21/12/2023 Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

22/12/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

23/12/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

24/12/2023 Oslo, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Arrive 0800 on December 24. Depart 1200 on December 25.

Oslo’s roots reach back to the Viking era when Harald Hardrada, in 1040, established a trading place at the head of the Oslofjord. It is a compact city packed with sights, including theatres, art galleries and museums. The festive atmosphere will fill the air at this time of year, the streets will be decorated with twinkling lights and there will be a variety of Christmas markets selling seasonal treats. Vigeland Sculpture Park has 200 pieces made by the artist after which it is named. Landmark sights the Opera, Nobel Peace Centre and City Hall can be seen from the waterfront.

Included excursion

Oslo’s green spaces, historic buildings and modern architecture will be revealed on an included sightseeing excursion that includes a walk in Vigeland Sculpture Park.

26/12/2023 Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Step ashore in southern Sweden and the cosmopolitan city of Gothenburg. With its canals, fascinating architecture, trams and art, this is one of Sweden’s trendiest cities. Join an included sightseeing tour, then soak up the Scandi atmosphere as you stroll along the waterfront or through the ‘Haga’ – the city’s old quarter.

Included excursion

See the city sights on an included sightseeing tour.

27/12/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

28/12/2023 Rostock, Germany

Rostock, Germany

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Straddling the Warnow River on Germany’s north coast, Rostock was part of the Hanseatic League during the 13th century. At the heart of the city is the pedestrianised New Market Square, home to Renaissance merchants’ houses, the 15th-century Town Hall with an 18th-century Baroque façade, the Cultural History Museum, and 14th-century St Mary’s Church, with its famous Astronomical Clock.

29/12/2023 Kiel, Germany

Kiel, Germany

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set at the entrance to the Baltic and the Kiel canal, the 60-mile waterway that links the North Sea to the Baltic, the city of Kiel has a rich maritime history and shipbuilding tradition. Its most popular attractions include Kiel Botanical Gardens, 13th-century St Nicholas’ Church and a Maritime Museum displaying model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. The Hindenburg Embankment alongside the waterfront is another popular spot. From Kiel, you can visit medieval Lübeck, famed for its marzipan.

30/12/2023 Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus, Denmark

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Established in Viking times, Aarhus has a strategic position on the Jutland peninsula and has long been an important centre for trade with Germany and the Baltic countries. Today, the city is celebrated for its thriving culture scene, having previously been recognised as a European Capital of Culture. Aarhus has an array of art galleries and museums, such as the ARoS Art Museum and underground Viking Museum where you can learn more about the local history.

31/12/2023 Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive 0800 on December 31. Depart 1700 on January 1.

The cosmopolitan Danish capital is an eclectic mix of architectural styles which attest to its long history. Once a small village, it was fortified when Bishop Absalon of Roskilde built a castle here in 1167. Attractions include Tivoli Gardens, characterful Nyhavn Canal graced with 17th-century houses, the Baroque-inspired Christiansborg Palace and Rococo Amalienborg Palace, residence of the Danish Royal Family. The Little Mermaid Statue, which has been plucked straight from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy-tale of the same name, graces the waterfront.

Included excursion

A sightseeing tour is a great way to see some of the city’s attractions.

Optional excursions

Visit Tivoli Gardens to browse the festive stalls of the Christmas markets and enjoy the vintage fun fair.

02/01/2024 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

03/01/2024 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

04/01/2024 Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.