Itinerary
- Day 1
Dover
Your Scandinavian journey starts in Dover. If time allows, walk over to Dover Castle before heading to MS Maud. Pick up your complimentary expedition jacket, get settled in your cabin, and meet the Expedition Team. Spend the evening relaxing in the Explorer Lounge & Bar as your adventure officially begins.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board MS Maud expedition ship
- Receive complimentary expedition jacket
- Meet Expedition Team and expert lecturers
- Explore ship facilities including Explorer Lounge & Bar and Observation Deck
Optional Activities
- Walk to Dover Castle for views of the English Channel
Landmarks/POIs Dover Castle 
- Day 2
At Sea
While MS Maud heads toward the German coast, you'll have plenty of time to settle in and decompress. Learn about Scandinavian philosophies like Danish hygge and Swedish lagom through expert lectures. Take advantage of the Observation Deck, meet other guests, use the gym and hot tubs, or grab photography tips from the professional photographer on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert lectures on Scandinavian life philosophies and culture
- Access to Observation Deck with panoramic views
- Use of ship's gym, hot tubs, and panoramic sauna
- Photography tips from professional photographer
- Meet fellow guests and crew in Explorer Lounge & Bar
- Day 3
Sylt
You'll arrive at Sylt, a North Frisian island with 25 miles of dunes, beaches, and heathland. Explore List's rustic appeal, possibly by bike, and try Sylter royal oysters. Check out the local ecological museum or walk along the mud flats at low tide to reach the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea and Ellenbogen nature reserve.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Sylt
- Exploration of List village
Optional Activities
- Bike tour around List
- Visit local ecological museum (powered by renewable energy)
- Walk along mud flats to UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea
- Explore Ellenbogen nature reserve
- Sample Sylter royal oysters
Landmarks/POIs Wadden Sea Ellenbogen Nature Reserve - Day 4
Kiel Canal Transit
MS Maud sails from the North Sea into the Baltic Sea via the Kiel Canal, a 61-mile waterway built in 1887 that bypasses Denmark's stormy Jutland peninsula. Head out on deck to watch lush countryside, small villages, grazing cattle, anglers, and cyclists pass by. You'll traverse impressive locks at Holtenau and make a brief stop in Kiel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transit through Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal)
- Observation of locks at Holtenau
- Brief stop in Kiel
Landmarks/POIs Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal) - Day 5
Skagen
Skagen lies where the Baltic Sea meets the North Sea. Start at the Skagen Museum to see works by influential Danish artists who relocated here in the early 1800s. Wander through the lively town center, then venture out along walking trails through wild landscapes. Visit the sand-covered church at Grenen (Denmark's northernmost point) or explore Råberg Mile, Denmark's closest thing to a desert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Skagen
- Exploration of Skagen town center
Optional Activities
- Visit Skagen Museum
- Walking trails through wild landscapes
- Visit sand-covered church at Grenen
- Explore Råberg Mile
Landmarks/POIs Skagen Museum Grenen Råberg Mile - Day 6
Fjällbacka and Smögen
Fjällbacka is a Swedish seaside resort with a beautiful archipelago setting. Walk along the quayside and through the old part of town, stopping at seaside restaurants. Climb the wooden steps to Vetteberget cliffs for views across the water. See the Vitlycke museum in the Tanum UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains over 600 ancient rock carvings. Later, head to Smögen to see fishermen's houses and enjoy the relaxed summer atmosphere on the busy waterside boardwalk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Fjällbacka
- Exploration of Fjällbacka town center and quayside
- Escorted landing at Smögen
- Exploration of Smögen waterside boardwalk
Optional Activities
- Climb wooden steps to Vetteberget cliffs
- Visit Vitlycke museum in Tanum UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Dine at seaside restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Vetteberget Vitlycke Museum Tanum UNESCO World Heritage Site - Day 7
Koster Islands
You'll cruise through the Bohuslän archipelago past fishing villages along Sweden's west coast. Stop at the Koster Islands within Kosterhavet National Park, a marine area full of sea life. On North Koster, explore rubble-stone fields at Valnäs and take in views from Högen. On South Koster, walk or bike through coastal meadows, ancient forests, and sandy beaches. Weather permitting, the Expedition Team takes you close to marine life via small boat, kayak, or snorkeling.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Bohuslän archipelago
- Escorted landing at Koster Islands
- Exploration of North Koster and South Koster
Optional Activities
- Walk to Valnäs rubble-stone fields
- Climb to Högen viewpoint
- Bike tour around Koster Islands
- Small boat (RIB) exploration of marine life
- Kayaking in Kosterhavet National Park
- Snorkeling trip
Landmarks/POIs Kosterhavet National Park North Koster South Koster - Day 8
Oslo
Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital, mixes rich history with contemporary art. Explore museums, galleries, and architecture like the beautiful Opera House and the new Munch Museum. Stroll through Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, visit Akershus Fortress, or try a floating sauna. Walk through modern Sørenga to enjoy urban beach life, then finish with dinner at one of Oslo's traditional or New Nordic restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Oslo
