SOUTHAMPTON TO STOCKHOLM
starting price
The endless summer will bathe you in its ethereal light during this 19 day cruise.
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Setting off in Southampton – England’s maritime capital, you’ll take in the famous fjords of Norway, Denmark’s stylish cities and Russia’s glorious past in St. Petersburg. Woven in with days at sea and smaller ports, if you have ever wanted to explore the jewels of Northern Europe, then this is the cruise for you!
Day 1 Southampton
Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So suffice to say, that Southampton is a seafearing place. Today Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in a variety of ways: a castellated old city that has lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum) and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains provide a fascinating insight to 15th century living while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot.
Day 2-3 At Sea
Day 4 Stavanger
With a pristine historic core, and epic scenery all around, Norway’s energy capital is a dynamic powerhouse of the south. The city’s growth was fuelled by North Sea oil exploits and industry – but this being Norway, you can prepare to visit a perhaps surprisingly charming place, surrounded by spectacular landscapes of cutting fjords, soaring mountains and sandy beaches. With a high international population and regular youthful influxes to its university – Norway’s third-biggest city is a diverse and energetic highlight of this dramatic country. Any preconceptions of a lifeless, industrial city are instantly allayed by the colourful Øvre Holmegate street. A gorgeous palette of candy-coloured wooden shops and cafes shine brightly along this picturesque row – and you can soak in the colours and the quaint charm of a stroll along the waterfront too. Museums explore Stavanger’s industries – from oil to sardine canning – and the Viking past of one of Norway’s oldest cities. The flower-tangled, 173 white wooden houses of Gamle Stavanger are a delightful slice of preserved old Norway, and gas lamps hang over uneven cobbled streets here. Norway’s oldest church, Domkirken Cathedral, looms up impressively, having stood since the 12th century. Stretching from the city itself, Lysefjord is one of Norway’s most striking and picturesque fjords – drenched in Viking history and mythology. Cruise the waters, or hike to the majestic Preikestolen viewpoint, where you can look out over an impossibly vast view, from a height of 604 metres. One of Norway’s most iconic and most-visited natural sites, your heart will be in your mouth as you get as close as you dare to the stunning vertical drop down to Lysefjord. It’s a long, tough hike, so why not see it from another perspective, by soaring into the skies on an unforgettable helicopter tour.
Day 5 Flam
If we haven’t said it already, Norway’s luxury is its sheer natural beauty. And at the very top of the pile is the all-inclusive Flam, a destination that is home to Glacial waterways lined by evergreen forests amidst jagged mountains and sheer cliff walls. Situated inland, on the arm of the 204-kilometre Sognefjord, the village has just 400 inhabitants. Its little size does not belie its gigantic heart, and Flam’s expansive loveliness knows no bounds. In fact, UNESCO has dedicated the Sognefjord as a World Heritage Site for its exquisite natural beauty. There are many ways to imbibe in the beauty of this destination. Some of the more peaceful among you will enjoy just drinking it all in from the veranda or deck of your ship, while adrenaline bunnies will most probably want to jump in a Zodiac and gain first-hand experience that way.
But beware! Travelling the shores of one of the deepest fjords may be exciting but it is also fast, wet and bumpy! Most visitors will not want to miss out on a one-hour train journey that has been describes by more than one source as being “the world’s most beautiful”. The Flam railway is iconic and will have you holding your breath as your travel through steep, winding roads, around massive mountains, and past gushing rivers and waterfalls. Scary? A little. Picturesque? No question. Worth it? Most definitely.
Day 6 Hellesylt
Sail along veiny fjords, deep into the heart of Norway’s spine-tingling scenery. Hellesylt is a quiet fishing town, practically swallowed whole by the blockbuster landscapes around it. A wide, sprawling waterfall roars through the village, adding thundering drama to the quiet cluster of farmhouses, which huddle among emerald fields and a theatrical landscape. Embark on epic hikes, kayak adventures, or simply sit back to open your eyes wide and soak it all in with a coffee. Located deep within Norway’s sinewy network of world-renowned fjords, which lace in from the west coast, Hellesylt waits for you at the terminus of Sunnylvsfjorden. Pretty white churches cling precariously to the dropping banks of the fjord, and while Sunnylvsfjorden is gorgeous in its own right – it feels practically restrained in comparison to the showpiece majesty of nearby Geirangerfjord – which branches off close to the town.
