Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own, and we have not been compensated in any way for these opinions.
Returning to Europe for our 4th Viking Ocean Cruise, we were finally able to take the Viking Homelands cruise that had been twice postponed due to world events. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, the original Viking Homelands cruise itinerary has been modified, eliminating St Petersburg, Helsinki and Tallinn. The ports of Mariehamn, Oslo and Bornholm were added as replacement stops. Although these ports were not what we had planned on before the Ukraine conflict, the cruise still checked off many of our bucket list stops.
We also decided to add our own pre-extension in Stockholm for two nights. After reviewing the itinerary for the pre-extension offered by Viking, we believed we could easily do this one ourselves, and in fact, we spent nearly 50% less by making our own arrangements.
TIP: We sometimes use Viking and sometimes not for pre and post extensions. If you would like to see a more in-depth discussion on how we decide, see our article on Viking Extension Package versus Plan Your Own.
For our post-extension, we did decide on the Viking Oslo and Scenic Train Extension. This package looked very appealing and was fully escorted by Viking.
In this article, we will cover each part of our itinerary, including the pre-extension, cruise and the post-extension, for a total of 19 days.
Viking Cruises
Before we discuss the cruise itinerary, you may appreciate some general information about Viking. Founded in 1997, Viking Cruises has grown to be the world’s leading river and ocean cruise line. In 2022, Viking launched new expedition voyages, sailing to Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes. Also in 2022, Viking expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of Mississippi River cruises. You can see all of their cruise options on their site here.
We have written a few previous articles that you may wish to peruse that will help you understand what to expect when sailing with Viking.
If you would like to understand the differences between sailing with Viking on an ocean cruise as opposed to a river cruise, then this article, Viking Cruises – River versus Ocean can help you understand those differences.
If you would like information regarding life on board one of a Viking’s Ocean ships, we cover those details at the beginning of our previous article, Iceland’s Natural Beauty – A Viking Ocean Cruise.
We also know that first time cruisers may have many more questions about what to expect during the cruise itself. You can find some additional information in another article, Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions.
Viking Homelands
Now that we have discussed some of the general information, let’s get started on our itinerary.
Our trip was from late April to mid-May. The weather was very good for early in the season, ranging from highs in the upper 40s to just over 60 on a few days. We only had a few days of light rain, which did not affect any excursions or our enjoyment.
TIP: Weather is always unpredictable, so it’s best to bring along layers so that you can easily adjust to changes in the weather during the day. A light rain jacket is necessary, even during warmer months for those unexpected showers. We usually start with a light cover that we shed later in the day.
– Day 1 – Stockholm Pre-Extension
Our long travel day began with a flight from Charlotte to Madrid, and then on to Stockholm. We were lucky that both flights arrived early with no issues. Arriving in Stockholm around 2 PM on a Saturday, we were on our own for transportation and accommodations, since we arranged the pre-extension on our own without Viking.
Transportation in most European cities is typically very accessible, and Stockholm was no exception. We had purchased train tickets on the Arlanda Express, which travels from the Arlanda airport to the main train station in Stockholm in only 18 minutes. Signs led us to the train platform in the airport, and once we arrived in downtown Stockholm, it was a very short walk to our hotel across the street.
Our hotel was the Radisson Blu Waterfront, which was very convenient for walking to everything we planned to see while in Stockholm.
After settling into our hotel and a very long day of travel, we decided on a nearby restaurant for dinner. Only a 5-minute walk from the hotel, we selected Belobaren Restaurant. If you love mussels, this is surely the place to go. But make a reservation, it is very popular with the locals.
We planned a lot of activities on Day 2, so after dinner we just relaxed and got a good night’s sleep.
– Day 2 – Stockholm Pre-Extension
After a great breakfast at the hotel, we got an early start on what eventually became a beautiful day. We decided to walk to the Vasa Museum, which was just over 1.5 miles from the Radison Blu. Along the way were plenty of sites, including a beautiful park with all of its cherry trees in bloom.
