explorers. One Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, was the first to reach the South Pole and he used FRAM during his expedition of 1910 11.

From Bygdøy you will drive along the harbor with its many pleasure boats and have a glimpse of the charming "Oscarshall" castle, the summer residence of the Swedish/Norwegian King Oscar I.

The tour will conclude back at the pier.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 2 hours of walking. There are also a considerable number of steps to be negotiated and it is not considered suitable for wheelchair guests or those with mobility concerns. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.

Panoramic Oslo

Tour Code: OSL-001

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 hours)

Tour Effort: Easy

Situated above the pier are the walls of the Akershus fortress which dates back to the 13th century. After boarding your coach, you'll first make your way past this interesting and historic fortress, which today, is partly a museum and partly a military area. From here, you will then travel towards the City Hall, inaugurated in 1950 at Oslo's 900-year's jubilee, via one of the two main streets in the town center - Stortingsgate.

Continuing on, you will pass the Parliament before entering the second and most important street in Oslo, "Karl Johan", named after the Swedish-Norwegian King who ruled in the early part of the 19th century. Coming down this street you will view the oldest part of the university which dates back to 1813.

At the top of the hill lies the Royal Palace, built in the first half of the last century and the residence of the Royal Family. Next, it's on to the sight of the Vigeland Sculpture Park before beginning the climb up Holmenkollen Hill, sight of the former world-famous ski jumping arena. On clear days the view over the town and the Oslofjord is simply amazing.

Returning towards the town center you'll pass the busy "Bokstadveien" with its many shops, the Royal Park, the House of Artists and the market square where you will also find Oslo Cathedral which was built in 1697. Other sites you will see are the Central Railway station and the tallest building in the city, hotel Oslo Plaza.

Your tour will conclude with a scenic drive up the Hill of Ekeberg for a fantastic view of the harbor, the fjord with its many islands and a large part of the town that stretches out in the valley below you. A scenic drive along the shoreline brings you back to the pier.

Please note: This tour includes limited walking. It is available to wheelchair guests with a collapsible wheelchair who are able to both make their way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.

Sea Plane Over Oslo

Tour Code: OSL-004

Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 1 hour)

Tour Effort: Easy

From the pier you will be driven to the nearby seaplane port where your adventure in the skies above Oslo begins. Taking off from the harbor area, you will first get to experience great views of the ferries and passenger ships close by.

Your flightseeing tour will include views of the inner part of the Oslofjord and its many islands and then over the suburban villa areas of Holmenkollen Hill. Enjoy views of the world-famous Holmenkollen ski jumping arena, the marina where the King moors his yacht and the peninsula of Bygoey, where you can spot the small castle "Oscarshall" built around 1850 for the Swedish-Norwegian king, Oscar I.

Continuing on, you will fly towards the impressive Vigeland Park where 200 statue-groups that are made from bronze, granite and iron are scattered throughout the grounds. You will then pass over the bridge lined with statues on both sides and view the impressive entrance gates to the Park. Further on, pass over the Royal Castle and park and the red brick Town Hall with its two towers. Finally, the seaplane will circle the ship in order to take photos or film from above, before heading back to the seaplane port.

Upon landing, it's a short drive back to the pier and your ship.

Please Note: The flight-seeing portion of the tour is approximately 30 minutes. The plane is not wheelchair accessible and therefore; the tour is not available to wheelchair guests. Participants must be able to climb steps into and out of the plane. This tour is not suitable for guests suffering from vertigo, fear of heights and/or claustrophobia and those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. A windbreaker or light jacket and comfortable, flat walking shoes are suggested. The order of the sites viewed or visited may vary.

Transfer to Granada

Tour Code: ALM-007

Tour Length: Full-Day (Approximately 8 1/2 hours)

Tour Effort: Easy

This excursion is intended for those who would like to explore on their own. It consists of a motor coach ride from the ship to Granada, where you will be dropped off at a central location. Your escort will then advise you of the pick-up time for your return journey to the ship.

Important Notes: Guide service, taxi transfers, entrance fees and lunch are not included in the transfer price. It will be your responsibility to be at the drop-off point at the given return time. Travel time to Granada is approximately 2½ hours each way.