About the Journey

Traverse the magnificent landscapes, ancient settlements, and idyllic villages of Scotland and Norway on a cruise from Aberdeen to Oslo, with stops at the Shetland Islands and some of Norway’s most celebrated fjords. Under the summer’s Midnight Sun, discover snowcapped peaks, glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and the legacy of Viking explorers.

Throughout the voyage, uncover layers of Scandinavian history, from Scotland’s mysterious Pictish stones and the Viking remains of Jarlshof to Stavanger’s renowned Archaeological Museum and Hopperstad Stave Church. Step ashore at peaceful fjord-side towns, fishing villages, and rural communities off the beaten track.

This program offers extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities, with puffins, gannets, and sea eagles overhead, and minke whales, porpoises, and seals in the waters of Norway’s southern fjords. For those who wish to continue the adventure, pre- and post-program extensions will be offered in Scotland and Norway.

Princeton travelers will be joined on this program by those from Harvard, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and the Archaeological Institute of America.

Accommodation

Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel and Spa Aberdeen, Scotland
Begin your adventure with one night in Aberdeen. Located in a historic building in the heart of the “Granite City,” Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel and Spa blends Scottish style with modern amenities. In this 218-room hotel, enjoy a full-service spa, restaurant, fitness center, and a premium whiskey lounge.

Hebridean Sky
The Hebridean Sky has 59 exceptionally spacious and well-designed suites, all with ocean views and several with private balconies. All suites feature a sitting room, ensuite bathroom, flat screened TV, spacious wardrobes, a dressing table, and beds that can be configured as twins or a double. Public spaces include a large lounge, elegant club and bar with piano, library, and two outdoor seating areas. An elevator services all passenger cabin decks.

Onboard chefs prepare international and regional cuisine served at a single open seating in the Restaurant or on the Lido Deck, weather permitting. A friendly crew provides exceptional service with a 1:2 crew to passenger ratio. The ship features advanced satellite navigation and communication equipment, roll stabilizers, and a fleet of Zodiacs to access remote shorelines and islands.

Itinerary

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception

• Tuesday, June 29-Wednesday, June 30 | Depart Home / Aberdeen, Scotland 
  Depart the U.S. on overnight flights to Aberdeen, Scotland. Arrive in Scotland’s historic “Granite City” and transfer to your centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a festive welcome orientation and reception.
  Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel and Spa (R)  
• Thursday, July 1 | Aberdeen 
  Spend the morning exploring Old Aberdeen, including St. Machar’s Cathedral, or take an excursion along the Pictish Stones Trail to see intricately carved relics of Scotland’s ancient people. Enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch before embarking your ship and setting sail in the evening toward Norway.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Friday, July 2 | Lerwick, Shetland Islands
  Arrive this morning in Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, to explore its lively harbor and Norse heritage. Visit nearby Jarlshof, an extraordinary archaeological site spanning 4,000 years from ancient dwellings to Viking longhouses. Return to the ship for an afternoon at sea and the beginning of the lecture series. Gather this evening for the captain’s welcome reception and dinner.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Saturday, July 3 | Vic, Sognefjord, Norway   
  Wake this morning in Norway, cruising majestic Sognefjord, the country’s largest and deepest fjord. Come ashore in the village of Vik to visit the ornate Hopperstad Stave Church, the 12th-century Hove Stone Church, and the ancient Mohaugane burial mounds. Sample “gamal ost,” a traditional Viking-era cheese, still crafted locally, before spending the afternoon on deck sailing through dramatic fjord scenery and enjoying the lecture series.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Sunday, July 4 | Ålesund
  Spend a relaxing morning cruising as the lecture series continues. Following lunch onboard, spend the afternoon in Ålesund, one of Scandinavia’s most picturesque towns, celebrated for its fairytale Art Nouveau architecture rebuilt after the great fire of 1904. Ålesund offers three optional excursions: 1) a visit to a historic World War II bunker carved into the mountain above the city; 2) a coach tour through the scenic Giske Islands; or 3) an in-depth guided walking tour of the city, including Mt. Aksla.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Monday, July 5 | Loen  
  Disembark in the beautiful village of Loen for a drive through the dramatic Kjenndal Valley and boat ride across Loen Lake, surrounded by towering peaks and glacier arms. Enjoy homemade waffles at Kjenndalsbre Fjellstove before continuing to the Kjenndalsbre Glacier viewpoint, an arm of the mighty Jostedals Glacier. Return to Loen for a free afternoon to explore independently—perhaps riding the cable car for sweeping fjord views—before an evening sail through Nordfjord.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Tuesday, July 6 | Bygstad
  The lecture series continues this morning while cruising to Bygstad, an inland village where ships seldom venture and home to the hidden gem of Sunnifjord. Come ashore for a guided valley walk past cascading waterfalls, emerald pastures, and idyllic farms framed by steep mountains. Visit local homesteads to learn about the daily life and enduring traditions of this fjordland community.  
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D) 
• Wednesday, July 7 | Rosendal
  Choose from a variety of excursions today: visit the elegant Baroniet Rosendal, Scandinavia’s only Renaissance-era manor, where formal gardens and aristocratic history reveal Norway’s ties to continental Europe; discover the power of ice at the Folgefonna Glacier & Nature Center, offering insight into Norway’s dramatic glacial landscapes; or hike the scenic Hatteberg Valley, surrounded by waterfalls, forests, and soaring mountains.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Thursday, July 8 | Hardangerfjord, Queen of the Fjords
  Arrive this morning in Hardangerfjord, one of Norway’s most celebrated fjords, renowned for its breathtaking combination of snow-crowned peaks, thundering waterfalls, and fertile orchards. Disembark in the traditional village of Eidfjord with the chance to visit Hardangervidda Nature Center and the roaring Vøringsfossen Waterfall, one of Norway’s most spectacular.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Friday, July 9 | Lysefjorden & Stavanger
  Awake in picturesque Lysefjord, cruising its 23-mile length beneath the towering cliffs of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag Mountain. Continue to Stavanger, the coastal gem of Southern Norway, to stroll the cobbled streets of the colorful old town or visit the Archaeological Museum’s rich treasure trove of Viking-era artifacts. Set sail late tonight, allowing time for an evening ashore. 
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D)  
• Saturday, July 10 | Lillesand 
  Enjoy a final lecture before arriving in Lillesand, a quintessential Norwegian summer town. Dock in the heart of town and step directly into its charming streets for a guided walking tour. Wander among white-painted wooden houses, inviting boutiques, and cozy cafés, with the option to enjoy lunch ashore. This afternoon, cruise to Oslo through pine-fringed skerries, red boathouses, and quiet summer cottages along Norway’s southern coast. Gather this evening for the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.
  Hebridean Sky (B, L, D) 
• Sunday, July 11 | Oslo / Home
  After breakfast, disembark in Oslo. Travelers may transfer to the airport for flights home or join an optional post-trip extension featuring a walking tour of historic Oslo, the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Opera House, and museums on the Bygdøy Peninsula, including the Fram and Kon-Tiki.
  (B) 

Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Pricing

• Category A, Standard Suite (Amundsen Deck, forward, 226 sq ft, portholes): $10,990 per person sharing; $17,590 single occupancy
• Category B, Standard Suite (Amundsen Deck, 226 sq ft, portholes): $11,990 per person sharing; $19,190 single occupancy
• Category C, Superior Suite (Byrd Deck, 237 sq ft, picture window): $13,990 per person sharing; $22,390 single occupancy
• Category D, Premium Suite (Mawson Deck, 226 sq ft, picture window): $15,990 per person sharing
• Category E, Corner Suite (Mawson Deck, forward, 237 sq ft, picture windows): $17,490 per person sharing
• Category F, Deluxe Balcony Suite (Scott Deck, 225 sq ft plus 43 sq ft balcony): $18,990 per person sharing
• Category G, Owner’s Balcony Suite (Shackleton Deck, 237 sq ft plus 86 sq ft balcony): $20,490 per person sharing
• Category H, Hebridean Suite (Shackleton Deck, 264 sq ft plus 101 sq ft balcony): $22,490 per person

Inclusions

Program rates include: One hotel night and ten nights aboard Hebridean Sky • Meals and excursions as specified in the itinerary, including eleven breakfasts, ten lunches and ten dinners • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and presentations • Shared airport transfers on group arrival and departure dates • Baggage handling • Gratuities to shipboard personnel, porters, waitstaff, guides, and drivers • Port charges • Entrance fees • Welcome and farewell wine receptions • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunches and dinners aboard the ship • Filtered water on motorcoaches • Complete packet of pre-departure information • Professional tour manager throughout the program

Program rates do not include: U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations • Private airport transfers or airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure dates • Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Excursions that deviate from the scheduled tour options • Airline baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, internet and email charges • Room service • Other items of a personal nature

What to Expect

This is a moderately strenuous program, at times physically demanding and busy, with considerable walking at some sites over cobblestone, hills, and uneven terrain. Hiking options are available in some ports, with distances of up to three miles. In some instances, elevators are unavailable, and stairs may not have handrails. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs for several excursions ashore—and there may be additional use of the Zodiacs to take advantage of opportunities that arise. Participants should be fit and in active good health. Limited medical facilities are available on-board Hebridean Sky. All participants will be required to follow safety protocols set forth by Criterion Travel, local staff, and host country laws.

Optional Extensions

Pre-Tour Extension: The Scottish Highlands 
June 26-30, 2026 
Spend three nights in historic Inverness at a 4-star hotel dating back to 1785. Cruise the legendary Loch Ness, explore Urquhart Castle, and tour a top malt whisky distillery. Wander through an estate hailed by David Attenborough as “one of the glories of wild Scotland,” and stroll the grounds of Balmoral Castle, home of the Royal Family since the 1800s. 
Pre-Trip Extension Rates: $3,590 per person sharing; $4,780 single occupancy

Post-Tour Extension: Art & Archaeology in Oslo 
July 11-14, 2026 
After disembarking from the Hebridean Sky, spend three nights in Norway’s capital city of Oslo, staying at the elegant and historic Grand Hotel. Opened in 1874 it has been host to international guests, world leaders, celebrities, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates for more than 140 years. Highlights of the itinerary include Vigeland Sculpture Park, Norsk Folkemuseum, and the Fram Museum of Polar Exploration. 
Post-Trip Extension Rates: $2,990 per person sharing; $3,785 single occupancy

Reservations

Please view the tour terms and conditions, then register online or contact the Princeton Journeys team at journeys@princeton.edu / 609.258.8686 with questions.