15 Days Christmas Expedition Cruise from Dover Get ready to be inspired. FROM $5,766 USD PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE Travelling with Inspiring Vacations allows you to explore the wonders of the world in a variety of different ways. We have partnered with a worldwide network of local travel experts to bring you culturally unique and delightfully unforgettable travel experiences. Whether it is meandering through narrow canyons by rail, cruising the idyllic waters of the Mediterranean or touring through t... Book Now TOUR ITINERARY The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1 888 356 2021 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 1 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Dover, Embarkation Meals included Dinner Cruise MS Maud, Polar Outside Cabin, or similar We set our course north from Dover towards the coast of Norway’s magical, snow-covered landscape as we hunt for the Northern Lights. You can also look forward to discovering a number of wonderful Norwegian Christmas traditions along the way. If you’ve time, take a walk alongside or atop the iconic white cliffs of Dover that have become a symbol for England. One of the best places to do so is at St. Margaret’s Bay which offers great views of the chalky coastline from its wide shingle beach. Once on board the ship, you’ll pick up your complimentary expedition jacket, settle into your cabin, and attend a mandatory safety drill. When the ship sets sail, stretch your sea legs and get to know MS Maud, your cosy home away from home. Take in the sea air out on deck or watch the world go by from the panoramic Explorer Lounge and Bar, maybe together with a relaxing glass of wine? Your Christmas and New Year’s adventure to the Arctic is officially underway! After the first of many delicious dinners and a welcome toast by the Captain, you’ll meet your expert Expedition Team. They are your knowledgeable lecturers, warm hosts, and good-natured guides throughout your journey. Many grew up and live in the places you’ll be visiting and are passionate about sharing their home with you, especially during this special season. First and foremost though, they are there to keep you safe and well. They’ll be making it a priority to run through important health and safety aspects with you and your fellow guests. DAY 2 Destination At Sea Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cruise MS Maud, Polar Outside Cabin, or similar This day at sea gives you all the time you need to ease into your journey. You’ll definitely want to start enjoying onboard facilities like the hot tubs, sauna, and indoor gym. The Expedition Team will begin the first in their series of insightful lectures over at the Science Center. Each member of The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1 888 356 2021 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 2 TOUR ITINERARY the team are experts on different subjects and you’ll find them to be walking, talking treasure troves of stories and information. They’ll share their extensive knowledge about the places, Christmas traditions, history, and natural phenomena you are likely to encounter. Our Captain’s goal is to bring us into Egersund the next day, but where wind and waves on the North Sea are involved, nothing can be completely set in stone, especially in the winter season. This is just part and parcel of the expedition experience, adding extra suspense and excitement to your adventure. Norwegians celebrate Christmas on the 24th rather than the 25th of December. This means that today, the 23rd is Lille Juleaften or Christmas Eve in Norway. Each family has its own traditions; some might weave julekurver – heart-shaped paper decorations, others build gingerbread houses, decorate the tree, or eat risengrynsgrøt – a warm rice porridge served with cinnamon, sugar, and butter. Perhaps you’ll even take one of these Norwegian traditions back home with you and make it your own? DAY 3 Destination Egersund Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cruise MS Maud, Polar Outside Cabin, or similar We arrive in Egersund in the morning. Today is Christmas for Norwegians so the town is likely to be quiet, meaning we’ll have it all to ourselves. Bask in the magical atmosphere while admiring the rustic wooden houses and narrow streets of the historic town, decked out in festive decorations, fairy lights, and a Christmas tree in the town square. Peruse the many beautifully decorated shops of the pedestrianised town centre. You’ll find homemade products and charming handicrafts, perfect for any last-minute gift-buying. To help keep you warm, cafés will likely be selling hot gløgg (mulled wine) as well as other seasonal snacks. A visit to the local chocolate and ice cream factory is also well worth a visit. There are small windows inside where you can see tasty treats being prepared. Indulge in gourmet chocolate and pick from a range of ice cream flavours. We recommend the pepperkake-is, gingerbread ice cream! You might also have the option of attending a Christmas service and an outdoor choir concert at the local parish church. The white, wooden building was erected in the cruciform style and dates back to 1623. It is Egersund’s oldest standing building. After enjoying the delights of Egersund, you’ll return to the ship in the afternoon. We continue to sail north and later find a place with calm waters to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner. The menu will be inspired by the same Christmas The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1 888 356 2021 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 3 TOUR ITINERARY dinner Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen enjoyed on his expedition to the North Pole aboard the original Fram in 1893. It was also the year Hurtigruten was founded. Our chefs will have been busy preparing rich oxtail soup, traditional fish terrine, succulent reindeer with tangy lingonberry marmalade, stewed cloudberries, and kransekake, a Norwegian confectionary made of almonds. Christmas meals are usually washed down with a generous glass (or more) of local akevitt (snaps) and beer. God jul to all! DAY 4 Destination Outside Fjærland Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cruise MS Maud, Polar Outside Cabin, or similar It’s Christmas Day morning. Norwegians normally open their gifts after dinner the night before but you might have left yours to unwrap this morning. Share season’s greetings with family and friends or simply admire the scenic winter landscapes as we sail into the longest fjord in Norway, Sognefjorden. Today, we will celebrate nature in all its glory. We plan to cruise deep into the fjord to the tiny hamlet of Fjærland. We will go ashore to discover this idyllic glacier village, where the Sognefjord meets Jostedalsbreen Glacier. This quirky village, home to only 300 residents, has been named the Norwegian Book Town for its 10 second-hand bookshops. These shops are tucked away in charming corners and old buildings, from ferry waiting rooms to stables. Most of these will be closed on Christmas Day but you can get a sense of their charm from outside and even by peeking in through the windows! On the banks of this pretty village, if weather permits, you’ll have the chance to go on a winter hike or kayak in incredible nature with the Expedition Team on an optional excursion. Jostedalsbreen Glacier is the largest glacier on the European continent. It has several smaller glacial arms stretching out in many directions including Bøyabreen and Supphellebreen. Fjærland is the perfect place to learn more from our Expedition Team about how glaciers created the beautiful fjords of Norway. As you enjoy a delicious meal back on board the ship, you can continue to admire the views as we exit the fjord and rejoin the coastal waters. This will certainly be a Christmas to remember. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1 888 356 2021 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 4 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 5 Destination At Sea Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cruise MS Maud, Polar Outside Cabin, or similar Today marks the start of Romjulen, the quieter period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Many Norwegians head to the slopes to go skiing or sledding. We’ll be spending the day at sea en route to the famous Lofoten Islands and into the Arctic Circle. If you celebrated a little too merrily last night, today will provide you with a day to recover. Relax in the ship’s Explorer Lounge, soak in a hot tub, or take in the scenery out on deck as we sail through Helgeland county. Gaze out over thousands of small isles and pick out the Seven Sisters mountain range and famous Torghatten Mountain with its distinctive natural hole right through its centre.