Oceania Cruises Legends of Norway: Copenhagen to North Cape Arctic Plunge

Copenhagen, Denmark (Start)

Starting in Copenhagen was such a fun way to kick off this trip because it felt like we were easing into the adventure before Norway really stole the show. We spent time at Tivoli Gardens (so cute and magical at night), and then ate at Anarkist Brewery, which was such a vibe and the pizza there was delicious. We also went to Biergarten and it was the perfect cozy meal—pretzel, schnitzel, goulash, and, of course, beer.

The next day, we got on the ship, and check-in was so smooth and quick (not crowded at all). When I got to my room and looked out from the balcony, I could actually see the Thomas Dambo troll located near the Nordhavn cruise ship terminal, which was such a fun surprise. We settled in and had the most relaxing first night, starting our journey with dinner at the Italian restaurant, Toscana. We had fresh pasta, a beautiful entrée, and tiramisu that totally hit the spot.

Oslo, Norway

Our first stop was Oslo, where we walked around town and shopped. There are many things to do here, but we've been here before so we ate and enjoyed the scenery. We were having coffee and waffles by the water, watching people take the polar plunge, and started thinking about doing it ourselves.

Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand ended up being such a pleasant surprise. We took a bus tour through a cute little town and then did a boat ride past all the island houses, which were honestly picture-perfect. I would take this boat ride again and again. It's something you should even look up a video on. That night, as we were leaving Kristiansand, we went to the steakhouse onboard, Polo Grill, and had a wonderful dinner—steak, creamy mashed potatoes, and a rich dessert to finish. Another night, we tried Jacques, the French restaurant, and it was so good, too—classic French flavors, buttery sides, and the kind of dessert that makes you want to have “just one more bite.” It really felt like every dinner was its own experience.

Bergen, Norway

Bergen was another favorite. We shopped a bit, then took a two-hour boat tour that went under bridges and past salmon farms with incredible views. After the boat ride, we ended up on a bus that brought us back to town and drove past all the historic hot spots. That afternoon, we grabbed beers and chatted with the owner at O’Connor’s Irish Bar, and later had dinner back on the ship at the Asian restaurant, Red Ginger. Everything was delicious. We loved the miso soup, and some favorites were the sushi and the crispy duck (so good). It really felt like we had the best of both worlds—exploring all day and then coming “home” to amazing food at night.

Leknes, Norway (Lofoten Islands)

Once we got farther north, the views just got more and more breathtaking. Leknes in the Lofoten Islands was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. You have probably seen a picture of the colorful buildings with mountains and water in the distance on your screensaver. We did a bus tour around the island and stopped at Haukland Beach. We saw local kids playing and swimming, which blew my mind while I was wrapped up in a coat with a scarf. It didn’t even feel real.

Harstad, Norway

In Harstad, after tendering into shore, we kept it simple and just walked around town. Later that day, the ship cruised through the fjords, which was such a peaceful, unforgettable part of the trip. One thing I noticed throughout the sailing was how many salmon farms we passed. It was really interesting to see how much of Norway’s coastline is connected to fishing and local industry.

Hammerfest, Norway

In Hammerfest, Norway, we did a Sámi Camp On Foot tour where we walked up to an amazing viewpoint, then sat on reindeer skins around a campfire and learned about the Sámi culture and traditions. (The Sámi are the Indigenous people of Northern Norway and the surrounding region, and their history and connection to reindeer herding is such an important part of life up north.) We even tried cloudberries and polar bread, and it ended up being one of those experiences that made the trip feel deeper than “just sightseeing.” I would definitely do this again, and the people were so sweet. Kids would love this.

Alta, Norway

In Alta, Norway, we walked the town. I wish we could have done more here, but all the cruise excursions were full.

North Cape, Norway

North Cape, Norway, was one of the big bucket-list moments. We did a boat excursion first and saw thousands of puffins and some seals on the rocks with the most unreal views around us. It actually makes so much sense why there are so many puffins in this part of Norway. The cold northern waters are packed with the fish they love to eat, and the rocky cliffs and small islands give them safe nesting areas, so you’ll see them everywhere. Then, along the drive up to North Cape, we saw reindeer everywhere. When we got there and walked up, it felt completely otherworldly—it honestly feels like you’re standing at the edge of the world. The welcome center was a great stop too and the waffles with coffee were delicious and the perfect little treat after being out in the cold air.

