Hurtigruten Cruise: Kjeungskjær is One of the Most Distinctive Lighthouses: Two hours forty minutes after our cruise departs Trondheim, we come across Kjeungskjær Lighthouse which is located on a small rock beyond Ørlandet. This lighthouse, or “fyr” in Norwegian, is considered to be one of the most beautiful ones along the Norwegian coast and having […]
Back in Trondheim on Boxing Day
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage: Stranded in Trondheim… but for Three Hours Only: Day 12: Trondheim – Kristiansund – Molde – Ålesund. At 6.30 a.m. the ship arrives into Trondheim where you are able to visit the 12th Century Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s largest medieval church. After a few hours in Trondheim the ship will depart Trondheim […]
Merry Christmas from Norway – God Jul
Christmas in Norway: It is a White Christmas: Day 11: Sandnessjøen – Brønnøysund – Rørvik. Today, you have the option to go on an excursion to the Petter Dass Museum and Alstahaug. Please see your cruise director to book if you are interested. Enjoy a special Christmas Day Brunch served in the restaurant during the […]
Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33' North
Crossing into the Land of the Midnight Sun: Travel in Norway has many highlight moments and crossing the Arctic Circle is one of them. This imaginary geographic border circles the earth at 66°33′ north and marks the border with the Land of the Midnight Sun. When one crosses the Arctic Circle on a northbound Hurtigruten […]
Northern Lights – We See the Lights!
On a Mission to See the Northern Lights: It’s 2:30 a.m. when the phone rings. It’s the Reception informing us that the Northern Lights have been sighted. Half asleep, I’m not sure if I’m hearing correctly or if this a practical joke? By this stage of our return Hurtigruten cruise, I was beginning to give […]
Christmas Eve in Sandnessjøen
Stopping in Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve Celebrations: Day 10: Bodø – Ørnes – Nesna – Sandnessjøen. After leaving Ørnes, the voyage continues through exciting and colourful waters, sailing through narrow straits bordered by lush farmland along the shores of Helgeland. Nearly every peak of the towering mountains in the background is associated with a local […]
Svolvær – Capital of the Lofoten Islands
A Gateway for Tourism on the Lofoten Islands: Day 9: Tromsø – Finnsnes – Harstad – Risoyhamn – Sortland – Stokmarknes – Svolvær – Stamsund. Today traditional Norwegian “Julegrot” – Christmas porridge will be served and in the bar. Find the almond in the porridge and you win a prize! Together with fellow passengers and […]
Hammerfest, Kingdom of the Polar Bears
Hurtigruten Norwegian Cruise – Southbound Journey: Day 8: Mehamn – Kjøllefjord – Honningsvåg – Havøysund – Hammerfest – Øksfjord – Skjervøy – Tromsø. A brief call is made in Havøysund before arriving in Hammerfest at 11.15 a.m. You are now in the northernmost town in the world – Hammerfest is the first town in Norway […]
Kirkenes – the End of the Journey for Some
Kirkenes, a Town Near the Russian Border: Day 7: Båtsfjord – Vardø – Vadsø – Kirkenes – Vardø – Båtsfjord – Berlevåg. The ship sails into Kirkenes where you will have the opportunity to go ashore. You may wish to participate in a shore excursion from Kirkenes to Storskog the Norwegian/Russian border station or you […]
Crossing the 71st Parallel to the North Cape
Making it to Nordkapp or the North Cape: Day 6: Øksfjord – Hammerfest – Havøysund – Honningsvåg – Kjøllefjord – Mehamn – Berlevåg. In Finnmark, icebergs, wind and weather have created a harsher, more dramatic landscape. You will see both abandoned fishing stations and lively fishing ports bustling with activity.Havøysund is the next port of […]
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