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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]