Take in an Arctic voyage of Norway, maximising your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoying 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer as you visit these destinations:
Your voyage starts in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen boasts architecture influenced by prosperous 14th-century German trading organisation, the Hanseatic League. Before boarding, you can relax in the comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce as you depart Bergen and sail the old Viking route along Hjeltefjord. You’ll also meet your ship’s Coastal Experience Team who will be your guides as you cruise Norway’s coastline, organising lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.
Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord near Torvik. You’ll then sail past West Cape and approach Ålesund where you’ll spend the day. Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums.
On this section of the voyage you’ll enter the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, you’ll head towards charming Rørvik.
Today you’ll cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. You’ll mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up. Above the Arctic Circle, you can see the sun 24 hours a day in summer, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.
Docking into Harstad just after 7:00 am. You may like to go for a peaceful early morning stroll around town. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins. You’ll then sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion.
The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. In summer, the island has herds of reindeer migrating here in their thousands. By mid-morning you’ll arrive at Honningsvåg, portal to the North Cape where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus.
Today you’ll call at Båtsfjord and Vardø in the night, before docking at Vadsø early in the morning. The area around Vadsø is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Watch for hooded crows and sea eagles. Later, you’ll arrive in Kirkenes where your Norwegian coastal cruise changes direction and the ship heads south.
Today you’ll make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund. In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements. See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.
Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of your Norway scenic route. After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula. Next is the smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.
The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 7am. You’ll then cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Commemorate the moment with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol’ Norwegian cod liver oil! Later, you’ll make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen, gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.
Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde.
Your Norwegian coastal cruise together, at least this time, will reach its end later today. During the previous night, you’ll call at Ålesund and Torvik. On our approach to Måløy, you might catch a glimpse of the northbound Coastal Express if you’re up early enough.
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