We’re about halfway through our 12-day cruise from Bergen to northernmost Norway, almost to the Russian border, and back. This has been on my bucket list for decades. Maybe it’s been on my mind since my parents went on an Alaska panhandle to Anchorage cruise when I was a kid. I knew there would be downtime, and maybe the scenery passing by may seem redundant, but thankfully it’s been generally better than expected. The views aren’t getting old, and I’d be sitting with my laptop or phone at home, too. The good parts are the food is better than I thought it would be, and the ship isn’t too big, like those ginormous Carnival/Viking ships. We’ve docked next to those a couple of times.
We’re with Havela Cruises. Havela has four identical ships. Here’s one of their sister ships we passed along the way.
It’s only 5 years old, and nice inside.
Of course, you can go outside, but few spend much time out there. It’s cold, windy, and usually raining.
Our room is miniscule, the cheapest they have.
The ship also functions as a local ferry from port to port, so there are many 15-minute stops. There are a few stops of an hour and a few for 3-4 hours. You can get off anywhere, but you have to be back in time or miss the boat, literally.
The first major stop was Alesund. As with the other places along the way, we got off and walked around town. It would feel rushed if there was more to see. People who stay are trekking and stuff like that. Otherwise, it’s a one-day town.
Scenic waterfront and historic Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture along the Brosundet strait in Ålesund
Ålesund, Norway, featuring the town’s distinctive Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture and historic brick warehouses by the docks.
Jugendstilsenteret (The Art Nouveau Centre) housed in the former Swan Pharmacy building alongside the Apotekertorget square in Ålesund, Norway.
Next came Tronheim, a big city of 220,000.
Historic, colorful wooden wharf houses (bryggene) along the Nidelva River in Trondheim, Norway, near the famous Old Town Bridge (Gamle Bybro)
The view along the Nidelva River in Trondheim, Norway, looking toward the historic wharves and colorful timber buildings from one of the city’s bridges.
Here are traditional fishermen’s cabins lining the waterfront in Svolvær, the main town and administrative center of the Lofoten archipelago.
Most of these places would look more vibrant if the weather wasn’t so bleak.
These kinds of scenes repeat themselves. I’ll just skip to where we are right now, Honningsvag. Honningsvag is in the far north, in the Arctic Circle at 71 degrees latitude. It is the northernmost town of at least 5000 people in Norway, just west of our last stop in the northern direction, Kirkenes. Its claim to fame is being called the gateway to the North Cape, as far north as you can go by car.
Honningsvag Harbor
These reindeer were grazing in this yard. We figured they belong to whoever lives there, but a guy came out of the house and chased them off down the street. And off they went.
So, this is where we are at. I will post again after our southbound leg. It should be shorter.
Public sauna in Honningsvag. Conveniently located so you can get out of the sauna and jump right into the Berents Sea
