The coast of Norway is often rated as one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Discover the full range of this natural treasure on our 12-day round trip voyage. Call on 34 ports, sail world-famous fjords and encounter unforgettable scenery along the way. With over 125 years of experience, no one knows the Norwegian coastline like us. We take you to deep into the heart of Norway on an authentic coastal expedition. Norway’s iconic fjords will leave you speechless. So will the variety of the coastline, with natural wonders, charming villages, rare wildlife and fascinating history. Get front row seats to the most incredible light shows on Earth – truly an experience out of this world.
°SOL17 offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer.
Your voyage starts in the lovely city of Bergen. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD, and retains a great deal of its character, charm and history. Visit the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharfs dating back to the 14th century. After we depart, enjoy a tasty dinner buffet made from fresh coastal produce. We sail north from Bergen along the Viking route of Hjeltefjord.
We sail past West Cape for our approach to Ålesund. Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and famed Atlanterhavsparken aquarium. In the summer, we set our course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, passing sheer, 800 metre-high cliffs and dramatic waterfalls. In autumn, we explore Hjørundfjord in the majestic Sunnmøre Alps.
Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is a unique mix of the ancient and modern. Marvel at the cathedral’s exquisite works of art, architectural details and medieval statues. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the Kjeungskjær lighthouse, islets and rocky reefs. After sailing through the narrow channel of Stokksund, we head towards charming Rørvik.
Today we cross the Arctic Circle, marking your best chance to see Northern Lights in winter and experience the Midnight Sun in summer. We then sail along the beautiful coast of Helgeland to Bodø, where you can experience Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom, by small boat. As we sail through the narrow Raftsund, we stop at the entrance to Trollfjord, a dramatic natural wonder that should not be missed.
We then sail to the Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø for a prolonged stay. In winter and spring, you can complete your stay in Tromsø with a thrilling dog-sledge ride, as huskies pull you over the frozen landscape past stunning views of the snowy plateaus. The only light during the polar night comes from headlamps, the starry sky, and, if we’re lucky, the magical Northern Lights.
Enjoy magnificent landscapes as we sail to the North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent. In summer, you may see herds of reindeer and small camps of indigenous Sámi people in the area. The ship continues to Honningsvåg, from where you can join a bird-watching excursion to Gjesværstappan, home to millions of birds during nesting season. Visit Kjøllefjord, where you can learn about the Sámi way of life and hear traditional joiking (song).
We arrive early today in Vadsø before docking in Kirkenes - the ship’s turning point for the return journey. Kirkenes offers a wide range of classic winter activities, like dog-sledging, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and visiting an Arctic Ice Dome. We then cruise along Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord and Berlevåg, home to a famous male choir of local fishermen.
Around midnight we dock at Mehamn with the option to join in winter a snowmobile trip to hunt the Aurora. We again dock at Honningsvåg. The ship continues to Hammerfest, where you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column. In spring, we sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the rugged Lyngen Alps. We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral.
The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning natural scenery of the entire voyage. Lofoten is renowned for its steep mountains, sandy beaches, wild nature and picturesque fishing villages. We make a short stop at Risøyhamn, population 200, to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. We now reach spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long, 100 m wide and surrounded by majestic mountains. We then proceed to Stamsund along the massive Lofoten wall.
Celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a fun ceremony highlighted by a spoonful of cod liver oil. As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you’ll see the strange mountain Torghatten, famous for its distinctive hole in the centre. The opening is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age. We also sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range – with peaks up to 1,100 m high. We next make a short stop at Nesna, before moving on to Sandnessjøen. where you can join an optional excursion in summer to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Vega Islands
We revisit Trondheim to further explore it´s colourful history. Join our excursion Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral to learn more. Next is Kristiansund, a city spread across four islands with an excellent harbour that has been active since the Stone Age. Today, it is Norway’s ‘cured cod capital’ because of its centuries-old export of dried fish.
During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy, as our voyage draws to a close. We sail through picturesque Nordfjord beneath Jostedal Glacier. This rugged coastal region features farms with fruit orchards and glacial fingers that stretch towards glistening lakes. In the morning, we call at Florø. We navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord and enjoy superb views of the island-studded coastline before you disembark in Bergen.
MS Finnmarken is beautifully appointed and decorated in the Art Deco style that was fashionable when the first ship with this name was built. Rich colours, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation characteristic of the Art Deco style are found throughout the vessel. MS Finnmarken is also the only Hurtigruten ship with both a swimming pool and hot tub on deck. A defining feature of the vessel is her bow, and from deck 5 you can venture to the very tip of the ship.
Enjoy from a wide range of comfortable cabins. They vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade, and as a general rule, outside accommodation on the higher decks has a picture window while the lower decks have portholes.
Choose from a wide selection of innovative dishes based on high quality, local produce that each have a story to tell. Enjoy everything from ultra-fresh seafood to sustainably cultivated root vegetables and free-range reindeer meat, along with excellent cheeses from selected small-scale producers. We recommend topping off your meal with tempting Scandinavian desserts, inspired by the two extremities of Arctic light - the Midnight Sun and Polar Night.
