A Christmas cruise is a unique way to see and experience the impressive Christmas customs of Norway and its' Scandinavian neighbors. Christmas markets, frost in the air, northern lights, and many rich cultural traditions make the holidays special in these northern climes. One way to fully appreciate the land and people is to take a Christmas cruise in Norway.
One chance to see the country is traveling on the Norway in a Nutshell tour. The tour included travel on the Bergen and Flam Railways, a fjord cruise of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord on Hurtigruten, and a motor coach trip up the winding Stalheimskleiva to Voss. Visiting the western fjords of Norway is breathtaking at a minimum.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Incorporated or as the Norwegian's call it Hurtigruten provides the on-water portion of the Norway in a Nutshell tour and offer an impressive Norwegian Christmas Cruise that travels from Bergen to Kirkenes and back again. The trip itinerary follows and you can view a map of the cruise on-line. The 2008/2009 season cost is 15,100 Norwegian Krone (Approx $2,200 USD) per person double occupancy for a standard cabin on the upper deck..
- Day 1 – Ships depart from 20 to 23 December. Depart northbound from the Hanseatic town of Bergen. Bergen is known as the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. Travelers should arrive a day early to better explore the community.
- Day 2 – Visits to the coastal cities of Alesund, Molde and Kristiansund. Alesund is renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture featuring abundant turrets, spires and striking embellishments that give the town a unique favor. Passengers learn to make Norwegian Christmas decorations while onboard.
- Day 3 – Cruise through the Trondheim Fjord and disembark at the historic city of Trondheim. Sightseeing trips of the city are available. Norway celebrates Christmas on 24 December. Passengers and crew will observe traditional Norwegian Christmas onboard.
- Day 4 - The ship crosses the Arctic Circle to the City of Bodo. The cruise continues through the day to the Lofoten Islands, with stops at the fishing villages of Stamsund & Svolvaer. Stamsund has a population of 1,500 and is an important commercial fishing center.
- Day 5 – Travel goes on with a visit to Tromso. Known to many as the Paris of the North, the university town of Tromso, is a well recognized university town in the circumpolar north. A Boxing Day dance is held after dinner onboard ship.
- Day 6 – The ship will cruise the Finnmark coast and land at the Port of Honningsvåg. Honningsvåg is on the island of Magerøya and is the heart of the Nordkapp municipality.
- Day 7 – The cruise follows the barren Finnmark coast into the Bokfjord and to the Town of Kirkenes. Kirkenes is located at the junction of the Russian and Finnish borders. The municipality supports an ice-free harbor that provides access to the Barents Sea. The Christmas Cruise turns southbound towards the easternmost town in Norway, Vardo. Vardo has received some notoriety because of the presence of an United States radar site. The ship follows the Varanger peninsula to an arrival at the fishing community of Batsfjord.
- Day 8 – The ship cruises across Soroysund to Oksjord via Hammerfest.
- Day 9 – Leaving Harstad, the ship passes through the narrow Risoyrenna Channel. Passengers can visit the Norwegian Coastal Voyage Museum in Stokmarknes. After this stop, the ship travels on to Vesteralen and Lofoten.
- Day 10 – Passengers will pass along the Helgeland Coast with views of the Seven Sisters mountain range.
- Day 11 – The cruise sails to Trondheim, billed as a City for All Seasons. The ship passes the island of Hitra through the Sea of Hustadvika to reach the City of Molde.
- Day 12 – The last day of the Christmas Cruise passes the western fjords of Norway to return to Bergen.
Travelers of the Norwegian coast never tire of the scenery and the experiences of travel in the north. It's not too late to consider taking this trip or another winter cruise this year, and if time is tight, it is worth considering as an option next year. Remember that there have been changes to U.S. Passport Regulations and new rules have been adopted on the Christmas Gifts that you may wish to bring home via the airline.
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
