Norway’s Northern Lights Promise

The exciting voyage begins in Bergen, known as the gateway of fjords. Before embarking your ship late evening, you can explore on your own the various cultural and historical charm it has to offer - very famous UNESCO heritage Bryggen wharf, trek or ride the funicular of the Fløibanen mountain for fantastic view, or visit the famous fish market and its various cafes. After embarkation, we welcome you with a special Norwegian dinner buffet prepared with fresh local produce and all the best ingredients from the Norwegian coast. In the evening we begin sailing towards high north. You can spend the rest of the evening admiring spectacular landscapes right from the deck or panorama lounges we sail via Hltelfjord - a route that vikings once used. For those that arrive earlier, can explore even more of Norway before your sea voyage starts with our pre- and post programmes, like the famous Norway in a Nutshell. Contact our Expedition Consultant for more details.

Wake up early in the morning to experience the breathtaking beauty of Nordfjord as we sail past West cape out to open sea. After a delicious breakfast, we navigate through skerries and islands to reach Ålesund, a town renowned for its beautiful art nouveau architecture. Hop off to explore this beautiful town on your own, or join one of our excursions with expedition team for in-depth exploration. Sailing from Ålesund, we pass genuine Viking territory to the west, including Giske Island, which was ruled by great chieftains. Next, we drop anchor in the “Rose City of Norway”, Molde. The view over the Romsdalsfjord and 87 snow-clad peaks of the distant Romsdalsalpane has made the town famous. Our prolonged stay here makes it possible for you to explore the city on our excursions or on your own. As the ship continues north, Kvitholmen Lighthouse can be seen to the west and the impressive Atlantic Road to the east.

As we pass through many ports, the biggest highlight today remains the visit to Norway’s third-largest city - Trondheim, where you can experience authentic Norwegian culture. While you are here, be sure to stroll across Gamle Bybrua (the Old Town Bridge), dating back to 1861 and see the restored wooden buildings of the Bakklandet district. You will have plenty of time to explore the city on your own or on one of our many excursions - Visit the Nidaros Cathedral to marvel its architectural detail and works of art, kayak through river nid, or simply take a hike with a local experienced leader. Once back on board, we pass the small island of Munkholm and its fortress, as we leave the fjord. Join us out on deck as we pass beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and meander through many pretty islets and rocky outcrops before sailing through the narrow Stokksund sound during the late afternoon. Here, you will understand the importance of good sea charts and skillful navigation. Further ahead, we cross the open sea towards the Vikna archipelago and its 6,000 isles and reefs. After dinner, the ship arrives in charming Rørvik.

Today we welcome you the Arctic as we cross the Arctic circle! This invisible line is situated at 66 degrees 33 minutes north and marks the border to the Arctic Region. From here begins our best chances of experiencing the Northern lights! Even if you aren’t awake to see the Arctic Circle, the captain makes sure that the occasion is a memorable event. If you are sailing in Arctic waters for the first time, you can participate in a daytime Arctic Circle ceremony on deck and mingle with guests. Before we reach Ørnes, you might see Norway’s second largest glacier, Svartisen, lighting up the land to the east. The view across the 50 km-long Saltfjorden, just south of Bodø, is magnificent. Here, the famous Saltstraumen tidal stream ows through a 150 m-wide strait spanned by a bridge. It is said to be the world’s most powerful tidal current. You will then have some time to explore Bodø before we cross the sea to Lofoten. On board, you can listen to the Hurtigruten Guide Team’s “Polar History” presentation and learn more about this part of Norwegian history. In Svolvær, you can visit to Viking museum for authentic dinner with chieftain and his family! Around late afternoon, the 1,000 m-high Lofoten Wall will appear on the horizon. The Lofoten archipelago resembles a formidable wall due to its high peaks and snow-clad, granite cliffs. For thousands of years, huge numbers of cod have migrated to the surrounding seas here every winter to spawn (January-April). These tastier, former cod are called skrei and are prized delicacies, beloved of chefs around the world. Much of the cod is traditionally hung on huge racks to be air dried by the wind. Continuing north, we sail through the narrow Raftsund. We highly recommend to be on deck for this experience. Depending on how the weather is, the captain will try to stop at the foot of Trollfjord - famous for its troll story. Don’t forget to try hot fish cakes served by our chef out on the deck. You also hear the story of ‘The battle of Trollfjord’, which took place here in the winter of 1890. If you look closely, you might see trolls up in the steep mountains. Or you might not. Once its dark, join us on the deck every night from today to sight for the northern lights!