Optional Activities
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Munch Museum
- Explore Ekebergparken Sculpture Park
- Visit Akershus Fortress
- Relax in floating sauna
- Explore Sørenga district and urban beach
- Dine at traditional and New Nordic restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Opera House Munch Museum Ekebergparken Sculpture Park Akershus Fortress Sørenga 
- Day 9
Kragerø
Kragerø is a beautiful coastal town looking out over islets and reefs. This elegant resort buzzes with summer activity and inspired artists like Edvard Munch, who spent six years here. Walk through Kragerø's charming narrow lanes, boutiques, and eateries to find places that influenced Munch. Join the Expedition Team for an island-hopping bike tour, go swimming, or take a nature walk. You can also explore the Telemark Canal, one of the world's most beautiful waterways.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Kragerø
- Exploration of Kragerø town center
Optional Activities
- Island-hopping bike tour with Expedition Team
- Swimming
- Nature walk
- Explore Telemark Canal
- Walk through narrow lanes and boutiques
Landmarks/POIs Telemark Canal - Day 10
Arendal
Arendal is one of Norway's best kept secrets with delightful coastal scenery perfect for small boat cruising and shoreside walks. Small wooden houses cluster by the sea while the bustling inner harbor creates an idyllic coastal town feel. Stroll through charming streets of the old town and soak up the relaxed southern coastal atmosphere. The area is perfect for outdoor activities with glacial geology and numerous walking trails, so try hiking, kayaking, or biking depending on weather.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Arendal
- Exploration of old town
Optional Activities
- Hiking along walking trails
- Kayaking
- Biking around the area
- Shoreside walks
- Day 11
Lysefjord and Preikestolen
Your final expedition day in Norway showcases Lysefjord's striking vertical cliffs. MS Maud sails deep into this imposing fjord to reach Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). You'll see the famous rock from below as you approach and watch for the Kjæragbolten, a giant boulder wedged in a mountain crevasse. If you're up for it, join the Expedition Team for an optional five-hour guided hike to the Preikestolen Viewpoint, 1,982 feet above the fjord. After collecting hikers, continue to Rosendal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Lysefjord
- View Preikestolen and Kjæragbolten from ship
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Preikestolen Viewpoint (5 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) Lysefjord Kjæragbolten 
- Day 12
Rosendal
Sail to Rosendal, a small village at the heart of Hardangerfjord, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and hillside orchards producing apples for local cider. Spend the day exploring with the Expedition Team on kayaking or hiking trips, taking in Bondhusvatnet Lake and Folgefonna Glacier. Visit Rosendal's magnificent 17th-century baronial manor with interiors preserved from 1927. A path through the rose garden (blooming in July) leads to the dramatic Hatteberg Waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Rosendal
- Exploration of Rosendal village
Optional Activities
- Kayaking with Expedition Team
- Hiking with Expedition Team to Bondhusvatnet Lake
- View Folgefonna Glacier
- Visit 17th-century baronial manor
- Explore rose garden
- Visit Hatteberg Waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Hardangerfjord Bondhusvatnet Lake Folgefonna Glacier Hatteberg Waterfall - Day 13
Farsund
MS Maud's small size lets you explore Norway's southern coast up close. You'll arrive at Farsund with sandy beaches, grassy dunes, and wetlands offering some of the area's best summer birdwatching. Watch for the marina watchman upon arrival. Take a scenic beach walk, visit the German-built World War II Nordberg Fort, or climb the Lista Lighthouse for fantastic views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Escorted landing at Farsund
- Birdwatching opportunities
Optional Activities
- Scenic beach walk
- Visit Nordberg Fort (World War II German-built fortification)
- Climb Lista Lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Nordberg Fort Lista Lighthouse 
- Day 14
At Sea
This is your last full day aboard MS Maud as the ship cruises back to Dover. Attend the final daily lecture by the Expedition Team recapping highlights from the cruise. Relive your southern Scandinavian experiences by sharing stories with fellow guests over dinner or drinks in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. Relax in the hot tub or sauna, or head on deck to spot seabirds and dolphins that sometimes follow the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Final expert lecture and highlights recap from Expedition Team
- Use of ship's hot tub and sauna
- Gathering in Explorer Lounge & Bar
Optional Activities
- Spot seabirds and dolphins from deck
- Day 15
Dover
Have a final breakfast on board before MS Maud docks in Dover. If time permits, explore more of Dover and its famous white cliffs before heading home. Consider visiting Dover Castle, the Roman lighthouse (reportedly the UK's oldest building), or tour the underground hospital and secret World War II tunnels beneath the castle. Depart with wonderful memories of your Scandinavian summer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final breakfast on board
Optional Activities
- Visit Dover Castle
- Visit Roman lighthouse
- Tour underground hospital and World War II tunnels
- Explore Dover white cliffs
Landmarks/POIs Dover Castle Dover Roman Lighthouse
