Welcome to Norway! You'll arrive in Bergen, a beautiful city on the west coast of Norway, and make your own way to the hotel. Admire views of the majestic peaks that famously surround the city, giving Bergen its nickname, “The City of Seven Mountains”. 

What began as a small village was developed by King Olav Kyree in 1070 AD and is now Norway’s second largest city. Nestled in the centre is Vågen Bay, the historic core of the city, and home to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter. There, you can wander down charming cobblestone streets and peruse local boutique shops. Across from Bryggen, you’ll find the fish market, which cooks up fresh and delicious seafood dishes to feast on. 

As you’re here in the summer, the days are long, giving you more hours of daylight to explore this historic city. One of the seven mountains in Bergen’s nickname is Mount Fløyen, accessible by walking up or taking the Fløibanen funicular. At the top, enjoy some stunning views of the city and nearby peaks.  

Reward yourself and your thirst with some local 7 Fjell beer, before going to your hotel to get some rest, ready to embark on your Svalbard Express voyage the next day. 

*Please note that if the date you make your booking is less than 90 days before your chosen departure date, your voyage will start on Day 2 in Bergen.

Our first port of call is Åndalsnes, located along Isfjord at the end of Romsdalfjord. 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, Romsdalfjord, 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. Go on a RIB tour to Raftsundet, or 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 young city, having only been declared as such in 1996, and it remains one of Norway’s smallest cities today. 

You have several optional excursions to pick from here. These could include king crab fishing, meeting an indigenous Sámi family, birdwatching, or a guided tour of what life is like at 71°N. 

Honningsvåg is also the gateway to the North Cape, the famed “northernmost point of Europe”. The plateau stands 307 metres 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 a top the soaring cliffs, watching the waves crash against the rocks below. 

Standing proudly on top of one of the cliffs is an iconic globe monument which invites all visitors to take a quick selfie. Selfie sorted, you’ll also want to visit North Cape Hall, which has a variety of exhibits and a short film that tells of the cape’s history. 

Sailing away from Honningsvåg, we’ll enjoy dramatic views of the plateau from the sea. The ship will head further into the Barents Sea, leaving mainland Norway’s coast far behind us. 

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.   

Take a moment to just be here, now, in Svalbard. You’re at a latitude more than 78°N and under 820 miles / 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.  

We find Longyearbyen nestled on the banks of a sweeping, large fjord. It is the biggest settlement in Svalbard and pegged as the world’s northernmost settlement with a population greater than 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 travellers, as well as scientists and engineers attached to local research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.  

Spend some time strolling around the town, admiring its collection of galleries, pubs, restaurants, brewery, and the notable North Pole Expedition Museum. You’ll also have optional excursions to pick from that bring you into the awe-inspiring landscapes surrounding Longyearbyen. Ever tried dog sledding without snow? This is your chance. 

Unfortunately, it’s time for us to say farewell to Svalbard and to Spitsbergen and sail south back to mainland Norway.

Use this day to relax aboard the ship. If the skies are clear, enjoy some summer sun on deck and keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Or if it’s not too warm out, head to the sauna for a steam.

Catch a lecture from the Coastal Experience Team for fascinating insight into local history and wildlife. They may also offer a photography workshop to help sharpen your eye to capture stunning shots in the days to come.

Enjoy the sumptuous food and drinks on board, courtesy of our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept that features the most flavorful local Norwegian produce. Treat yourself to tastings of regional specialties or demonstrations by our skilled onboard chefs in the show kitchen.

You could also curl up with a good book in the lounge or chat with new-found friends in the bar while reminiscing about your favorite experiences of the cruise so far.

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 Askla. We’ll offload any cargo here as well guests who are joining excursions.

The magnificent Hjørundfjord stands some 5,570 feet high near Ålesund, cutting through the peaks of the Sunmøre Alps. Its picture-perfect position embedded in the Sunnmøre Alps means it is the area’s hidden gem that most other ships never see.

Those who discover Hjørundfjord rank it as a serious contender for their favorite fjord in Norway. Its deep blue waters and verdant mountainsides seem perfectly proportionate and aligned, as if sculpted deliberately by nature’s artistry.

On the western banks of one of Hjørundfjord’s branches is the idyllic village of Sæbø. This is where the ship picks up the guests who left the ship at Ålesund for an excursion.

We are fast approaching the last day of our cruise. While bittersweet, what better way to celebrate our Svalbard Express experience than a merry farewell dinner on our last night. It’ll also be a chance to look back at the many highlights of the journey we shared together.