Explore the enchanting Norwegian capital of Oslo, admiring its panoramic views, contemporary architecture, and historical museums.
NOTE: this program includes lots of walking and is not recommended for guests with mobility constraints.
DAY 1
Disembark the ship and transfer to the public boat pier where you will board a vessel and cruise along the Oslofjord. Along the way, you will see forested islands, the fortress of Akershus, and the two towers of the Town Hall, a building inaugurated in 1950 for Oslo’s 900th anniversary.
Back at the pier, drive to your hotel for check in. Once you have checked-in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure and meals are on your own.
As the hotel is in the city center, only a 10 minute walk from city hall and the harbor, you may enjoy a leisurely stroll on your own around Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, a popular area with plenty of restaurants.
DAY 2
Following breakfast, your bus and guide will take you an another full sightseeing-day in Oslo. Your first goal will be the peninsula of Bygdøy with the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums.
"Fram" Polarmuseum: Norway is an Arctic Nation, and this Museum - built in 1936, and upgraded several times in the recent years is dedicated to the polar expeditions and the explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen and Otto Sverdrup –. The exhibits include Photographs, Film, Light Effects, Models and displays of Historical Artefacts. Further, there is an Aurora light-show in the roof and a “Dark Walk” aiming to give an impression of polar conditions. The main exhibit, however, is the complete polarship “FRAM” built in 1893 – specially designed to withstand the pressure of pack-ice. The proud little ship is still the surface vessel that has sailed both furthest North – reaching 85° 57'n latitude with Nansens expedition from 1893-1896 – and furthest South reaching 78° 41's latitude with Amundsens expedition to the South Pole from 1910-1912.
Kon-Tiki Museum: The museum houses the original balsa raft used by Thor Heyerdahl and his five companions in 1947 during their voyage from Peru to Polynesia, across 3000 kilometres of ocean. Further, you find the papyrus-boat RA II with which Tor Heyerdahl, again with his faithfully companions, successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1970. A good selection of documentary material is also on display.
After ample time to explore inside these two museums, the group will head back to town to visit the National Museum (opened late 2022) which offers a range of exhibitions showing Norwegian and international art, architecture and design. The famous “Scream” painting is always on display here among 50,000 other objects from the wide collection of Norwegian heritage. Your Oslo guide will give you a tour through this museum.
From the National Museum you will be driven up to Ekeberg, making a short photo stop at the so-called “Munch-svingen” – with an impressive view of Oslo, which is said to be the background for the famous “Scream-painting”. From Ekeberg you will start a guided walk through the privately arranged Ekeberg Scultpure Park, displaying some sculptures from famous artists all around the world, among them Rodin, Dali, Renoir, Henry, Hirst and many more.
Your bus then returns the group to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Dinner is on your own.
The bus takes you back to your hotel after an another day full of interesting sights.
Dinner on your own.
DAY 3
Following breakfast, you will drive through the City Center to the famed Oslo Opera House. Designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta, the contemporary marble-and-glass building is a work of art that has won countless awards. Pausing long enough for photos from the roof of the opera house (outside visit), you will enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding Bjøvika neighborhood.
Then, it’s on to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, an 80-acre green oasis with more than 200 bronze and granite sculptures of the human form in various positions. Commissioned by the city of Oslo, Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland created the sculpture park over a period of 20 years. “The Monolith,” a highly symbolic piece with 121 intertwined human bodies, is the centerpiece and took more than 14 years to create.
Note: you will have approximately 1 km of walking here.
Continuing on, you will drive to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, a towering monument of steel and concrete that opened in 2010 for competitive ski jumping. From the top, you will enjoy a magnificent view of Oslo, the fjord and surrounding islands.
Following lunch, you will drive on to the Norwegian Open Air Museum on the peninsula of Bygdøy. The exhibits reflect the daily life and living conditions in Norway from the 16th century to present time. More than 150 buildings from various parts of the country are displayed, including the 12th-century Stave Churches and an entire street depicting life in the year 1865.
