Head to the land of the midnight sun—before it sets and lets the chill in. There are many adventurous ways to visit the Arctic part of the world, but you might as well take advantage of the fjords by viewing the dramatic mountains and cliffs from the sea. This sample cruise itinerary will take you from Kirkenes to Hammerfest via coastal steamer ship, where you will meet a bigger ship that will continue the navigation to Bergen.

Starting in Kirkenes, a small fishing village that is only 15 km from Russia, you’ll board a steamer ship en route to Batsfjord. On the way, you will likely make a stop in Norway’s easternmost town Vardø . Charming Vardø is a butterfly-shaped island connected to the mainland only by a thin strip of the Arctic Ocean Tunnel called Ishavstunnelen. Being within the Arctic climate zone, Vardø boasts average temperatures of 10°C or below. Here, you can visit the world’s most northerly fortress, the Vardøhus Festning, which was constructed in 1737. It’s painted dreamy colors and is full of flowers, turf roofs, and Russian cannons.

Continuing up the Varanger Peninsula, you will see sea birds and the low-lying vegetation of the Arctic tundra climate. Notice the birch trees, which can grow thanks to warm-enough temperatures during the summer months. This is the time to snap photos of birds, look for tundra wildlife like the Arctic fox, and take in the majesty of the fjords and mountains in this extreme land of the midnight sun.

Visit the Top of the World, and enjoy a gander around the cliffs of North Cape, 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean and—some say—the northernmost point of the European continent. After checking the superlatively named tourist points off your list, you can enjoy the quiet of the fjords as you travel along Finnmark. Should you travel inland across the vacant Finnmarksvidda plateau, you will have the opportunity to visit the Sami people and the reindeer they herd. This eerily empty landscape also lends itself to dogsledding excursions in winter’s dim light. 

Once you reach Hammerfest, you’ve reached the world’s northernmost town (according to Hammerfest). Here, you will meet a larger ship to continue your cruise on to the Arctic gateway city of Tromsø. Tromsø is where you can get your party on, as the town takes advantage of the midnight sun at every corner. The town sports lively streets, a summer marathon, and midnight concerts at the Arctic Cathedral. The stunning snow-capped mountains invite all kinds of hikers, but if you arrive during the winter months, be ready to try skiing or dogsledding.

A quick visit to the Lofoten Islands will complete your fever to head further north, as navigate to the 67th and 68th parallels--north of the Arctic Circle. The islands are known for their ethereal light, so be sure to visit one of the art galleries to see how artists have depicted this region of the Arctic. Continue along the Helgeland Coast, as the Seven Sisters mountain range—including the famed Torghatten Peak, which was formed during the Scandinavian ice age—watches over your passage.

Next you’ll pass through Trondheim en route to Alesund and, finally, Bergen. Trondheim was Norway’s original capital, and it has wide, pedestrian-friendly streets, a spirited student population, and good cafes. If you have time, why not take a stroll around the city. On the ship, sit back and enjoy western Norway’s beautiful fjords and a line of islands called Øygarden, meaning “fence islands.”

In Bergen you’ll be ending your trip, so you might as well explore it a little. The city is surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, so it’s hilly. You can nab great views of the city, and the fjords beyond it, by taking the funicular called Fløibanen to the top of Mount Fløyen. Also, consider visiting the largest Nordic collection of rhododendrons, with 5,000 plant species from around the world in the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Milde.
On the way back to Oslo, you can choose to take the Flam Railway, and see the inland sector’s flow of rivers and waterfalls. Or, you might just like it up north so much, you decide to never go back home.
Ha en god tur!