We purchased tickets to the Vasa Museum online, so easily just walked in as the museum opened. The Vasa is a Swedish warship built between 1626 and 1628. The ship sank after sailing roughly 1,400 yards into her maiden voyage on August 10, 1628, and somewhere between 30 and 150 people perished. The ship was located in the late 1950’s in a busy shipping area in Stockholm harbor. The ship was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. She was housed in a temporary museum called Wasavarvet (“The Vasa Shipyard”) until 1988 and then moved permanently to the Vasa Museum in the Royal National City Park.
If you are in Stockholm, the Vasa Museum is a must-do! The Vasa is absolutely amazing, and we spent a lot of time walking all around the ship. Coincidentally, while we were in the museum, we noted several Viking Cruise tour groups on excursion from the same ship we were about to embark upon the next day.
After leaving the Vasa Museum, we walked to the nearby Skansen. Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country. It is located on a hilltop, offering some of the best views of Stockholm.
After leaving Skansen, we walked to Gamla Stan (Old Town). Since we already had scheduled an included tour with Viking, we mainly just walked around the Old Town and then stopped for an early dinner at the Hairy Pig. We had the Sharing Board which included The Hairy Pig’s wild boar sausage in brioche buns, reindeer tacos, cole slaw, Belgian fries, mushroom soup and cheese pie. And, of course we could not forget the Hairy Pig Pale Ale.
Viking Homelands Cruise
– Day 3 – Embarkation and Stockholm
After breakfast at the hotel we went for a brief walk around the shopping area near the train station. Upon returning to the hotel, we packed up, checked out and took a taxi to the ship. The taxi ride was less than 10 minutes and we could have easily walked there, were in not for our luggage.
Check-in at the ship was quick and easy, and our PV2-category stateroom was ready around lunch time.
Since the weather was a bit rainy and cool, we decided to stay onboard for the rest of the afternoon. Once we unpacked, we headed to the Spa. For those who may not know, the Spa is free, unless you want some sort of service. Since it was embarkation day, we had the Spa to ourselves. I have to say, going from the snow grotto into the steam room is a bit of a shock, but also refreshing.
We capped off the day with cocktails in the Explorer’s Lounge and dinner.
TIP: There is a Port Talk each afternoon (around 4:30 PM) in the theatre, and the presentation is also available on your TV in the stateroom. These talks provide valuable information regarding the next day’s activities. It is well worth the time to ensure that you are prepared for the next day.
– Day 4 – Stockholm
After breakfast in the World Café, we were on the 8 AM included tour, Old Town by Foot. This excursion is a 2-hour walking tour through Gamla Stan (Old Town). The day started with a slight drizzle, but the guide made the best of it and we stopped at all the major sites in Gamla Stan, including the Nobel Prize Museum, the Royal Palace and the Stockholm Cathedral. Our original plan was to remain in Gamla Stan at the conclusion of the tour and take advantage of the shuttle to and from the ship that Viking provided. However, since the weather was still not great, we decided to return to the ship.
We had walked around Old Town the day before, so felt we had seen many of the sites. But we would highly recommend staying in Old Town after the tour since there is so much so see.
Our ship departed at 2:30 PM. By that time the sun had returned, and we enjoyed beautiful views as we sailed out through the Stockholm Archipelago, sipping some fantastic cocktails from the pool bar.
– Day 5 – Mariehamn, Aland Islands
Mariehamn is the capitol of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. The island is small, although there are some 6,700 islands that make up its archipelago. The included tour, Panoramic Mariehamn, is a 2-hour bus tour of the island. However, since the island is so small, and it is mainly a vacation getaway spot, there was really not much to see on this tour.
The bus follows a main road south for a few miles, and then turns around and heads back north. We stopped at a small stone church and walked around, although we could not enter the church. We then headed back to Mariehamn where there are a few shops and cafes, but not really much else to do.
The highlight of the stop in Mariehamn was the Åland Maritime Museum. The museum is located adjacent to the ship and Viking arranged for free admission for all Viking passengers.
