Svalbard, Arctic Norway & the Midnight Sun

A picturesque town, known for its love of jazz, Molde is located alongside the Romsdalsfjord. From here, the Atlantic Ocean Road, linking Molde with Kristiansund stretches for eight kilometres through beautiful rocky coastlines, over the sea and through the surrounding mountains, featuring incredible bridges and architecture.

Located on the island of Torget, Torghatten Mountain is one of Norway's most astonishing natural wonders. Known affectionately as 'the mountain with the hole', Torghatten is famous for the huge hole which strikes right through the middle of it. Formed during the Scandinavian Ice Age, looser sediment and rock were eroded, but the harder rock at the top of the mountain remained, creating the distinctive hole. There are also one or two folklore tales about how the hole was formed!

Forming a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sisters mountain range is an awe-inspring backdrop to a myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes. Standing 1,000 feet above the shoreline, these striking peaks are perhaps best observed in all their glory from your cruise ship. It is possible to climb them, and to learn the legend of the trolls who were turned to stone!

Embarking on the maritime tradition of crossing the Arctic Circle is a cherished experience for guests and crew alike. This momentous occasion, often announced by our Captain, invites you to venture out on deck and celebrate. You may choose to participate in a ceremonial ritual, complete with optional 'baptisms', where ice-cold water is poured down your back, or simply delight in the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

Known as ‘Blue Town’, the unique town of Sortland was given its nickname due to its buildings being almost entirely painted in varying shades of blue, chosen by local artist Bjorn Elvenes, to represent Sortland's maritime and fishing heritage. The surrounding waters of the town are teeming with various species of fish, seabirds, seals and whales; and rugged, unspoilt landscapes are the town's backdrop.

Recognised as the world’s most northerly urban town, Hammerfest is also one of Norway’s oldest towns. Despite being virtually destructed by the Nazis during the Second World War, Hammerfest retains many colourful houses from the 1950’s. Thanks to its northerly location, the town experiences the phenomenon of the ‘midnight sun’ during the summer months, and the chance to see the Northern Lights in winter. Hammerfest is home to elk, reindeer, eagles and many cetaceans.

Located deep within the Arctic Circle, Longyearbyen is seen as the world’s most northernmost town, and is surrounded by incredible Norwegian Arctic wilderness. The sun doesn’t set here in the summer months, and is the gateway to many Arctic adventures in Svalbard. Home to reindeer, arctic fox, and a range of cetaceans, Longyearbyen is the perfect place for observing wildlife in its natural habitat.

During winter, the ice-covered seas around Tromsø are filled with hundreds of whales, as they go in search of food and breeding grounds. One of the main reasons they visit this area is for the abundance of herring in the waters. Tromsø is also well-known for its husky sledding, where these magnificent creatures pull sleds through the snowy countryside. It's also possible to see the other-wordly Northern Lights as they dance and flicker in the skies above northern Norway's largest city. 

Often referred to as the Atlantic City, due to its close proximity to one of the world's most scenic roadways, the Atlantic Road, Kristiansund is home to much of Norway’s most iconic modern architecture. The Atlantic Road is a true feat of engineering, offering breath-taking scenery and culture at every point, as it snakes over a series of small islands, spanned by a total of eight bridges.