Germany Cruise from Kiel to Hamburg — 20 Days

Kiel, Germany

Kiel faces the Baltic at the western end of Kiel Fjord, where Germany’s great ship canal begins. This working maritime city rewards a waterfront stroll, with ferries, sailboats and cargo ships sharing the harbor. From central cruise berths, the old town, St. Nicholas Church and City Hall are within easy reach. For a closer look at naval history, take the short trip to Laboe’s memorial and preserved U-boat.

Bergen, Norway

Set between seven mountains and the North Sea, Bergen makes a graceful introduction to Norway’s western fjords. Its handsome harbour, Bryggen’s timber wharf and the fish market sit close together, easily explored on foot. Ride the Fløibanen funicular for a clear view across the city and islands, then linger over fresh seafood. Bergen is compact, cultured and an ideal place to begin a journey into fjord country.

Fjord Cruising (Fjord Cruising)

Tromso, Norway

Tromsø puts the Arctic within easy reach, yet its cafés, galleries and university give the city a lively, modern pulse. Set on an island above the Arctic Circle, it is linked to the mainland by a bridge and tunnel. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral. Ride the Fjellheisen cable car for views across mountains and sea. In winter, the northern lights may appear overhead.

Longyearbyen, Norway

Longyearbyen is the world’s northernmost settlement of its size, set beside Adventfjorden on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Coal built the town; the Svalbard Museum traces its mining past and the realities of Arctic life. Choose a guided excursion for glacier views, wildlife watching or a snowmobile journey into polar terrain. Outside town, travel with an experienced guide: polar bears roam Svalbard, and the wilderness demands respect. Visit in summer for the midnight sun, or winter for blue twilight and northern lights.

Honningsvag, Norway

Honningsvåg sits on Magerøya, above the Arctic Circle, where fishing boats share the harbour with expedition ships. From here, a road crosses open tundra to the North Cape plateau, about 35 kilometres away. At 71° north, the light becomes the main event: midnight sun in summer, polar night in winter. Walk the small town, then seek king crab, coastal views and stories of life near Europe’s edge.

Leknes-Gravdal, Norway

At Leknes–Gravdal, the Lofoten Islands reveal their drama at close range: steep peaks, sheltered inlets and fishing villages. On Vestvågøy, red rorbuer and seasonal cod-drying racks recall the trade that shaped these islands. Visit the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg, where a reconstructed chieftain’s hall brings the region’s Norse past to life. Then follow the coast to white-sand beaches and viewpoints, where Arctic light transforms the landscape by the hour.

Rorvik, Norway

Rørvik reveals Norway’s working coast, where fishing boats and ferries share a sheltered harbor. From Inner-Vikna in Trøndelag, explore Vikna’s archipelago of more than 6,000 islands and skerries. Norveg’s striking, sail-like building houses a coastal museum devoted to lives shaped by the sea. Its exhibitions offer a thoughtful introduction before you discover the harbor and surrounding islands.

Trondheim, Norway

Trondheim rewards a shore day on foot, from its harbour to Norway’s most important medieval cathedral. Founded in 997, it grew around Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s national shrine above Saint Olaf’s tomb. Cross the Old Town Bridge into Bakklandet, where timber warehouses and cafés line the Nidelva River. Continue along the waterfront for museums, shops and restaurants, with fjord views nearby. Its compact centre makes the city’s history and waterfront easy to explore in one day.

Geiranger, Norway

Geiranger sits at the head of a fjord framed by sheer mountains and falling waterfalls. Its deep blue waters form part of the UNESCO-listed West Norwegian Fjords, among Norway’s most striking landscapes. From the village, boat trips reveal the Seven Sisters and the Suitor, waterfalls facing across the fjord. For sweeping views, drive or take a coach to Ørnesvingen or Flydalsjuvet; the valley’s scale comes into focus.

Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger rewards a shore day spent on foot. White wooden houses line the compact old centre beside a lively harbour. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum explains how oil reshaped the city. Climb to the cathedral, begun around 1125, then browse Øvre Holmegate’s colourful cafés and shops. For a wider view, take a boat into Lysefjord, where sheer cliffs rise beneath Preikestolen. Wear good shoes; cobbles and steep lanes are part of the pleasure.

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg rewards visitors who look beyond its grand harbor to discover a city shaped by trade and water. From the Speicherstadt warehouses and canals to the Elbphilharmonie’s sweeping river views, Hamburg pairs historic character with modern ambition. Stroll around the Rathaus and lakeside paths, then sample fresh fish or coffee in a city with enduring maritime energy. Allow time for a harbor ferry: it offers a memorable view of Hamburg’s working waterfront.