Northbound voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes

Enjoy the lovely Hanseatic town before boarding the cruise ship in the afternoon. The small Hanseatic Museum at Bryggen waterfront is well worth a visit. You can also hike up Mount Ulriken, Bergen's tallest mountain, 643m above sea level. This challenging but rewarding hike is popular among locals and visitors alike. It takes around 1.5 hours to get up to the top. Once at the top, enjoy Bergen's breathtaking view of the surrounding islands, mountains, and the open sea. If you do not want to walk down, take Ulriken Cable Car back. 

You will embark on the cruise ship in the evening (20.30), and your cruise adventure begins. 

You sail north from Bergen along the Hjelte Fjord, the same way the Vikings once sailed to the Shetland Islands and beyond. After embarkation, enjoy a tasty dinner buffet based on the best ingredients from the coast. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing while enjoying the stunning scenery from the deck.

Try to get up early to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Nordfjord. The ship sails past the West Cape through skerries and islands before reaching the Art Nouveau town Ålesund. Ålesund is a small waterside town, and National Geographic has elected it as one of Europe’s most beautiful port cities. 

In the summer months (1 June - 31 August), you can choose between exploring the Art Nouveau city of Ålesund or following the ship on a cruise along the well-known UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. 

In autumn (1 September - 31 October), you can explore Ålesund or voyage to Hjørundfjord, situated amidst the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. It is one of the most spectacular fjords in Norway. 

If you decide to explore Ålesund, you will have plenty to do and visit to keep you busy during your stay. The town centre is a lively metropolitan scene with restaurants, cafés and the picturesque Brosundet canal with fishing boats. 

Sights of interest are:

• The Atlantic Sea Park is one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe. 
• The Sunnmøre Museum is an open-air museum with an impressive boat collection and over 50 old houses in beautiful surroundings (entrances not included).
• The Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret)
• Take the 415 steps up to the top of Aksla Mountain. The views over Alesund and the fjords and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking.

Evening departure from Ålesund. Dinner and accommodation onboard.

Early morning, the ship docks in Trondheim’s magical, medieval, modern city. Trondheim is the original capital of Norway but under the name Nidaros. Viking King Olav Tryggvason founded Norway’s third-largest city in 997 BC.

You’ll have three hours to visit Trondheim and its highlights alone or join optional offshore excursions. You can go on a guided tour of the Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style, one of Scandinavia’s most significant buildings from the Middle Ages. 
Another option is to take a kayak tour on Nidelva (the river Nid). You can also take a walk or bike through the Bakkland district. 

During the fall, you can join the trip out to Munkholmen. It is a small island located off the coast of Trondheim, Norway. Historically, it was used as a place of execution and later as a monastery, fortress, and prison. Today, the island is a popular tourist attraction where you can enjoy beautiful views, sunbathe on the beach, swim, kayak, and explore the island’s rich history. 

In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, out into the fjord, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and an abundant archipelago and heads for northern Norway. The ship arrives in Rörvik, a popular fishing destination, after sailing through the narrow Stoksund.

On this leg of the voyage, you will cross the Arctic Circle! Crossing the Arctic Circle is a thrilling experience. This imaginary line at 66.5 degrees north latitude represents where the sun remains above or below the horizon for 24 hours during the summer and winter solstices, respectively. As you cross this line, you'll feel a sense of awe as you enter a region of extreme Arctic wilderness, where the landscape is dominated by snow and ice, and the wildlife includes polar bears, reindeer, and Arctic foxes.

At midday, the ship will dock in Bodö for a few hours. Here, you can join different optional off-shore activities. Join a bus excursion to Bodø and Saltstraumen, famous for having one of the strongest tidal currents in the world. Alternatively, you can take a RIB boat trip to Saltstraumen to see the whirls up close. For those who wanna some physical activity, you can opt for a 3 kilometers Arctic coastal walk. 

The ship leaves Bodö in the afternoon and continues to the Lofoten Islands. As the vessel approaches, the 3,280 feet high Lofoten Wall comes into the spotlight, towering above the Lofoten Islands' tiny and colorful fishing villages. Take a stroll in Svolvær, the capital of Lofoten.
 

At 7.10 a.m, the ship arrives at Harstad. You may take a quiet early morning stroll around town. The ship will next go to Finnsnes, which is connected to the lovely island of Senja by the spectacular Gisund Bridge. Look for puffins and other seabirds since there are numerous colonies nearby. Whales can often be seen in these seas, especially during the winter.

