NORWAY PORTS AND CITIES
NORWAY PORTS AND CITIES
| Alesund | Andalsnes | Bergen | Eidfjord |
| Flam | Geiranger | Hammerfest | Honningsvaag |
| Kristiansand | Lofoten Islands | Molde | Narvik |
| Olden | Oslo | Skjolden | Stavanger |
| Tromso | Trondheim |
Alesund
Norway Cruise to Alesund, Stretching Over Islands at the Mouth of Magnificent Geirangerfjord
Because it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the countrys west coast now better known as simply 'Fjordland'. Stretching across three islands at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Alesunds architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-Gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau. Turrets and spires dot the skyline and you can trace the towns trend setting style development at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town. The pick is the open-air Sunnmøre while the Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe
Andalsnes
Fjords Cruise to the Stunning Alpine Town of Andalsnes - Norway
People have been cruising to Andalsnes for more than 120 years because of its stunning location. For, an Alpine town as well as a cruise port, Andalsnes nestles where the towering Romsdal Alps meet the northern end of the sparkling Romsdalfjord. A small, friendly town with shops and markets, Andalsnes is also close to the famous Trollstigen road. This leads through pretty villages, past scenic fjords and majestic mountain peaks and across the stone bridge over the cascading Stigfossen waterfall to the Trollvegen (Troll Wall) which - at nearly 6,000 feet - is the highest vertical drop in northern Europe. Another way to see the Troll Wall and even more dramatic Alpine scenery besides is to take the Rauma Railway steam train which leaves from a station right by the cruise port.
Bergen
Fjords Cruise to Bergen and its Rugged Glacial Scenery - Norway
The classic Norwegian town of Bergen offers many delights, from the sheer splendour of its rugged glacial scenery, an ancient stone church containing the finest example of Baroque art in Norway and wonderful little shops and bakeries. The home and gardens of the great composer Edvard Grieg, are open to visitors.
Eidfjord
Fjords Cruise to Stunning Eidfjord and Travel Through Mabodalen Valley to the Famous Waterfall Norway
Cruise to the Norwegian port Eidfjord, just a small sleepy village but it stands on the edge of huge scale attractions including the largest high mountain plateau (Hardangervidda) and Norways largest national park. Eidfjord stands on the banks of the fjord, from which it takes its name, and has attractions of its own including a 14th century church and the largest collection of ancient graves in western Norway at its Viking Burial Place. A couple of miles away is the Hardangervidda Nature Centre, which is an unusual adventure centre with all kinds of interactive ways of illustrating the rich natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region. Equally unusual is the Troll Train, which travels through the Mabodalen Valley to Norways most famous waterfall - Voringsfossen, which free falls nearly 500 feet.
Flam
A Cruise to Flam, is a Dramatic and Tranquil Voyage Through the Majestic Aurlandfjord - Norway
The majestic Aurlandfjord, a branch of the longest and deepest fjord in the world. A masterpiece of electric railway technology, the Flamsbanen extends from Flåm to a steep mountain station at Myrdal. Crossing the river and valley floor three times, this Norwegian engineering feat slices through the mountain offering incomparable thrills and sights.
Geiranger
Cruise to the Fjord of Geiranger, one of Most Beautiful and Famous of Norway
Surrounded by mountains reaching over 3,000 feet high, the impressive natural beauty has led some to pronounce it the "most beautiful fjord in the world." To get here, you must travel a 60-mile passage that leads through sheer, steep cliffs and spectacular views of waterfalls.
Hammerfest
Fjords Cruise to Hammerfest, the World's Most Northern City - Norway
Cruise to Hammerfest, with a population of 7,000 residents, located in the wide but calm bay of the Province of Finnmark. The North Atlantic Gulf Stream provides the city with an ice free port all year round. Like most northern cities, fishing is Hammerfest's most important industry with tourism not too far behind as Hammerfest's short distance from the North Cape makes it an attractive destination to tourists.
