Cruise Norway’s Western Coast

Cruises generally start in Bergen, then head north along the coast taking in the ports of Alesund, Tromso, Trondheim and Kirkenes. Most people fly back to Oslo from there, or you can cruise back again.

Cruise lines will help organise activities, or you can book them independently before you go (see our guide to Northern Norway for recommendations). Local tourist boards are extremely helpful when it comes to hiking maps and bicycle hire, usually available on the quayside.

Norway’s traditional coastal voyage service, operated by Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages, stops at 34 ports on the 12-day round-trip from Bergen to Kirkenes, up by the Russian border. Both lines offer a full excursion programme.

For a more luxurious experience, Viking Cruises runs a popular series of northern Norway cruises in winter.

Cruises run all year round. Winter cruises (November-February) offer colder temperatures and shorter days, a wealth of exciting bucket list winter activities, including husky dog sledding, snowmobiling and ice fishing.

From October to March and there’s also a great chance to see the northern lights. Cruise ships will take you to the northern tip of Norway for the best chance of a sighting. There are no guarantees, but cruise lines will do all they can to maximise your chances, including night-time forays ashore to where the aurora forecast is the most promising.

Summer (June to August) is when the weather is warmest, the days are at their longest, and there’s a wealth of outdoor summer activities. Local towns and villages are buzzing with life in celebration of the midnight sun. However, the long days and strong light render the Northern Lights invisible.