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Start this Norway scenic route with an Arctic tour of Norway, near the Russian border. You’ll go from the dramatic landscapes of Northern Norway to views of Senja, one of Norway’s most beautiful islands. We’ll then pass through the jaw-dropping Vesterålen and Lofoten islands, and along the Helgeland Coast with its mountain ranges and maze of islands.
Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Norwegian border—farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul!
World War II history
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.
Norway’s northern frontier
In the port of Vardø, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains in use by the military to this day.
We’ll cruise Norway’s coastline to the small port of Båtsfjord 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.
Time in port:
Kirkenes: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Vardø: 4:05 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Båtsfjord: 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Berlevåg: 10:25 p.m. – 10:35 p.m.
Day 2 | Mehamn - Tromsø
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.
Mountains and marine mammals
We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.
If you’re visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.
As we make our way to Tromsø, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.
Midnight magic
We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.
Time in port:
Mehamn: 01:20 a.m. -01:30 a.m.
Kjøllefjord: 03:25 a.m. -03:35 a.m.
Honningsvåg: 05:45 a.m. -06:00 a.m.
Havøysund: 08:00 a.m. -08:15 a.m.
Hammerfest: 11:00 a.m. -12:45 p.m.
Øksfjord: 03:50 p.m. -04:05 p.m.
Skjervøy: 07:30 p.m. -07:45 p.m.
Tromsø: 11:45 p.m. -01:30 a.m.
Day 3 | Tromsø - Stamsund
Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of our 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 our smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.
Our birthplace
Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began The Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles our legacy, centred around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956.
A ship-size fjord
Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.
Leaving Lofoten
We reach Svolvær in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree!
The ship then sails for Stamsund, eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall.
Time in port:
Tromsø: 11:45 p.m. - 01:30 a.m.
Finnsnes: 04:20 a.m. - 04:40 a.m.
Harstad: 08:00 a.m. -08:30 a.m.
Risøyhamn: 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Sortland: 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Stokmarknes: 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Svolvær: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Stamsund: 10:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Day 4 | Bodø - Rørvik
The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 7 a.m. We 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!
We make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen, gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.
Legend has it…
Admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 1,100m high. The tale goes that seven beautiful troll princesses, fleeing from an unwanted suitor, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today.
You’ll also not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it. There is a local legend as to why and how this mountain came to have such a hole. Make sure you ask your Coastal Experience Team about it!
We reach Brønnøysund mid-afternoon. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the centre of town is Brønnøy Church: a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870.
Our last stop of the day is the cozy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago.
Time in port:
Bodø: 02:30 a.m. - 03:30 a.m.
Ørnes: 06:25 a.m. - 06:35 a.m.
Nesna: 10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sandnessjøen: 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Brønnøysund: 3:00 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.
Rørvik: 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Day 5 | Trondheim - Ålesund
Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde.
Capital of the Viking Age
Stroll around Trondheim in the early morning as the city wakes. Visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav. Then, walk to Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over Nid River.
Treat yourself to quality coffee and a Nordic patisserie in one of the Bakklandet district’s many chic cafés then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norway’s third-largest city.
Dealing in dried cod
We dock at Kristiansund’s harbor in the late afternoon. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” for the salted cod that’s dried on the surrounding cliffs, called klippfisk in Norwegian.
Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port. You can also head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a lovely panorama.
Peaks and petals
The penultimate port of the day is Molde where you can spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. Nicknamed “The City of Roses”, flowers should be in bloom between mid-June and late August.
Time in port:
Trondheim: 06:30 a.m. - 09:30 a.m.
Kristiansund: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Molde: 9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Day 6 | Ålesund - Bergen
Our Norwegian coastal cruise together, at least this time, will reach its end later today. During the previous night, we’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.
Morning highlights
You’ll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest.
The ship then docks at Florø in the morning where you can take in the harbor and marina.
The home stretch
Leaving Florø, you’ll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favorite subject for photographers. There’s also stunning views to enjoy as we cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway.
As we reach our final port in the afternoon, the ship will navigate through the last islands and skerries of our Norway scenic route, and sail down Hjeltefjord to arrive into Bergen.
Explore more of Norway
Sadly, it’s time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests.
But your journey doesn’t have to stop after disembarkation. We offer a Bergen sightseeing tour as well as a range of post-voyage programs that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo.
Time in port:
Ålesund: 00:30 a.m. - 01:20 a.m.
Torvik: 02:35 a.m. - 02:45 a.m.
Måløy: 05:45 a.m. - 06:00 a.m.
Florø: 08:15 a.m. - 08:30 a.m.
Bergen: 14:45 p.m.
Ships
MS Nordnorge
MS Nordnorge was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We have a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, a tour guide, conference room and shop. The ship was featured in a TV show in 2011 when its voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes was broadcast live for 134 hours, non-stop. The show entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest uninterrupted live television documentary.
MS Polarlys was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We have a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink. The vessel also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Coastal Experience Team, conference room and shop.
MS Vesterålen is one of the oldest and smallest ships, named an archipelago in Nordland country, to the north of Lofoten. Vesterålen was also the name of the first Original Coastal Express steamship from 1893.
Fresh and lightly refurbished in 2019 and again in 2022, MS Vesterålen has bright, informal public areas and lounges throughout. The last refurbishment included upgrading 32 outside cabins to Arctic Superior standard with double beds, rebuilding 4 cabins into 2 mini suites, upgrading the restaurant, the café, the reception area, and the gym, in addition to giving Trollfjord lounge a new look and feel.
On a journey with MS Vesterålen, we will have a "behind the scenes" focus where the guests will get an opportunity to get closer to the Hurtigruten heritage, emphasizing maritime operations, logistics and hotel operations. With a focus on edutainment and engaging activities, we will provide guests with an in-depth knowledge of the different departments and the interaction between them.
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, décor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten´s various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship’s lounges.
It’s a true honour to have one of our ships named after Norway’s King Harald V.
The King is a skilled sailor, even representing Norway in sailing at the Olympic Games three times. In 2016, at the age of 78, he and his team finished second in the Sailing World Championships.
MS Kong Harald was upgraded to a greener hybrid ship in 2023. Emissions are cut by large battery packs combined with the ships efficient and brand-new engines, reducing fuel consumption and CO2-emissions by approximately 25 percent. The ship is also updated with state-of-the-art wastewater treatment equipment, and SRC technology that reduce NOx emissions by at least 80 percent. In addition, cabins on deck 2 and 3 were refurbished.
The vessel was also refurbished in 2016 to feature a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, the Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. There is a comfortable bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.
MS Kong Harald also has a large compass area where you find the reception, the Expedition Team, conference room and shop. The top deck of the boat features a sun deck, observation saloon and panorama lounge, all of which provide splendid views of spectacular coastal scenery.
Since 2007, the vessel has been part of Hurtigruten's fleet of ships dedicated to sailing the Norwegian coastline.
MS Nordkapp was refurbished in 2016 and now features a modern, Arctic-inspired interior. On board are three different restaurants, a Multe bakery and ice cream bar, a sauna and fitness room. Out on deck you can enjoy the view from one of our two hot tubs. We also have a cosy bar at the front of the ship where you can enjoy a nice traditional drink.
The ship additionally has a large compass area with reception, a tour guide, conference room, and shop.
When Captain Richard With established the Norwegian Coastal Express in 1893, he made an enormous impact on life along the Norwegian coastline. The MS Richard With lives up to that legacy.
In 2022, MS Richard With was upgraded to a green hybrid ship. Emissions are cut by large battery packs combined with the ships brand new low emission engines, reducing fuel consumption and CO2-emissions by approximately 25 percent. The ship is also updated with state of the art navigation and control equipment, new waste water treatment equipment, and SRC technology that reduce NOx emissions by at least 80 percent.
Relax in the ship's panorama lounges and take in the unforgettable views of remarkable coastal scenery, much of it the same as when the first Hurtigruten boats sailed by more than a century ago. Beautiful art throughout the ship's interior adds contemporary elegance to the vessel's maritime ambience.
Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from Norway's Coastal Kitchen
English-speaking Tour Leader on board
Access to Cameralla photo sharing app
Engaging onboard activities and lectures:
Lectures and presentations on history, biology, geography, geology, and culture that provide context to your expedition voyage, and help you better understand the destinations you will experience
Introductory photo presentations, camera adjustment, and photography tips and tricks, and photo and film footage from the cruise.
Opportunities to casually engage with Hurtigruten Guides, including a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day, and preparations for the day to come.
