Lofoten to the West Fjords

Welcome to Norway and what is arguably its most scenic archipelago. You’ll board your ship in the evening, giving you plenty of time to explore Svolvær if you arrive here earlier in the day. This enchanting town is nestled in a picturesque location between the mountains and the sea, overlooked by Svolværgeita, or Svolvær Goat Mountain, with its two characteristic ‘horns’. No wonder then that Svolvær is a place of inspiration for artists and photographers who feature their work in art galleries and the North Norwegian Art Centre. From Svolvær, the ship then sails for Stamsund, eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall, a colossal mountain range of closely packed peaks. From late May through mid-July, the Arctic sun stays above the horizon, a phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun. This 24-hour daylight means outdoor activities, such as kayaking and hiking, can be done whatever time of day or night. In contrast, come winter, Lofoten’s position above the Arctic Circle and directly beneath the auroral zone make it ideal for viewing the spectacular Northern Lights.

The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 07:00. 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 Expedition 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 cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago .

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 harbour 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.

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 harbour and marina. The home stretch Leaving Florø, you’ll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite 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 range of post-voyage programmes that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo.