Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Russian border—farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul! You’ll likely notice that Norway’s gigantic neighbor has many influences, from road signs in both Norwegian and Russian to a monthly Russian market and the World War II Russian Monument. For those interested in history, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about how the town was involved during World War II, where it was bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta. For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta World War II Bomb Shelter which could house up to 2,500 people underground. In the port of Vardø, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardohus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains in use by the military to this day. You’ll cruise Norway’s coastline to the small port of Batsfjord in the evening. Then it’s on to Berlevåg. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop its cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.
 

Around midnight, you dock at Mehamn with the option to join in winter on a snowmobile trip to hunt the aurora. You will dock at Honningsvag, where you can join an excursion that includes eating breakfast at the North Cape. The ship continues to Hammerfest, where you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column. You can also join a mini-mountain expedition and learn about local polar hero Adolf Lindstrom. The ship will continue south to Oksfjord with a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervoy. You then dock at Tromso, just in time to enjoy a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. You can also explore Tromso under the midnight sun by boat in summer. You may want to drop by Olhallen, a classic pub for a friendly beer.

This morning, you arrive at Harstad, where you can join one of our classic excursions - A Taste of Vesteralen. Discover history, beautiful scenery, and cultural heritage sites on this tour that rejoins the ship at Sortland. Those who stay on the ship experience our passage through the Risoyrenna, a shallow channel made for Hurtigruten in the 1920s. Get ready for some amazing scenery as you sail through the world-famous islands of Lofoten and Vesteralen. Lofoten is known for its natural beauty, steep mountains, wild nature, and picturesque fishing villages. Our daylight sailing route through the region is the voyage highlight for many. After a short stop at the tiny village of Risoyhamn, you continue to Stokmarknes - where Hurtigruten began more than 125 years ago. You can visit the Hurtigruten Museum here. Continuing south, it will look like you’re headed into a mountain wall, but don’t worry. You are in fact sailing through a passage into the narrow Raftsund, flanked by peaks rising 1,000 m out of the sea. You now arrive at amazing Trollfjord. If conditions allow, you will sail between sheer cliffs that seem close enough to reach out and touch. It’s an unforgettable experience! Next, you arrive at Svolver, where you can choose from several excursion options. Go horseback riding along a beach at sunset, head out on spectacular hikes, join a fast-boat tour on the fjord, or relax in town at one of many cafés, pubs, and restaurants.

Crossing the Arctic Circle is an important ‘rite of passage’. Today you celebrate the occasion on deck with a taste of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. Sailing along the Helgeland coast, you see the strange mountain, Torghatten (258 m above sea level), famous for the distinctive hole through its center. The hole is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was formed during the ice age. Participate in a hike up the mountain. Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. It is easy to see how the peaks influenced ancient legend. The story goes that seven beautiful troll sisters were caught out at sunrise and turned to stone, thus creating the seven beautiful mountaintops. Next, you briefly stop at the idyllic trading post of Nesna before moving on to Sandnessjøen. From here, you can join an optional excursion to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Vega Islands. The UNESCO status is due to the unique centuries-old interaction between the islanders and eider ducks. Learn how the locals sustain a livelihood of making down-filled duvets. In Brønnøysund, join an excursion to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre for an informative tour and taste of fresh salmon, from April through October. Even though you’re south of the Arctic Circle, there are still good chances to see the Northern Lights in winter. The Midnight Sun may not shine, but you still experience seemingly endless daylight during late spring and summer.

Today you have a chance to explore the wooden city of history: Trondheim. Be sure to visit the majestic Nidaros Cathedral, built over the burial site of King Olav II who reigned from 1015 to 1028. As you sail along the coast, you will realize the importance of fishing to Norway’s coastal communities. Kristiansund is regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join an excursion along the Atlantic Road, a National Scenic Route. The 8 km stretch of highway spans eight bridges, crosses picturesque landscapes and is surrounded by the open sea. Another interesting excursion is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which takes you inside a mountain and across an illuminated subterranean lake before serving you a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’. Those who remain aboard at Kristiansund will experience the ship´s open sea crossing towards Molde - Norway´s ‘City of Roses'. From there, you can see the distant pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps across the fjord, called ‘the Molde panorama’.

During the night, the ship calls at Alesund, Torvik, and Maloy, as our voyage draws to a close. Before docking in Bergen, there is fascinating scenery to see, including the picturesque Nordfjord beneath Jostedal Glacier. Here the fjord widens to the east and forges 90 km inland. In the morning, you dock at Florø, Norway’s westernmost community. A few nautical miles south of Florø, you cross the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, taking in superb views of the magnificent island-studded coastline en route. Finally, you disembark in the Hanseatic city of Bergen with unforgettable memories of a truly unique part of the world.