Ports visited today: Bergen

Welcome to Bergen, once the bustling trading centre of the Hanseatic League in the North. Bergen is the perfect strolling town and a free detailed guide of Bergen is available from the Tourist Office centrally located on Fisketorget. As you explore the historical centre of Bergen you'll be transported back to a time when Bergen was the centre of political power and trade for the entire North Atlantic. It was the Capital of the Kingdom of Norway for a short period, before the capital was moved to Oslo in 1299, and the town grew to become the largest in Scandinavia. The Hanseatic League established itself here in 1350 and had a trade monopoly that lasted 200 years. While in Bergen you might wish to visit the UNESCO heritage listed historical area around the harbour known as the Bryggen district, and the home of Edvard Grieg, Troldhaugen, Norway's internationally famous composer. Be sure to visit the new Bergen Fish Market - a fantastic modern architectural designed building.

Representative Service in Norway
Hurtigruten's representative service in Norway in based in Bergen and may be contacted on +47 9094 6905
24-Hour Emergency number +61 280 695 866

Havila's representative service in Norway is based in Fosnavåg and can be contacted on 24 Hour emergency number

Getting to your ship:
Your ship will sail from the Hurtigruten Terminalen, located at Nostegarten 30, 5010 Bergen. Telephone +47 5554 3631. Please ask us about the transfer shuttle.

Embarkation:
The terminal is staffed from 13:00 (1pm) and is open from 15:00 (3pm) for baggage check- in. Embarkation takes place from 16:00 (4pm) and your cabin will be available from approximately 18:00 (6pm).

Should you arrive early to the terminal, you are free to explore Bergen independently until embarkation time. Lockers are available in the terminal, however you will need local currently to access. Please note, you carry your own luggage onboard from the pier to your cabin.

Your ship departs at 20:00 (8pm)

An information meeting is usually held on the evening of departure from Bergen and includes details of safety onboard. There is an information folder in each cabin and safety procedures are illustrated on the back of your cabin door and in public areas. The Tour Leader on board will assist with general information and the shore excursion programme.

Ports visited today: Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde.

Your ship continues north past skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund. Enjoy examples of Art Nouveau style in the Apotekergate and Kongensgate pedestrian precinct. Make sure you see Ålesund from above, taking 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla. The Atlantic Sea Park (Atlanterhavsparken)-one of the largest saltwater aquariums in Europe is also worth a visit.

In the summer months you will enter the UNESCO protected Geirangerfjord. Surrounded by majestic mountain peaks, lush green vegetation and beautiful waterfalls, it is truly one of the most spectacular places in the world.
At other times of the year you can experience Hjørlundsfjord amidst the magnificent Sunnmøre Alps. Its unspoiled nature and natural landscape are what gives this fjord its special character.

Molde- known as the 'Town of Roses' is another exceptional place to catch beautiful views of 222 mountain peaks at the Molde Panorama.

Ports visited today: Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.

When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybrua). Dating from 1861, this neo-gothic wooden bridge used to be the only way into the town centre. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300 is Norway's largest Gothic religious edifice. In the neighbouring Archbishop's Palace, the Norwegian Crown Jewels are kept. In the city of Trondheim, the Hanseatic, waterside storehouses built on wooden stilts are just as charming as Stiftsgården- the largest wooden building in Norway and residence for the Royal Family when visiting Trondheim.

When leaving Trondheim you set course for the beautiful Kjerungskjær lighthouse and thousands of little islands and picturesque rocky outcrops. After passing through the narrow Stokksund, the ship will arrive at After passing through the narrow Stokksund, the ship will arrive at charismatic Rørvik.

Ports visited today: Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.

This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes you will pass a globe on a small islet, which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Circle marks the border to the Arctic region. In summer this means 24-hour daylight- often referred to as the Midnight Sun. During autumn and winter, being above this degree of latitude give you the best chance of experiencing the Northern Lights. Passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time are given an Arctic Circle Babtism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas. This comes in the form of an ice cube down you front or back but is entirely optional and great fun to watch if you don't want to participate.

Heading towards Bodø the ship sails along the Helgeland coast where you will pass the unique Torghatten mountain with its 30-metre-high, 25-metre-wide and 160-metre-deep hole through the middle.

In the afternoon, your ship gradually closes in on the Lofoten wall mountains towering above the tiny and colourful fishing villages of the Lofoten Islands. This is an extraordinary place to disembark and take a stroll.

These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional red fisherman's residences.

Ports visited today: Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø, Skjervøy.

During the night the ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad situated on the largest island of Norway- Hinnøya, you continue via Finnsnes to Tromsø for a extended stay.

Many of the epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point- the famous explorer Roald Amundsen sourced both crew and suppliers here. With the presence of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the city has cemented its position as the Polar Capital of Norway.

Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral is a unique landmark well worth visiting. Experience Tromsø's best views by taking the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of the mountain ledge Storsteinen and maybe enjoy a beer from the worlds northernmost brewery.

