Norway Cruise - Southbound Voyage - 5 nights/6 days

After a few hours docked at Kirkenes, the ship will depart upon the southbound half of her voyage, calling during the day at ports passed at night on the trip northward. Crossing Varangerfjord, Norway's only east-facing fjord and a fabled bird-watching site, you'll arrive in Vardo, the easternmost point of the country. Next the ship will round the Varanger peninsula, where archaeologists excavated a community believed to date from 9000 BC. In the evening, the ship calls at Batsfjord, which also boasts the remains of a Stone Age settlement, and Berlevag. Look out for the Tanahorn mountain, which long ago was a Sami sacrifice site.

The ship arrives at Honningsvag in the early morning. After calling at Havoysund, she will stop for 1 1/2 hours in Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town. Despite its remote location, it was the first Norwegian town to have electric street lighting and its own power station. Your Norwegian cruise continues south to Oksfjord, whose glacier calves directly into the sea. After crossing open water, you will stop at the old trading post of Skjervoy. You'll dock in Tromso just in time to savor its nightlife. Optional shore excursions are available.

The island groups of Lofoten and Vesteralen have some of the most stunning scenery you will see during this Norway travel adventure. Before your arrival, you'll see the captain skillfully maneuver the ship through the shallow waters of the Risoyrenna Channel, where sand banks are visible through the green water on both sides of the channel. The ship will negotiate the narrow Raftsund Strait leading into the breathtaking Trollfjord, before arriving in Svolvaer and Stamsund. Later, the ship heads east across Vestfjord toward Bodo. Optional shore excursions are available.

From Ornes, you'll travel through crystalline waters, filled with spawning cod from January to April, and go by lush agricultural fields. Nearly every towering peak you'll see is associated with a local legend. Crossing the Arctic Circle once again, you'll pass the idyllic island of Sandnessjoen. On the approach to Bronnoysund, which you reach this afternoon, you'll spy the mythical Seven Sisters Mountains. Make sure you're on deck when the ship departs Bronnoysund-you'll be impressed by the captain's steady hand! Today's last port of call will be Rorvik.

Arrive in Trondheim early, with time to visit Norway's largest medieval church, Nidaros Cathedral, and the restored Archbishop's Residence. You'll then sail out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past Hitra, island of deer, and lonely Grip. At day's end, you'll call at Molde, before arriving in Alesund late in the evening in time for a stroll on shore. Optional shore excursions are available.

During the night, the ship will call at Torvik, Maloy, and Floro. The World's Most Beautiful Voyage is drawing to a close. Yet still ahead lies mile after mile of spectacular west Norway scenery: holly trees on Svanoy, the mouth of Sognefjord, and the beautiful archipelago on the approach to Bergen.