The Svalbard Line North: Bergen to Longyearbyen

Day 1: Sailing The Svalbard Line - Welcome to Bergen!

Your voyage begins in this beautiful city on the west coast of Norway. What began as a small village was developed by King Olav Kyree in 1070 AD and is now Norway’s second largest city. The majestic peaks that famously surround the city give Bergen its nickname, ‘The City of Seven Mountains’. 

Nestled in Bergen’s center is Vågen Bay, the historic core of the city, and home to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter made up of charming cobblestone streets and local boutique shops. Across from Bryggen, you’ll find the fish market, which cooks up fresh and delicious seafood dishes to feast on. 

Before you board, visit our comfortable guest lounge at the Bergen Terminal. Here, you can talk to staff about securing a spot on any optional excursions still available. 

Once we’ve welcomed you aboard, you’ll meet your ship’s Expedition Team, who will be your hosts and guides to the Norwegian coastline and Svalbard. Get acquainted with your shipmates and take some time to get comfortable in your new home-away-from-home. 

Enjoy your first meal aboard the ship, and watch the row of colorful buildings on the seafront get smaller behind you as you sail into the Norwegian Sea.

Day 2: Alpine village by the fjord - Åndalsnes

Located along the Isfjord, Åndalsnes is a picturesque coastal town, home to about 2,000 people. 

The literal highlights of Åndalsnes are the mountains that tower over the town. Experience the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv – a love of the outdoors – through a variety of activities, such as hiking to Rampestreken viewpoint. 

For an easier way to take in the sights, sit back for a relaxing ride on the Romsdal Gondola or travel the winding Trollstigen Pass by bus. Whichever activities you choose, this day will bring you the best views of the Isfjord, Romsdalsfjord, and surrounding peaks. 

Day 3: Norway’s oldest fishing community - Træna

Træna is an archipelago that sits along the Helgeland coast at the edge of the Arctic Circle, 33 nautical miles northwest of the mainland. Made up of around 500 islands, islets and skerries, only four are inhabited year-round.  

Today’s selection of activities and optional excursions takes you to the heart of the archipelago’s sights and traditions. The village will be open just for us, including the church, Petter Dass chapel and the local museum. Alternatively, you can join a hike or take a cultural walk. 

Back on board, we’ll cross the Arctic Circle as we continue heading north, commemorating the moment with a traditional and fun ceremony. 

Day 4: The Tip of Lofoten

Today, we explore the famed Lofoten islands. Watch for the steep mountains rising from the sea as we approach from the south in the morning.

We dock in Reine, an important – and picture-perfect – fishing village since 1743. This is one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Norway, where red-painted rorbuer cling to a string of islands beneath sharp mountain ranges reflected in the waters below.

Not far to the south of Reine, at the western tip of the Lofoten archipelago, you’ll find Å, one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in Norway. You can visit it on an optional excursion.

At the heart of this tiny village is the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, which covers the importance and development of fishing in Lofoten over the last 250 years.

Day 5: Gateway to the Arctic - Tromsø

Tromsø is northern Norway’s urban Arctic hotspot, boasting impressive architecture, hip restaurants, and the world’s northernmost university.

Calling into Tromsø on the way to or from Svalbard follows in the footsteps of history. Most explorers and sailors on Arctic expeditions would embark from or return to the city. We aim to dock here in the morning, giving you a whole day to explore this historic Arctic city and its surroundings.

Take your pick from a number of optional excursions. Learn more about the culture and polar history of Tromsø on a city walk, or take a scenic bus tour. You can also visit the striking Arctic Cathedral, which has an impressively large multi-colored stained-glass window. Or ride the Fjellheisen Cable Car up Storsteinen Mountain for exceptionally beautiful views of the city, mountains, and fjords.

Day 6: At the top of Europe - Honningsvåg

Around mid-morning, we arrive at Honningsvåg, the northernmost city in mainland Norway.

You have several optional excursions to pick from here. These could include taking a bus or riding a quad to the North Cape, a hike with your Expedition Team, or an introduction to what life is like at 71°N. 

Honningsvåg is also the gateway to the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe. The plateau stands 307 metres above the sea, and is over 990 miles south of the geographical North Pole. Take a moment to gaze out across the sea from a top the soaring cliffs, watching the waves crash against the rocks below. 

Sailing away from Honningsvåg, we’ll enjoy dramatic views of the plateau from the sea. The ship will head further into the Barents Sea, leaving mainland Norway’s coast far behind us.

