West Fjords to Lofoten

Your voyage starts in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 A.D., 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-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 Fløibanen funicular can also take you up to the top of Mount Fløyen for views of the city.

Your voyage begins

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 Experience Team, who will be your guides as we sail Norway’s coastline. They’ll organize lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.

Time in port:

• Bergen: 2:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord, near Torvik. Then we’ll sail past the West Cape for our approach to Ålesund.

Art Nouveau city

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.

Into the fjords

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.

*Note: Geirangerfjord is replaced by Hjørundfjord for the following sailings: 2024: 16th June, 27th June, 8th July, 19th July, 30th July, 10th August, 21st August 2025: 1st June, 12th June, 23rd June, 4th July, 15th July, 26th July, 6th August, 17th August, 28th August

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.

*Only on voyages departing in 2025-26. 

Mountains and roses

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’.

Time in port:

• Florø: 2:45 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

• Måløy: 5:15 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.

• Torvik: 8:20 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

• (11.01-03.31) Ålesund: 9:45 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

  • (4.1 – 5.31* & 9.1-10.31) Ålesund: 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

  • (4.1 – 5.31* & 9.1-10.31) Urke: 12:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

  • (6.1-8.31) Ålesund: 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

  • (6.1-8.31) Geiranger: 2:25 - 2:45 p.m.

• Molde: 10:35 p.m. - 11:05 p.m.

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.

Magical, medieval, and modern

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.

Back on board

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.

Time in port:

• Kristiansund: 2:45 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

• Trondheim: 9:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

• Rørvik: 9:40 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, marking the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s 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.

Forces of nature

At 10am, we call into Ørnes, near to Norway’s 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 Bodø, the second-largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world’s 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 that stretches for miles on the horizon.

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 fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer, you’ve arrived in the pretty harbor of Svolvær, the main town of the Lofoten Islands and where your voyage with us this time ends.