Day 7 Bergen
The crooked, pastel-coloured warehouses of Bergen’s World Heritage waterfront lean together charmingly, welcoming visitors to this city at the heart of Norway’s most extraordinary cinematic landscapes. It may be the country’s second largest city, but the villagey feel here always provides a warm welcome – even when the weather is living up to its famously damp reputation. Bergen’s colourful waterfront, Bryggen, is a ramshackle line-up of incredible Hanseatic warehouses, built following the devastating fire of 1702, which ransacked the city. These iconic warehouses have stood proudly ever since, with Bergen growing and expanding around the colourful facades. Behind them, a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and wooden decking waits, alive with artisan craft shops and bustling galleries. Fløyen mountain watches over the city, and you can take a short but steep hike up to the panoramic viewpoints, or jump on the funicular, which trundles visitors up and down the incline. At the top, spectacular views of Bergen jutting out into the dark seas below unfold before your eyes. Wait until evening to see the sunset painting glorious golden light across the city and waves, and Bergen’s lights flickering into life. Nærøyfjorden, a deeply etched fjord nearby, is perhaps Norway’s most photographed and iconic piece of scenery. A cruise through the base of this spectacular narrow fjord, parting the glass-smooth inky waters, is an utterly humbling experience, as the claustrophobically-close slopes rise imposingly over you. Sognefjord also stretches out nearby, and is Norway’s longest fjord, adorned with plunging waterfalls and vibrant farms during summer.
Day 8 Kristiansand
The summer getaway of choice for Norwegians, Kristiansand basks in summer’s glow and lays down a charming welcome mat for visitors from Scandinavia and beyond. While it radiates a summery, old-time holiday charm Kristiansand is certainly no sleepy fishing village, and Norway’s fifth-largest city is a modern, green and culturally-rich city to explore. Posebyen Old Town is a delightful clutch of floral-shaded timber houses, glowing with splashes of pink blossom and carefully cultivated floral displays. Take a gentle stroll, smelling the hints of creamy white paints on the breeze, as fresh layers are ladled on by the locals, keeping the area spick and span. Kristiansand is a city fuelled by culture, and a packed schedule of open-air festivals means there’s always something to celebrate or a show to see
Day 9 Oslo
Norway’s capital is a beautiful, stirring city – where old and new blends with thoughtful harmony. You’ll find maritime history mixing with trendy art galleries and cafes, while modernist architecture meets traditional palaces and historic sites. Unafraid to reinvent and evolve, visit a former prison that’s now a stylish gathering of galleries, or the grubby docklands that is now an urban-cool hangout spot. Ever-expanding, but with a green and progressive outlook, Oslo is urban planning done right. An outdoor city, where the sun shines until late in the summer, locals swarm to its green spaces – or the surrounding countryside to embark on natural adventures amid the sprawling mountains and lakes. Oslo City Hall pays tribute to the pioneers of peace and humanity, with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded here each year, and the winners honoured within.
Day 10 Oslo
Norway’s capital is a beautiful, stirring city – where old and new blends with thoughtful harmony. You’ll find maritime history mixing with trendy art galleries and cafes, while modernist architecture meets traditional palaces and historic sites. Unafraid to reinvent and evolve, visit a former prison that’s now a stylish gathering of galleries, or the grubby docklands that is now an urban-cool hangout spot. Ever-expanding, but with a green and progressive outlook, Oslo is urban planning done right. An outdoor city, where the sun shines until late in the summer, locals swarm to its green spaces – or the surrounding countryside to embark on natural adventures amid the sprawling mountains and lakes. Oslo City Hall pays tribute to the pioneers of peace and humanity, with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded here each year, and the winners honoured within
Day 11 Aalborg
Denmark’s fourth largest city comes with what Danes do best – Viking landscapes, modernist architecture, superb local food and lots (and lots) of good beer. Starting with number one, visitors to Aalborg will need to experience the strange otherworldliness that is Lindolm Hoje. One of Scandinavia’s best preserved Viking burial sites, the impressive site was covered over by a sand dune in around 1000 AD, thus preserving the stone markings. Archaeologists from the National Museum began a proper excavation of the site in 1889 but it wasn’t until 1958 that the site’s potential was fully realised. Widely considered be the most notable of ancient landmarks in Denmark, no visit to Aalborg is complete without a visit here. History lovers will want to continue their tour of this pretty Danish town by not missing out on Voergaard Castle – one of the best preserved renaissance castles in Denmark
Day 12 Copenhagen
Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star – the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind
Day 13 Copenhagen
Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star – the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind.