You will next visit the Maritime Museum which houses the 9th century Viking boat from the largest Gokstad Viking ship findings along with a wide range of Norwegian maritime cultural heritage including the country's oldest vessel (2200 years old).
View a new exhibition where ship builders will be reconstructing one of the smaller Viking boats from the “Gokstad” discovery using scientific and experimental methods that can provide unknown knowledge about the Vikings’ vessels.
Returning to the hotel, you will have the remainder of the evening to enjoy as you please or indulge on an evening stroll (optional) around the city and a taste of some of the best Norwegian beers, cheeses, and cured meats.
The first stop will be the most haunted place in Oslo, the Akershus Fortress, from where you’ll follow the ghosts to the center of medieval Christiania. The tour then continues with a stroll around the City Hall and its beautifully decorated entrance where you’ll learn more about Norse mythology.
Leaving the old times behind, the second part of our tour is dedicated to Norway’s modern history and culture which is highlighted by such sights as the Parliament building, National Theatre and the Royal Palace.
During the tour you will have some tasting that includes beer samples, Norwegian akvavit and a selection of traditional Norwegian cheeses and cured meat.
Dinner is on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Check out and transfer (private vehicle) to the airport based on your flight details.
Check out time is at 12:00pm. For guests with late flights, you may store your luggage at Reception until your transfer time.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
• Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
10:00am Disembark the ship and transfer to the sightseeing boat (luggage will be stored on a coach)
10:30am Depart for a 2-hour cruise on the Oslofjord (not exclusive to OCI)
12:30pm Arrive back at the pier and transfer to your hotel
Check in
Remainder of the day is at your leisure
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Depart from hotel by bus for a tour to the Bygdøy Peninsula
10:00am Arrive Fram Museum – guided visit and film
11:10am Depart on foot, short walk to Kon-Tiki
11:15am Arrive Kon-Tiki Museum – guided visit
12:00pm Depart and drive to City Center
12:20pm Arrive at the National Museum
Depending on availability – lunch at the museum’s restaurant (or as alternative somewhere downtown)
Guided tour of the museum
3:00pm Depart by bus and drive up to Munch-svingen, photo stop
3:45pm Guided walk at Ekeberg with its incredible views and sculptures from famous artists from all around the world
5:00pm Depart by bus and return to your hotel
5:30pm Arrive at your hotel
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Depart from the hotel for a city tour, with a photo stop at the Opera House (outside visit)
10:00am Visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park (approx. 1 km of walking)
11:00am Depart the Vigeland Sculpture Park
11:15am Visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump
12:15am Depart for lunch
12:30pm Buffet lunch at a local restaurant
2:00pm Depart from the restaurant
2:30pm Tour the Norwegian Open-Air Folk Museum – guided visit
3:30pm Depart from the museum
3:45pm Tour the Maritime Museum
4:30pm Depart from the museum
4:45pm Arrive at the hotel
5:30pm (Optional) - Evening stroll with beer, cheeses, and meat tasting – 2 hours
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out time at the hotel
Private transfer to the Airport based on your flight time. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel.
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
The temperature can vary from 5 to 30 degrees Celsius (41 to 86 Fahrenheit). Weather conditions can be sunny, windy, rainy and foggy.
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate warm clothing is recommended, including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and flat comfortable walking shoes.
Local Currency:
Norwegian Kroner. U.S. dollars are only accepted in souvenir shops, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Electricity:
European standard plug. We recommend bringing your own international travel adaptor if you have electronic devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required.
Accommodations:
Grand Hotel Oslo
Karl Johans gate 31, 0159 Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47 23 21 20 00
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests
•3 nights accommodation at the Grand Hotel Oslo - Standard Room
•3 breakfasts
•2 lunches including soft drinks
•Evening stroll with 3 beer tasting samples, 1 akvavit, selection of cheese and cured meat samples
•2-hour Oslofjord cruise
•All entrances and transfers as per listed above
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Dinners or any other meals not listed above
•Alcoholic beverages
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