The Åland Maritime Museum has an impressive collection of ship models, most of them sailing ships. Some are hobby works made by sailors onboard, others are made by professional model builders.
Included with museum admission is a tour of the Tall Ship Pommern, located just outside of the museum building. The Pommern is the only four-masted barque in the world that is still in original condition, never having undergone any large structural changes. The Pommern has three decks and there are both stairs and an elevator between the decks. An audio guide provides information to guide visitors through the ship. We actually enjoyed visiting this museum very much and considered it as the highlight of our visit to Mariehamn.
– Day 6 – Sea Day
We sailed throughout the day headed for our next stop, Gdansk, Poland. Sea days are always welcome since you can be as active as you like. We spent the day walking on the deck track, visiting the spa, and taking afternoon tea. We ended the day with a delightful bourbon tasting event – a fun way to end our relaxing sea day!
– Day 7 – Sea Day – (Missed Gdansk, Poland)
We arrived in Gdansk early in the morning, but knew there was going to be an issue as tug boats struggled against high winds to help our ship get into port. Finally, the captain announced that due to high winds, it was unsafe to dock the ship and we would sail on to our next port. We were quite disappointed to miss Gdansk, but unfortunately these things can happen when cruising.
The captain also announced that our next stop, Bornholm, Denmark had similar weather and predicted that we would not be able to make port there either. The captain did not want to sail all the way to Bornholm and then miss that port too. So, the decision was made to sail directly to Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany. This decision would give us an extra day in Germany and Viking quickly worked out the logistics for the additional day in Germany.
Viking did a great job arranging a variety of activities for the unexpected sea days too, and the passengers remained in good spirits. Of course, it helped that it was Cinco de Mayo and Viking provided free margaritas at lunch!
NOTE: Upon returning home, Viking Customer Services called us and apologized for the missed ports. Since it was weather related, Viking was under no obligation to compensate us for the deviation. But Viking offered us each a voucher to be applied to a future cruise. We thought the offer was very generous.
– Day 8 – Warnemünde/Rostock, Germany
The original schedule had us docking in Bornholm, Denmark on Day 8, but as noted above, the captain deemed the weather too bad for us to dock there. So, we proceeded to our Day 9 destination, Warnemünde, allowing us an extra day in Germany.
Warnemünde is a charming, small, seaside town, popular for its large sandy beaches. After two days at sea, we were anxious to explore. So, as soon as we could leave the ship, we walked the short distance into town. Warnemünde was very picturesque and included a small market and several old churches. We visited the Evangelical Lutheran Church on the east side of town.
Viking also arranged for a shuttle to/from the nearby town of Rostock. Rostock is located about 15 miles further inland from the port town of Warnemünde and straddles the Warnow River.
Rostock is much larger than Warnemünde, but still a relatively small and very nice town. Although Viking had arranged tours, Rostock was easy for us to navigate on our own. We visited several shops, as well as St. Mary’s Church.
St. Mary’s is Rostock’s largest church and one of the largest brick gothic buildings in the entire Baltic region. For more than 770 years, it has been home to the Evangelical Lutheran State Church. Inside the church is a medieval astronomical clock, built in 1472 by Hans Düringer.
We also visited University Square, including the terra-cotta Hauptgebäude, which is the university’s main building. The centerpiece of the square is the Brunnen der Lebensfreude, which is also known as the Fountain of Happiness.
We stopped at a great little restaurant for pizza and beer before catching the shuttle back to the ship.
– Day 9 – Berlin, Germany
We had never been to Berlin, so we were really looking forward to a tour of the city. We opted for the Berlin & Lunch at the Reichstag excursion. We selected this excursion because it included more stops than the regular tour, an organ concert, and lunch at the Reichstag.
On board the ship, the World Café opened at 5:30 AM, so after an early breakfast, we met for the start of the tour at 6:40 AM. Our 12-hour tour started with boarding the train, which was located next to the ship. Viking arranged for a dedicated train that took only Viking guests on an express train to Berlin. The 2-hour train ride was very comfortable and fully escorted with a Viking guide in each train car.
