THE ITINERARY

Norwegian Coastal Voyage … the world’s most beautiful voyage

Calling at 34 ports during the round trip from Bergen back to Bergen (we will only be doing the second half, as described below), the Norwegian Coastal Voyage is the lifeline along a stretch of coast, characterised by its tremendous distances, scattered settlements and dramatic scenery. The Norwegian Coastal Voyage has always been there, has always arrived and has always been reliable for more than 100 years. The Voyage today is a fascinating mixture of first-class passenger vessels like MS Midnatsol and local working ships. Every day of the year, a Coastal ship leaves Bergen on the 11 night voyage to Kirkenes and back.

 

This day-by-day overview will give you a taste of what lies ahead of you on the journey. There’s everything from lush scenery to rugged landscapes, small fishing stations to large towns, the open ocean and narrow straits.

 

Monday 19 April, 1:30 pm:  Kirkenes - Berlevåg
Kirkenes is the starting point of the journey. In Vardø, the most easterly town in Norway, we find the charming Vardøhus fort and sail further along the Varanger peninsula before arriving in Båtsfjord later that evening. The ship then continues on to Berlevåg as night falls.

Tuesday 20 April:  Mehamn - Hammerfest - Tromsø
We visit Honningsvåg in the morning and then sail on to Øksfjord via Hammerfest and the Sørøysundet strait. Setting a course across the open sea of Lopphavet, the ship then sails into calm waters as we near Skjervøy and Tromsø.

Wednesday 21 April:  Tromsø - Stamsund
We sail through the narrow Risøyrenna strait after departing Harstad. We call at Stokmarknes where the Norwegian Coastal Voyage museum is located, and Vesterålen with the famous Raftsund strait before arriving in Svolvær and Stamsund with the Lofot Wall as a dramatic backdrop. Late that evening the ship sets sail for Vest fjord, heading towards Bodø.

 

Thursday 22 April:  Bodø - Rørvik
We sail through narrow straits, past fertile farmland before once again crossing the Arctic Circle. The ship sails along the picturesque and legendary coast of Helgeland, which features the Seven Sisters mountain chain and the equally famous Torghatten mountain.

 

Friday 23 April:  Trondheim - Molde
Munkholmen Island marks the way to Trondheim and the city’s many attractions. Then we sail out of the fjord and set a course to the southwest along scenic Hitra and the open sea of Hustadvika before sailing into Molde with the impressive Romsdal Alps on the starboard side.

 

Saturday 24 April:  Ålesund - Bergen
We sail past breathtaking scenery with fjord mouths and fertile, picturesque skerries such as Øygarden before the ship turns east and begins the final part of its journey into Bergen, arriving there at 2:30 pm.