Arctic Norway Frontier - Svalbard, Fjords & Oslo

Welcome to Svalbard, where rugged brown and green mountains ripple up from the Arctic tundra and snowmelt rivers glisten under the summer sun. 

Your journey begins in Longyearbyen, the Svalbard archipelago’s largest settlement. Once a coal mining colony, it’s now a lively hub for adventurers, scientists and engineers working on world-renowned research projects such as the Global Seed Vault. 

You’ll be transferred from the airport to your hotel Funken Lodge for check-in. If you have the time, explore the surrounding area or simply relax before your first activity. 

In the early evening, a bus collects you for a short 10–15 minute drive through the vast Adventdalen (Advent Valley) to Camp Barentz – a cluster of cabins, including a replica of the one where Willem Barentz, Svalbard’s discoverer, overwintered in 1596. 

You’ll be greeted by your knowledgeable host, who’ll be armed with polar bear protection, and welcomed into the warmth of the firelit cabin. Over drinks, homemade reindeer bidos, coffee, and dessert you’ll learn fascinating facts and stories about the ‘King of the Arctic.’ Afterwards, step outside to photograph the wild landscape, perhaps spotting reindeer, grouse or foxes before returning to your hotel in Longyearbyen.

Today you’ll go on an unforgettable Wildlife and Glacier tour. After breakfast, a bus will take us to the harbour, where the hybrid electric catamaran MS Bard awaits. For the next few hours you’ll experience Svalbard's beautiful scenery up close, all while minimizing wildlife disturbance thanks to the vessel's quiet propulsion. 

We’ll glide silently along the ice edge of Billefjorden, taking in the breathtaking Nordenskiöldbreen glacier and the ghost town of Pyramiden. Enjoy spacious outdoor decks and panoramic windows for spectacular views. After this special cruise, there’s time to relax and perhaps explore the town on your own. 

In the evening we’ll enjoy the delicious ´Full Experience´ dinner at Funken Lodge. The restaurant here provides a fine dining experience that is unmatched in Longyearbyen, with the kitchen presenting intriguing flavour combinations inspired by international cuisine. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience while admiring the amazing views over Longyearbyen. 

After breakfast there is still some time left before you are transferred in the afternoon to the ship.  

Spend this time however you like and at your own pace. But whatever you do, take a moment to just be here, now, in Svalbard. You’re at a latitude more than 78°N and under 1,500 kilometres from the North Pole itself. The air of this Arctic desert is fresh and pure, and temperatures in summer average between zero and eight degrees Celsius thanks to a warm northern branch of the Gulf Stream.  

In the evening, your ship will cast off from Longyearbyen and your sea voyage begins. Get settled into your cabin, and with the sun still high in the sky, watch Longyearbyen retreat into the horizon as you sail away into the spectacular Isfjord and head even further north. 

At the tip of the Brøgger peninsula, on one of the Kongsfjord’s shores, is Ny-Ålesund. Like Longyearbyen, it began as a coal mine but became host to scientific stations from the mid 20th century. During the summer, there are over a hundred researchers based in the town, representing 20 glaciology and climate institutes from more than 10 countries. 

Wander around what is one of the northernmost settlements in the world, drop in at the local museum and souvenir shop, or send a far-flung postcard back to friends and family from the small post office. Be aware that due to the sensitive scientific instruments this is a ‘radio silence’ zone, meaning mobile phones must be turned off. Finally, you will get to experience pure peace!

If you weren’t up in time to enjoy the impressive views of Kongsfjord on the way to Ny-Ålesund, make sure you’re on deck as we leave. It’s one of the largest fjords in the area, with an entrance guarded by two colossal creaking glaciers that regularly deposit ice into the fjord. 

This stretch is also a good place to look out for walrus basking on the shores and for many different species of migrating birds, including puffins, king eiders, pink-footed geese, and guillemots. 

Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer can sometimes be spotted on land, while the white beluga whale has been known to surface in the waters here too. If we’re lucky, we might even see a polar bear prowling the coast searching for prey. 

Leaving Ny-Ålesund, we turn the ship around and begin to head out across the Barents Sea in the direction of mainland Norway.  

Today is a day at sea – a chance to slow down and simply enjoy life on board. If the weather is kind, step out on deck to soak up the Arctic summer light and keep an eye out for whales, dolphins or other sea life breaking the surface. 

Join one of the Expedition Team’s talks in the main hall for fascinating stories of Norway’s history, culture and wildlife, or unwind with a drink and good conversation in the bar. 

Meals on board celebrate Norway’s Coastal Kitchen, showcasing fresh local ingredients and authentic regional flavours. Later, you might find a quiet corner in the lounge, book in hand, as the ship glides steadily south.

After a day at sea, we arrive in mainland Norway. 

Our first stop of the day is Tromsø, to drop off any cargo from Svalbard and pick up cargo bound for ports to the south, before we continue south to Senja. The island is one of the country’s largest, and northern Norway’s fast-rising star destination, as you’d expect for a place ranked among CNN’s top ten most beautiful islands in the world. 

Often proudly described by locals as a ‘mini Norway’, Senja has a concentration of diverse landscapes that mirror different parts of the Norwegian coast, from the sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lofty mountains of its northern coast to the rocky coastline and pine forests of southern Senja and Ånderdalen National Park. You'll find rolling hills and birch forests to the east. 

Disembark in the charming fishing village of Torsken and explore by bus, e-bike, on foot, or take to the fjords on a wildlife safari on one of the optional excursions. 

