In Search of the Northern Lights - L2404 Balmoral departing 14 Feb 2023

Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.

Ålesund is Norway’s popular, art-nouveau epic of towers and turrets, ornaments and balconies, steeples and spires. The city’s delightful pedestrianised streets, offer a diverse mix of art galleries, shops and lively cafés, and lead to the 418 steps that climb Mount Aksla. The Fjellstua restaurant and café at the summit is the perfect place to sit and soak up panoramic views of this attractive city, the archipelago, and the Sunnmore Alps.

Virtually destroyed by fire in 1904, Ålesund was rebuilt within three years and is regarded widely as one of Europe’s true visual experiences. The port is home to the Jugendstilsenteret – The National Art Nouveau Centre –, which has a well-preserved art nouveau interior and regularly features exhibitions and displays.

GATEWAY TO THE FJORDS OF NORTHERN NORWAY
Ålesund is the gateway to the iconic northwestern fjords and this seaport is the home base for Norway’s largest cod-fishing fleet, which, unsurprisingly, provides the city’s visitors with some superb seafood to try.

Ålesund is Norway’s popular, art-nouveau epic of towers and turrets, ornaments and balconies, steeples and spires. The city’s delightful pedestrianised streets, offer a diverse mix of art galleries, shops and lively cafés, and lead to the 418 steps that climb Mount Aksla. The Fjellstua restaurant and café at the summit is the perfect place to sit and soak up panoramic views of this attractive city, the archipelago, and the Sunnmore Alps.

Virtually destroyed by fire in 1904, Ålesund was rebuilt within three years and is regarded widely as one of Europe’s true visual experiences. The port is home to the Jugendstilsenteret – The National Art Nouveau Centre –, which has a well-preserved art nouveau interior and regularly features exhibitions and displays.

GATEWAY TO THE FJORDS OF NORTHERN NORWAY
Ålesund is the gateway to the iconic northwestern fjords and this seaport is the home base for Norway’s largest cod-fishing fleet, which, unsurprisingly, provides the city’s visitors with some superb seafood to try.

A scenic cruise along the shores of Toget Island allows you see one of Norway’s most astonishing natural wonders – Torghatten Mountain. The mountain is known affectionately as ‘the mountain with the hole’, Torghatten is famous for the huge tunnel that strikes right through the middle of it and has has to be seen to be believed.

Narvik is an incredible Arctic experience where you can enjoy the incredibly wild and dramatic flora and fauna. In the winter you might have the oppurtunity to experience the northern lights, and in the summer enjoy the wildlife as the snow melts away.

The island city of Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s true delights. Rich with neo-classical architecture, the city known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ contains the largest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, and its old world charm makes it a joy to explore.

A major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the colourful Northern Lights that often light up the night sky. The city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, the cathedral’s distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of Northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

The many museums and galleries in the city include the Perspektivet Museum – set in a neo-classical building built in 1838 that has exhibits from Tromsø’s past, plus the Art Museum of Northern Norway and the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is also home to Polaria, an Arctic aquarium that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The aquarium’s tanks are full of Arctic fish species, and the friendly bearded seals always delight the visiting crowds.

Tromsø, and the stunning landscapes that surround it, are best viewed from the top of the Storsteinen Mountain, which stands 420 metres above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the peak is easy to reach and one of the most popular spots on the edge of the city.

The island city of Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s true delights. Rich with neo-classical architecture, the city known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ contains the largest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, and its old world charm makes it a joy to explore.

A major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the colourful Northern Lights that often light up the night sky. The city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, the cathedral’s distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of Northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

The many museums and galleries in the city include the Perspektivet Museum – set in a neo-classical building built in 1838 that has exhibits from Tromsø’s past, plus the Art Museum of Northern Norway and the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is also home to Polaria, an Arctic aquarium that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The aquarium’s tanks are full of Arctic fish species, and the friendly bearded seals always delight the visiting crowds.

Tromsø, and the stunning landscapes that surround it, are best viewed from the top of the Storsteinen Mountain, which stands 420 metres above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the peak is easy to reach and one of the most popular spots on the edge of the city.

Alta lies at the head of the Altafjord and on the banks of the Alta. Despite being in the North of Norway, its enjoys a relatively mild climate. The Alta Museum with its ancient petroglyphs, is a must-see, and the nearby Sautso-Alta Canyon is a sight to behold. The world’s first Northern Light observatory was built here at the end of the nineteenth century and has earned Alta the name, ‘The Town of the Northern Lights’.

Alta lies at the head of the Altafjord and on the banks of the Alta. Despite being in the North of Norway, its enjoys a relatively mild climate. The Alta Museum with its ancient petroglyphs, is a must-see, and the nearby Sautso-Alta Canyon is a sight to behold. The world’s first Northern Light observatory was built here at the end of the nineteenth century and has earned Alta the name, ‘The Town of the Northern Lights’.

Situated on a beautiful stretch of coastline in Northern Norway, Bodo offers a truly remarkable experience. You can admire the midnight sun from Mount Ronvikfjellet or take a stroll along the chalk-white beach.

Revisit Bodo’s historic past by visiting one of the town’s museums or take a trip to the aviation museum where and learn about famous planes such as the spitfire. Bodo cathedral boasts a 12-metre high stain glass window as well as 10 tapestries Nordland.

Bodø has the densest population of sea eagles in the world and these majestic birds of prey can be seen all year round.

Behind the bustle of the prosperous and cosmopolitan Stavanger of today lie 1,000 years of ancient seafaring tradition and history. This vibrant, exciting Norwegian city oozes charm and was awarded the prestigious title of ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2008.

The city’s wealth and thriving oil industry has prompted its tag as Norway’s ‘Oil Capital’, but Stavanger has remained as charming as ever. The old town, Gamle Stavanger, has narrow winding streets and ancient wooden houses gathered round an historic fresh fish and vegetable market. Stavanger is also a university city, which is reflected in the city’s lively, urban atmosphere, and in the varied assortment of shopping and dining experiences.

Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.