6 Night Classic Voyage North Bergen to Kirkenes Cruise from Bergen

Your voyage starts in Bergen, Norway's second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen boasts architecture influenced by the prosperous 14th-century German trading organization, the Hanseatic League. If you have time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wharfs in the colorful Bryggen district, now a neighborhood with artisan's shops, complete with cobblestone streets. Just across the street is the famous fish market, which serves delicious seafood. The Floibanen funicular can also whisk you up Mount Floyen for lovely views of the city. Before boarding, relax in our comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce as we depart Bergen and sail the old Viking route along the Hjeltefjord. You'll also meet your ship's Coastal Experts, who will be your guides as we sail Norway's coastline. They'll organize lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes. Time in port: Bergen: 02:45 pm to 08:30 pm.

Enjoy early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord, near Torvik. Then, we'll sail past the West Cape for our approach to Alesund. The city of Alesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of northern Europe's largest saltwater aquariums. If you're traveling with us in spring or winter, you'll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town. In the summer, we set our course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, passing some of the most magnificent scenery in Norway. Once in the fjord, you may see the famous Seven Sisters waterfalls cascading down the cliffs. In autumn, we explore Hjorundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmore Alps. We'll also call at the scenic village of Urke. Here, you can admire thousand-year-old farms, the fjord, and the lush mountainsides. The last port of the day is Molde. In summer, there might just enough daylight to see the amazing view of the 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called the 'Molde Panorama'. And from mid-June to late August, the streets and gardens are adorned with roses of all shades and scents, all solidifying Molde's nickname as the 'City of Roses'. Time in port: Floro: 02:45 am to 03:00 am, Maloy: 05:15 am to 05:30 am, Torvik: 08:20 am to 08:30 am, Alesund (11/01 to 05/31): 09:45 am to 08:00 pm, Alesund (06/01 to 10/31): 09:45 am to 10:00 am, Geiranger (06/01 to 08/31): 02:25 pm to 02:45 pm, Alesund (06/01 to 08/31): 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm, Urke (09/01 to 10/31): 12:15 pm to 03:45 pm, Alesund (09/01 to 10/31): 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm, Molde: 10:35 pm to 11:05 pm.

This section of the voyage brings us to the Trondelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements. Magical, medieval, and modern, Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 AD and is now Norway's third-largest city. It features a mix of historic buildings and a lively student population. You'll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its various highlights, either on your own or on one of our optional excursions. A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed 'Norway's Notre Dame' for its Gothic architectural style. It is considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace, where Norway's crown jewels are on display. Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighborhood's colorful wooden wharves, which are propped up on stilts by the river's edge, now house trendy restaurants. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fortress, which features beautiful panoramic views of the city and fjord. In the afternoon, the ship will sail northwest, passing the ochre-colored Kjeungskjaer Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we'll head towards charming Rorvik. Time in port: Kristiansund: 02:45 am to 03:00 am, Trondheim: 09:45 am to 12:45 pm, Rorvik: 09:40 pm to 10:00 pm.

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that's sure to wake you up! North of the Arctic Circle in summer, you can enjoy the sun 24 hours a day, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve. At 10 am, we'll dock in Ornes, near Norway's second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the 'Love Bench', where sweethearts declare their lasting romance with a padlock. Then, we'll sail to Bodo, Northern Norway's second-largest city, overlooked by the Borvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world's most powerful maelstrom. The ship enters the Lofoten archipelago in the afternoon. The Lofoten Wall, standing over 3,200 feet tall, is a stunning sight on the horizon. Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands, which is busiest between January and April, when the Arctic cod-known locally as skrei-swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn. This evening, you'll know you've arrived in the pretty harbor of Svolvaer when you see rows of traditional fisherman's huts on stilts, known as rorbuer. This is the main town of the Lofoten archipelago. Time in port: Bronnoysund: 01:35 am to 01:45 am, Sandnessjoen: 04:35 am to 04:50 am, Nesna: 06:00 am to 06:10 am, Ornes: 10:00 am to 10:10 am, Bodo: 01:05 pm to 03:20 pm, Stamsund: 07:15 pm to 07:40 pm, Svolvaer: 09:20 pm to 10:15 pm.

We dock in Harstad just after 7 am. Feel free to have a peaceful early morning stroll around town. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes, which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, as there are several colonies nearby. You may also spot whales in the waters here, especially during the winter season. Then, we'll sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromso, where you'll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion. You'll find Polaria (the world's northernmost aquarium) and the nice waterfront. Pop in to one of the many shops and restaurants in the city center, including Mack Brewery and the Olhallen pub, a favorite local watering hole. There are also trendy cafes offering delicious cinnamon buns and where baristas create innovative coffee-foam art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, check out the iconic Arctic Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic. Leaving Tromso in the early evening, we'll head north for the trading post of Skjervoy, founded in 1622. On our way, we'll pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea. Time in port: Stokmarknes: 01:30 am to 01:40 am, Sortland: 02:55 am to 03:10 am, Risoyhamn: 04:35 am to 04:50 am, Harstad: 07:10 am to 07:45 am, Finnsnes: 11:00 am to 11:30 am, Tromso: 2:15 pm to 6:15 pm, Skjervoy: 10:10 pm to 10:25 pm.

The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaloya early in the morning. In the summer, herds of reindeer migrate to the island by the thousands. You'll know we've reached Havoysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havoygavlen wind farm, which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes. In the mid-morning, we'll arrive at Honningsvag, the gateway to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. The optional excursion up to the dramatic promontory is very popular, so you'll want to book early. Near the entrance of the Kjollefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sami. You can join an optional excursion to meet local Sami, learn about their reindeer-herding life, and listen to joik folk songs. We'll reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn, in the evening. If you're visiting during the months of February and March, you might spot cod drying on outdoor wooden racks, called hjell, mainly destined for export. The ship then sets off for Berlevag. On the way, we'll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the planet's northernmost mainland lighthouse. Time in port: Oksfjord: 01:50 am to 02:00 am, Hammerfest: 05:05 am to 05:45 am, Havoysund: 08:30 am to 08:45 am, Honningsvag: 10:55 am to 02:30 pm, Kjollefjord: 04:40 pm to 05:00 pm, Mehamn: 06:55 pm to 07:15 pm, Berlevag: 10:00 pm to 10:10 pm.

During the night, we'll have called at Batsfjord and Vardo before docking at Vadso early in the morning. The area around Vadso is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Watch for Hooded Crows and Sea Eagles. Kirkenes is just a few miles from the Russian border. This neighbor has had many influences on Norway, from road signs in both Norwegian and Russian to a monthly Russian market and the World War II Russian Monument. This is where your Norwegian Coastal Express voyage ends-you'll have traveled farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul! We look forward to seeing you again, perhaps next time for the southbound voyage! Time in port: Batsfjord: 12:00 am to 12:30 am, Vardo: 03:30 am to 03:45 am, Vadso: 06:55 am to 07:10 am, Kirkenes: 9:00 am.