Upon arriving at the train station, we were directed to our local guide for the tour in Berlin.
We started the tour with a bus ride, passing by the Victory Column, Bellevue Palace and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Each pictured above.
Our next stop was the Berlin Wall, near the Topography of Terror History Museum. Our guide gave a brief lecture, including some harrowing experiences as people tried to escape from East Berlin. We also had a short amount of free time to explore the area. We entered the museum, which was new and appeared to be worth a visit. However, we did not have enough time to actually see many of the exhibits, so after a few minutes we headed back to the tour bus.
Checkpoint Charlie, the well-known checkpoint between East and West Berlin was the next stop. Again, we were able to walk around and get pictures. This is a very popular spot for tourists and is very busy.
The Reichstag, Germany’s first National House of Parliament, was our next stop. Our guide prepared us for the security checkpoint to enter the building and we proceeded up the elevator to the top. There is a large, glass-domed cupola designed by Sir Norman Foster at the top. Within the cupola, there is a spiral walkway that leads to the very top of the dome where we found incredible views of the city. The Käfer restaurant is also located next to the dome, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch that featured Ox Cheeks.
TIP: If you plan to visit the Reichstag while in Berlin, make note that the Reichstag is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Only a few blocks from the Reichstag, our next stop was the Brandenburg Gate. The Brandenburg Gate, a landmark and symbol with over two hundred years of history, is one of Berlin’s most important monuments. The Brandenburg Gate used to be a memorial of division. After the construction of the Berlin Wall, it was located in the restricted area and could not be visited by either East or West Germans. After the fall of the Wall, the gate became a symbol of German unity. We had plenty of time to explore the area around the gate and got plenty of pictures.
Our last stop was the impressive Berlin Cathedral, where we also listened to a private organ concert.
On our drive back to the train station, we drove through Berlin’s most famous shopping district, Kurfürstendamm. We did not stop, but we did see all of the very expensive shops.
Arriving back at the ship after the return train ride, many of the crew came out to welcome us. It was a long day, as we returned close to 7 PM and ready for dinner. The World Café featured a Taste of Germany, with many delicious German entrees and treats.
– Day 10 – Copenhagen, Denmark
Our morning started with a three-hour included tour, Copenhagen by Foot. We started with a short bus ride to the Little Mermaid statue, where it sits serenely in the harbor at Langelinie. We then walked to Copenhagen’s largest monument, the Gefion Fountain and visited the 18th-century Amalienborg Palace. The Amalienborg Palace is the winter residence of the Queen of Denmark, representing one of the world’s oldest monarchies. We also had views of St. Albans Church.
En route back to our bus, we walked through the 17th-century Citadel, one of Europe’s best-preserved fortresses surrounded by eight moats, tall ramparts and cannon bastions.
After lunch back onboard the ship, we joined the Christiansborg Palace & Tivoli Gardens Tour. The Palace is the seat of the Danish Parliament and houses the Queen’s Royal Reception Rooms. The tour of the palace was very good and not crowded. From there it was a short trip to Tivoli Gardens. While this park is very pretty and there are some small gardens, it is mainly just an amusement park.
– Day 11 – Ålborg, Denmark
Ålborg is located on the Limfjord, about 15 miles inland from the sea, and the cruise into the city is very scenic. The ship docked near downtown Ålborg, so we were easily able to walk into town. The ship arrived at 8 AM and was scheduled to depart about 2 PM.
We decided to take the included tour, Ålborg Walking Tour. We started our tour from the ship, walking along the water to the House of Music. The design of this concert hall is very modern and was designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. The building houses concert halls, and a restaurant, as well as teaching and administration facilities.
Ålborg is a very easy town to navigate with many interesting places to explore. We easily found our way through the town, with its quaint narrow streets and many markets and cafes.
Our last stop was Aalborg Cathedral – Church of St. Budolf. The wooden church was built in Aalborg as early as around 1000. It was named after the Anglo-Saxon patron saint for seafarers, St. Botolph. The current cathedral is situated in the same place as the original wooden church.
