Oslo, Norway

See Norway’s staggeringly beautiful fjords, lakes, and mountains, often traveling by train and on wonderfully circuitous roads, with enlightening tours of villages in between and stops at the most historical landmarks.

Note: This program is not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.

DAY 1

Upon arrival at the Oslo International Airport, you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the Grand Hotel Oslo. Check in is at 3:00pm. The remainder of the day is yours for discovering the city at your own pace.

As the hotel is in the city center and only a 10-minute walk from 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 at the hotel and check-out, you will take the morning train from Oslo through the breathtaking countryside to Myrdal, where you will hop aboard the Flåm Railway, locally called Flåmsbana. The scenery will become even more dramatic, as the railway is one of steepest in the world. You can expect to see roaring rivers carving their ways through steep gorges, waterfalls spilling over mountainsides and tiny farms clinging to the slopes. It will be one incredible vista after another. Picnic lunch is included on the train.

Afterwards, you will drive to the Borgund Stave Church, the best preserved of the 28 stave churches still remaining in Norway. Dedicated to the Apostle Andrew, the church dates back to the 12th century. Its features include lavishly carved portals and carvings of dragon heads on the roof.

You will then continue descending from the mountains to one of the arms of Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Crossing by ferry, you will then follow a coastal road to the Leikanger Fjord Hotel (standard room with view), where you will dine and spend the evening.

Note: Early this morning, your luggage will be collected and taken by bus to Flåm. A welcome-letter will indicate the pick- up times schedule from the Hotel. Kindly make sure your luggage is ready for collection at the pre-determined time, otherwise (there will be no porters available to assist, therefore guests will be responsible for carrying their own luggage on-and-off of the train).

DAY 3

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will take the ferry back across Sognefjord to the Urnes Stave Church, the oldest of Norway’s stave churches. This UNESCO World Heritage site church was built around 1130 AD, but the distinctive carvings on the north portal are from an even older church. Samples taken from the base timbers show that the timber was felled between 1129 and 1131.

You will then follow an immensely picturesque route that crosses the Sognefjell mountains between Luster and Lom. This mountain pass is the highest in Northern Europe and has been awarded the status of National Tourist Route because of the spectacular and wild scenery, especially the section in the Jotunheimen National Park.

In time, you will arrive in Lom for a leisurely lunch. Continuing, you will drive to Geiranger with occasional stops along the way for photos of sights such as Mount Dalsnibba. At the Flydalsjuvet lookout, you will enjoy a stunning view of the fjord and Geiranger, where you will spend the night at the Union Hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel with the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

DAY 4

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will follow Trollstigen or the Troll’s Road as it snakes and climbs through the precipitous mountains. Most every bend in the road has a name that describes its hairpin attributes or recognizes the intrepid construction crew that built it. The road is narrow, steep, and incredibly scenic so just sit back and enjoy the ride through the mountainous terrain. At Åndalsnes, you will hop aboard the Romsdalen Gondola and head up the mountain to 1679 meters above sea. Here you will enjoy a 2-course lunch and you will have time to take in the views. Back down again you will continue by bus passing through more breathtaking mountains with the winding Rauma River sometimes in sight. Upon arriving in Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, you will check into the Aksjemøllen hotel for the night. Dinner is on your own that night, your guide will share recommendations on where to eat.

There are some lovely restaurants just a short 5-minute walk from your hotel. A unique suggestion is “Bryggerikjelleren”.

DAY 5

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will enjoy an enlightening drive around Lillehammer, passing landmarks such as the Lillehammer Museum of Art and the Norwegian Olympic Museum. Time will also be allotted to browse the open-air museum Maihaugen, which boasts a collection of nearly 200 historical buildings from different eras.

Continuing into the countryside, you will pass beautiful Lake Mjøsa on the way to Hadeland Glassworks, where glass is still blown using traditional methods. Merchandise ranging from wine glasses to decorative arts is all produced by hand on the premises. Depending on the day, you might try to blow some glass yourself.

Upon reaching Oslo, you will check in to the Grand Hotel for the evening. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 6

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will head for 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.

Continuing, 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. NOTE: There could be long lines at the viewpoint

Upon reaching Bygdøy Peninsula, you will find the Fram Museum. Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south (both North pole and Antarctica). At the Fram Museum you can come on board the ship and see how the crew and their dogs managed to survive in the coldest and most dangerous places on earth.

Later in the afternoon, you will arrive at the port and board the cruise ship.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered no-shows and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program.

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the airport in Oslo and transfer to the hotel

Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure with dinner on your own

Check in is at 3:00pm

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

6:30am Breakfast at the hotel

7:45am Check-out and short walk to the train station

8:25am Ride the train to Oslo-Myrdal

1:00pm Arrive in Myrdal and board the Flåm railway

1:27pm Ride the Flåm Railway including lunch

2:25pm Arrive in Flåm and enjoy free time

3:00pm Drive to Borgund Stave Church and the Stegastein viewpoint

5:00pm Outside visit of Borgund Stave Church

5:15pm Drive to the hotel with ferry crossings at Sognefjord

7:00pm Check in and dinner at the hotel

Overnight at Leikanger Hotel or similar

DAY 3

7:00am Breakfast at the hotel

8:00am Drive to Urnes Stave Church with ferry crossings

10:00am Visit Urnes Stave Church

10:30am Drive to Lom along the Sognefjellet national tourist road with photo stops

1:30pm Lunch in Lom

3:00pm Drive to Dalsnibba

4:30pm Photo stop in Dalsnibba

4:50pm Transfer to the hotel with a photo stop at Flydalsjuvet

5:45pm Check in and dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Union Hotel or similar

