The North Cape Line - North

Oslo is the capital of Norway and is also its largest city, situated at the head of Oslo Fjord and surrounded by hills and forests. Home to some 50 museums and full of galleries, cafés, a sculpture park and the Royal Palace, this vibrant city with its handsome 19th-century buildings and wide streets has much to offer. Its history dates back 1,000 years, and includes a rich seafaring heritage that ranges from the Viking era to Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki expedition. Discover more about this exciting city on our varied selection of excursions.

Spend today relaxing on board and getting a taste of our Norway’s Coastal Kitchen cuisine in the ship’s three restaurants and bar.

You’ll have time to simply watch Norway’s spectacular southern coast glide by. Take it all in from the expansive Observation Deck, from the comfort of your ship’s two-story lounge and bar, or from the panoramic sauna.

As well as the views, this stretch of coast is home to history and stories. Find out more about Norway’s coast and the voyage ahead in the lectures, presentations, and onboard activities planned for today.

Today, you’ll wake to views of the beautiful Lysefjord. The 26-mile-long (42-km-long) fjord is home to one of Norway’s most famous sights: Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock), which towers almost two thousand feet (604 meters) above the fjord’s shimmering waters.

Kjerag mountain, at the end of the fjord, reaches even higher. Along the way, watch for mountain goats, waterfalls, and the famous Kjeragbolten, a glacial boulder wedged high up in a crevasse.

You’ll spend the rest of the day in Stavanger, a colorful waterside city with an international ambience and a lively cultural scene. Discover the architectural relics of Gamle (Old) Stavanger, which includes Northern Europe’s best-preserved collection of wooden houses, and Norway’s oldest cathedral, dating from the 12th century.

You can also visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, browse the local boutique shops, or simply enjoy a drink on the waterfront.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Stavanger flourished in the 19th century as a fishing port. While other towns in Norway have suffered with the decline of this industry, Stavanger has kept its economy booming by diversifying, first into shipbuilding and now into oil. These two contrasting industries have created a city of two halves – a modern area of high-rise buildings and a historic centre with cobbled streets and old wooden houses. The city centre was the birthplace of Alexander Kielland, one of the great 19th-century Norwegian novelists. Stavanger Cathedral, dating from 1125, is an impressive building and the only medieval cathedral in Norway that has not been substantially altered since it was first built. From Stavanger you can explore the attractive blue waters of Lysefjord, surrounded by cliffs and striking rock formations, and also visit Hafrsfjord where the Viking King Harald won an important battle that started the Unification of Norway. Those preferring to explore on their own may wish to visit the interesting Petroleum Museum.

The coastal town of Ålesund is the commercial capital of the Møre og Romsdal district. But more important, it is noted for its characteristic Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings, which some claim make Ålesund one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. This Art Nouveau style emerged when the town was completely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904 destroyed nearly 800 buildings and left 10,000 residents homeless. It is said that the fire started by a tipped oil lamp. Rebuilding was carried out with the help of many young, foreign architects who added their own flourishes to the architectural blend of German Jugendstil and Viking roots. Today, narrow streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires and gables that bear decorations of dragonheads and curlicues. As one of the few remaining Art Nouveau towns in the world, in 1998 Ålesund was awarded the coveted Houens National Memorial Prize for the preservation of its unique architecture.

Rørvik is a town and administrative center located in Trøndelag county, Norway, on the eastern side of the Vikna archipelago. Surrounded by approximately 6,000 islands, islets, and reefs, its maritime splendor is an attraction in itself.

Key Facts and Highlights

• Location and Setting: Rørvik is situated at a latitude of 65°N in central Norway, about 200 kilometers north of Trondheim. Despite its northern latitude, the climate is maritime, allowing even plum and apple trees to grow in some private gardens.

• Maritime Hub: The town is a historic communications center and a significant maritime hub, known for its busy working harbor. The port is one of the largest in Central Norway, with over 15,000 ship calls annually.

• Coastal Express Port: Rørvik is a major port of call on the classic Hurtigruten and Havila Coastal Express routes, famous for being the location where the northbound and southbound ships meet every evening.

Culture and Attractions

Rørvik's cultural identity is deeply tied to its coastal and fishing heritage, which can be explored at several key sites:

• Norwegian Coastal Museum (Norveg): This critically acclaimed, wave-shaped architectural landmark is the center for coastal culture and vessel protection. Its permanent exhibit spans 10,000 years of the region's history, showcasing the evolution of coastal life and its status as one of the world's leading fishing nations.

• Berggården: A restored 19th-century merchant's trading post adjacent to the Norveg museum. It was central to Rørvik's growth starting in 1878 and allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of a shop and historic living quarters from the early 20th century.

• Sør-Gjæslingan: This preserved 19th-century fishing village, located on a nearby skerry, was one of the largest and most important fishing villages south of Lofoten in its time. Boat tours from Rørvik allow visitors to explore this historical site during the summer.

• Local Events: The town hosts the annual Skreifestivalen (Cod Festival) in March, a celebration of food and coastal culture.

Svolvær, Stokmarknes

Today, we explore Lofoten. As soon as you see the towering peaks with small villages clustered around them, you’ll understand why this island chain is praised as one of Norway’s most stunning locations.

We’ll dock in the town of Svolvær mid-morning. Located on the island of Austvågøya in the heart of Lofoten, Svolvær is the biggest town of the archipelago, humming with shops, restaurants, galleries, and cafés. Look out for the Svolvær Goat, a nearby mountain so named for resembling a horned ruminant.

A variety of optional excursions are available from Svolvær, including winter fishing, paddling along the coastline in a kayak, or embarking on a bus tour to learn more about Lofoten’s history.

We can’t visit the area without spending a couple of hours in Stokmarknes. It was here that the Original Coastal Express was founded in 1893 by shipping pioneer Richard With. On the waterfront, you’ll find our 1956 ship MS Finnmarken encased in the Hurtigruten Museum’s glass building like a ship in a bottle.

Svolvær is widely regarded as the Capital of Lofoten and is the administrative center of Vågan Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is one of the most famous and picturesque towns in the Lofoten archipelago, celebrated for its dramatic natural surroundings and vibrant cultural life.

Key features and activities include:

• Location and Landscape: Svolvær is situated on the island of Austvågøya and is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape of steep mountains, including the iconic Svolværgeita (The Svolvær Goat) peak, and numerous small islands, which are typical of the Lofoten Wall.

• Maritime Hub: The town is a major port of call for coastal voyages, a feature confirmed by its inclusion in various cruise line schedules. It is a central base for exploring the surrounding islands and fjords.

• Fishing and Culture: Svolvær has a deep connection to Norway's fishing heritage. You can explore the town's in-depth fishing history, including the importance of the dried fish industry, and visit local art galleries and cultural sites.

• Tourist Center: The Destination Lofoten AS official Tourist Board is based in Svolvær, making it the ideal base for visitors interested in the region's activities, such as sailing along the Lofoten Wall.

With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.