After Tromsø we continue our northbound journey into the area along the coast where you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights (if you travel between September and March) Gather on deck or under the glass roof to search for this breathtaking phenomenon.

Ports visited today: Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.

Today you sail through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10' 21" north ocean puts you a mere 2,000 km from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you will feel like you are at the end of the world.

This area is also known for its birdlife, and Gjesværstappen, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland, including the gorgeous puffins.

In summer you might see herds of reindeer and campsites belonging to the indigenous Sámi people. In winter and spring, sometimes local fishermen from the village of Kjøllefjord visit us to share their catch of the day- Cod and King Crab. And make sure as you approach Kjøllefjord you take note of the prominent and sacred to indigenous Sámi people, Finnkirka rock formation.

Ports visited today: Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes, Berlevåg.

You will arrive in Vadsø early in the morning. Located in the Varanger region this is one of the most attractive and popular bird-watching areas in the Arctic due to it being directly in the path of the birds migrating from east to west.

The last port on the Voyage North is Kirkenes. The well policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are close by which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.

Depending on the season, there are several ways to make a visit to the Russian border. You can either go by bus, enjoy a river boat safari or an action filled trip on a ATV/Quad bike.

Make sure you experience a King Crab Safari where you get up close to the fascinating king crab that inhabit the Northern Norwegian coast whilst in Kirkenes.

As you turn south, northbound ports visited at night will now be seen during the day offering a new and different impression.

In the afternoon, the ship docks again at Vardø, Norway's easternmost port. Weather permitting, you may be invited to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean during the winter season before heading to Berlevåg- a small active fishing village.

Ports visited today: Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.

In the middle of the night we dock at Mehamn- a small fishing village that had the biggest whaling statin in all of Finnmark in the past.

Next stop is Hammerfest which was a settlement dating back to the Stone Age and is still playing an important role as a fishing port. Founded in 1789 to develop trade with Russia, Hammerfest reconfirmed its position as Norway's Polar capital of its time, acting as a base for hunting expeditions in the High Arctic.

Make sure you visit the The Meridian Column, erected in 1854- now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As early as 1891, wave energy provided power to the first electric street lighting in Northern Europe and energy innovation is still a signature for Hammerfest with its large Liquid Gas Plant just outside town.

As you continue south from Øksfjord after crossing open water we have a quick stop at Skjervøy before sailing through Lyngenfjord- surrounded by the gorgeous Lyngen Alps.

From here we head to Tromsø yet again, but this time at night. If you have a chance, the Arctic Cathedral Midnight in Ishavskatedralen is a wonderful experience not to be missed.

Ports visited today: Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.

Today you will pass through Risøyrenna, a channel providing vessels an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. Coming into Sortland- the blue city, local artist Bjørn Elvenes came up with the idea of turning the city into a three-dimensional artwork using a blue colour palette. You then continue onto Stokmarknes, where you will see the MS Finnmarken as a monument as you come into port. You can also learn about Norway's coastal history at the Hurtigruten museum.

Continuing south from Stokmarknes it looks as if you are sailing straight through the mountain wall, but you wail through an opening in the narrow Raftsundet, a picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten islands. If time and weather permits, you will take a detour into the spectactular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship's sides, home to the majestic sea eagles. The daylight sailing through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many as the Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, fishing villages and beautiful scenery.

Svolvær is the main settlement on the Lofoten Island followed by Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed.

Ports visited today: Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.

The Helgeland coast with hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls is worth getting up early to experience. Today will also be the last one north of the Arctic Circle as you cross it between Ørnes and Nesna. This part of the coast is rich in local lore with stories including the legend of the Seven Sisters, a picturesque row of peaks, and the myth about how the arrow formed the hole in Torghatten mountain.

On our way from Sandessjøen to Brønnøysund, the Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is on the list due to the unique interaction between man and nature as the local population have protected the eider duck nests in return for the highly valuable down from the birds.

Brønnøysund is a vibrant and pretty little town- nice for a stroll through Havnegata looking at the small boats and bustling life of the archipelago.

Ports visited today: Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund.

Today gives you another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral is Scandinavia's largest medieval building and three Queens, and seven Kings have been crowned here.
The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway's klipfisk (dry and salted cod) capital because of the nature of its main export. Whilst in Kristiansund you can visit the Atlantic Road, one of Norway's most picturesque and frequently visited tourist destinations.

Passing the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra you cross the open sea to Molde, known as the 'city of roses' due to its lush Gulf Stream locations. When leaving Molde you can see the pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

Ports visited today: Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, Florø, Bergen.

As your voyage comes towards the end, you pass Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy during the night and in the morning you might want to enjoy the last leg of your journey seeing the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedalsbreen glacier, Norway's longest fjord- the mighty Sognefjord and the gorgeous Bergen Archipelago.

As you disembark in Bergen we hope you have made friends along the way and created memories that you will cherish forever.