DAY 9 – TROMSO
We dock into Harstad just after 07:00. You can go for 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 on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins.
We then 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 centre exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Take your pick from the many shops and restaurants in the city centre, including Mack Brewery and favourite local watering hole Ølhallen pub. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.
Leaving Tromsø in the early evening, we 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.
Time in port:
Stokmarknes: 01.30 – 01.40, Sortland: 02.55 – 03.10, Risøyhamn: 04.35 – 04.50, Harstad: 07.10 – 07.45, Finnsnes: 11.00 – 11.30, Tromsø: 14.15 – 18.15, Skjervøy: 22.10 – 22.25
DAY 10 – HONNINGSVÅG
The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. In summer, the island has herds of reindeer migrating here in their thousands.
You’ll know we’ve reached Havøysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havøyglaven wind farm which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes.
We arrive at Honningsvåg mid-morning, 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 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 life reindeer herding, and listen to joik folk songs.
We reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn, in the evening. If visiting in the months of February and March, you might spot tons of cod drying on outdoor wooden racks called hjell, mainly destined for export.
The ship then sets off for Berlevåg. On the way, we pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.
Time in port:
Øksfjord: 01.50 – 02.00, Hammerfest: 05.05 – 05.45, Havøysund: 08.30 – 08.45, Honningsvåg: 10.55 – 14.30, Kjøllefjord: 16.40 – 17.00, Mehamn: 18.55 – 19.15, Berlevåg: 22.00 – 22.10
DAY 11 – KIRKENES
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.
By the time we reach Kirkenes after breakfast, you’ll have travelled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. You’ll have a choice of optional excursions to explore the area.
Kirkenes is where your Norwegian coastal cruise changes direction and the ship heads south. Several of the places we sailed to during the night we’ll now see during the day.
Back in Vardø, you can visit the solemn Witches’ Monument and the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day.
We return to the small, bustling port of Båtsfjord and then make for Berlevåg for late evening, crossing paths with the northbound ship.
Time in port:
Båtsfjord: 00.00 – 00.30, Vardø: 03.30 – 03.45, Vadsø: 06.55 – 07.10, Kirkenes: 09.00 – 12:30, Vardø: 16.05 – 17.00, Båtsfjord: 20.00 – 20.30, Berlevåg: 22.25 – 22.35
DAY 12 – HAMMERFEST
We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund.
In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements.
See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.
We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.
As we make our way to Tromsø, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.
We dock at Tromsø just before midnight, where you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.
Time in port:
Mehamn: 01.20 – 01.30, Kjøllefjord: 03.25 – 03.35, Honningsvåg: 05.45 – 06.00, Havøysund: 08.00 – 08.15, Hammerfest: 11.00 – 12.45, Øksfjord: 15.50 – 16.05, Skjervøy: 19.30 – 19.45, Tromsø: 23.45 – 01.30
DAY 13 – SVOLVÆR
We arrive in Harstad, where you can join the excursion, A Taste of Vesterålen.
The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning natural scenery of the entire voyage. Lofoten is renowned for its steep mountains, sandy beaches, wild nature and picturesque fishing villages.
Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began The Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles our legacy, centred around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956.
Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if weather permits. The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.
We reach Svolvær in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree!
The ship then sails for Stamsund, eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall.
Time in port:
Tromsø: 23.45 – 01.30, Finnsnes: 04.15 – 04.45, Harstad: 07.45 – 08.30, Risøyhamn: 10.45 – 11.00, Sortland: 12.30 – 13.00, Stokmarknes: 14.15 – 15.15, Svolvær: 18.30 – 20.30, Stamsund: 22.00 – 22.30
DAY 14 – BRØNNØYSUND
The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes. 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 Coastal Experience 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.
Time in port:
Bodø: 02.30 – 03.45, Ørnes: 06.40 – 06.50, Nesna: 10.25 – 10.35, Sandnessjøen: 11.45 – 12.15, Brønnøysund: 15.00 – 17.30, Rørvik: 21.00 – 21.30
DAY 15 – TRONDHEIM
Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde.
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.
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.
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.
Time in port:
Trondheim: 06.30 – 09.45, Kristiansund: 16.30 – 17.00, Molde: 21.00 – 21.30, Ålesund: 00.30 – 01.00
DAY 16 – BERGEN
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.
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.
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.
We hope you will take home memories of stunning nature, wildlife and fascinating culture, and we hope to see you on board again in the near future!
Time in port:
Ålesund: 00.30 – 01.00, Torvik: 02.15 – 02.30, Måløy: 05.15 – 05.45, Florø: 07.45 – 08.15, Bergen: 14.30