At the end of our tour, we decided to walk around the town and visit some of the markets on our own. The walk back to the ship was only 10 minutes.
– Day 12 – Oslo, Norway – Day 1
We arrived in Oslo around 8 AM. The ship docked right in Oslo, next to the Akershus Fortress.
Akershus Fortress was originally built in the late 1200’s as a medieval royal castle. The fortress today serves as Norway’s national arena. Here you will find Akershus Castle, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, Norway’s Home Front Museum, the concert and theater scene Karpedammen, as well as cultural agencies and restaurants.
We selected the optional excursion, Vikings & Norwegian Explorers for our morning excursion. After a short bus ride, we reached an area that has three co-located museums. The first is the Kon-Tiki Museum. The Kon-Tiki was built by world-renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl and he sailed the boat on his epic voyages. There are numerous texts, maps and more than 8,000 books on display about the voyages. The highlight is the exhibit of the original Kon-Tiki balsa-wood raft that Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia in 1947.
Just across the parking lot is the Fram Museum, which chronicles the polar expeditions of Norwegian explorers, including Roald Amundsen—the first person to reach both the North and South Poles.
The third museum co-located in the same area, is the Norwegian Maritime Museum. The Norwegian Maritime Museum is a nationwide museum responsible for collecting, researching and disseminating maritime heritage and coastal culture.
We spent almost three hours at the three museums and could have easily spent a lot more time there. All of the museums were very interesting and we would recommend this excursion.
After lunch we decided to walk a loop around the waterfront and through parts of the shopping area of Oslo. Our walk included stops at the Oslo Opera House and the Munch Museum. From a distance, the Opera House resembles an iceberg, especially when viewing the structure from across the water. We also walked to the top of the Opera House for some of the best views of dowtown Oslo.
– Day 13 – Oslo, Norway – Day 2
The ship stayed in Oslo overnight, so we saved the included excursion for the morning of our second day. The Oslo Highlights & Vigeland Park excursion was one of the best included excursions of the entire trip.
We started our excursion with a bus tour of Oslo, driving by some of the major sites, including Oslo City Hall, the Royal Palace, Parliament and the National Theater.
Our first stop was Vigeland Park. We had never heard of Vigeland Park and were amazed at its size and beauty. The park is comprised of over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron and was the life work of artist Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures all depict humans experiencing the circle of life – from infants to the elderly. What made this tour so special was our excellent tour guide. He told detailed, interesting stories about many of the sculptures and how they are meant to be interpreted, making for a very moving experience.
Next, we traveled to the district of Holmenkollen, home to the world-famous ski jump, Holmenkollbakken, which is set atop the most prominent hill in the city. This impressive structure dates back to 1892. Not only is the ski jump amazing to see, but the views are equally impressive.
We then returned to the awaiting ship and set sail just as we were sitting down for lunch.
Since we had the afternoon free, it was a perfect time to enjoy afternoon tea in the Wintergarden.
– Day 14 – Stavanger, Norway
We arrived in the beautiful small town of Stavanger at 10 AM and ready for our 11 AM excursion.
Our included excursion was the Stavanger Walking Tour & Oil Museum. We started the excursion at the ship, with a short walk into Gamla Stavanger (Old Stavanger). This pedestrian district provided an easy stroll along cobblestone streets. Close to 250 buildings are found here, all protected by a conservancy. They range in date from the 18th to the early 20th centuries and are considered the best kept wooden buildings in Northern Europe. In one section of the old town, we discovered the very colorful buildings that are so frequently found in iconic pictures of Stavanger.
Our next stop was the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. In front of the museum, we were surprised to see Viking had set up an area for guests to sample a variety of local fruit juices. After our tasting, we entered the museum. The museum featured exhibits about the geology, and technology surrounding petroleum, as well as exhibits about life on board oilrigs and the drama of everyday life at sea.
After the tour we had a quick lunch on board the ship before our afternoon optional excursion.