You will arrive in Tromsö at 14:15 and have time to explore the city or join an optional excursion before the cruise sets off towards the north at 18:15. Tromsö is the capital of the Arctic and the land of the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people.

Discover Tromsö and its various attractions, including the Polar Museum, the Art Museum of Northern Norway, the Arctic Cathedral, and Polaria. 

You can ride up the Fjellheisen cable car to Mt. Storsteinen (421 m) for a fantastic bird’s eye view over the city. If you want a more adventurous winter activity, we recommend joining a thrilling dog sledging tour (in winter)—a must-to-do-activity when visiting Tromsö. 

In the middle of the “aurora zone,” Tromsö can brag about being ranked among the best places to observe the northern lights. In summer, you can join a kayaking excursion or participate in a mountain hike on one of the mountains close to the city. 

Before boarding the ship, check out Mack Brewery or grab a Mack beer at Ølhallen, Tromsö’s oldest pub beer.

The ship keeps heading north. If you travel between September and March, you will have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
 

After a magnificent cruise through Magerysund and an early stop at Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. It is a small town in Finnmark County on the northern coast of Norway. Honningsvåg is situated on the island of Mageröya and is known for its beautiful scenery and unique wildlife. It is often called the "gateway to the North Cape".

One of the main attractions in Honningsvåg is the nearby North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe. The North Cape plateau rises 307 meters above the sea. Enjoy stunning views of the Barents Sea from the North Cape plateau, and you may even catch a glimpse of the midnight sun during the summer months or the northern lights in winter. Being at the continent's edge and looking out at the vast Arctic Ocean can be both exhilarating and humbling. The harsh winds and unpredictable weather only add to the sense of awe and wonder. For many, standing on the North Cape is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves a lasting impression.

The journey continues east. As you approach Kjøllefjord, known for its fishing industry, you´ll pass a sacred rock formation to the indigenous Sámi people, Finnkjerka. It is a towering, jagged peak that rises sharply out of the surrounding landscape, with a flat top that looks almost like a tabletop. The rock is made of granite, and its unique shape results from centuries of erosion from wind and rain.

The journey between Båtsfjord and Kirkenes is scenic through northern Norway’s landscapes. The route takes you through the Bokfjorden, where you can spot marine wildlife, including seals, eagles, and otters. 

The panorama becomes even more impressive as you get closer to Kirkenes, Europe’s most remote town, just a stone’s throw from the Russian border. Located in the far northeast corner of Norway, Kirkenes sits at the edge of the Barents Sea and is surrounded by vast untouched wilderness. 

Kirkenes is the endpoint of your Arctic adventure.

After the disembarkation, make your way to the airport. The ship arrives at 09:00, and the airport bus departs from the terminal at 09:30. It comes to the airport at 10:03. Kirkenes Airport is connected by regular flights to most of Norway’s main cities.

If you want to add Arctic adventures to your trip, we recommend an extra overnight stay in Kirkenes. For a unique experience, book one night at Kirkenes Snow Hotel. It is a hotel made entirely out of snow and ice, open year around. The rooms are decorated with ice sculptures and detailed snow carvings, and the beds are made of ice blocks covered in reindeer hides. 

Start your day by visiting the Kirkenes Snow Hotel. Tour the hotel and learn how it’s constructed using only natural materials. 

Then head to Grenselandmuseet (the Borderland Museum), which showcases the history of the town’s almost 200-year-old relationship with Russia. The museum’s impressive collection features ancient artefacts such as hunting weapons and traditional Sami costumes.

After you visit the museum, head to the harbor for a taste of the local seafood. Kirkenes is known for its fresh and delicious seafood, including salmon, cod, and king crab. Enjoy a lunch of seafood stew or grilled fish at one of the local restaurants.

In the afternoon, explore the town. You will find breathtaking natural scenery around Kirkenes, including the Pasvik River and the nearby Arctic wilderness. Depending on the season, you can go hiking, king crab safari, fishing, or dog sledging. 

Alternatively, explore Pasvik Nature Reserve, home to rare flora and fauna, including brown bears.

End your day with a dinner at Surf & Turf Restaurant. As its name suggests, Surf & Turf offers a menu combining the best of land and sea, featuring a range of delicious meat and seafood dishes that will satisfy any palate. 

Check the bottom of this page for a list of optional activities and excursions we recommend.
 

Today it is time to go home, even for those who stayed an extra night in Kirkenes. Catch the Airport Bus well ahead of time for your flight back home.