Our first port of call is Åndalsnes, located along Isfjord at the end of Romsdalsfjord. After docking in the morning in the town center, you can explore this picturesque coastal town, home to about 2,000 people.

From 1838 until 1964, the village of Åndalsnes served as the administrative center of the old municipality of Grytten and was completely rebuilt after an attack during World War II. Åndalsnes is now a modern town (it even has its own newspaper) in one of Norway’s most stunning natural locations.

The highlights (literally) of Åndalsnes are the mountains that tower over the town. Experience the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv (a love of the outdoors) through a variety of activities, such as hiking to the Rampestreken viewpoint.

For a calmer way to take in the sights, sit back on the relaxing Romsdal Gondola or travel the winding Trollstigen Pass by bus. Whichever activities you choose, today will bring you the best views of Isfjord, Romsdalsfjord, and the surrounding peaks.

Spend a full day in Vesterålen, an archipelago just northeast of Lofoten. This island chain is the namesake of our very first Coastal Express ship to sail Norway’s rugged coastline in 1893.

We’ll dock in the historic town of Stokmarknes. This town holds a special place in our hearts, being the birthplace of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express. Today, we go back to where it all began.

In 1893, in this very town, shipping pioneer Richard With founded the Original Coastal Express, revolutionizing both coastal passenger travel and Norwegian shipping. Hurtigruten quickly became a lifeline for Svalbard and Norway’s remote communities and boosted their economies by carrying exports to and from the ports.

Stokmarknes is therefore a fitting location for a museum that immortalizes our inspiring legacy. Hurtigrutemuseet can be found along the waterfront, where our retired 1956 ship, MS Finnmarken, proudly stands encased in a glass building. Here, you’ll find archives, photographs, and artifacts displayed in a range of interactive exhibitions. A guided tour will immerse you in the atmosphere of a different era as you explore the retired vessel.

Besides visiting the museum, you may be able to enjoy hiking and other activities on the islands, including a sea eagle safari in the fjord that gave MS Trollfjord its name.

Around mid-morning, we arrive at Honningsvåg, the northernmost city in mainland Norway. Honningsvåg is a fairly young city, having only been declared as such in 1996, and it remains one of Norway’s smallest.

Spend some time wandering around or head straight to Honningsvåg Church which dates back to 1885, making it the oldest building in the area. Peruse local pieces at the Once Upon A Dream art gallery or drop into the Artico Ice Bar for a drink or two on the rocks.

Honningsvåg is also the gateway to the North Cape, the famed ‘northernmost point of Europe’. The plateau stands 1007 feet above the sea, and is just over 1,000 miles south of the geographical North Pole. Take a moment to gaze out across the sea from the soaring cliffs while you watch the waves crash against the rocks below.

An iconic globe monument stands atop the cliffs, which is perfect for snapping a quick selfie. Afterwards, visit North Cape Hall, which hosts a variety of exhibits and a short film that tells the Cape’s history.

Sailing away from Honningsvåg, enjoy dramatic views of the plateau from the sea. The ship will head further into the Barents Sea, leaving mainland the Norwegian coast behind.

Today, we arrive at the Svalbard archipelago and make our way up to Spitsbergen, the largest of the three main islands. Magnificent brown and green mountains rise and ripple up from the High Arctic tundra while rivers of snow-melt trickle through the valley plains, glistening under the summer sun.

Spend a moment just taking in Svalbard. You’re at a latitude more than 78°N and less than 820 miles from the North Pole. The air is fresh and pure, and the overall temperature in summer is mild, thanks to a warm northern branch of the Gulf Stream.

You’ll disembark the ship at Longyearbyen, nestled on the banks of a sweeping fjord. It is the biggest settlement in Svalbard and pegged as the world’s northernmost settlement with a population over 1,000.

Home to some 2,000 inhabitants from across the world, it originally sprang up as a coal mining colony in 1906. Today, it is a hub for adventure travelers and scientists and engineers attached to local research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.

After transferring and checking in to your hotel, it’s then on to Camp Barentz, located at the foot of Breinosa mountain, for a true Svalbard wilderness evening. There, enjoy dinner in a cozy wooden cabin and maybe even try some bidos (a traditional, homemade Sámi stew of slow-cooked reindeer meat and vegetables).

Savor your dessert around the campfire, perhaps under the Midnight Sun. End your day admiring the mountains as we head back to your hotel in Longyearbyen.

Following breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to say farewell to Svalbard and to Spitsbergen. A transfer will take you to the airport at Longyearbyen, from where you’ll fly home.

You won’t soon forget the slices of paradise you’ve seen along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard as part of this iconic cruise. If you’ve taken in optional excursions, you will have photos of you kayaking, hiking, fishing, or cycling in some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen.

We know you’ll take fond memories home with you and we wish you a safe onward journey. This is the Svalbard Express. We hope to see you back here with us soon.