Norwegian Fjords 9 Nights • Southampton, England • CELEBRITY APEX

Southampton, England- Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history, as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants, and superb pubs. Located on England’s southern coast, the area has a deep connection with WWII, having been used as a staging area for the attack on D-Day. It’s also well-known to be the home port of the Queen Mary 2. Today, the city is largely defined by its universities and retail shopping. The real sightseeing, however, happens when you use this port as a jumping off point for attractions found outside, yet relatively close to the city. For instance, London is but a little over an hour away by train. You can also take a ferry to the Isle of Wight, an English holiday favorite with 25 miles of coastline, sand dunes and dramatic white cliffs. While on your Southampton cruise you can also visit the nearby, quaint town of Windsor where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.

Your ship departs promptly at 4:00 pm, so we recommend arriving at least 2-3 hours early to smoothly navigate check-in and boarding. All ship amenities are open and ready, so kickstart your vacation with a refreshing drink or a delicious snack.

On the southern tip of Norway lies the country’s fifth-largest city. Kristiansand is full of family fun and is a haven for outdoor adventure seekers. Kids of all ages will love Dyreparken zoo and amusement park, and the charming Fiskebrygga is home to a lively fish market, gourmet restaurants, and open air concerts. Stick your toes in the white sand of Bystranda Beach in the city center or venture just outside downtown to explore trails, fjords, and much more.

Stavanger, Norway: Whether you prefer outdoor adventure or ancient history, a Stavanger cruise offers a wide array of treasures to discover. Its charming streets climb from the waterfront and are dotted with timber homes painted in wonderfully vibrant colors. The city is a mix of old and new, charming and stylish with an eclectic collection of merchant shops, cafes and historic museums and churches. The Stavanger Cathedral is the country's oldest cathedral, having been built between 1100 and 1125. An easy day hike on Pulpit Rock, the cliff
rising over 1800 feet above the sea, offers gorgeous views of the Lysefjord and the surrounding lush terrain. Dining options in the area include outstanding fish and mussels, with French American, Japanese, and Indian influences found throughout the city.

The town of Flam, Norway is nestled in a tributary of the world's longest and deepest fjord. Surrounded by steep mountainsides, roaring waterfalls, and deep valleys, you’ll experience a one-of-a-kind encounter with nature on your Flam cruise. This quaint Norway town is a place of extremes. The epic majesty of Flam’s dense green mountains dwarfs even the grandest of cruise ships, and the glass-calm water that surrounds the town woos adventurers from near and far. This is place where you can’t help but feel closer to nature for no other reason that it overwhelms at every turn. Climb aboard the Flam Railway for the world’s steepest train ride and rumble 2,800 feet up the wilds of Norway. Kayak through the calm waters of the Aurlandsfjord for breathtaking views of mountain farms with grazing goats or sheep perched at the fjord’s edge. You’ll find many restaurants and cafes offering local Norwegian fare made with farm-fresh ingredients. And you can sample the famous brown and white goat cheese in nearby Undredal. Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, or taking a dizzying train ride into the mountains, Flam is a Norwegian wonderland that’s meant to be explored.

Much of this picturesque town, located at the tip of the Nordfjord, looks as though it is straight out of the 17th century. Its many historic sites include Olden Old Church, built in 1759 on the site of the original stave church dating back to the 14th century, and the Singer Home, former residence of American painter William Singer. Nature lover? Explore the lush, verdant scenery of Lake Olden and experience its tranquility on a relaxing sightseeing cruise. Want something more adventurous? On your Europe cruise, trek through the Norwegian wild to Briksdal Glacier, an arm of the largest glacier in continental Europe. You'll hike along river paths and see gentle waterfalls created by the melting ice.

Alesund’s turrets, spires, and other whimsical art nouveau architectural touches give the town its distinctive, fairytale-like character. On your cruise to Alesund, don’t forget to visit scenic Geiranger Fjord. One of Norway’s best-known attractions is just a stone’s throw from this quaint little town. Ages of glacial erosion have given way to sculpted, towering mountainsides upon which flow numerous, dramatic waterfalls. There is no shortage of nature to stand in awe of at this favorite Norway attraction. To fully capture the depth of beauty in this seaside town, a jaunt up Mount Aksla is in order. From there, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of this colorful, magical place. Drive the famous Path of Trolls, a roadway that was literally blasted out of the mountainside. Travel back to Viking days and discover exotic marine life on this exploration of the Saga Islands. Begin on Giske, where you’ll walk in the footsteps of Viking legends then continue to the island of Godoy to visit the Atlantic Sea Park. Built directly into the rugged landscape, it features massive aquariums teeming with colorful fish and sea life.

Located between mountains, islands and the North Sea, the beautiful, rugged landscape of Haugesund will take you back to the days when the city was the home of Viking kings and chieftains. Today it’s one of Norway’s principal culture centers, hosting the Norwegian International Film Festival as well as a jazz festival every summer. The fascinating story of the Viking Kings at the heart of the region, a rich cultural scene, plenty of festivals and shopping, vibrant towns and extreme sport activities all go together to provide a rich menu of experiences to choose from.

Southampton, England- Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history, as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants, and superb pubs. Located on England’s southern coast, the area has a deep connection with WWII, having been used as a staging area for the attack on D-Day. It’s also well-known to be the home port of the Queen Mary 2. Today, the city is largely defined by its universities and retail shopping. The real sightseeing, however, happens when you use this port as a jumping off point for attractions found outside, yet relatively close to the city. For instance, London is but a little over an hour away by train. You can also take a ferry to the Isle of Wight, an English holiday favorite with 25 miles of coastline, sand dunes and dramatic white cliffs. While on your Southampton cruise you can also visit the nearby, quaint town of Windsor where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.

Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.