Sometimes the best part of traveling is the secrets that each city reveals. We’ve partnered with adventure, luxury, and culture travel writer, Dr. Cacinda Maloney, from the blog PointsandTravel as she reflects on her recent trip to Oslo, Norway and her experience of finding the #1 luxury cruise ship in the world in the Oslo port!
Photo by PointsandTravel
Shhh! Oslo has a secret!
The famously expensive Norwegian capital of Oslo has a secret beyond its glorious landscapes of the Oslo Fjord, Vigeland Sculpture Park, and its modern opera house.
Photo by PointsandTravel
Photo by PointsandTravel
On my first few visits to Oslo, I had not discovered the secret yet, although I enjoyed this mega city with its maritime trade and Viking history despite not knowing.
Photo by PointsandTravel
Having the #2 spot on the list of the world’s most expensive cities, Oslo caters to the rich with culture and style. It would be perfectly natural to imagine that the top-rated cruise ship in the world sails right out of her port. It was puzzling to me why I hadn’t heard an inkling about this magnificent luxury ship that was in port.
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
The Europa 2 from the Haplag-Lloyd Cruises
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
But now I understand, the Europeans were trying to keep it a secret!
The #1 Luxury Cruise Ship in the World … in Oslo Port!
Upon my arrival into Oslo, jetting in via the FlytoGet Airport Express train that runs every 10 minutes and only takes you 22 minutes to get right into the city center, this city that I love allows you to get to the central train station in mere minutes. And upon your arrival into the central train station, you will find that you have landed yourself into Oslo’s version of the avenue Champs-Elysee: Karl Johans Gate, the main thoroughfare and a perfect place to begin your exploration of this Viking city.
Photo by PointsandTravel
I usually centrally locate myself in a hotel near the train station, but there are many options available for you to get settled in and begin to do all the “don’t miss” things in Oslo:
- Take a walk down Oslo’s Karl Johns Gate, where restaurants, parks, museums, and shops abound. The street is a bustling hub that makes for great people watching.
- Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, a massive park with fountains and tree-lined “streets” of over 200 sculptures, all made from one man, as well as his brother’s mausoleum (a different secret I found out about on an earlier visit).
- Take a day trip to the Fjords of Oslo, take the ferry to the nearest Island of Hovedova, where you can hike trails and find the ruins of a monastery from the 1100’s.
- Gaze at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump: Skiers have been hurling themselves off long before this reconstructed landmark was unveiled for visitors.
- Stop by the spectacular and modern Opera House (shaped like the hull of a ship), that typically has free art installations and excellent views of the city by walking on its rooftop.
- Go to the Viking Ship Museum and the Norsk Folkemuseum, spend the day wandering around and learning the history of the Nordic vessels and the lives of the Nordic people. You can thank me later!
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
Europa 2 from Haplag-Lloyd Cruises
While I was in Oslo, I discovered that the #1 luxury ship in the world comes right into port: the Europa 2 made a stop in Oslo, as well as through its famous fjords and a stop in the northern Norway city of Bergen. Since her christening in 2013, she has been named the “#1 Ship in the World” by the authority of cruise ship guidebooks, the . This after beating out her sister ship, the Europa, which held the title for more than a decade. In fact, in 2016, she was given its highest award ever based on a points scoring system. The ship, Europa 2 from Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, continues to allude Americans, but is right square on the radar of wealthy Europeans, and for good reason.
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
Ok upscale Americans, now you know! The secret is out!
Europa 2 is a floating luxury resort!
What makes the Europa 2 so spectacular? She has more space per passenger than any other cruise ship and every room is a suite with its own veranda! With floor to ceiling windows in the main areas, her décor is brightly lit during the day with natural light and she has a contemporary interior design.
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
She also has an amazing art collection, which is one of the largest art collections at sea, with over 850 original pieces that were commissioned exclusively for the ship by well-known artists from around the world.
Photo by PointsandTravel
But that is not all she has! She also has the largest gin collection at sea! Since gin is a popular drink that is served and drank at sea, why not build the world’s largest at-sea gin collection with over 36 different gins from 9 countries? And, of course, a gin tasting is included in your sailing fee where you will learn all about this complex spirit. This is just a small part of the services and delights when it comes to the details that this ship can provide you and your family when sailing on the Europa 2. I won’t even mention the butler and the nanny service or the 7 gourmet restaurants where the service in the major player and the food is a work of art. Of course, they have the buffet available every day, room service and plenty of clubs and cigar bars.
Europa2 by Haplag-Lloyd Cruises, Photo by PointsandTravel
The secret of Oslo, one of my favorite cities in the world, and its exclusive “floating luxury resort” is out and now you, too, can experience the bilingual Haplag-Lloyd’s Europa 2 with stops in the charming cities of Oslo and Bergen, as well as many other gorgeous ports. Check out her sailing map to see where she sails next in the world:
Latest posts by Cacinda Maloney (see all)
- How NOT to be a tourist in a new city… even if you are one! - December 3, 2019
- Do’s and don’ts for surviving long-haul air travel - November 11, 2019
- Here not there: Avoid overtourism with these gorgeous alternatives - October 11, 2019
Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
You have actually created some exceptional points here. I specifically appreciate the way you’ve been able to stick so much thought into a relatively short post (comparitively) which creates it an thoughtful publish on your subject. In my opinion, you’ve presented the topic in a quite thorough yet concise manner, that is genuinely useful when somebody wants to get the facts without spending too a lot time searching the web and sifting out the noise to discover the answers to their questions. I usually get so frustrated with so plentiful in the final results inside the major SE’s due to the fact they normally seem to mostly be filled with filler content that often isn’t extremely sensible. If you don’t mind I’m going to add this post and your webpage to my delicious favorites so I can share it with my family. I appear forward to approaching back to read your future posts as well.