Start the day with a few hours in Stokmarknes, an historic town with a special place in our hearts. It’s the birthplace of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express. 

It’s a fitting place for the Hurtigruten Museum, where you are immersed in the atmosphere of a different era on our retired 1956 ship, MS Finnmarken, proudly encased in glass on the waterfront. 

After Stokmarknes, we’ll sail via Raftsundet and Trollfjord to Lofoten. The rest of the day is all about exploring this breathtaking archipelago. Hailed as one of the most spectacular areas in all of Norway, you’ll understand why as you see its jagged green cliffs rise dramatically out of the ocean, climbing high into the sky like giant teeth. 

The beating heart of the archipelago is the town of Svolvær where your ship will be based. There are shops and restaurants to enjoy, and the hours can be spent exploring and getting to know the town yourself. 

To experience the mountains, islands, and villages around Svolvær, choose from a variety of handpicked top Lofoten excursions. You can go fishing, kayaking, or sit back and enjoy the incredible scenery on foot or on a bus tour. 

From the Lofoten Islands, we head south across the open sea and the Arctic Circle. Soak up the ocean views from the deck or simply soak in the hot tub. You’ll catch sight of the beautiful Norwegian coast again about an hour before we arrive in Bessaker, a small village in Trøndelag county.    

We’ll spend the afternoon at Bessaker. Home to just 200 residents, it’s known for its excellent fishing opportunities and the surrounding waters boast plenty of skrei, coalfish and pollock. The annual fishing festival, held on the third weekend of July since 1979, attracts thousands of visitors.  

Explore Bessaker and its impressive natural surroundings at your own pace – you can expect live music, a warm welcome in the museum and tasty coffee and cake in the local pub and cafe to be waiting for you – or opt to join a hike, go on a bus tour to a local organic farm, sail on a nostalgic cutter fishing boat, or enjoy a guided e-bike tour.

The ship will make a brief stop in the town of Ålesund, known for its Art Nouveau architecture and picturesque position on a peninsula below Mount Aksla. If you’re joining the overland excursion to Hjørundfjord and Sæbo, this is where you disembark, or you can explore the town on foot. Near to Ålesund, cutting through the peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, some 1,700 metres high, is magnificent Hjørundfjord. Its picture-perfect position embedded in the Sunnmøre Alps means it is the area’s hidden gem and a secret from most other ships. 

On the banks of one of Hjørundfjord’s branches is the idyllic village of Sæbø. It's a beautiful spot to enjoy at your own pace – but don’t miss the free concert in the church. You can see more of the area on an optional guided walk through the beautiful scenery of the Urke Valley.    

We are fast approaching the last day of our sea voyage. What better way to celebrate our Svalbard Line experience than a farewell dinner on our last night.

We arrive in Bergen early in the morning. After one last hearty breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell – to the ship, the crew who made your Svalbard Line voyage so memorable, and the fellow travellers who shared it with you. Together, you’ve journeyed along Norway’s legendary coast, through landscapes that linger as memories forever. 

But your adventure isn’t over. A transfer will take you to your hotel in the heart of Bergen, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by the city’s impressive history and charm. 

Founded in 1070 CE, Bergen still wears its heritage proudly. Wander through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district, where colourful wooden wharfs recall the city’s Hanseatic past. Explore cobbled alleyways, stop by a cosy café, or ride the Fløibanen funicular for sweeping views of the city and sea. Don’t miss the lively fish market – alive with the scents and sounds of Norway’s famous coastal tradition. 

After breakfast a transfer bus will bring you to the train station where you start your captivating rail journey through the breathtaking landscapes of western Norway. Sit back and enjoy panoramic views of cascading waterfalls, deep fjords, and stunning nature. 

You arrive in Voss after a good hour's drive and change from Bergen train to a bus. This bus trip is through the heart of Norway's fjord country. Along the route you will see stunning vistas of lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and towering cliffs. During the summer season, there will be a photo stop at Stalheim, overlooking the stunning Nærøydalen valley.   

After a drive you arrive in Gudvangen. Gudvangen is a tiny village nestled in the Nærøyfjord. It is the starting point for your fjord cruise and boasts an authentic Viking village, Njardarheim.  

The UNESCO Nærøyfjord cruise takes the form of a remarkable electric boat ride through the awe-inspiring beauty of the Nærøyfjord, a designated World Heritage site. In the narrow and stunning fjord, you will be treated to breathtaking views of towering cliffs, pristine waters, and charming villages. A truly unforgettable journey, lasting around two hours, end in Flåm, a small fjord village in the Aurlandsfjord.

After checking in at your hotel you can spend the rest of the day however you like. Either with a nice hike, a visit to the railway museum, and then enjoying a delicious cold beer at the local brewery.

Today, another highlight awaits you. The famous Flåm Railway is one of the most incredible railway journeys in the world. The scenic railway takes you on a captivating journey with unrivalled views of cascading waterfalls, deep ravines and lush landscapes along the way. 

The journey takes around an hour and ends in Myrdal, where you change again to the Bergen train - with Oslo as your final destination. 

Sadly, today is the end of the tour. You’re travelled all the way from Longyearbyen on a combination of ships, trains and even an electric catamaran, but now it’s time to say goodbye, but not without a last delicious breakfast at your hotel.  

We know you’ll have had an amazing experience exploring Norway and Svalbard with us and we hope that we see you again in the future.