And the further north we went, the more it started to feel like a real-life winter storybook—even in summer. Driving around, we saw so many reindeer. I was waiting for Santa to walk out the door at any moment. It made everything feel extra magical and so different from anywhere else we’ve traveled. We also learned more about the Sámi people (sometimes pronounced “SAH-me”), who are the Indigenous people of northern Norway and parts of Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They’re known for their deep connection to nature, their traditions, and their reindeer herding, and hearing about their culture made the whole trip feel even more meaningful, not just “pretty views.” I love history.

One of the coolest things we learned is that many reindeer in this region migrate south in the winter to find better grazing and shelter as the weather turns harsher up north. Depending on the area, herds travel long distances between their summer and winter pastures and some even cross water during parts of their migration, swimming between islands and the mainland in northern Norway. It’s wild to think about how tough and instinctive they are, and it made seeing them in person feel even more special.

We also stopped at local shopping spots along the way, and those were honestly some of my favorite moments because it gave us a chance to talk with locals and hear their little tips and stories. One of the coolest things we saw was locals on the side of the road picking cloudberries, which are these golden, rare little berries that grow in the wild up north and are a big deal in Norway. They’re not something you just casually find in a grocery store like strawberries—it’s more like a special seasonal treasure, and people actually go out and pick them when they’re ripe. It was such a simple thing to witness, but it was one of those “wow, we’re really here” moments.

Tromsø, Norway

We ended our trip in Tromsø and it was the perfect grand finale. We did the polar plunge at Pust (the original quiet sauna) right in the middle of the inner harbor, which honestly felt so cool and so “only in Norway.” It’s inspired by the Arctic Cathedral, overlooking Tromsdalstinden. It was a bucket-list moment I did with my mom. We rented a car and drove around, and I’m not exaggerating when I say the scenery was breathtaking—we wanted to pull over every five minutes. We also ate at the Hard Rock Cafe—of course we did, because apparently we can’t go anywhere without finding one.

The polar plunge spot at Pust with quiet sauna in Tromsø

Tromsø has great hotels and is such a fun little town to shop and explore, and we even stopped at UiT The Arctic University of Norway to take a tour and grab a sweatshirt, which made it feel extra special.

We also went to the Troll Museum—such a fun stop! We didn’t have time this trip, but you can also visit Polaria Aquarium (right on the water overlooking Tromsø Sound), take the Fjellheisen cable car up for the most incredible views, or even add whale watching depending on the season. Honestly, Tromsø is absolutely a place I’d stay a few extra days because there’s so much more to do, and flying out with clear skies and those views from the plane was the perfect ending.

I took a picture with every life-size troll

Overall, we had a wonderful experience on Oceania and I loved that the ship never felt overwhelming. It was relaxing, easy, and just the right size. One of my favorite parts was honestly the food, because there were so many great options throughout the day, from lovely afternoon tea, to açai bowls or eggs at Aquamar Kitchen, to casual lunches like burgers or pizza at the Waves Grill. My favorite little midday stop was Baristas for a coffee and scone. It had the coziest couches and chairs and was the perfect spot to slow down, relax, and read a book while the scenery passed by. At night, we loved having different restaurant options depending on our mood, mixing it up between Toscana (Italian), Polo Grill (steakhouse), Jacques (French), and Red Ginger (Asian), and it always felt like a real dinner out, not just cruise food. I also took a cooking class onboard where the specialty was pork chops with the yummiest salad, and honestly, I would go on this cruise again just for the cooking classes because they made the whole experience feel even more special.

If I could change one thing, I would absolutely stay in this part of Norway for a few days longer just to experience more. The scenery, the wildlife, and the peacefulness are something you can’t really explain until you’re there. It’s one of those places that just stays with you.

If you’re doing this Oceania cruise, definitely book your excursions as soon as possible. A few of the ones we wanted were already full by the time we tried. Also, pack layers, because it can be chilly on deck, even in summer.

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