Bergen is the bustling capital of Norway's fjord district. If you arrive a few hours before departure, stroll around the old wooden buildings in the Bryggen Wharf, remnants of its Hanseatic past.

In travel's early days, it was easier to get from Bergen to the Continent by sea than it was to get to Oslo-a fact apparent in this city's architecture and culture. You board the Norwegian Coastal Voyage this evening.

During the morning, the ship crosses the open Stadthavet and heads for Torvik. En route, the ship calls at the beautiful Art Nouveau town of Ålesund where you have the option to explore this pretty town on a walking tour.

Optional shore excursion: Art Nouveau Tour, Ålesund

Continuing north the ship arrives early at the medieval city of Trondheim, where you have time to explore Norway's first capital.

Did you know that the first Viking sale of goods from "the new found land" took place here around 1000 AD? Timber from Leiv Eriksson's Vinland estate was sold to a Bremen merchant.

Walk the charming streets, sit by the peaceful harbour, or cross the old city bridge to see the restored wooden buildings in Bakklandet and the great gothic cathedral of Nidaros, where the new kings of old Norway once received their official blessing.

From Trondheim, the ship cruises on to Rorvik, where southbound and northbound coastal ships meet. 

Optional shore excursions: Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve, Trondheim & Nidaros Cathedral, Sverresborg - Trøndelag Folk Museum

Crossing the Arctic Circle. On your portside the globe on the island of Vikingen serves as a marker, you continue to the modern town of Bodø before sailing to the glorious Lofoten Islands and their stylish capital, Svolvær.

Optional shore excursion: Lofoten Viking Feast

Early morning you will pass the medieval Trondenes church before calling at Harstad for breakfast. Afterwards the ship cruises across the Vagsfjord, passed the great island of Senja with its diverse countryside of farmland, pine trees, and plunging peaks.

Later the ship calls into Tromsø, the "capital of the Arctic". Modern shops and cafes provide a vibrant contrast to the stunning stained glass of the Arctic Cathedral, whilst the Polar Museum and Polaria centre explore Arctic life over the centuries.  In the 19th century, Russian, British, Dutch, and German ships called here before heading off on Arctic expeditions or to hunt whales, walrus and seals.

Optional shore excursions: The Arctic Capital Tromsø, Husky dog Sledging, Polar History Walk

Finnmark's landscape is austere in its beauty, teeming with wildlife. Watch for rookeries of puffins and gannets along the cliffs, and pods of orca hunting for herring during the season.

After calling at Honningsvåg, the capital of the North Cape, the ship heads east towards the picturesque fishing villages of Kjøllefjord, Mehamn and Berlevåg.

Optional shore excursions:The North Cape, Scootertrip in Lapland, Kjøllefjord

The ship arrives at Honningsvåg in the early morning, stopping for 1 1/2 hours in Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town, having also called at Havøysund. Hammerfest, despite its remote location, was the first Norwegian town to have electric street lighting and its own power station also Learn more about this town and its famous Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society.

Heading south to Øksfjord, where glaciers carve directly into the sea, and after crossing open water, the ship calls at the old trading post of Skjervøy. You will dock in Tromsø just in time to savour its nightlife.

An early arrival in Trondheim gives you time to visit Norway's largest medieval church, Nidaros Cathedral, and the Archbishop's residence.

You will then sail out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past Hitra, island of deer, and lonely Grip. Towards the end of the day the ship calls at Molde before arriving in Ålesund late in the evening, in time for a stroll on shore.

Optional shore excursion.

During the night the ship will call at Torvik, Måløy and Florø as this spectacular Norwegian cruise draws to a close.

Yet still ahead are miles of breathtaking West Norway scenery: holly trees on Svanøy, the mouth of Sognefjord, and the beautiful archipelago on the approach to Bergen.

Our arrival in Bergen see's the end of this magnificient journey.

Our main 2009/10 brochure features our authentic voyages along the Norwegian Coast and Expedition Voyages to Antarctica, Greenland and Spitsbergen. Our 2009/10 Northern Lights brochure features a range of Northern Lights Cruises and Winter Adventures to Norwegian Lapland.

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