Day 7: Towards the Arctic frontier

Today is a day spent far from land as we cross the Barents Sea heading towards the remote wilderness of Svalbard. It really does feel like we're leaving civilization far behind as we sail towards the top of the world. There will be a lecture about Svalbard, and the theme of the day is Arctic desert. Out on deck, our talented chefs will prepare another special tasting for you to enjoy - and listen out for any points of interest from the Expedition Team.

It's a day for you to relax and enjoy the ship's facilities, and also to look ahead and learn about our next destination. At some point today we will sail past the lonely and rugged island of Bjornøya - 'Bear Island' - although no bears live there today. Why not get a cup of tea or coffee and seat yourself somewhere comfortable and read up about the nature and history of the Arctic frontier. In the afternoon there will be a briefing about the special rules that we all must follow to protect the delicate local ecology when we reach Ny-Ålesund.

Remember, there's plenty to do on board, so maybe now's the ideal time to take that sauna, work up a sweat in the fitness room, or browse the library

Day 8: Arrive at the edge of the world - Longyearbyen

On the last day of your voyage, we arrive at the Svalbard archipelago and make our way up to Spitsbergen, the largest of the three main islands. Magnificent brown and green mountains rise and ripple up from the High Arctic tundra while rivers of snow-melt trickle through the valley plains, glistening under the summer sun.   

Take a moment to just be here, now, in Svalbard. You’re at a latitude more than 78°N and under 1,500 kilometres from the North Pole itself. The air of this Arctic desert is fresh and pure, and temperatures in summer average between zero and eight degrees Celsius thanks to a warm northern branch of the Gulf Stream.  

In early afternoon, we find Longyearbyen nestled on the banks of Isfjord. It’s time to disembark the ship, but before you travel home, give yourself plenty of time to explore Longyearbyen. A former coal mining colony, it is the biggest settlement in Svalbard and a hub for adventure travelers, as well as scientists and engineers attached to local research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.  

You’ve traveled as part of this historic, iconic voyage to pieces of paradise along the Norwegian coast you won’t soon forget. We hope you’ll cherish each of the memories you’ve made on The Svalbard Line. Come sail with us again soon, on another iconic voyage of our spectacular home: the Norwegian coast.

Optional seasonal excursions are not included but may be added in the following days to enhance your experience:

Day 2

Åndalsnes Town Walk and Romsdal Gondola from $211 per person

Ride to 2,320ft (708 meters) above sea level in Norway’s first gondola built on sustainable principles. Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed.

The Golden Train

Marvel at some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery from the comfort of your seat from $140 per person. Level 1: Easy - suitable for most people

Hairpin Bends & Soaring Mountains - Trollstigen Scenic Bus Tour from $234 per person

Drive the world-famous series of 11 hairpin bends, known as the Trollstigen Road (Path of the Trolls). Level 1: Easy - suitable for most people

Day 3

Træna Island Hopping from $411 per person

Explore the islands of Husøya and Selvær, and sail close to Sandøy and Holmen. Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed

Træna Culture Walk – Poetry, Art, and Heritage from $128 per person

Follow the cultural trail to chapels, cafés, and museums on the island of Husøya. Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed

Day 4

Reine & Lofoten Scenery from $234 per person

Soak up the iconic views of this magical archipelago
Level 1: Easy - suitable for most people

Kayaking in Reine from $234 per person

Try a new adventure sport as you learn to kayak in a Norwegian fjord. Level 4: Challenging - good mobility and fitness needed

Day 5

Tromsø, The Arctic Capital from $199 per person

Get to know this cosmopolitan Arctic city through three of Tromsø’s key sights. Level 3: Active - good mobility needed

Tromsø On Foot – The City & Polar History from $105 per person

Learn all about Tromsø’s polar past as you tour the most important parts of the compact city center. Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed

World’s Northernmost Brewery from $152 per person

An actor playing the founder of the brewery, Ludwig Mack, will guide you from the pier to the brewery. Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed.

Day 6

Birdwatching Safari & The North Cape from $352 per person

Spot seabirds such as puffins, kittiwakes, cormorants, gannets, and shags Level 2: Moderate - some mobility needed

North Cape and King Crab Experience

Stand at the edge of the cliffs and marvel at the ocean views from North Cape and learn about and sample delicious King Crab from the Barents Sea in Sarnes. Level 1: Easy - suitable for most people