Norway Cruise

July 12–23, 2024

Join the Purdue President’s Council on an 11-night cruise visiting Norway’s most incredible fjords, dramatic waterfalls, and charming villages. Travel from Edinburgh to Copenhagen as you discover natural wonders and Viking history aboard the 312-guest yacht Windstar Star Legend.

Your participation supports the
President’s Council Enrichment Fund
Your travel-package registration fee includes support for ongoing adventures, events, and lifelong educational opportunities with the President’s Council family. As a part of your overall price, a $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund helps underwrite the involvement of Purdue educators and administrators to enhance your personal travel experiences—a benefit exclusive to Purdue President’s Council members.

Itinerary Highlights:

  • Visit Lerwick, the main town of the beautiful Shetland Islands
  • Walk through Bergen’s Bryggen District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cruise the scenic Geirangerfjord for spectacular views of towering peaks and impressive waterfalls
  • Olden is your gateway to the largest glacier in Europe
  • From Stavanger, climb the soaring heights of Pulpit Rock for one of the best views in the country
  • Stroll through the Old Town of Kristiansand with its quaint wooden buildings
  • Stop in Aalborg, Denmark and learn of its rich Viking history

President’s Council Package Includes:

  • 11 nights cruising Norway’s coast and fjords aboard the all-suite, 312-guest yacht, Windstar Star Legend
  • President’s Council Welcome & Farewell Receptions
  • Open-seating dining featuring local ingredients, specialty dining under the stars, and 24-hour room service, plus two new dining venues
  • All beverages including wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, and mini-bar items
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi and prepaid gratuities for housekeeping, bar, and dining staff
  • Newly redesigned leisure areas, full-service spa, fitness center, library, outside Star Bar, hot tub, and infinity pool, plus onboard entertainment
  • Exclusive President’s Council shore excursion aboard the Flam Railway past gushing rivers, waterfalls, and majestic mountains, one of the world’s most breathtaking railroad journeys
  • $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund
  • Purdue President’s Council and Global Tracks staff
  • $100 shipboard credit per person

Optional Scotland Pre-Cruise Package:

July 7-12 // 2024

Join the Purdue President’s Council for a five-night pre-cruise package in Scotland.  Explore the land of castles and cashmere, breathtaking natural beauty, fascinating history, and finely aged whiskies. Commence on the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, the capital city, followed by two nights at the world-renowned Gleneagles with free time for optional activities, before traveling to the university town of St. Andrews.

More Information
Book Scotland Package Now

Cruise Itinerary:

Friday, July 12, 2024 | Edinburgh, Scotland

From the Edinburgh Airport (EDI), transfer to the port and embark the Windstar Star Legend. From the Firth of Forth, a UNESCO site, to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh is steeped in history—Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the UNESCO site of Old Town to name a few. The wonders of Edinburgh are never ending. From one of Europe’s best-preserved castles to the world’s longest herbaceous border, a riot of color and culture pervades. In this city as old as Scotland itself, you’ll find the perfect blend of historic tradition and natural beauty.

During our leisurely day at sea, enjoy the amenities of the Windstar Star Legend.

The Shetland Islands may only have one town, and it’s small, but as you already know, good things come in small packages. There are seabird colonies and sea mammals galore, along with a windswept beauty that’s refreshing in its simplicity. History buffs can investigate 400-year-old castles or Iron Age ruins. Or meet the tiny ponies that share the islands’ name.

Beautiful Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, is one of the most popular ports of call on a cruise up the fjords. Step off the ship into the medieval Bryggen wharf area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where small boats line the harbor and wooden gabled buildings stand proud along the waterfront. Bergen’s rich maritime tradition goes back nearly 1,000 years. The city is one of Europe’s oldest settlements, and its cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways lead to emerald-green parks, medieval cathedrals and stone fortresses that kept enemies at bay centuries ago. It’s also eminently walkable, with historic buildings and excellent markets selling everything from fish and produce to trinkets and souvenirs.

