Hunt for Norway's Northern Lights with expedition photographer Doug Allan

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Bergen

   Bergen, Norway

   Your voyage begins today in Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and the gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen is full of wonderful architecture and was the capital of Norway for several years.

   If you've time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO-listed wharfs of the colourful Bryggen district, now an artisan quarter complete with cobblestoned streets. Just across the street is the famous Fish Market where you can sample some delicious local seafood. There's also the Fløibanen funicular which will whizz you up to the top of Mount Fløyen for panoramic views of the city.

2. Day

   2

   Florø to Molde

   Florø, Norway

   If you wake up early the next day, you have the chance to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. As you sail past the West Cape, you are out on the open sea. The ship then navigates through skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund.

   Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, much of which was added to the city after a devastating fire that burned a large proportion of the city to the ground in 1904. Ålesund is also home to Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europe's largest saltwater aquariums, which you'll have a chance to visit.

3. Day

   3

   Kristiansund to Rørvik

   Kristiansund, Norway

   Today, after breakfast, you'll sail into Trondheim, a fascinating city founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997. Trondheim today is a unique mix of the ancient and modern, with historic buildings and a vibrant student population.

   A must-see in the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed 'Norway's Notre Dame' for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace where Norway's crown jewels are on display.

   Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over the Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighbourhood's colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the river's edge now house a variety of eateries. Up from Bakklandet you'll find the intriguing Kristiansten Fort, which offers beautiful panoramas of the city and fjord.

4. Day

   4

   Brønnøysund to Svolvær

   Svolvær, Norway

   Early this morning, you'll cross the Arctic Circle, marking the moment with a traditional ceremony on board. Once above the Arctic Circle, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.

   Your first stop will be into Ørnes, close to Norway's second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the Love Bench where sweethearts have declared their lasting romance with a padlock.

   You'll then sail to Bodø, the second-largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world's most powerful maelstrom.

   In the afternoon, the ship will sail into the Lofoten archipelago and to Stamsund, a fishing village which is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands.

   Sailing onwards in the evening, you'll see rows of traditional fisherman's huts on stilts, known as rorbuer, letting you know you've arrived in the pretty harbour of Svolvær.

5. Day

   5

   Stokmarknes to Skjervøy

   Skjervøy, Norway

   This morning the ship will dock into Harstad, where you can enjoy a peaceful early morning stroll around town.

   The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins.

   It's then on to Tromsø, `Capital of the Arctic', where you'll have the chance to join an optional 'Polar History' guided walk through the city of Tromsø, visit the Polar Museum and taste local beer at the city's oldest pub.

   Afterwards, take your pick from the many cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns and innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

6. Day

   6

   Øksfjord to Berlevåg

   Berlevåg, Norway

   Early this morning, your ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya. Later, you'll sail to Honningsvåg, portal to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe.

   Near the entrance of Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi.

   In the evening, you'll reach your northernmost port of call, Mehamn. You'll then set sail for Berlevåg. On the way, you will pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth.

7. Day

   7

   Båtsfjord to Kirkenes

   Kirkenes, Norway

   This morning you'll arrive in Vadsø. Watch for hooded crows and sea eagles as you sail - this is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west.

   You can also visit the solemn Witches' Monument and the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day.

   By the time you reach Kirkenes after breakfast, you'll have travelled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. This is also where your Norwegian cruise changes direction, sailing south along the coast and visiting many of the places you sailed through at night during the day.

8. Day

   8

   Mehamn to Tromsø

   Tromsø, Norway

   Today you'll make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund.

   In the early afternoon, you'll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population of the world's northernmost settlements. See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.

   You'll then continue cruising Norway's coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks, an important fishing port where Hurtigruten ships have been docking since 1896.

   You might spot the majestic orcas and humpback whales who gather here to feed on herring.

9. Day

   9

   Tromsø to Stamsund

   Stamsund, Norway

   Today you'll explore the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen.

   After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world's northernmost mediaeval stone church, sits on the peninsula.

   Next is the smallest port of call, Risøyhamn, and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.

   Next, sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord, if the weather allows, where mountain walls will look so close you'll think you can reach out and brush them. To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.

10. Day

    10

    Bodø to Rørvik

    Rørvik, Norway

    This morning you'll cross back over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Commemorate the moment with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol' Norwegian cod liver oil.

    You'll then make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen, the gateway to the spectacular Helgeland Coast.

    Here, you can admire the magnificent landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with its towing peaks. According to legend, seven beautiful troll princesses, fleeing by night from an unwanted suitor, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into these seven beautiful mountains.

    You'll reach Brønnøysund in the mid-afternoon, where you can explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the centre of town is Brønnøy Church, a beautiful stone church built in the Neo-Gothic style and dating back to 1870.

    Your last stop of the day is the cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago.

11. Day

    11

    Trondheim to Ålesund

    Ålesund, Norway

    This morning you'll sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway's smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde.

    Stroll around Trondheim in the early morning as the city wakes. Visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav. Then, walk to Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over Nid River.

    Treat yourself to quality coffee and a Nordic patisserie in one of the Bakklandet district's many chic cafés then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norway's third largest city.

    You'll dock at Kristiansund's harbour in the late afternoon. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway's 'Bacalao Capital' for the salted cod that's dried on the surrounding cliffs, called klippfisk in Norwegian.

    Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port. You can also head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a lovely panorama.

12. Day

    12

    Bergen

    Bergen, Norway

    This morning you'll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe's largest, before the ship then docks at Florø, where you can take in the harbour and marina.

    Leaving Florø, you'll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite subject for photographers. There are also stunning views to enjoy as you cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway.

    As you reach our final port in the afternoon, the ship will navigate through the last islands and skerries of our Norway scenic route, and sail down Hjeltefjord to arrive into Bergen, where it's time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests.