Welcome to Norway! It seems only natural that your Norwegian adventure begins in Bergen, the cultural and artistic center of Norway. Your hotel is located in the heart of the city, allowing you to enjoy the end of the day or evening exploring Norway’s second-largest city at your own pace.

In many ways, Bergen resembles a living medieval museum. Founded by King Olaf III in 1070 AD, Bergen was long the capital of Norway. As you stroll through its cobbled streets and alleys, you’ll notice that this vibrant city has retained its rich heritage and historical charm.

If you have time, take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. The summit offers spectacular views of Bergen, the nearby fjords, and the surrounding mountains.

For dinner, why not head to the fish market in the city center? There you will find various stalls where fresh fish is cooked in front of you, filling the atmosphere with appetizing aromas.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will participate in a city tour of Bergen. You will discover well-known sites such as the Nordnes Peninsula, the medieval Håkon Hall, the Renaissance-era Rosenkrantz Tower, and the 12th-century St. Mary’s Church, known as Mariakirken in Norwegian.

This tour will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed buildings in the Bryggen district. Once a haunt of 14th-century Hanseatic League merchants, these colorful wooden wharves now house craft shops and galleries, perfect for souvenir shopping.

The tour will end at the quay where your ship, MS Trollfjord, will be waiting to set sail in the mid-afternoon. After being welcomed aboard and settling into your cabin or suite, you will meet your Coastal Experience Team guides, who will provide lectures and organize activities throughout your voyage.

Enjoy a drink in the ship’s two-level panoramic lounge and meet your fellow cruise passengers. As the ship departs Bergen and enters the Hjeltefjord, your picturesque adventure along the Norwegian coast will officially begin.

Molde is the capital and commercial center of Romsdalen, located on the southern coast of the Romsdal Peninsula. We have stopped at this port many times on our Coastal Express route, but this time, the stop will be much longer, giving you plenty of time to explore the city.

Organized by our Coastal Experience Team guides, optional activities offer a richer experience in Molde. One such optional excursion is to the Atlantic Road, an iconic part of the Norwegian coast often featured in Hollywood films.

Weather permitting, join us for an optional hike to the Varden viewpoint for the best panoramic views of the region. From 402 meters above, admire the city and the 222 snowy peaks across the Moldefjord.

If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, visit the Romsdal Museum, one of Norway’s largest folk museums, about a ten-minute walk from the city center.

The Vikna archipelago consists of around 6,000 islands, islets, and reefs. We will stop at Inner-Vikna, the largest of these islands, docking in the port town of Rørvik mid-morning and staying for most of the day.

The town and its surroundings have a rich history. Notably, there are tumuli that date back to antiquity. The maritime heritage of the region is well documented by the numerous museums in Rørvik, especially at the Norwegian Coastal Museum. Explore the past of Rørvik with an optional guided tour of three of the town’s main museums.

The SalmoNor center offers visitors a glimpse into modern salmon farming and Norway’s aquaculture industry, which supplies delicious Nordic salmon worldwide.

Cod is another important export product, celebrated with a festival in March. This fish is particularly common in the archipelago’s waters during winter, making it the perfect opportunity to try fresh cod cakes!

Lødingen, the administrative center of a municipality with the same name, is a village on the southwest coast of Hinnøya, with a population of less than 2,000. This port used to be a regular stop for our ships on the early coastal routes, making this visit a return to our roots.

We will dock around noon and use Lødingen as a base to explore Hinnøya, Norway’s largest island south of Svalbard. Stroll through the streets near the port and admire the traditional red fishing cabins, or rorbu, lining the shore. You’ll notice the calming atmosphere of village life as you walk.

The highlight of this visit is discovering the incredible fjords and mountains that make Norway’s coast famous. Gullesfjord, branching off from Andfjord, cuts through the northern side of Hinnøya, bordered by pristine mountain ranges. This area is popular with campers who stay in campsites or cabins and fish for cod in the fjord during winter.

An optional excursion offers a boat safari to get closer to the fjord. Challenge yourself with a mountain hike and be rewarded with majestic panoramic views of the surrounding land and sea.

Alta is one of the largest coastal cities we visit, with a population of over 10,000. The Alta River is one of Norway’s best salmon rivers, attracting many for its large salmon, some weighing up to 24 kilos. Enjoy fresh grilled salmon at a local restaurant.

At 70 degrees north, this city offers excellent visibility of the Northern Lights, so prepare your camera. Clear winter nights provide spectacular photo opportunities of the dancing lights.

Learn more about this natural phenomenon on a guided city tour. The Northern Lights Cathedral features an exhibition on Alta’s role in groundbreaking aurora research in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Winter’s heavy snowfall makes authentic Arctic excursions possible. Alta’s climate is perfect for building and maintaining the Igloo Hotel on the Alta River.

In winter, visit the world’s northernmost ice hotel, built annually from snow and ice, featuring different artistic themes by local sculptors. Enjoy a drink at the hotel’s ice bar, served in a glass made of ice—no ice cubes needed!

You will have an exciting and full day in Honningsvåg, the northernmost city on the continent. With few trees and bushes, long winters, and heavy snowfall, this northern region offers fantastic winter landscapes and activities.

Feel the crunch of snow under your snowshoes as you hike across the plains, or try ice fishing, a popular winter tradition in the Far North. Taste king crab, a local specialty caught year-round in the waters around Honningsvåg. Admire local art at the Once Upon a Dream gallery, and visit Honningsvåg Church, the oldest building in the region dating back to 1885.

The highlight of any trip to Honningsvåg is visiting the North Cape, one of the northernmost points of continental Europe, which we will reach by snowmobile in the snowy winter months. Standing near Norway’s northern border and looking out over the Barents Sea under the polar night sky is a truly special experience. Add to this the magnificent Northern Lights dancing overhead, and you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

The cape is marked by a famous globe sculpture, perfect for a selfie or two. When you are ready, head to the North Cape Hall to warm up and enjoy the short film and various exhibits that will teach you more about life in the High Arctic. After reaching the northernmost point of our journey, we will leave the port in the evening to turn around and begin our descent south.

Today, you will have the chance to discover the capital of the Arctic. Often called the “Gateway to the Arctic,” Tromsø is the northernmost university town in Norway. It is also the perfect destination for authentic winter activities like dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Located about 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø experiences the polar night for just over a month in winter, offering a great chance to see the Northern Lights.

This vibrant urban center is full of life, with trendy restaurants and cafes, craft shops, local products, and even high fashion. The MS Trollfjord will stay docked all day to give you ample time for optional excursions and to explore the city at your own pace.

A range of exciting activities awaits you to observe the nature and wildlife around Tromsø. Embark on a mini polar expedition and traverse the snowy Arctic landscapes on a dog sled. Or, enjoy the serenity of the Arctic while watching orcas and humpback whales frolic in their natural habitat.

For a dose of culture, learn to knit from the locals and satisfy your curiosity about the daily life of communities north of the Arctic Circle during an excursion to meet the people of Sommarøy.