The Svalbard Express – Northbound

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

A transfer from the airport takes you directly to our comfortable guest lounge at the Bergen Terminal. Here, you can sample finger-food from our Norway's Coastal Kitchen and talk to staff about securing a spot on any optional excursions still available.  

Once we've welcomed you aboard MS Trollfjord, you'll meet your ship's Coastal Experience Team, who will be your guides and hosts to the Norwegian coastline and Svalbard. Get acquainted with your shipmates, and take some time to get comfortable in your new home-away-from-home. 

Enjoy your first meal aboard the ship, and watch the row of colourful buildings on the seafront get smaller behind you as you sail into the Norwegian Sea. 

Located along Isfjord at the end of Romsdalfjord, Åndalsnes is our first port of call. After docking in the morning in the town centre, you'll get the chance to explore this picturesque coastal town, home to about 2,000 people. 

From 1838 until 1964, the village of Åndalsnes served as the administrative centre of the old municipality of Grytten, during which time it had to be completely rebuilt after an attack during World War II. Now, Åndalsnes is a modern town with its own local newspaper, in one of Norway's most stunning natural locations. 

The literal highlights 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 Rampestreken viewpoint. 

For a more sedate way to take in the sights, sit back for a relaxing ride on the Romsdal Gondola or travel the winding Trollstigen Pass by bus. Whichever activities you choose, this day will bring you the best views of Isfjord and Romsdalfjord, and the surrounding peaks. 

We'll sail along the coast of the Helgeland region in the morning. When you see islands rising out of the water in the distance, you'll know we're almost at our next destination. 

Træna is an archipelago that sits at the edge of the Arctic Circle, 33 nautical miles northwest of the mainland. Made up of around 500 islands, islets and skerries, with only four inhabited year-round, Træna is a quiet municipality, with birdlife thriving on the mostly uninhabited isles.  

Though small, this archipelago has a long history, with archaeological finds indicating that the islands have been inhabited since the Stone Age. Some of these ancient relics have been found in a cave on the island of Sanna, which is now used as a venue for an annual music festival. 

Spend the afternoon in one of Norway's oldest fishing communities. If weather permits, you might be able to enjoy such activities as hiking and biking, or even island hopping. 

With a large population of Sea Eagles, birdwatching is another activity you won't want to miss. For a truly authentic experience, step into the age-old shoes of a Norwegian fisherman, and cast a line under the summer sun. 

When it's time to leave in the evening, take some time to rest onboard and unwind. We'll cross the Arctic Circle as we continue heading north, commemorating the moment with a little Norwegian ceremony. 

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 right back to where it all began.  

In 1893, in this very town, shipping pioneer Richard With founded the Original Coastal Express, revolutionising coastal passenger travel, as well as Norwegian shipping. Before long, Hurtigruten had become a lifeline for Svalbard and Norway's other remote communities, boosting their economy by carrying exports to and from the ports. 

Stokmarknes is therefore a fitting location for a museum that immortalises 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 artefacts displayed throughout a range of interactive exhibitions. On a guided tour, you'll be immersed 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 your ship MS Trollfjord its name. 

On Averøya, the northernmost island of the archipelago, you might see whales in the nearby waters, and taste flavourful dishes paired with fine wine at Kvitnes Gård. This gourmet farm restaurant pays homage to the coast by using local ingredients to make each course, which is then served artistically on locally-made plates. 

Tromsø is Northern Norway's urban Arctic hotspot, boasting impressive architecture, hip restaurants, and the world's northernmost university. Rich in polar history, it makes for a natural stopping point before we go further north and into the High Arctic.   

This modern city has a long legacy, with artefacts being found nearby that date back to the Ice Age. The city grew in importance after being declared a kjøpstad, or “market town” in 1794, despite only being home to 80 people. It became a centre of Arctic hunting in the mid-1800s, and by the end of the 19th century, Tromsø was an established Arctic trade centre. 

