You’re three days out of Bergen, headed for the Arctic and distant Kirkenes on MS Nordlys (‘Northern Lights’), one of 11 Hurtigruten ships continuously plying Norway’s 120-year-old coast route. Two hours ago, you passed oxblood-red Kjeungskjaeret lighthouse. Now you’re almost touching land either side of the 45m-wide sound under the Stokksundet bridge.

Minutes after leaving port on a sunny autumn evening, Bergen’s old wooden buildings, vibrant fish market and stunning views from Fløien seem a lifetime away. The 4,700 km, 12-day Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen trip is more than a cruise – it’s a life-bringer for Norway’s coastal economy, and a journey into history and culture as diverse as Finnmark’s Sami herders, the ‘Tirpitz’ or the Cold War world of Bodø’s former U2 spy-plane base.

Giving new meaning to ‘stunning’
The impressions will last forever. They start with the visual impact of breath-taking dawns and sunsets, and scenery such as Geirangerfjord and its tumbling waterfalls that give new meaning to ‘stunning’. Then there are the haunting traditional songs of Sami ‘joikers’ and aromas of freshly-landed fish during pre-dawn halts at 66 ports. Enjoy the landscapes, people and history, or simply relax on deck in the Aurora Lounge or your comfortable cabin and watch the view drift by.

At stop-offs, there’s anything between a few minutes and several hours to explore fascinating places such as art nouveau Ålesund, culture-rich Trondheim, Tromsø (‘the Paris of the north’), the achingly beautiful Lofoten Islands, Russian-flavoured Kirkenes and many smaller ports.

Crossing the Arctic Circle
Crossing the Arctic Circle, Neptune welcomes you to his realm in time-honoured fashion! And every day you greet another Hurtigruten ship with cheerful hoots while anticipating your next excursion. How about sea-eagle spotting, an ATV safari to overlook Russia, the North Cape or a midnight service at Tromsø’s Arctic Cathedral?

Every day’s new experiences will delight while you relax and enjoy delicious local seafood, ‘Lammesskank’ and other specialities. One minute you’re in a wide fiord; the next, passing tiny skerries. And you’ll never forget a night entrance to the narrow Trollfjord – or seeing the ethereal Northern Lights.

‘The most beautiful voyage in the world’
Back in Bergen, your camera and mind will overflow with wonderful memories. As someone once said, ‘Hurtigruten brochures should come with “health warnings” that one voyage leads to another…and another!’ Isn’t it time you embarked on ‘the most beautiful voyage in the world’?