Honningsvaag
Fjords Cruise to Honningsvaag and Discover the North Cape Plateau, Europe's Most Northerly Point - Norway
They call Honningsvaag the North Cape cruise port these days, as this busy fishing port town on Mageroya Island is the capital of Nordkapp, Norways most northerly municipality. Bounded by the Barents Sea, Nordkapp comprises Mageroya and the facing stretch of mainland, but the place everyone wants to visit is the North Cape Plateau about 20 miles from Honningsvaag. On a clifftop more than 900 feet above the sea, this is Europes most northerly point and the final frontier before the Arctic Ocean. Many thousands of photographs have been taken of visitors beside the globe sculpture on the clifftop, usually lit by the Midnight Sun which shines here (clouds permitting) on 77 nights of the year. There is a fascinating North Cape Heritage museum in Honningsvaag and other tours outside the town include trips to a nature and bird reserve in nearby Gjesvaertappan.
Kristiansand
Fjords Cruise to Norways's Kristiansand, Entrance to the Baltic
Kristiansand sits on Norway's sunny southern tip, facing the waters of the Skagerrak at the entrance to the Baltic, with breath-taking scenery through Soegne and Ny Hellesund made famous by the poet Wilh. Krag. It is a quaint little 17th century town of wide streets, a lively fishing harbour and market, inviting shops and restaurants - and the picturesque charm of the Kvadraturen quarter with its traditional wooden houses. Visit the open-air Vest Agder Country Museum, where you may roam among the 40 buildings that replicate an ancient Kristiansand village or walk through Ravnedalen Scenic Park, a beautiful park overflowing with flowers and rare trees.
Lofoten Islands
Cruise to the Remote Lofoten Islands, Offering Spectacular Vistas of Natural Beauty - Norway
A delightfully remote Arctic archipelago, the Lofoten Islands offer a vista of natural beauty spectacular even by Norways high standards. Yet it was as recently as 1984 that the first cruise ship called at any of its ports: Leknes, Svolvaer and Stamsund. A latecomer to Norwegian cruising, the Lofoten Islands have quickly become popular because of their picturesque fishing villages, awesome views of pristine fjords and huge variety of birdlife. There are even some beautiful white sand beaches which are much appreciated in the islands remarkably mild, Gulf Stream-influenced climate. Roads link five of the islands by bridge or tunnel so it is possible to see many of the best sights in one visit. There is a fishing museum to reflect the life that continues to dominate the island as well as a fascinating Viking Museum inside Scandinavias largest reconstructed Viking Longhouse.
Molde
Fjords Cruise to Molde, and Absorb the Spectacular Panoramic Views of Over 220 Snow-Capped Mountains - Norway
Cruise to the northern shore of the Romsdalsfjord, to the Norwegian town of Molde famous for its beautiful surroundings and spectacular panoramic views of over 220 snow-capped peaks. Small wooden houses, gardens, parks and avenues full of trees and flowers have earned it the nickname 'town of roses' - a name that is definitely well deserved. Alongside mountains, valleys plunge down to rivers and fjords and finally out to sea. A devastating fire in 1916 means little trace is left of old Molde, but this tranquil town has not lost its sense of history. The nearby island fishing museum with its lovely pines and birches continues to tell the tale of the fjords fishermen and is well worth a trip. Nearby you can drive over bridges, small islands and skerries right out to the oceans edge or venture up fjord arms to visit the dramatic scenery of the Eidesdalen valley and the waterfall at Mardalsfossen. And at Åndalsnes you can marvel at the mountain of Trollveggen and tread the twists and turns of the Trollstigen tourist road.
Narvik
Fjords Cruise to the Important Port of Narvik - Norway
Cruise to Narvik, on the northwestern mainland of Norway, opposite the Lofoten Islands, an important Norwegian port on a deep-water fiord, which offers year-round ice-free access to the Norwegian Sea despite being north of the Arctic Circle. It is hard to believe that today's placid waters of Narvik Fjord were the scene of epic naval and land action in the last war. The town now presents an altogether more serene face to the world, though its wartime hardship is eloquently commemorated in the Krigsminne Museum, as well as a memorial park honouring the heroism of the Royal Marines who fell here.
