The Coastal Express Roundtrip - Bergen return

Your voyage starts in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen boasts architecture influenced by prosperous 14th-century German trading organisation, the Hanseatic League.

If youve time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO-listed wharfs of the colourful Bryggen district, now an artisan quarter complete with cobblestone streets. Just across the street is the famous Fish Market which serves delicious seafood. Theres also the Flibanen funicular which takes you up to the top of Mount Floyen for views of the city.

Before boarding, you can 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 Hjeltefjord.

Youll also meet your ships Expedition Team who will be your guides as we cruise Norways coastline, organising lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.

Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord near Torvik. We then sail past West Cape for our approach to Alesund.

lesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europes largest saltwater aquariums. If youre travelling with us in spring or winter, youll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town.

In spring, from April to May, and in autumn, from September to October, your ship will sail to Hjorundfjord, hidden away in the Sunnmore Alps. Therell 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.

In 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.

Please note that the Hurtigruten ships do not dock at the cruise terminal pier. Instead passengers will be transported with tender boats by Geiranger Fjordservice from the ship to shore, or vice versa. Please arrive before 13:45 for the tender boat.

The last port of the day is Molde. In summer, there might just be enough daylight to see the amazing view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called the Molde Panorama.

From mid-June to late August, the streets and gardens here will be adorned with the sight and scent of roses of all shades, living up to Moldes nickname as The City of Roses.

This section of the voyage sees us enter the Trondelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements.

Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is Norways third-largest city and a mix of historic buildings and a vibrant student population.

Youll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its array of highlights, either by yourself or on one of the optional excursions we offer.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed Norways Notre Dame for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishops Palace where Norways 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 neighbourhoods colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the rivers edge now house a variety of eateries. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort which has beautiful panoramas of the city and fjord.

In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjr Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we head towards charming Rorvik.

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony thats sure to wake you up.

Above the Arctic Circle, you can see the sun 24 hours a day in summer, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.

At 10:00, we call into Ornes, near to Norways second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the Love Bench where sweethearts have declared their lasting romance with a padlock.

We then sail to Bodo, the second-largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Borvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the worlds most powerful maelstrom.

Welcome to Lofoten
That afternoon, the ship enters the Lofoten archipelago. The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight on the horizon, as if there to welcome us.

Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands and busiest between January and April when Arctic cod, known locally as skrei, swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn.

Come evening, when you see rows of traditional fishermans huts on stilts, known as rorbuer, youve arrived in the pretty harbour of Svolvaer, the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

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 Tromso where youll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion.

Along the waterfront youll 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 Olhallen pub. There are also cafs 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 Tromso in the early evening, we head north for the trading post of Skjervoy, founded in 1622. On our way, well pass the Lyngen Alps which rise majestically from the sea.

The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvalya early in the morning. In summer, the island has herds of reindeer migrating here in their thousands.

Youll know weve reached Havysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havyglaven wind farm which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes.

We arrive at Honningsvag 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 Honningsvag by bus, passing herds of reindeer on the way, depending on the season.

Near the entrance of Kjollefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Smi. You can join an optional summer excursion to meet local Smi, 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 Berlevag. On the way, we pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.

We call at Batsfjord and Vardo in the night, 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.

By the time we reach Kirkenes after breakfast, youll have travelled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. Youll have a choice of optional excursions to explore the area.

Journeys turning point
Kirkenes is where your Norwegian coastal cruise changes direction and the ship heads south. Several of the places we sailed to during the night well now see during the day.

Back in Vardo, you can visit the solemn Witches Monument and the star-shaped Vardohus 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 Batsfjord and then make for Berlevag for late evening, crossing paths with the northbound ship.

We make stops at Mehamn and Kjollefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvag and Havoysund.
In the early afternoon, youll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the worlds 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 Norways coastline south to Oksfjord and then to Skjervoy, surrounded by mountain peaks. Weve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.
If youre visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.

As we make our way to Tromso, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.
We dock at Tromso just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.

Today, youll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesteralen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route.

After departing Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the worlds northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula.

Next is our smallest port of call Risoyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.

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 youll 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.

Leaving Lofoten
We reach Svolvaer in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvaer 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.

The ship calls at Bodo in the small hours of the morning and then Ornes at 7am. 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 Sandnessjoen, gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.

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.

Youll 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 Bronnoysund mid-afternoon. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the centre of town is Bronnoy 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 Rorvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago.

Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norways 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 districts many chic cafs then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norways third largest city.

We dock at Kristiansunds harbour in the late afternoon. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norways Bacalao Capital for the salted cod thats 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.

Our Norwegian coastal cruise together, at least this time, will reach its end later today. During the previous night, well call at Alesund and Torvik. On our approach to Maloy, you might catch a glimpse of the northbound Coastal Express if youre up early enough.

Youll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europes largest.
The ship then docks at Floro in the morning where you can take in the harbour and marina.

Leaving Floro, youll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite subject for photographers. Theres 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. Sadly, its time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests.