Stampin’ Up! Norway Incentive Trip – May 2023

I recently returned home from the Stampin’ Up! Incentive Trip to Norway and it was so amazing! I filmed a (very lengthy – sorry not sorry!) YouTube video talking all about the trip, which you can watch below, but I wanted to put together a blog post so I can show lots of pictures too. Check it out!

LONDON (THE “PRE-TRIP”):

Since Stampin’ Up! was flying us into London Heathrow airport, my parents and I decided to fly in a few days early to explore the city. We stayed at the Hilton Metropole in Stampin’ Up!’s room block. This was awesome because we got to see so many demos in the hotel!!

THURSDAY, MAY 18:
We landed around 7a and got to explore the city: Marble Arch, the Tube, Platform 9-3/4 at King’s Cross Station, The British Museum, a quick nap at the hotel, Prezzo for dinner, SIX at the Vaudeville Theater, Souvenir Shopping and early bedtime!

FRIDAY, MAY 19:
Late start to our morning but it felt so nice to sleep! We: did a Hop On Hop Off bus to see lots of sights, went to the Tower of London and saw the Crown Jewels (no pictures allowed inside), road around on the Hop On Hop Off Bus more, ate dinner at McDonalds and went souvenir shopping in Piccadilly Circus.

SATURDAY, MAY 20:
We went to Windsor Castle (no pictures allowed inside) and saw ALL THE THINGS!, went back to the hotel, went down to the London Eye and rode on it, walked the Westminster Bridge to Big Ben, walked to Buckingham Palace, walked to Trafalgar Square, ate dinner at Prezzo (a different one than before but equally as good!), and headed back to the hotel to pack.

THE CRUISE SHIP/NORWAY:

On Sunday, the “official” Stampin’ Up! trip began!

SUNDAY, MAY 21:
Stampin’ Up! arranged for busses to take demonstrators and guests from the London hotel to the pier. We arrived, saw our room, ate, hung out with other demos, and attended the Welcome Reception.

MONDAY, MAY 22:
Sea Day! After waking up late (due to our phones not changing time in the middle of the night), we rushed off to the General Session, went to the Hospitality Room, played cards and hung out.

TUESDAY, MAY 23:
First day in Norway! We visited Haugesund. Our WWII Museum excursion was cancelled, so instead we got off the boat early and walked around the city. We saw parks, cute shops, and more! It was windy and cold here but so fun. We got back on the boat around 11:30a and ate, went to the Hospitality Room and hung around the ship.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24:
We were supposed to get off the boat in Geiranger today, but there were mechanical issues that prevented that. Instead we enjoyed an extra sea day including some time in the hot tub! Hot tubbing through the Fjords in Norway… bucket list item I didn’t know I had!

THURSDAY, MAY 25:
Stopped in Olden. This was my favorite stop! We got off in the morning to do tons of souvenir shopping (including some cute gifts for my team, picture in the gallery below). Then in the afternoon we did the Briksdal Glacier hike. We stopped at a little farm beforehand for coffee and cakes (included with the excursion!) and then did the 45-minute uphill hike to the glacier. It was so beautiful! That night, Stampin’ Up! held a First Time Achievers Mingle where they reserved the entire Seaplex!!!

FRIDAY, MAY 26:
Last day in Norway, this day we visited Stavanger. We did two excursions this day: the Lysefjord Cruise and the Utstein Monastery & City Sightseeing bus tour. Both were great (even if I did fall asleep on the way back!). This evening, we had the Farewell Reception from Stampin’ Up!

SATURDAY, MAY 27:
A much-needed slower day… sleeping in, eating breakfast late, enjoying time with fellow demonstrators and packing! I was amazed that I could fit everything in the suitcases I brought!

SUNDAY, MAY 28:
Traveling home! We got off the boat around 7a, collected our luggage, and got on a bus to head to the airport. Then we hung around the airport until it was time to board, took the 7 hour flight from LHR to JFK (this flight was an hour shorter than it was supposed to be!), layover at JFK and then home to MSP. An uber ride brought us home and I crashed hard at midnight and then was up by 7a!!

STAMPIN’ UP! PICTURES:

Below, you can view all of my Stampin’ Up! related pictures from the trip – from prizes won, to signs, and of course all of the awesome demonstrators I saw and got a picture with!

Disclaimer: Less than 1% of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators earn this achievement.