Norwegian Fjords

London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.

Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.

Your cruise is about to begin! It's time to make your way to Southampton, if you haven't already. To reach Southampton from London, you can take a train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, with the journey taking around 1.5 hours - that's approximately 128 km's (80 miles). Alternatively if you're travelling by coach or have arranged a private transfer, please allow around 2 hours for the journey. Once in Southampton, the cruise terminals are within a short taxi ride from the station.

Discover a whole world of exceptional dining on board our Excel class ship Iona. With modern British classics and flavours from around the globe, including menus inspired by your cruise holiday destinations, Iona is sure to excite even the pickiest of palates. As Iona is a Freedom Dining ship, you can cast aside routine to dine in her restaurants at a time that suits you and sit wherever you choose.

Stavanger offers a blend of nature and culture, with its colorful wooden houses lining Old Town's cobblestone streets. A highlight is the nearby Lysefjord, where the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) provides breathtaking fjord views after a rewarding hike. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum dives into the region’s oil history, while Gamle Stavanger, the best-preserved wooden settlement in Europe, transports visitors back in time with its charming 18th-century homes.

Olden is located in the midst of incredible natural beauty at the end of the scenic Nordfjord. Visit the nearby Briksdal Glacier, where an easy hike or troll car ride brings you close to the icy beauty. The Loen Skylift provides spectacular views of the Nordfjord from 1,011 meters above sea level. Explore peaceful Olden Church or take a scenic boat ride along the fjord’s deep blue waters.

A sense of wonderment awaits as you sail Innvikfjorden. This stunning fjord, at 4.5 km long, is a small arm of the larger Nordfjord and passes the picturesque village of Innvik. The village and farmsteads will put the sheer scale of its surrounding scenery into perspective.

As part of the astonishingly beautiful and diverse Nordfjord, you will find peaceful valleys and well-kept farms, as well as gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and towering, snow-capped mountains. The mountains plunge from altitudes of a few thousand metres, straight down into the seawater.

Sailing through the Norwegian fjords is one of the great maritime experiences. Formed during the Ice Age when the glaciers retreated, the deep valleys and narrow inlets were flooded with seawater creating these natural wonders. Thanks to the warmth of the Gulf Stream these natural wonders are virtually ice free and easily explored.

Nordfjord, located in western Norway, is astonishingly beautiful and diverse. You'll find peaceful valleys and well-kept farms, as well as gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and towering, snow-capped mountains. The mountains plunge from altitudes of a few thousand metres, straight down into the seawater. The sixth longest in Norway, Nordfjord's deep-blue waters stretch 106 km (66 miles) from Stad on the coast, deep into the town of Stryn on the east. It also flows past a lovely collection of picture-postcard coastal towns and villages on the way.

Hellesylt, set by the dramatic Sunnylvsfjord, is known for its powerful waterfall, tumbling right through the village. This quiet spot is a launch point for exploring the famous Geirangerfjord by ferry, offering breathtaking views of steep cliffs and abandoned mountain farms. Hellesylt also offers scenic hikes, like the trail to Ljøen viewpoint, perfect for taking in the awe-inspiring fjord landscape from above.

Sailing Norway’s epic Geirangerfjord, the only Norwegian fjord that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a notable experience. Picturesque to a fault, Geirangerfjord has inspired folklore, fairy-tale and film for centuries.

Unabashedly called 'the most beautiful fjord in the world,' the scenery is absolutely stunning in every direction.

Snow-mantled mountains rise majestically from the glacier-carved fjord, the Seven Sisters waterfalls burst forth from cliffs and thunder into the deep, serene water and emerald-green forests blanket the hillsides.

Stunning Sunnylvsfjorden will wow you as you wind your way along its 16 miles of craggy cliffs, tall waterfalls and glassy waters, headed for the town of Hellesylt. On the way, you pass the historically important Me-kernes - a deserted Fjord farm, dating back to the 1600s and possibly as far as medieval times. Preserved for its unique siting, it's perched 100 metres above the water, tucked under over-hanging rock to protect it from avalanches.

Me-kernes inspired Ibsen, who visited in 1862 and used its inhospitable setting in his play Brand. At its widest, Sunnylvsfjorden stretches to over a mile, narrowing to 600 metres in places. And at its deepest, it reaches a startling 452 metres below sea level.

As you sail in from the North Sea, through the outlying islands of Norway's west coast, you reach the beguiling, wide waterway of Storfjorden. Translating as 'Great Fjord',Storfjorden more than lives up to its name, with sweeping waterscapes, soaring, snow-dusted peaks and forested slopes that plunge down to the water's edge. On a still day, the reflections of the mountains in the water are a sight to behold. This remote wilderness is a haven for wildlife. Keep a look out for dolphins and whales swimming alongside the ship and sea eagles passing overhead. As your ship winds its way along the peaceful waters, the views are ever changing, with occasional small settlements lying along the water and abandoned farms high up the rock faces.

Haugesund, known as Norway’s "Homeland of the Viking Kings," offers a blend of history and coastal charm. Visit Haraldshaugen, a national monument marking Norway’s unification under King Harald Fairhair. Stroll through the vibrant waterfront lined with colorful wooden houses, or explore the nearby island of Røvær, perfect for a quick escape into serene nature. The region is also home to Avaldsnes, an ancient Viking settlement with a fascinating history.

If you still have energy after exploring ashore, why not try a new sport like archery or take a swing in the golf nets? You can also enjoy some friendly family competition with games like giant chess, table tennis, or shuffleboard. With so much to do on board - all at no extra charge - you're set for non-stop entertainment. Plus, get ready to make a splash in our selection of pools. On Iona, you'll find an incredible 18 whirlpool spas and four pools, including an infinity pool that's perfect for a refreshing dip while watching the world go by.

London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.

Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.

To reach London from Southampton, you can take a train from Southampton Central (the station is within a short taxi ride from the cruise terminals) to London Waterloo, with the journey taking around 1.5 hours - that's approximately 128 km's (80 miles). Alternatively if you're travelling by coach or have arranged a private transfer, please allow around 2 hours for the journey.