The Svalbard Line South – Longyearbyen to Bergen Cruise Itinerary
DAY 1 – Longyearbyen, Svalbard | At the edge of the world.
Welcome to Svalbard! Here, 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. Your voyage begins in the Svalbard archipelago’s largest settlement. Nestled on the banks of Isfjord, Longyearbyen is a former coal mining colony. Today, it’s better known as a hub for adventure travellers, as well as scientists and engineers attached to internationally vital research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.
DAY 2 – Ny-Ålesund | Science on the Arctic frontier
At the tip of Brøgger peninsula, on one of 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.
DAY 3 – North Sea crossing
It’s time for us to say farewell to Svalbard and to Spitsbergen and sail south to mainland Norway. On board the ship, use the day to relax. If skies are clear, enjoy some summer sun out on deck and keep on the lookout for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. For some fascinating insights into local history and wildlife, catch a lecture delivered by the Expedition Team. Enjoy the sumptuous food and drinks on board, courtesy of our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept that features the finest, most flavoursome, local Norwegian produce. You can also curl up with a good book in the lounge or chat about your hopes for the voyage ahead with new-found friends in the bar.
DAY 4 – Senja, Norway
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.
DAY 5 – Stokmarknes, Svolvær
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.
DAY 6 – Brønnøysund – Highlights of the Helgeland Coast
The ship continues south and reaches the midpoint of the Norwegian coast. This is the Helgeland Coast, a well-known stretch full of distinctive mountains that have inspired many a charming myth and local folklore. We will base the ship in the town of Brønnøysund, which features a lovely marina and a Neo-Gothic stone church from 1870. Spend your time exploring the town or join optional excursions such as a RIB cruise.
DAY 7 – Ålesund
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.
DAY 8 – Bergen
We arrive back in Bergen in the morning. It’s time to disembark the ship, but not before saying fond farewells to your fellow passengers and to the crew who made your Svalbard Line journey such a comfortable one. You’ve travelled as part of this historic, iconic voyage to pieces of paradise along the Norwegian coast you won’t soon forget. We know you’ll take fond memories of Norway’s coast and the Svalbard archipelago home with you.