Our afternoon optional tour was the Pulpit Rock Cruise. This excursion is a very popular and fills up very quickly, so be sure to book this one early. We had a beautiful, sunny afternoon for this 4-hour cruise. The cruise started on a small boat that was docked next to our ship. We traveled though the Stavanger archipelago, viewing the many vacation homes situated on small islets along the way. Leaving the archipelago, we entered Lysefjord. Its name, “light fjord”, comes from the lightly colored granite rock rising from the waters. Rising up nearly 2,000 feet is the famous Pulpit Rock. A popular destination for hikers, this incredible rock formation juts out high above the fjord. We also cruised directly underneath and past some towering waterfalls. Before returning to Stavanger, we stopped at Helleren to go ashore for some delicious Norwegian waffles, served with sour cream and sweet jams.
TIP: First, if you decide to take the Pulpit Rock Cruise, be sure to wear some warm clothes, since it can be cold and windy on the water. Second, we decided to go later in the day (2 PM) because we thought it would be warmer. But we also learned that the morning trip had very limited visibility due to dense fog. By early afternoon, the fog had burned off and the weather was clear and sunny. So, if possible, try to book the afternoon trip.
This was a full day and we departed Stavanger as soon as we arrived back on the ship.
– Day 15 – Eidfjord, Norway
The quaint village of Eidfjord is nestled in the heart of one of Norway’s most scenic regions. Entering from the Norwegian Sea, the waters of the expansive Hardangerfjord lead to the smaller Eidfjorden and to this charming mountain hamlet.
We were up early for our 7:45 AM optional excursion, Viking Village of Gudvangen. We were not sure what to expect at the Viking Village, but the description of the scenery and historical information piqued our interest.
We boarded the bus and traveled to the Viking village of Gudvangen, called the “Palace of the Gods,” through the Naerøyfjord. On our journey, we crossed the Hardanger Bridge and our first stop was the Tvindefossen Waterfall. We were able to walk up close to the falls for a spectacular photo opportunity.
Our next stop was Nærøyfjord, where the river Nærøydalselvi flows down the Nærøydalen valley into the fjord, which stretches from Gudvangen to Mount Beitelen and the Aurlandsfjord. The pictures hardly capture the majesty of the area.
Next we climbed Norway’s steepest road and around its 13-hairpin bends to the Viking village of Gudvangen, which is dedicated to the God of Trading and Sailing. We were met there by local volunteers who dedicate their lifestyles to the Viking era. Our guide, dressed in Viking clothing, led us around the village talking about handicrafts and history. He was excellent at telling the stories about life during that period. We then participated in popular Viking pastimes including axe throwing and archery.
For lunch, we sat in a large Viking hall to enjoy a traditional Viking banquet with locally sourced foods.
On the return journey to the ship, we made one last stop at Skjervfossen Waterfall before arriving back at Eidfjord.
Arriving back on board, we made our way to the Sports Deck, where Viking Resident Astronomer, Jonathan Ward, had set up a solar telescope. The solar flares and magnetic storms of the sun were amazing to see.
– Day 16 – Bergen, Norway
The sail into Bergen was quite scenic, and our ship docked right in town, making it convenient to walk to everything.
After reviewing the excursions and area, we decided Bergen would be easy to explore on our own. It was a beautiful morning, so after breakfast we decided to hike Mt. Fløien. Mt. Fløien ascends 1,000 feet above Bergen and the hike really is not terribly difficult. It took us about 40 minutes to make the 1.8-mile hike to the top. If you prefer not to hike, there is also a funicular at the base of the hill that can take you to the top.
The views from the top are just amazing, and you can see the entire town and harbor, including the Viking ship! At the top, there are also plenty of other walking trails. We chose a short hike to Lake Skomakerdiket. This area is very picturesque, making it a nice place to relax for a few minutes before starting the hike back down the hill.
After descending Mt. Fløien, we spent a few hours walking all over town, taking in the sights and colorful buildings of Bergen.
This night was our last one onboard, so we decided just to relax in the Explorer’s Lounge and have dinner at The Restaurant.