Today’s the time to unpack the adventure gears to full throttle! Early in the morning after we first dock at Harstad, situated on Norway’s largest island Hinnøya, with a mix of old and contemporary architecture. Dubbed “the pearl of Northern Norway”, Harstad plays host to many arts festivals making it a cultural hub, and its many delightful cafés and restaurants have earned it a reputation as the gourmet city of the north. Go ashore and discover Harstad, then return to the ship in time for breakfast. As we leave Harstad, we pass Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost, surviving medieval building. The church traces back to the Viking era. The ship then docks in Finnsnes for half an hour, just enough time to on and o load goods and mail and let locals embark and disembark the ship. Many of our guests like to gather on deck and watch this part of everyday life along the Norwegian coast. The route becomes narrower as we approach the island of Kvaløya. The area is covered with historical sites such as the remnants of dwellings and burial mounds. Early in the afternoon, we arrive at Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as their starting point, giving rise to its nickname “Gateway to the Arctic”. The city’s highlights include the landmark Arctic Cathedral, the Polaria Centre and a cable car that offers stunning views of the city and its surroundings. Tromsø is one of our main excursion hubs, so come ashore to explore the amazing nature, culture and history of the area. With a day full of activities, you can join our expedition team for a ‘Polar History Walk’, where we learn about explorers and Arctic hunters or complete your stay with a thrilling husky dog sled ride across a frozen landscapes with stunning view of mountains, oceans and open plateaus. During the polar night, the only light comes from headlamps, the starry sky, and, if we’re lucky, the magical Northern Lights. Why not test your coordination skills and have some winter fun by joining a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing adventure or go deep-sea fishing on an Arctic fjord. You can also join the Expedition team for hikes and discover more of Tromsø and its surroundings. As the darkness descends, the mesmerizing Northern Lights can show its magic anytime! As we continue sailing for the night, we gather on deck to witness the breathtaking phenomenon.

Enjoy magnificent sub-Arctic landscape as we cross the 71st parallel on our journey towards North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent. After a brief and early stop at Hammerfest, The ship arrives in Honningsvåg. The compact city centre features colourful houses and gardens that, even at 71°N, have trees - although rarely more than 3-4m tall. Come ashore to visit North Cape museum, North Cape House or Honningsvåg Church. Or you can choose to join our optional excursion to visit the North Cape where most of the guests from the ship gather to relive the moment. As our ship sails further north, we cross the heartland of indigenous Sami people, Finkirka, make a short stop at the famous fishing village of Kjollefjord, and arrive to Finnmark Coast, where you can be part of snowmobile trip to one of Europe’s extreme and exciting natural areas, with complete chances to experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerizing Northern Lights. For those choosing to stay back onboard, the expedition team continues to host lectures and gatherings on Sami people, their traditions, history, culture. As the ship continues, you will see Nordkinn peninsula, which appears to be carved from the sea. Although it does not protrude as far north as North Cape (at 71 ̊ 10’ 21’’N), the tip of Nordkinn is mainland Europe’s northernmost point at 71 ̊ 11’ 0’’N. We sail north of this peninsula, passing the Smørbringa bird colony along the way. Further up the fjord is the fishing village of Mehamn, where we stop for 15 minutes. Then it’s time for dinner. By now, you will have discovered that Norway’s culinary traditions have much in common with the scenery of the coastline. It is always fresh, distinctive and full of variety. Local produce is integrated into every element of the culinary experience on board. Based on the season’s best ingredients, you can enjoy three- course dinners or lavish buffets.Enjoy the evening on board, watching small coastal communities and the Arctic wilderness go by. The Expedition Team gathers crowd on deck to catch glimpses of the Northern Lights. As we cross Austhavet, it is time for bed.

The vistas become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes. We arrive in nearby Vadsø early in the morning and just after breakfast, arrive in Kirkenes, at 30° East, further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. This will be a turning point for the return journey southwards to Bergen over the next 6 days. Kirkenes is known as the capital of the Barents region and gateway to the east. The Russian border is a just few miles away. You may find it intriguing that the local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. Kirkenes boasts several fascinating small museums recounting the remarkably rich history and heritage of this remote region. You can either explore this small town on your own, or take part in some adventurous winter activities - visit the famous snow hotel, go for a husky or snowmobile ride over a frozen fjord. Late at noon, as the ship starts its voyage south, you can first enjoy lunch followed by views of the surrounding Arctic landscape on deck or from the panorama lounge. As we depart Kirkenes, you’ve only seen half of what our voyage along the Norwegian coastline has to offer. Prepare yourself for many new experiences. The ports previously visited by night on the northbound journey are now seen by day. In the afternoon, the ship again docks at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean. Heading south, we cruise along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. The latter town is home to one of Norway’s most famous male choirs, consisting mainly of local fishermen.