DAY 4

8:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Drive to Trollstigen including ferry ride

Photo stops at Eagles Bend and Gudbrandsjuvet

11:30am Photo stop at Trollstigen

12:00pm Drive to Åndalsnes

12:45pm Take the Romsdalen gondola and enjoy a 2-course lunch

02:30pm Drive to Lillehammer, photo stop at Trollwall and several comfort stops/photo stops en-route

07:00pm Arrive in Lillehammer

Check in at the Akjsemøllen hotel, dinner on your own

Overnight at Aksjemøllen Hotel or similar

DAY 5

8:00am Breakfast at the hotel

9:30am Transfer to Maihaugen

10:00am Visit Maihaugen

11:00am Drive to Hadeland

1:00pm Arrive at Hadeland and enjoy lunch

2:00pm Visit the glass factory

3:00pm Depart for Oslo

4:30pm Arrive at the hotel

Remainder of the day at your leisure

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel or similar

DAY 6

8:00am Breakfast at the hotel

10:00am City tour of Oslo

2:00pm Arrive at the port for embarkation

Expected Weather

As the tour covers mountain areas as well as the fjords, 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, while credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Electricity

European standard plugs. Bring an international travel adaptor if you have electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements

A valid passport is required.

Hotels

Please note that at Kviknes, Scandic Victoria and Union hotels, guests may be required to carry their own luggage to their rooms depending on availability of porters.

Leikanger: Leikanger Fjordhotel

Strandavegen 1, 6863 Leikanger

Phone: +47 57 65 60 20

Geiranger: Union Hotel

Geirangervegen 100, 6216 Geiranger

Phone: +47 70268300

Lillehammer: Aksjemøllen Hotel

Elvegata 12, 2609 Lillehammer, Norway

Phone: +47 61 05 70 80

Oslo: Grand Hotel

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(s) listed in this program will be used.

Program Includes for guests

•2 nights in Oslo at the Grand Hotel Oslo, Standard Room

•1 night in Leikanger at the Leikanger Fjord Hotel, standard Room

•1 night in Geiranger at the Union Hotel, Standard Room

•1 night in Lillehammer at the Aksjemøllen, Superior Room

•5 breakfasts, 4 lunches including soft drinks and 2 dinners including soft drinks

•5 breakfasts, 4 lunches including soft drinks and 2 dinners including soft drinks

•All entrances fees and transportation as per listed above

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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:

•Any meals not listed above

•Alcoholic beverages

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry, 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 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. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

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

Upon arrival at the Oslo International Airport, you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the Grand Hotel Oslo. Check in is at 2:00pm. The remainder of the day is yours for discovering the city at your own pace.

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, 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, 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 3

Following breakfast, embark on a second full sightseeing-day in Oslo. First the group will head towards the Peninsula of Bygdøy with visits to the Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums.

Norway is an Arctic Nation, and the "Fram" Polarmuseum, which was 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. Exhibits include photographs, film, light effects, models and displays of Historical Artefacts. Further, there is an Aurora light-show on the roof and a “Dark Walk” aiming to give an impression of polar conditions. The highlight and main exhibit is the complete polar ship “FRAM” built in 1893 – specially designed to withstand the pressure of pack-ice. This 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.

The Kon Tiki 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 kilometers of ocean. Further, you will 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.

Day 4

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out (don’t forget to settle any incidentals before departing), you will walk to the pier to board a public sightseeing boat for a 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, there is a leisurely 15-20-minute walk to your cruise ship, where your luggage will be awaiting you for embarkation.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further 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.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 2:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Oslo International Airport. Meet your driver and transfer to the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel.

Check-in is 2:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before 2:00pm, this can’t be guaranteed. For guests who arrive early you may store your belongings at Reception and begin to enjoy the facilities of the hotel or head into town to explore at your leisure.

Dinner is on your own this evening.

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

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

12:15pm 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

5:30 pm (Optional) - Evening stroll with beer, cheeses and meat tasting (approx. 2 hrs)

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Depart from hotel by bus for a tour to the Bygdøy Peninsula

9:15am Arrive Fram Museum – guided visit and film

10:40am Depart on foot, short walk to Kon-Tiki

10:45am Arrive Kon-Tiki Museum – guided visit

11:30am Depart and drive to City Center

11:50am Arrive at the National Museum

Depending on availability – lunch at the museum’s restaurant (or as alternative somewhere downtown)Guided tour of the museum

2:30pm Depart by bus and drive up to Munch-svingen, photo stop

3:15pm Guided walk at Ekeberg with its incredible views and sculptures from famous artists from all around the world

4:30pm Depart by bus and return to your hotel

5:00pm Arrive at your hotel

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

9:45am Check out, settle any incidentals

10:00am Walk 10 minutes from the hotel to the pier

10:30am Depart for a 2-hour cruise on the Oslofjord (non-exclusive boat)

12:30pm Arrive back at the pier and walk to the cruise ship pier

1:00pm Embarkation

Expected Weather:

As the tour covers mountain areas as well as the fjords, 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 or similar

Karl Johans gate 31, 0159 Oslo, Norway

Phone: +47 23 21 20 00

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used

Program Includes for guests

•3 nights at the Grand Hotel Oslo (or similar hotel) - Standard Rooms

•3 breakfasts

•2 lunches included soft drinks

•All entrances and transfers as per listed above

•2-hour Oslofjord cruise

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival 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, and 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. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: 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. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

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.