– Day 17 – Oslo, Norway Post-Extension
Leaving the ship on disembarkation day is always a little depressing. But, in our case we were starting our post-extension trip, Oslo & Scenic Train. Buses picked us up after breakfast and we journeyed to the nearby Bergen train station. Getting on the train was simple and easy, especially since the tour was fully escorted by a Viking guide.
The train left about 8 AM for the approximate 7-hour train ride. There are about 16 very short stops along the way. Lunch was also included aboard the train.
The Bergen Railway journey to Oslo is often described as the most beautiful train ride in the world. We ascended to over 4,000 feet above sea level as we crossed the Hardangervidda plateau, featuring breathtaking views of snow-covered landscapes and glaciers. Many of the small towns on the route are only accessible via train and they have snow year-round.
Some people think one side of the train is better than the other, but truthfully, I think they are pretty much the same.
Arriving in Oslo around 3 PM, it was an easy guided walk to our hotel, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Once we checked in, we went for a short walk and had dinner at a local restaurant.
– Day 18 – Oslo, Norway Post-Extension
The breakfast at the hotel was excellent and we were ready to start our day.
An included Panoramic Oslo tour was offered on this day, but since we had taken a similar tour when the ship had stopped in Oslo for two days during the cruise, we decided to just explore the city on our own.
We walked the length of Karl Johans Gate. Karl Johans Gate is the main street of the city of Oslo. The street was named in honor of King Charles III John, who was king of Sweden from 1818 until 1844.
The street connects Oslo Central Station, the main railroad station in Oslo, and the Royal Palace. The route changes its direction and width slightly halfway between these two points, at Egertorget, a square at the intersection of Karl Johans Gate and Øvre Slottsgate. This is the highest point and, here, both ends of the street may be seen.
The street includes many of Oslo’s tourist attractions, including the Royal Palace, Central Station and Stortinget, the National Theatre, the old University Buildings, the Palace Park and the pond (“Spikersuppa”) at Eidsvolls plass, which serves as a skating rink in winter. We enjoyed a wonderful stroll and there were many restaurants and cafes along the way to stop for coffee or a snack.
We then decided to take a walk around the waterfront and catch some of the sights we had seen from the ship several days earlier when we were arriving in port. Again, the weather was nice and we enjoyed taking in all of the sights.
For our last dinner before flying out we ate at Olivia Østbanehallen. This Italian restaurant was excellent and it was conveniently located within the train station. It also offers outside seating on the waterfront side of the restaurant.
– Day 19 – Oslo, Norway Post-Extension
We awoke in the dark for our early flight out of Oslo to head home. The Oslo airport was very busy, even at that early hour, but it was easy to navigate, and we had no problem getting to our gate on time.
We really enjoyed this trip and we think you will too! We recommend adding extensions to both ends of the cruise as a great way to extend your vacation.
We hope you found our review of the Viking Homelands Cruise helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some of our other travel destinations.
Safe travels!
Excellent tour! My wife and I sspent the summer of 1973 going all over Europe on student Eurail passes (11 weeks!) just before be both finished our university education. That trip included 5 nights in Oslo with round trip to Bergen on the train; a quick turnaround in Bergen though, with no time to explore. We got as far south as Potenza Italy where we stayed with some of my relatives I had never met. Oslo to Bergen was the most beautiful train ride we took in 11 weeks of riding trains all over Europe. We finally got back to Europe in July 2018 on our first cruise, Into the Midnight Sun on the Viking Star, 14 days from Bergen to the Nordkapp, then to London. It was amazing! We booked the Mediterannean & Italian Sojourn from Barcelona to Venice while on that cruise for 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. We re-booked it for 2022 and added the Viking Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam. We love Viking, but decided we wanted more than a “snapshot” of each place, so we took a 31 day road trip around the Italian Lakes and Tuscany this past May-June and had a wonderful time. We’ll be back on Viking, but we’re planning another Italian road trip for May-June 2024 first. BTW, Geirangerfjord is the most beautiful place we’ve ever been to.