In the middle of the night, we dock at Mehamn, where it is possible to join an unforgettable snowmobile trip through one of Europe's most extreme and exciting natural areas during winter time. Experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerising Northern Lights in the clear, starry sky. At Honningsvåg you can join an excursion to tour northernmost town in the world. Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an 'energy coffee' and short introduction to Melkøya - the world ́s northernmost natural gas terminal'. Hammerfest was founded in 1789, and over time became Norway's polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the High Arctic. Here you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise geographic measurement of the globe. In winter, you can also join a mini-mountain expedition to experience the Arctic outdoors and learn about local polar hero and cook, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm. We continue south to Øksfjord. After crossing open water, we make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy. We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a magical midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. A walk around the town provides you the chance to explore the town in its tranquility. The ship departs Tromsø at 01.30 am, and if you are not too tired, we recommend staying on deck, so you can see the Northern Lights or the moonlight reflecting on the sea

We arrive at Harstad this morning, where you have the opportunity to participate in one of our classic excursion programmes, or explore on your own. Those who choose to stay on board can admire views of this old church as we sail towards the Risøyrenna, a shallow 7- metre-deep channel made especially for Hurtigruten in the 1920s to provide an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. The sand banks along the Risøyrenna are visible through the clear, green water. Today will be a feast for the eyes as we sail through the Lofoten and Vesterålen island groups and some of the most stunning scenery of your voyage. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages. The daylight sailing route through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many of our guests. Now we reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long and 100 metres wide, surrounded by majestic mountains. If the weather and time permit – the captain makes a detour into the fjord. Steep cliffs hug the ship ́s sides and the dramatic landscape conjures fairy tale images of an imaginary land of trolls. The ship turns around in the narrow fjord, a magnificent sight in its own right! Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants, and we make a short stop here to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. As we sail south, you’d be forgiven for thinking we are heading straight into a mountain wall, but as we approach, the captain finds an opening and steers the ship deftly through the narrow Raftsund. The journey along this 20km passage between Lofoten and Vesterålen is both impressive and imposing, with mountain cli s rising up to 1,000m on both sides. In the evening, we reach Svolvær. The world’s largest hauls of cod are made here between January and April, putting this small coastal town on the map. But Svolvær is not just a centre for fishing. During winter, artists flock here for the local scenery, bustling street life and, perhaps more than anything else, the light. Come ashore and join one of our excursions or explore this charming town on your own. Join our Lofoten Islands tour to learn more about the fishing communities, beautiful scenery and art from this area. From Svolvær, we continue on to Stamsund, where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. Then we say goodbye to these beautiful islands and set course for the mainland, but don’t worry – there’s more outstanding natural beauty to come.

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’ even today. Stand on deck as we pass the small island of Vikingen and celebrate the event out on deck with a `taste ́ of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls rich in local lore. Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 m high, and it is easy to understand how these ‘ladies’ influenced ancient myths. Stay our on deck as the expedition team tells you an interesting story of this myth and wonder at the majestic at the same time Next we make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen before reaching Brønnøysund. Arriving in Brønnøysund, you’ll have time to go ashore and discover this charming little town on one of our excursions. Then it’s time for more magical sightseeing from the ship. Torghatten Mountain is known for its natural tunnel through its centre. The tunnel is 160 metres (520ft) long, 20 metres (66ft) wide, and 35 metres (115ft) high. It was formed during the last Ice age. Ice and water eroded the looser rocks, while the harder ones in the mountain top have resisted erosion. Legend claims that an arrow red by the troll Hestmannen formed the hole in Torghatten Mountain. We hope you can see the mountain as we sail past by it in the evening

Today provides another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Back on board, the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, plunging to 577 m. Along the way, we sail past Munkholmen island. Later, we pass Smøla, an island chain at sea with at least one skerry or island for each one of its 2,400 inhabitants. Then we encounter the magnificent mountain peaks of Tustna, rising some 900m above sea level. Soon, the island of Grip and its light- house come into view. Clusters of houses were built around a small stave church here dating back to 1470. The tiny community has clung to Grip’s rocky shores for centuries, even defying huge waves that have occasionally swept over the island. As we sail along the coast, you realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund’s location has steadily provided the town with a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. Kristiansund is today regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join for plenty of excursions to explore the town enthrallingly. Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ship ́s crossing the open sea on our way to Molde, known as Norway ́s ‘City of Roses’. Along the way you see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, as the world’s most beautiful voyage draws to a close. Before we dock in Bergen, there are some nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of us, including the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. Here the fjord widens to the east and forges 90 km inland to Loen and Olden. The rugged coastal areas are a striking contrast to the inner fjord regions where the wind is gentler and less rain falls. Fertile fruit orchards and glacial fingers stretch towards glistening lakes and gushing rapids. This landscape has its own distinctive charm and you are encouraged to experience it. In the morning, we call at Florø, a modern coastal seaport that is also the Sogn og Fjordane region ́s oldest town and Norway’s westernmost community. Despite constant changes, the city of Florø has maintained its special features. A few nautical miles south of Florø, we navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, and enjoy superb views of this magnificent island-studded coastline en route. Finally, you disembark in Bergen, taking with you memories of a unique journey filled with unforgettable experiences and meetings with local people, wildlife and stunning nature. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but we hope to see you on board for new adventures in the very near future.