Olden
Cruise to Olden, and Journey up to the Amazing Frozen Cascade of the Million Years Old Briksdal Glacier - Norway+
At the head of three valleys amid the peaceful surroundings of the Inner Nordfjord, Olden is the key to a not-to-be-missed journey up to the frozen cascade of the million years old and ever-advancing Briksdal Glacier, best-known of the gigantic, Jostedal's many icy arms. An Iron Age burial mound was discovered in this region of Western Norway, but in more recent history, most of the town was settled in the seventeenth century. In Olden, an historic church was built in 1746 and survived the Second World War.
Oslo
Fjords Cruise to Oslo, Rich in Maritime History - Norway
The oldest of the Scandinavian capitals Oslo offers one of the most fabled maritime and cultural histories in the entire world. The city offers great cafes and quality shopping and the fascinating Viking Ship Museum features three remarkably preserved oaken longships from the 9th century.
Skjolden
Fjords Cruise to Norways's Skjolden, Surrounded By Steep Hills with Spectacular Falls
Cruise to Skjolden, located at the head of the longest navigable fjord in the world – Sognefjord. As well as being situated in a breathtaking location, the town itself is host to a number of activities and attractions. Once home to the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951), he wrote some of his most important works here. Visit Urnes Stave Church, the oldest stave church found in Norway, included on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it is an outstanding example of traditional Scandinavian wooden architecture, combing Celtic, Viking and Romanesque design. In the Jostedalsbreen National Park you can discover everything from fjords to green valleys, farms, barren mountains and glaciers, with peaks rising to 2000 metres. In the heart of these beautiful landscapes stands the Jostedal glacier, the largest glacier in mainland Europe, where you can enjoy a thrilling walk on the blue glacier ice.
Stavanger
Fjords Cruise to Stavanger, The Gateway to Norways Spectacularly Scenic Fjordland
Stavanger is also a town with its own rich heritage as it is regarded as the 'Cradle of the Vikings'. Your ship will dock right next to Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter, with its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses (considered national heritage monuments in their own right), 12th century cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral, markets, craft stores and art galleries. Look out, too, for the Three Swords monument in the Hafrsfjord rock recalling the Viking sea battle won by King Harald the Fairhair to create Norway as one kingdom back in the 9th century. This is on the way to a recreation of an Iron Age Farm at Jernaldergarden. The other major landmark is a short boat trip away through the delightful Stavanger archipelago to the 2,000ft high Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen).
Tromso
Fjords Cruise to Tromso, a Clear Sky Will Display the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights - Norway
Cruise to the most northern of Norway's rugged islands, Tromso possesses the true wonders of the polar environment: glistening glacial ridges, the icy clear waters of Lake Prestvatn, even windswept valleys where reindeer roam free. Amidst the beauty, there is fascinating history to be found as well, from ancient northern settlements to signs of sacrificial sites and cults that pre-date Christianity. Tromso's old customs house is the setting for the Polar museum devoted to the great Arctic explorers and hunters. It provides a rare insight into the lives of hunters, trappers and explorers in the region, from whaling in the 1600s to present-day hunting. Located well inside the Arctic Circle, a clear sky will display the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. The Northern Lights Planetarium includes a movie on a 360-degree screen, depicting the changing seasons, two months with continuous daylight and two without any sun at all. The modern Polaria Artic centre's bold architecture is only matched by the exhibits, among them, one that offers a life-like demonstration full of real snow and howling winds that will transport you into unimagined arctic conditions.
Trondheim
Fjords Cruise to Trondheim, it's a Miracle - Norway
Norway's royal residence since 997 AD, when King Olaf I founded Trondheim. A century later, St. Olaf II began to perform miracles for the people, making Trondheim a major pilgrimage destination.
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