Click on "Register Online" to choose your cabin and get registered for this CAU Select opportunity.

CAU recommends Highlands, Islands, & Fjords, because it is produced by one of CAU’s trusted partners and features esteemed faculty from Cornell’s peers. In other words, it’s an opportunity we don’t want you to miss! Space is extremely limited.

Fully renovated in 2023 with just 72 cabins, Exploris One is able to access remote areas larger ships can’t reach, and guests enjoy spacious deck areas perfect for spotting wildlife and soaking in the scenery. Exploris One combines adventure with exceptional comfort. All 60 staterooms and 12 suites are outside and finished to high standards. Le Grand Restaurant and the Outdoor Grill offer refined French and international cuisine. The Grand Salon and Panoramic Lounge provide breathtaking views. Onboard amenities include a conference room for lectures, hair salon, fitness center, massage room, sauna, and two hot tubs.

Delight in cruising during the height of spring when temperatures are mild and flowers carpet the countryside.

Discover how the Vikings held a strategic foothold in the Orkney Islands for centuries and marvel at fascinating Stone Age sites, including the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stone slab village of Skara Brae, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience the Lofotr Viking Museum, boasting the largest Viking longhouse ever excavated.

Linger in the dramatic and beautiful landscapes of the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, including its most dramatic and narrow arm, UNESCO-listed Naeroyfjord.

Venture ashore at peaceful, picturesque fjord-side towns and fishing villages off the beaten track—splendid Art Nouveau Ålesund, set on myriad islands stretching out into the ocean; and tiny villages in the Lofotens—such as Å and Reine—which have inspired artists and photographers for over a century.

Jim Salzman is the Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard University and Donald Bren Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law with joint appointments at UCLA Law School and the University of California, Santa Barbara, School of Environment. One of the world’s leading experts on drinking water and environmental markets, he regularly comments in the media on environmental issues. There have been over 110,000 downloads of his publications. An engaging lecturer, he was twice voted Professor of the Year by students at Duke University. His popular books, Drinking Water: A History and Mine! How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives, have been featured in the New Yorker, Washington Post, the New York Times, and NPR’s Weekend Edition, among others.

Archaeological Institute of America lecturer and host Elizabeth Pierce was a journalist before pursuing her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. The main focus of her doctoral research was on the Vikings and Norse in the North Atlantic region, including Shetland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland. Since then, Elizabeth has taught undergraduate, postgraduate and adult-education courses at the University of Glasgow on the Vikings and on early medieval Scotland. She has worked on archaeological excavations around Scotland, as well as in Shetland and Iceland. Currently she is co-editing a volume on the archaeology of the Vikings in Scotland. In the past several years, Elizabeth has worked on various expedition ships throughout the Arctic and northern Europe.

Anthony Bull is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Biology and Kinesiology at Colorado College where he has been a member of the faculty since 2012. In the classroom, Anthony is passionate about teaching how our bodies function and adapt as we participate in physical activities, dispelling the myths so often promoted by tradition and social media. During this cruise, Anthony looks forward to exploring the concept of friluftsliv, a term first coined by Henrik Ibsen in 1859 that describes the feelings derived from being in nature and its wider physical and mental benefits.

Depart home on overnight flights to Inverness. Upon arrival on May 31st, relax before dinner.

(Meals included: Dinner)

Explore Inverness Old Town and its indoor Victorian market, with lunch on your own during free time in town before boarding Exploris One this afternoon.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

Disembark in Kirkwall for a morning exploration of the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, part of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney, the most important Neolithic sites in western Europe. Return to the ship for lunch and embark on one of two afternoon options: 1. Take a guided tour of Kirkwall, including the medieval St. Magnus Cathedral, with free time in the vibrant and pretty downtown; or 2. Visit The Quoy of Houton, listed as one of the top 10 UK coastal gardens, with the owner, a renowned horticulturalist, before returning on the coach by ship.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy a full day at sea looking for wildlife from one of the ship’s spacious decks, indulging in the ship’s amenities and listening to lectures from our team of experts. As evening approaches, arrive at the entrance of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Join a private fjord cruise of the UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord, narrowest and best known of the many arms of the Sognefjord. Visit Gudvagen, an historic Viking village, nestled deep within Naerfjord. Also discover the riches of Vik, a picturesque village along the banks of the Sognefjord, including the impressive Hopperstad Stave Church, one of Norway’s 28 remaining stave churches and the oldest in the country.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy a morning at sea with time for lectures before arriving in Nordfjordeid. Be welcomed by a stunning coastline, majestic mountains and valleys, expansive farmland, and a chance to see the mighty Briksdal Glacier, the largest in Europe. Here choose from various excursion options including kayaking with a guided hike to learn about the local ecosystem, driving to see the Briksdal Glacier and walk the Loen Skylift, or visiting with a local family in their private home to learn about the Norwegian way of life and culture followed by a trip to the Norwegian Fjord Horse Center.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Get up early this morning to look for birds on the cliffs at Runde, a nesting site of over 240 species including puffins, followed by a visit to beautiful Ålesund. Known for its Art Nouveau buildings and islands stretching out into the ocean, Ålesund offers three optional excursions including: 1. the medieval village of Sunmøre, an open-air museum; 2. Viking’s Island; or 3. an in depth city walk including Mt. Aksla, followed by free time. In the afternoon, enjoy cruising with time for lectures, relaxing on board, and keeping an eye out for whales.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Continue cruising north this morning with time for lectures. After lunch, arrive at the coastal town of Brønnøysund to delve into its history and culture, surrounded by natural landscapes. Choose from optional excursions: including hiking Torghatten, known for its mythical mountain with a distinctive hole; enjoying a panoramic drive and visit Hildur’s Farm for a taste of Norwegian farm life; or exploring Norwegian aquaculture at the Norwegian Aquaculture Center. Reboard in the late afternoon and depart for the Lofoten Islands, crossing the Arctic Circle along the way.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy a full day exploring the picturesque Lofoten Islands, where you’ll visit charming fishing villages like Å, Reine, or Nusfjord, each offering unique insights into local life. Discover the rich Viking heritage at the Lofotr Viking Museum, home to the world’s largest Viking longhouse, and visit a local farm indulging in a lunch ashore where you’ll learn about the islands’ efforts in sustainable farming. Conclude the day with the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Transfer to Bodø airport, or those with late flights may take an optional morning tour in Bodø, or you may begin the optional post-voyage extension.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

May 27 - 31, 2026
Fly from home to Edinburgh, Scotland. Spend the next few days exploring the highlights of Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy two nights at Cheval Old Town Chambers, located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue with a private tasting and tour at one of Scotland’s top malt whisky distilleries. Unwind with a night at Dornoch Station and, if desired, play a round at the historic Royal Dornoch Golf Club—advance tee time reservations are strongly recommended.

June 9 - 12, 2026
After exploring Bodø, fly to Oslo for a threenight stay at the elegant and historic Grand Hotel, opened in 1874, and for over 140 years the host to international guests, world leaders, celebrities and the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Highlights include the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world’s largest sculpture park created by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, featuring more than 200 of his works in bronze, granite, and wrought iron; and the Fram Museum of Polar Exploration, which artfully narrates the story of Norwegian polar exploration.

May 30 - June 9, 2026
To register contact CAU partner Criterion Travel
phone 888-328-2089  |  email res@criteriontravel.com

Register Online

January 5 - 17, 2026
Study Tour featuring Raymond Craib, The Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History
In partnership with Royal Adventures

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