5 Night The Coastal Express South Cruise from Kirkenes

Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Norwegian border-farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul! World War II history: For those interested in history, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about how the town was involved during World War II, where it was bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta. For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta World War II Bomb Shelter which could house up to 2,500 people underground. Norway's northern frontier: In the port of Vardo, you'll find the star-shaped Vardohus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains in use by the military to this day. We'll cruise Norway's coastline to the small port of Batsfjord in the evening. Then it's on to Berlevag. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, or see Kjolnes Lighthouse blinking atop its cliff overlooking the Barents Sea. Time in port: Kirkenes: 9 am-12:30 pm; Vardo: 4:05 pm-5 pm; Batsfjord: 8 pm-8:30 pm; Berlevag: 10:25 pm-10:35 pm.

We make stops at Mehamn and Kjollefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvag and Havoysund. Almost the northernmost: In the early afternoon, you'll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world's northernmost settlements. See the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen. Mountains and marine mammals: We continue cruising Norway's coastline south to Oksfjord and then to Skjervoy, surrounded by mountain peaks. Hurtigruten has been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896. If you're visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring. As we make our way to Tromso, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway. Midnight magic: We dock at Tromso just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight. Time in port: Mehamn: 1:20 am-1:30 am; Kjollefjord: 3:25 am-3:35 am; Honningsvag: 5:45 am-6 am; Havoysund: 8 am-8:15 am; Hammerfest: 11 am-12:45 pm; Oksfjord: 3:50 pm-4:05 pm; Skjervoy: 7:30 pm-7:45 pm; Tromso: 11:45 pm-1:30 am.

Today, you'll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesteralen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route. After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world's northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula. Next is our smallest port of call Risoyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-meter-high mountains. Hurtigruten's birthplace: Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began the Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles Hurtigruten's legacy, centered around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956. A ship-sized fjord: Sailing along Raftsund, the captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The 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. Leaving Lofoten: We reach Svolvaer in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvaer Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree! The ship then sails for Stamsund, eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall. Time in port: Tromso: 11:45 pm-1:30 am; Finnsnes: 4:20 am-4:40 am; Harstad: 8 am-8:30 am; Risoyhamn: 10:45 am-11:00 am; Sortland: 12:30 pm-1 pm; Stokmarknes: 2:15 pm-3:15 pm; Svolvaer: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm; Stamsund: 10:15 pm-11:30 pm.

The ship calls at Bodo in the small hours of the morning and then Ornes at 7 am. We then cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Commemorate the moment with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol' Norwegian cod liver oil! We make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjoen, gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast. Legend has it.... Admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 3,600 feet high. The tale goes that seven beautiful troll princesses, fleeing from an unwanted suitor, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today. You'll also not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it. There is a local legend as to why and how this mountain came to have such a hole. Make sure you ask your Coastal Experience Team about it! We reach Bronnoysund mid-afternoon. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the center of town is Bronnoy Church: a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870. Our last stop of the day is the cozy fishing port of Rorvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago. Time in port: Bodo: 2:30 am-3:30 am; Ornes: 6:25 am-6:35 am; Nesna: 10:25 am-10:35 am; Sandnessjoen: 11:45 am-12:15 pm; Bronnoysund: 3 pm-5:25 pm; Rorvik: 9 pm-9:30 pm.

Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway's smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde. Capital of the Viking Age: Stroll around Trondheim in the early morning as the city wakes. Visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of Saint 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 cafes then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for great views of Norway's third-largest city. Dealing in dried cod: We dock at Kristiansund's harbor 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. Peaks and petals: The penultimate port of the day is Molde where you can spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. Nicknamed "The City of Roses", flowers should be in bloom between mid-June and late August. Time in port: Trondheim: 6:30 am-9:30 am; Kristiansund: 4:30 pm-5:30 pm; Molde: 9:15 pm-9:45 pm.

Our Norwegian coastal cruise will reach its end later today. During the previous night, we'll call at Alesund and Torvik. On our approach to Maloy, you might catch a glimpse of the northbound Coastal Express if you're up early enough. Morning highlights: You'll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe's largest. The ship then docks at Floro in the morning where you can take in the harbor and marina. The home stretch: Leaving Floro, you'll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favorite subject for photographers. There's also stunning views to enjoy as we cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway. As we 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. Explore more of Norway: Sadly, it's time to say farewell to the captain, crew, and fellow guests. But your journey doesn't have to stop after disembarkation. On offer is a Bergen sightseeing tour as well as a range of post-voyage programs that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo. Time in port: Alesund: 12:30 am-1:20 am; Torvik: 2:35 am-2:45 am; Maloy: 5:45 am-6 am; Floro: 8:15 am-8:30 am; Bergen: 2:45 pm.