Ålesund 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, from June to August, we set course for UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord*. This is a protected and preserved piece of paradise with towering mountain cliffs and waterfalls like the famous Seven Sisters cascading into the fjord.

In spring, from April to May*, and in fall, from September to October, your ship will sail to Hjørundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmøre Alps. There’ll also be a call at the scenic village of Urke to gaze at the view of 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 solidify Molde’s nickname as the ‘City of Roses’.

This section of the voyage brings us to the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements. Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 A.D. 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 a variety of restaurants. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort, which has beautiful panoramic views of the city and fjord. In the afternoon, the ship will sail northwest, passing the ochre-colored Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we’ll head towards charming Rørvik.

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. Above 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 a.m., we’ll dock in Ørnes, 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 Bodø, Northern Norway’s second-largest city, overlooked by the Børvass 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 Svolvær when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer. This is the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

We dock in Harstad just after 7 a.m. 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. Then we’ll sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø, where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion. Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a center exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Pop in to one of the many shops and restaurants in the city center, including Mack Brewery and the Ølhallen pub, a favorite local watering hole. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns 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 Tromsø in the early evening, we’ll head north for the trading post of Skjervøy, founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea.

The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. In the summer, herds of reindeer migrate to the island by the thousands. You’ll know we’ve reached Havøysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havøygavlen wind farm, which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes. In the mid-morning, we’ll arrive at Honningsvåg, the portal to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus, passing herds of reindeer on the way, depending on the season. Near the entrance of the Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi. You can join an optional summer excursion to meet local Sámi, 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 Berlevåg. On the way, we’ll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the planet’s northernmost mainland lighthouse.

We call at Båtsfjord and Vardø in the night, before docking at Vadsø early in the morning. The area around Vadsø 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 edge of Norway's territory. This is where your Norwegian coastal cruise ends and you’ll have traveled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. We look forward to seeing you again, maybe for the Classic Voyage South next time!