We aim to dock here in the morning, giving you a whole day to explore this historic Arctic city and its surroundings. Learn more about the culture and polar history of Tromsø on a city walk. Or go watch graceful seals at the Polaria centre, one of the world's northernmost aquariums where you can see various species of Arctic marine life up close.  

There may also be an option to visit the striking Arctic Cathedral which has an impressively large multi-coloured stained-glass window. Or towering over Tromsø is Storsteinen Mountain, accessible via Fjellheisen Cable Car for exceptionally beautiful views of the city, mountains, and fjords. 

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 cities today. 

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 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. 

The southernmost island of the Svalbard archipelago, Bjørnøya sits just past the halfway point between mainland Norway and Spitsbergen. We'll be viewing this inaccessible land from the ship in the afternoon, so think of this as the prologue to your Svalbard adventure. 

Upon seeing the island, you might notice the lack of trees, and even bushes. Very little grows here, with the land partly being covered only by a layer of moss and lichen. Whatever does grow here is fertilised by the abundant birdlife that nests on the sea cliffs. Get your camera ready to capture Little Auks, Puffins, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Northern Fulmars flying over dramatic cliff tops and steep slopes, alongside many other seabird species. 

Contrary to its name, which means “Bear Island”, the only native mammals are Arctic foxes. The island was named after a polar bear was spotted swimming in the waters nearby, but this is an unlikely sight this far south.  

Aboard the ship, you can learn about Bjørnøya's history through polar history lectures. You might find out about the historic expeditions that led to its discovery, and the subsequent claims that various countries have made to the island. Discover the strategic importance of this unreachable sanctuary, and the role Bjørnøya played in World War II. 

Sailing on from Bjørnøya, continue to make use of MS Trollfjord's various onboard facilities to relax, such as the sauna, fitness room, or outside hot tubs. There will also be a photography workshop today to get your camera eye and lens in focus to best capture the wildlife and wilderness awaiting us in Svalbard. 

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 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, 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.  

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 cosy wooden cabin and maybe even try some bidos – a traditional, homemade Sámi stew of slow-cooked reindeer meat and vegetables.  

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

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be off on a mini adventure aboard hybrid-electric catamaran MS Bard. Make the most of the summer climate to take a tour on the water of Spitsbergen's magnificent landscapes at Billefjord and Nordenskiöldbreen.  

MS Bard is a groundbreaking new catamaran for day cruises. Whenever it approaches glaciers, wildlife, or settlements, it will run silently on electric propulsion. This together with its specially designed propellers create minimal noise and vibration so as not to disturb Arctic wildlife.  

Early in the season, there might still be ice in Billefjord. Switching to the boat's electric motor, we'll carefully and silently follow the ice edge, on the lookout for seabirds, walrus, and seals. You'll also be able to enjoy views of the beautiful and vast Nordenskiöld glacier which crumbles icebergs into the fjord.  

Along the way, you can spot abandoned Soviet coal mining town Pyramiden in the distance, so named after the shape of a nearby mountain. While a ghost town for many years, there have been recent attempts by various individuals to repopulate the area. 

On the outer park of Billefjord is Skansbukta, another small settlement and gypsum mine lost to time under the impressive cliffs. MS Bard will also sail past Svenskhuset, the oldest standing building on Spitsbergen and site of tragic lead poisoning in tinned food that claimed the lives of 17 hunters and sailors. 

Admiring the views of the fjord, glacier, mountains, and Arctic flora in bloom, you'll make your way back to Longyearbyen on MS Bard to spend the night at your hotel.   

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've travelled as part of this historic, iconic voyage to pieces of paradise along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard you won't soon forget. If you've engaged in optional excursions, will you have photos to share of you kayaking, hiking, fishing, cycling in some of the most beautiful scenery ever seen?  

We know you'll take fond memories home with you and we wish you a safe onward journey. This has been The Svalbard Express. We hope to see you back here with us soon.