9-day cruise through Denmark and the Norwegian fjords

Route

You start in vibrant Copenhagen. From there, the ship sets course for Skagen, at the northernmost tip of Denmark, and the car-free Swedish island of Marstrand. You then cross into Norway, sailing past Egersund, Bergen, Ulvik and Stavanger. Via the sunny southern coast near Kristiansand, you continue to the historic fortress town of Fredrikstad, where the journey ends.

Pace

You go ashore almost every day, so there is never a dull moment. One day, you stroll through a charming harbour town, the next morning, you stand on deck looking out at huge rock walls and waterfalls. As the ship often remains docked for a long time, you can discover everything at your own pace.

Highlights

You wander through the car-free streets of Marstrand, dive into history in Bergen and taste fresh cider in the Hardangerfjord. The absolute highlight? Sailing through the Lysefjord, where you pass right by the famous Preikestolen, and the impressive swords in the rocks near Stavanger.

Accommodation

You sleep on board a luxurious, small-scale expedition ship by PONANT. Here, you find the intimate atmosphere of a yacht, combined with the comfort of a five-star hotel. All cabins and suites have a private balcony, and from the gastronomic restaurants or the lounges with panoramic views, you do not miss a single moment of the impressive fjords.

Profile

This journey is ideal if you prefer to discover Scandinavia from the water, but without the crowds of a large cruise ship. It is perfect for bon vivants who enjoy nature, a touch of history and strolling through charming coastal towns. You head out for gentle walks and enjoyable excursions, always at a relaxed pace and without any strenuous effort. Pure enjoyment, in other words!

This cruise is possible from 12/08/2027 to 20/08/2027. Please feel free to contact us for other options.

Day 1: Departure from Copenhagen

Your journey begins in the Danish capital, where you board your luxury cruise ship in the afternoon. As the ship only departs later in the evening, you still have plenty of time to head into Nyhavn. Walk past the colourful façades and historic wooden ships, or explore the streets around Christiansborg Palace. In one of the food halls, be sure to try a classic smørrebrød with smoked fish or prawns, before enjoying your first dinner at sea on board.

Day 2: Skagen and the far north of Denmark

Today, you wake up at the northernmost tip of Jutland, where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet in spectacular fashion. Skagen is a wonderfully peaceful place with wide sandy beaches and typical yellow houses. Admire the beautiful paintings of the nineteenth-century artists’ colony at the Skagens Museum, walk to the unique Grenen sandbar or settle into a fish restaurant by the harbour.

Day 3: Car-free enjoyment on Marstrand

In the morning, the ship docks at Marstrand, a charming Swedish island just north of Gothenburg. Cars are not allowed here, so you explore the scenic coastal paths and historic streets on foot. Be sure to climb up to the imposing seventeenth-century Carlsten Fortress for a fantastic view over the archipelago, or settle down at one of the local coffee bars in the centre.

Day 4: The colourful streets of Egersund

You reach Norway’s southwest coast and dock in Egersund, which immediately stands out with its warm palette of red, green and yellow wooden houses. During the included city walk, you explore the historic Hauen district and Strandgaten, including a tasty local tasting. Prefer to be active in nature? Choose the included panoramic tour or join a more challenging hike to the unusual Trollpikken rock formation.

Day 5: Via the Hardangerfjord to historic Bergen

Today, the ship enters the Hardangerfjord, a landscape of steep rock walls and hills filled with fruit orchards. In the afternoon, you dock in the Hanseatic city of Bergen. Here, you can choose an included walk through the centuries-old wooden district of Bryggen, before taking the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for an incredible view over the city. Those who wish can also choose a beautiful hike to Mount Ulriken or a visit to the wooden Fantoft Stave Church.

Day 6: Calm and fruit growing in Ulvik

You sail deeper into the Hardangerfjord and dock in idyllic Ulvik, beautifully sheltered between the mountains. Thanks to the mild climate, fruit growing thrives here. Local farmers have been making some of Norway’s very best cider and fruit juices for generations, which you can taste right by the water. From the village, you can walk straight up along several hiking routes towards the finest viewpoints over the mirror-like fjord.

Day 7: Spectacular Lysefjord and white Stavanger

Get ready for a visual highlight as you sail through the breathtaking Lysefjord, right past the hundreds-of-metres-high rock wall of Preikestolen. After this impressive sailing, the ship docks in Stavanger. During the included excursion, you walk through Gamle Stavanger with its eighteenth-century white wooden houses, visit the serene Utstein Monastery for an exclusive music recital and admire the iconic Swords in Rock just outside the city.

Day 8: Sunny Kristiansand

You continue towards the Norwegian Riviera and visit Kristiansand, a city built according to a strict seventeenth-century street plan. The best way to experience the city is on foot: stroll through the historic Posebyen district, where workers once lived in white houses. Along the lively harbour, countless terraces invite you to enjoy a relaxed afternoon with views of the boats off the coast.

Day 9: Arrival in the fortress town of Fredrikstad

After a quiet breakfast on board, the cruise ends in Fredrikstad, located at the mouth of the Glomma River in the Oslofjord. This unique sixteenth-century fortress town is exceptionally well preserved, complete with broad moats and earthen ramparts. Before your departure, take one last walk through the atmospheric old centre, past artisan shops and cosy cafés by the water.

In the old centre, you walk past wooden houses, cafés and small shops overlooking the canals. Those who still have time before departure can head towards the Oslofjord for one final walk along the Norwegian coast.