Amerikalinjen Hotel in Oslo: A Bridge Between Continents

Pedestrian walking the roof of Oslo's National Opera house.

Oslo’s revitalized waterfront shines with modern architectural drama. The National Opera house beckons visitors to stroll across its sloping marble roof. Brooding masterpieces evoke contemplation inside the angular Munch Museum. Electric tour boats glide across the azure water of the Oslofjord.   Yet just steps from the harbor stands a quieter landmark, a century-old building with a tile roof that links Norway and North America.   Thousands of emigrants once began their transatlantic journeys here, departing from the headquarters of the Norwegian America Line. Clutching...

Going deep on a Norway fjord cruise with Havila Voyages

A Havila Voyages cruise ship sailing in Trolljorden along the Norwegian Coast.

A splash of Arctic ice down my back and a hug from a hairy Norse sea god confirmed my initiation into the Arctic Explorer’s Club after my Havila Voyages cruise ship crossed the Arctic Circle.   For seasoned sailors, the crossing is a milestone. For my fellow passengers aboard the Havila Pollux off Norway’s northern coast, it was a lively deck party. We celebrated our crossing with a sailor’s rum drink known as black magic, a concoction that warms the soul and energizes the spirit....

Two Sisters Go Cruising around Norway

Our Norwegian great-grandmother inspired my sister and me to take a “Sisters Cruise” along the fjord-punctuated coast of Norway.   Learning more about Sina Nielsen’s journey to the U.S. more than 175 years ago sparked our desire to explore Norway’s stunning scenery, get to know its resilient people and celebrate our heritage.   Our seven-day cruise with Havila Voyages took us from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes, near the Russian border. Along the way, we wove through deep fjords, crossed the Arctic Circle and...

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