Posted on 14th Sep, 2026
Exclusive Announcement: Cruise.co.uk reveals naturalist Jon Dunn and RHS photographer Sarah Cuttle as expert hosts for Oceania Nautica's 16th August 2027 Norwegian Fjords departure.
Final Farewell Voyage: A standout highlight of Oceania Nautica’s ultimate series of sailings from Southampton before her dry-dock transition into Oceania Aurelia.
All-Inclusive Inclusions: Voyage includes dedicated workshops, wildlife deck watches, guided excursions, a Free House Beverage Package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities.
Cruise.co.uk has announced an exclusive special guest lineup as part of their final farewell voyages on board Oceania Nautica.
Setting sail directly from Southampton on 16th August 2027, the 7-night "Fjords in Focus" ocean cruise will host acclaimed naturalist Jon Dunn and premier horticultural photographer Sarah Cuttle before the ship enters dry dock to be transformed and reimagined as Oceania Aurelia.
This unique departure gives holidaymakers a rare opportunity to explore Norway's breathtaking coastal landscapes under expert guidance, while celebrating a historic milestone during Oceania Nautica's final season sailing from the UK.
Throughout the journey, both guest experts will accompany passengers on deck watches, shore excursions, and evening gatherings, offering continuous insights, tailored mentoring, and practical workshops.
Based in Shetland, Jon Dunn is a celebrated naturalist, wildlife tour guide, and author with extensive field experience across European and North American ecosystems.
His writing appears regularly in BBC Wildlife magazine and authoritative field guides such as Britain's Sea Mammals. Jon is also the author of acclaimed books including Orchid Summer and The Glitter in the Green, which was longlisted for the 2022 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
On board and ashore, Jon will assist guests in spotting and identifying marine mammals, pelagic seabirds, and native flora.
With a distinguished 25-year career spanning the UK and Europe, Sarah Cuttle is a leading horticultural photographer working with top publishers and magazines.
A regular contributor to Gardeners' World magazine, Sarah is also one of a select few photographers entrusted with projects for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Throughout the cruise, Sarah will provide accessible, hands-on instruction to help guests master natural light, framing, and shutter speeds across all camera setups, including smartphones.
During sea days, guests can join Jon Dunn on Deck 11 (Sun Deck) to scan the North Sea and narrow fjord passages for breaching Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoises, and playful dolphin pods.
Passengers will also look to the skies for migratory Skuas, Northern Gannets, Shearwaters, and soaring White-tailed Eagles.
Indoors, Sarah Cuttle will lead practical photography masterclasses in the dedicated lecture lounge, teaching guests how to capture seabirds in flight, frame rare alpine flowers, or blur cascading waterfalls with slower shutter speeds.
The voyage also features hosted evening lectures, an invite-only cocktail party, an exclusive hosted speciality dining night, and a final "Our Week in Images" photo showcase where guests reflect on their shared memories.
Shore excursions bring the Scandinavian landscape to life with both included and optional tours. Included highlights feature guided walks through the lush collections at Stavanger Botanic Gardens and a visit to the historic Baroniet Rosendal estate to view the dramatic Hatterbergfossen waterfall.
Optional excursions include discovering the island garden paradise of Flor & Fjære in Stavanger, hiking the 5.5km Trimløypa nature trail in Måløy, or visiting the historic Kringsjå Mountain Farm in Haugesund to photograph native, thick-fleeced Villsau sheep.
Excursion & Packing Tips: Fjord weather can change rapidly. Dress in breathable base layers topped with a fleece mid-layer, and carry a windproof, waterproof jacket in your daypack. Wear sturdy, water-resistant walking shoes for mountain paths like Trimløypa and Kringsjå. For camera care, charge your batteries each night, bring a microfibre cloth, and pack a dry bag to protect your lens from waterfall spray.
To deliver a seamless holiday experience, your fare includes hand-picked shore excursions, interactive photography masterclasses, and naturalist lectures.
Guests also enjoy a Free House Beverage Package featuring complimentary Champagne, wine, and beer served during lunch, dinner, and designated lounge hours, alongside unlimited Wi-Fi access throughout the ship and all onboard crew gratuities.
Your fare covers hand-picked shore excursions, interactive photography masterclasses, wildlife deck watches, and naturalist lectures. Also included is a Free House Beverage Package featuring complimentary Champagne, wine, and beer served during lunch, dinner, and at designated times across all bars and lounges, alongside unlimited Wi-Fi access throughout the ship and all onboard crew gratuities.
Jon Dunn is a Shetland-based naturalist, wildlife guide, and author (Orchid Summer, The Glitter in the Green) with deep expertise in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Sarah Cuttle is a premier horticultural photographer with a 25-year career contributing to Gardeners' World magazine and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
No advance bookings are necessary. Both hosts accompany every shore excursion, lead deck watches on sea days, and attend pre-dinner gatherings, ensuring continuous open access for advice, camera troubleshooting, or informal conversation.
Not at all. Sarah’s masterclasses cater to all skill levels and camera types, including DSLRs, mirrorless systems, compact cameras, and smartphones. Guidance focuses on core principles like light management, composition, and observational skills that apply to any device.
Excursions range from flat, accessible strolls through Stavanger Botanic Garden and Baroniet Rosendal to moderate walks like the 5.5km gravel Trimløypa circuit in Måløy and the upland trail to Kringsjå Mountain Farm in Haugesund. A comfortable walking pace is maintained throughout, but sturdy, water-resistant footwear is strongly recommended for outdoor paths.
Late summer weather along the fjords can shift rapidly from sunshine to cool sea breezes. Dress in breathable base layers topped with a warm mid-layer or fleece, and carry a compact, windproof, and waterproof jacket. Binoculars (8x or 10x) are recommended for sea watches, alongside a microfibre lens cloth and dry bag for waterfall photography.
Wildlife deck watches take place on Deck 11 (Sun Deck) near the bow, providing an elevated 360-degree view for ocean scanning. Interactive photography workshops, naturalist lectures, and the final slideshow are held in the ship's dedicated lecture lounge. Evening pre-dinner drinks and the private cocktail party take place in an exclusive lounge, while our hosted speciality dinner is held in one of Oceania Nautica's fine-dining venues.
Author: Naomi Allen
Role: Junior Content Editor