Day 14 At Sea
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Day 15 Helsinki
“A thriving, flawlessly-designed seaside city, Helsinki is famously livable and inspiring. A regional powerhouse of outstanding design and creativity, Helsinki lies across a confetti scattering of 300 islands and skerries in the Gulf of Finland. Known for the light granite hue of its buildings – which lend the city a bright, whitewashed appearance – traditional buildings mingle seamlessly with bold new structures, showcasing Finland’s celebrated design outlook. Helsinki Cathedral is the crowning glory – rising high over the city’s waterfront with its pearly white domes gleaming. A city that reveres knowledge and creativity above all else, artworks and statues litter the streets and parks, honouring creative minds of the past.
Day 16 St Petersburg
Elegant and exotic, St Petersburg somehow feels familiar and far away at the same time. Set on the Gulf of Finland, Russia’s second city has a more relaxed, European flavour than anywhere else in the country – and its fluctuating name reflects the rebellious city’s turbulent history. Envisioned by Peter the Great as a ‘window into Europe’, St Petersburg is a grand city of waterways and wide boulevards. Stacked with museums, galleries, soaring architecture and open squares, St Petersburg is Russia at its most inviting and culturally eclectic. See Faberge eggs in the museum, which holds nine of the legendarily precious objects. Or indulge in world-class culture at the Mariinsky Theatre, where ballerinas perform in a truly exquisite setting.
Day 17 St Petersburg
Elegant and exotic, St Petersburg somehow feels familiar and far away at the same time. Set on the Gulf of Finland, Russia’s second city has a more relaxed, European flavour than anywhere else in the country – and its fluctuating name reflects the rebellious city’s turbulent history. Envisioned by Peter the Great as a ‘window into Europe’, St Petersburg is a grand city of waterways and wide boulevards. Stacked with museums, galleries, soaring architecture and open squares, St Petersburg is Russia at its most inviting and culturally eclectic. See Faberge eggs in the museum, which holds nine of the legendarily precious objects. Or indulge in world-class culture at the Mariinsky Theatre, where ballerinas perform in a truly exquisite setting
Day 18 St Petersburg
Elegant and exotic, St Petersburg somehow feels familiar and far away at the same time. Set on the Gulf of Finland, Russia’s second city has a more relaxed, European flavour than anywhere else in the country – and its fluctuating name reflects the rebellious city’s turbulent history. Envisioned by Peter the Great as a ‘window into Europe’, St Petersburg is a grand city of waterways and wide boulevards. Stacked with museums, galleries, soaring architecture and open squares, St Petersburg is Russia at its most inviting and culturally eclectic. See Faberge eggs in the museum, which holds nine of the legendarily precious objects. Or indulge in world-class culture at the Mariinsky Theatre, where ballerinas perform in a truly exquisite setting..
Day 19 Tallinn
A fairytale city of new and old, Tallinn boasts one of the best-preserved UNESCO listed old towns in Northern Europe, and balances the traditional and contemporary astutely. A beautiful Baltic capital of storied culture and history, Tallinn is riding the wave of a burgeoning reputation as Europe’s hidden gem, and it boasts a picturesque allure that few cities can rival. Having endured countless occupations in its history, Estonia finally gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has been hell-bent on progressive, forward-thinking policies ever since. The European City of Culture award in 2011 was a symbol of the country’s increasing integration with the European Union, and offered Tallinn a chance to showcase and upgrade its cultural marvels. Walk into the old town through Viru Gates, past flower vendors and the smells of roasting nuts.
SILVER SPIRIT
The all-new Silver Spirit has never looked better, nor felt cosier. Fully refurbished for a superlative onboard adventure, she retains our world famous standards of service and home away from home feel.
With one of the highest space to guest ratios in the business and eight superlative luxury dining options, Silver Spirit offers its guests one of the most complete cruise experiences available. Spacious decks leave plenty of room for relaxation, yet the cosy niches make sure that there is something for everyone. Meet like-minded friends; enjoy first class dining and relax in what is possibly the best place between sea and sky.
Ship Specifications
Guests capacity: 608
Crew capacity: 411
Built: 2009
Last refurbishment: 2018
Tonnage: 39,519 Tons