Visit the small village of Geiranger that sits at the head of the majestic Geirangerfjord, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. Visit tiny villages to sample homemade goat cheese, set out on a RIB boat to cruise the fjord, or enjoy a mango ice cream while taking in the view.

This afternoon, cruise up 9-mile-long Geirangerfjord, one of the most famous fjords of Norway. This UNESCO site has several impressive waterfalls, and your ship will cruise by the most famous waterfall of the fjord, the characteristic Seven Sisters Waterfall. The area’s unique natural surroundings were created over a succession of ice ages when glaciers carved out deep fjords and shaped the high mountains. With its natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Geirangerfjord often appears on lists of the most spectacular places in the world.

The pleasant small village of Olden is located at the inner end of the 66-mile long Nordfjord, the sixth longest fjord in Norway, and idyllically situated between steep mountains, blue glaciers, and foaming waterfalls. Long known for tourism and industry, it is now also famous for contemporary design. With fewer than 500 inhabitants, Olden is an ideal destination for people who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors and is the gateway to Jostedal, the largest glacier on the European mainland. If you can, find a bottle of Olden Mineral Water, as close as you will get to a glacier on tap.

Flam is a tiny town of only 500 residents, yet people have been traveling here from all over for its remarkable beauty since the end of the 19th century. The charming village is located at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, in the heart of the fjord region. This is the perfect starting point for exploring some of the most spectacular natural attractions in Norway, with a wide variety of activities.

Join an exclusive President’s Council shore excursion on one of the world’s most breathtaking railroad journeys aboard the Flam Railway as it winds through the mountains and past waterfalls high above Aurlandsfjord. (Included in cruise package).

Your ship will dock in the city center. A short stroll will take you to the cobblestoned pedestrian streets of Old Town, a well-preserved core of white wooden cottages. Archaeological museums and reconstructed settlements pay due reverence to the city’s Viking past.  Nearby is Stavanger Cathedral, the best-preserved medieval cathedral in Norway. Natural beauty abounds, too—just an hour’s boat trip away is the 2,000-foot-high Pulpit Rock with its magnificent views of the lovely Lysefjord.

Until recently, this beautiful hamlet was Norway’s secret, keeping its picturesque, white-painted houses and sheltered coves tucked away and quietly hidden. It is best discovered by a small ship like the Star Legend, giving you access to the town with its lush green forests and majestic inlets. The fifth largest city in Norway, Kristiansand serves as a gateway to the villages of Norway’s southern coast and the inland region of Setesdalen.

Aalborg is found in the Jutland region of Denmark on the shores of Limfjord. This university city is full of Viking history, 21st-century architecture, and a quaint medieval center. This is a small port that only allows one cruise ship at a time. Visit Skanse Park with its stunning view of the city and the fjord, or grab a drink at Jomfru Ane Gade, a charming street packed with locals frequenting the bars and restaurants there.

Disembark the Windstar Star Legend in Copenhagen and transfer to the Copenhagen Airport (CPH) for your flight home.

Air & Transfer Guidelines:

Scotland Pre-Tour

  • July 7, 2024 // Arrive Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

The program begins with an overnight at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel and the airport transfer is included. It is approximately a 30-minute drive depending on traffic. Please note check-in time is 3:00 pm and the President’s Council Welcome Reception is from 5:30-6:30 pm.

Cruise Embarkation

  • July 12, 2024 // Port of Embarkation: Leith Cruise Terminal

Ship embarkation begins at 1:00 pm and all aboard is 5:00 pm.  Flights should arrive Edinburgh Airport (EDI) prior to 2:00 pm. It is approximately a 40-minute drive depending on traffic.  Arrival airport transfers can be purchased at an additional cost (flight details required).

Cruise Disembarkation

  • July 23, 2024 // Port of Disembarkation: Copenhagen Norde Toldbod Terminal – Langelinie Berth

Disembarkation begins at 8:00 am and flights should depart Copenhagen (CPH) after 11:00 am. It is approximately a 40-minute drive depending on traffic. Departure airport transfers can be purchased at an additional cost (flight details required).