Norway : Romantic Full Round Voyage

You will fly to Bergen, home to the famous fjords, where you will embark the ship in the afternoon. Dine in the fine restaurant, relax in the bar and marvel at the picturesque backdrop from the Panorama Lounge as you travel past the narrow inlets and precipitous cliffs. The fjords are formed in glacial valleys and the relaxed ambience of the ship provides you with the ultimate romantic voyage.

At midday you will arrive at Ålesund, a pretty town which boasts amazing Art Nouveau architecture. Spend the afternoon sightseeing at your leisure or join one of the walking tours which will show you some of the best places of interest. Take a trip to Mount Aksla which has exceptional views or stroll around the fairytale buildings.

Today you will arrive in Trondheim where the Gothic buildings are in contrast to those in Ålesund. The medieval city of Trondheim was Norway’s first capital, here you will have the chance to explore some of the attractions such as Nidaros Cathedral, the Royal residence or the Ringve Music Museum. Later in the evening you will set sail, allowing you a further opportunity to look for the Aurora Borealis, the scientific name given to the Northern Lights.

Cross the Arctic Circle to the contemporary town of Bodø, the second largest city in Northern Norway. Although Bodø is a fairly modern city and the cathedral was built in 1956, it also lays claim to Baroque architecture and the Bodin Church which dates back to the thirteenth century. Following your time in Bodø you then cruise north to the wonderful Lofoten Islands and their capital Svolvær.

Gently unwind on the relaxing dawn voyage as you inhale the cool Norwegian air and plan the day’s adventure. In the afternoon you will alight at Tromsø which was known as ‘The Paris of the North’ during the nineteenth century. Tromsø is a lively city with countless attractions including the Polar Museum, the world’s most northerly brewery and university, but more remarkably the Northern Lights Planetarium which features shows about the local phenomenon. Brave the heights on the mountain cable car, 420 metres above sea level, to absorb the full extent of the city’s breathtaking vistas. There are numerous delightful restaurants and bars where you can recover once on terra firma.

After a brief port of call at the market town of Hammerfest you will continue on to Honningsvåg. You may want to take an optional tour to the North Cape which is mainland Europe’s northernmost locality. The incredible seascape and clear skies are ideal for viewing the Northern Lights so make sure you have your camera ready for the spectacular display.

As you near Kirkenes, a remote territory of Norway, you will notice the coastline becoming more sensational. Take a trip to the Russian border and see the Sami population of northern Finland, a mere ten kilometres away, before heading south. This will now allow you the chance to see the ports you visited at night during the daytime.

It is from Kirkenes that you will start your voyage back to Tromsø. Depart Kirkenes and arrive at Hammerfest for your first key stop. There is charming uncultivated countryside, fascinating history and most importantly, friendly people who are well known for their warmth and hospitality. Once in Tromsø there will be the chance to attend the midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral.

Appreciate the tranquil setting of the Lofoten Islands as you sail through the mesmerising network of inlets and isles, set apart by the humbling mountains where the archipelagos are a traditional region of Nordland. In the evening the cruise will continue on to Svolvær before leaving the isle at Stamsund.

Sail back along the Arctic Circle and wonder as you pass through the renowned Seven Sisters peaks where an ancient Norwegian folk tale tells of trolls that turned to stone. The vessel then docks at Rørvik, which is located at the eastern part of the Vikna archipelago where you can visit one of the several museums.

An early arrival at Trondheim allows you plenty of time to further explore the city before continuing on to Kristiansund and Molde, passing by Hitra Island which is the largest island in Norway south of the Arctic Circle. The ship will make a midnight stop at Ålesund and as this is your last night of your cruise we sincerely hope that you have had the fortune to romanticise at the wondrous Aurora Borealis.