DAY 1: Liverpool, UK.
Join your cruise ship, Black Prince at Liverpool. Your cruise is full board from dinner this evening until breakfast on day 9. Your ship departs at 5pm, latest embarkation is at 3pm. (D)

DAY 2: At sea.
Relax on board Black Prince as we cruise towards Kirkwall. You'll be able to take full advantage of the on board entertainment programme and all the excellent facilities. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.
Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, is home to many glorious sights including the St Magnus Cathedral, with its striking tower and spire. This beautiful cathedral was founded in memory of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney between 1108-1117. From here you can also view the ruins of the former Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace. Return to your ship and continue sailing towards Ålesund, Norway. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Ålesund.
Charming Ålesund, one of Norway's most picturesque fishing ports, enjoys a beautiful setting across several islands stretching into the sea. The town was devastated by a fire in 1904 and rebuilt over a period of three years in delightful art nouveau architecture of towers and turrets with intriguing echoes of ancient Nordic mythology. Why not take an optional tour of the city and surrounding area? Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from Mount Aksla and a drive along the Borgundfjord to the bustling old trading centre of Borgund, site of the open-air Sunnmøre Museum, featuring farmhouses and boathouses from the surrounding region. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Flam - Gudvangen.
Nestled amidst precipitous mountain slopes dotted with green farmland and tumbling waterfalls, Flam is a delightful small town set on a tranquil tributary at the southern end of the Sognefjord - Norway's longest fjord. The highlight of today is an optional shore excursion to Flam, home to Norway's oldest church - built in 1667, for a chance to ride on the famous, twisting Flam Railway: one of the world's greatest train journeys. Begin in the Myrdal Valley Gorge and enjoy a 40-minute trip as you spiral nearly 3,000 feet up a steep, partially-tunnelled track to the mountain station of Myrdal for views over snow-capped peaks, dramatic waterfalls, remote hill farms and deep, river-filled ravines. At the top, spend time enjoying the dizzying views before descending back down to the town. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Bergen.
Known as the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and as the city of the 'seven hills', our arrival in charming Bergen gives you more than a glimpse of the wonders to come. The birthplace of Norwegian composer Edward Grieg and the original capital of Norway, this beautiful city bursts with history, culture and picture-postcard charm and climbs up steep, surrounding mountain slopes to create an amphitheatre effect around its harbourside. Wander around its labyrinth of quaint cobbled streets flanked with crooked medieval houses, tiny porticoed shops, bustling cafes and museums, view the statue of Grieg standing proudly in the beautiful city park and see famous Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its brightly painted Hanseatic merchant's houses and animated harbourside cafes, famous for their fish and seafood delicacies. Today also brings the option of enjoying an excursion to the top of Mount Floeyen. Reached by funicular railway, its peak towers 1,000 feet above the city and commands spellbinding views over its rooftops and the surrounding seascapes, dotted with lovely islands. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: At sea.
(B, L, D)

DAY 8: Douglas, Isle of Man.
Set in the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is an island of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and a rich Celtic and Viking heritage. Reaching Douglas, the island's capital, at midday, admire the charming coastal scenery of Douglas Bay, from the plunging cliffs to the sandy beaches, backed by rolling green hills. Perhaps take a stroll along the waterfront promenade to the Tower of Refuge, or to one of the harbour piers at either end of the bay. Alternatively join one of the optional tours taking in either the Fairy Bridge, Cregneash Folk Museum and the 'Plains of Heaven' to view traditional farm landscapes and lovely heather-clad moorlands, or enjoy a tour of the Victorian vintage railway system with train rides aboard the Manx Electric Railway, from Douglas, across the Glen Roy Viaduct to picturesque Sylvan Laxey Station, and the Snaefell Mountain Railway, to the summit of Snaefell. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Liverpool, UK.
Arrive in Liverpool early this morning and disembark after breakfast. (B)