Arrive in Kirkenes airport, and private transfer to your hotel in Kirkenes, a small Northern Norway town. On arrival, check in and prepare for your afternoon's activity. The Arctic King Crab is a sought after delicacy and you will learn how to catch, prepare and eat them. Your guide takes you out and you can lend a hand in sawing through the ice before your guide attempts to land you a few of these massive crustaceans. Enjoy the day's catch for lunch seated by a cosy fire in a small local farmhouse by the lake. You will travel to the lake by snowmobile sleigh (you are passengers on the sleigh).

Ports visited today: Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes, Berlevåg.

Join your voyage in Kirkenes as the Havila ship turns around to travel southbound. As the ship starts its voyage south, you can first enjoy lunch followed by views of the surrounding Arctic landscape on deck or from the panorama lounge.

In the afternoon, the ship again docks at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean. On board in spring, there is a presentation about shorebirds residing along the Nordic coastline. Heading south, we cruise along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. The latter town is home to one of Norway’s most famous male choirs, consisting mainly of local fishermen.

If you are wishing to add some activities before your voyage, please talk to us directly about what is available depending on the season of travel.

Ports visited today: Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.

In the middle of the night, dock at Mehamn, where it is possible to join an unforgettable snowmobile trip through one of Europe's most extreme and exciting natural areas during winter time. Experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerising Northern Lights in the clear, starry sky.

At Honningsvåg you can join an excursion that features breakfast at North Cape and the discovery of hidden parts of Finnmark along the way between May and October. Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an 'energy coffee' and short introduction to Melkøya - the world´s northernmost natural gas terminal'. Hammerfest was founded in 1789, and over time became Norway's polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the High Arctic. Here you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise geographic measurement of the globe. In winter, you can also join a mini-mountain expedition to experience the Arctic outdoors and learn about local polar hero and cook, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm.

We continue south to Øksfjord. After crossing open water, we make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy. In spring, we sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Lyngen Alps: Here, you might get a taste of fresh locally-caught prawns.

We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a magical midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. In summer, you can join a midnight excursion, under the Midnight Sun, to explore Tromsø by sea in a RIB boat. Alternatively, a walk around the town provides you the chance to enjoy a local brew at one of the city´s many friendly pubs.

Optional Excursions depending on the season: Snowmobile trip in the Polar Night, Breakfast at the North Cape, the Northernmost Town in the world Hammerfest, Into the Ice - Stories of a Polar Hero, Mountain Hike in Hammerfest and Midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral.

Ports visited today: Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.

The daylight sailing through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many Hurtigruten guests. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages.

Before you reach them, you pass through Risøyrenna, a channel that was specially constructed for Hurtigruten, providing the vessels an ‘inside route’ between Harstad and Sortland. Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants and the ship stops here briefly to deliver groceries and mail. You then continue onto Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, is the location of the Hurtigruten Museum.

Continuing south it looks as if you are sailing straight through the mountain wall but you wail through an opening in the narrow Raftsund, the picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, where, time and weather permitting, you’ll take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship’s sides, home to the majestic sea eagles.

Then it’s on to Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands followed by Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. You leave the islands during the evening and set course for the mainland.

Optional Excursions depending on the season: A Taste of Vesterålen, Lofoten Islands, Lofoten Islands Horse Riding, Sea Eagle Safari, Fishing Village Walk, Fishing in Lofoten and Rib-Adventure in Lofoten.

Ports visited today: Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’. Today we celebrate the event out on deck with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls rich in local lore. On deck you can see the strange mountain Torghatten (rising 258 m above sea level), famous for its distinctive hole right through the middle. The hole is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age.

Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 m high, and it is easy to understand how these ‘ladies’ influenced ancient myths. The story goes that there were seven troll sisters, the daughters of King Sulis, who kept them under strict control. One night, when the king fell into a deep sleep, the seven maidens sneaked out. Vågekallen, who was eager for a wife, was lying in wait. He pursued the sisters, who fled southwards down the coast. Several other trolls joined the chase to either capture or rescue them. When night turned to morning, the troll sisters and their pursuers were petrified as the sun turns all trolls to stone. They all became the rocks and mountains that today make the Helgeland coastline one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Next we make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vega Islands is close to Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. This unique cultural landscape consists of dozens of islands. The UNESCO designation was awarded due to the unique interaction between the eider duck and island population. Learn how the fishermen and farmers have cultivated a centuries-old symbiotic relationship with the ducks, and how it continues to contribute to a livelihood of eiderdown harvesting and making down-filled duvets.

As we arrive in Brønnøysund, you can join the excursion to visit to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre near Brønnøysund for an informative tour and taste of fresh salmon from April throughout October.

Optional Activities depending on the season: UNESCO Islands Vega and Visit a Salmon Farm.

Ports visited today: Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund.

Today provides another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Back on board, the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, plunging to 577 m.

As we sail along the coast, you realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund's location has steadily provided the town with a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. Kristiansund is today regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join an excursion to the renowned Atlantic Road, one of Norway’s most visited tourist destinations. It is 8.2 km long, built on a total of eight bridges and surrounded by picturesque landscapes and open sea.

Another interesting excursion is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which includes entering a mountain and sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake, before enjoying a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’. Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ships crossing the open sea on our way to Molde, known as Norway´s ‘City of Roses’. Along the way you see see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

Optional Excursions depending on the season: The Atlantic Road, Marble Mine tour, The hidden rooms of Nidaros Cathedral and Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral.

Ports visited today: Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, Florø, Bergen.

During the night, the ship calles at Ålesund, Torvik & Måløy, as the world's most beautiful voyage draws to an end.

Today, your voyage will come to an end when you arrive in the City of Seven Mountains, Bergen. But before that, you still have a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedalsbreen glacier, Norway’s longest fjord - the mighty Sognefjord and the picturesque Bergen Archipelago. Take home your memories of the world’s most beautiful voyage and the many seafaring companions and friends you’ve made along the way.

Arrive Bergen and check into your central hotel. Enjoy an optional city walk in Bergen.

After breakfast, private transfer to the Bergen airport.