Norway & Arctic Cruise Itinerary

August 1-13, 2025

Travelers: Mr Thomas Cranstoun (British Passport) & Ms Eleanor Cranstoun (Irish Passport)
Trailfinders Reference: MDQER3
Prepared by: Lucy Dalton

📅 Complete Journey Overview

Date
Day
Location
Accommodation/Transport
Key Activities
Thu Jul 31
Pre-trip
York → Manchester
Train TPE + DoubleTree Hotel
Travel to Manchester, dinner at Evuna, overnight
Fri Aug 1
1
Manchester → Oslo
Flight SK4610 (12:55-15:55)
Depart Manchester, arrive Oslo
Fri Aug 1
1
Oslo
Clarion Hotel The Hub
Evening in Oslo
Sat Aug 2
2
Oslo → Longyearbyen
Flight SK4496 (16:05-19:00)
Fly to Arctic, hotel transfer
Sat Aug 2
2
Longyearbyen
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Arrive Svalbard archipelago
Sun Aug 3
3
Longyearbyen
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
MS Bard Glacier Cruise (08:15)
Mon Aug 4
4
Longyearbyen
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Free day, town exploration
Tue Aug 5
5
Longyearbyen → Cruise
MS Trollfjord embarkation
Cruise Day 8 - Embark Arctic cruise
Wed Aug 6
6
Ny-Ålesund
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 9 - Research station visit
Thu Aug 7
7
At Sea
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 10 - Farewell to Svalbard
Fri Aug 8
8
Tromsø → Senja
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 11 - "Little Norway" island
Sat Aug 9
9
Stokmarknes → Lofoten
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 12 - Hurtigruten Museum, Svolvær
Sun Aug 10
10
Brønnøysund
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 13 - Helgeland Coast, Torghatten
Mon Aug 11
11
Ålesund → Hjørundfjord
MS Trollfjord
Cruise Day 14 - Art Nouveau, Alps fjord
Tue Aug 12
12
Bergen
MS Trollfjord → Hotel
Cruise Day 15 - Disembark, hotel transfer
Tue Aug 12
12
Bergen
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
Evening in Bergen
Wed Aug 13
13
Bergen → Copenhagen
Flight SK2875 (14:35-15:55)
Depart Bergen, arrive Copenhagen
Wed Aug 13
13
Copenhagen
Bob W Østerbro Copenhagen
Check-in Copenhagen apartment
Thu Aug 14
14
Copenhagen
Bob W Østerbro Copenhagen
Explore Copenhagen
Fri Aug 15
15
Copenhagen
Bob W Østerbro Copenhagen
Explore Copenhagen
Sat Aug 16
16
Copenhagen
Bob W Østerbro Copenhagen
Final day in Copenhagen
Sun Aug 17
17
Copenhagen → Manchester
Flight FR6880 (13:05-14:05)
Return home

Thursday, July 31, 2025 - Pre-Trip

🚄 Train Journey - York to Manchester

TransPennine Express

🍷 Dinner Reservation

Evuna Deansgate

🏨 Accommodation - Manchester

DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester - Piccadilly

Friday, August 1, 2025

🛂 Airport Security FastTrack

Manchester Airport Terminal 1

✈️ Flight SK4610 - Manchester to Oslo

🏨 Accommodation - Oslo

Clarion Hotel The Hub

Saturday, August 2, 2025

✈️ Flight SK4496 - Oslo to Longyearbyen

🚐 Transfer

🏨 Accommodation - Longyearbyen

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen

Arrive at the Svalbard archipelago and make your way up to Spitsbergen, the largest of the three main islands. Magnificent brown and green mountains rise and ripple up from the High Arctic tundra while rivers of snow-melt trickle through the valley plains, glistening under the summer sun.

Take a moment to just be here, now, in Svalbard. You're at a latitude more than 78°N and under 820 miles from the North Pole itself. The air of this Arctic desert is fresh and pure, and temperatures in summer average between zero and eight degrees Celsius thanks to a warm northern branch of the Gulf Stream.

In early afternoon, find Longyearbyen nestled on the banks of Isfjord. A former coal mining colony, it is the biggest settlement in Svalbard and a hub for adventure travellers, as well as scientists and engineers attached to local research projects, like the famous Global Seed Vault.

Sunday, August 3, 2025

🏨 Day 2 in Longyearbyen

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen

🚢 BOOKED EXCURSION - 08:15

Wildlife and Glacier Cruise with MS Bard

Experience Details: Travel with the hybrid electric catamaran MS Bard, specially designed with silent electric motors to minimize noise and vibration, allowing closer wildlife encounters without disturbing the animals.

Tour Highlights:

Afternoon/Evening:

Monday, August 4, 2025

🏨 Day 3 in Longyearbyen

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen

Final day in Longyearbyen before cruise embarkation:

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

🚐 Transfer

🚢 Hurtigruten Cruise - Day 8

(Note: "Day 8" refers to Hurtigruten's cruise itinerary numbering - this is your embarkation day) MS Trollfjord - Longyearbyen Embarkation

At the edge of the world

Activities & Highlights:

🚢 HURTIGRUTEN CRUISE BEGINS - Day 8

MS Trollfjord Embarkation

Cruise Inclusions:

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 9 - Ny-Ålesund

Science on the Arctic frontier

At the tip of Brøgger peninsula, on one of Kongsfjord's shores, is Ny-Ålesund. Like Longyearbyen, it began as a coal mine but became host to scientific stations from the mid 20th century. During the summer, there are over a hundred researchers based in the town, representing 20 glaciology and climate institutes from more than 10 countries.

Wander around what is one of the northernmost settlements in the world, drop in at the local museum and souvenir shop, or send a far-flung postcard back to friends and family from the small post office.

If you weren't up in time to enjoy the impressive views of Kongsfjord on the way to Ny-Ålesund, make sure you're on deck as we leave. It's one of the largest fjords in the area, with an entrance guarded by two colossal creaking glaciers that regularly deposit ice into the fjord.

Wildlife Spotting Opportunities:

Activities & Highlights:

Thursday, August 7, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 10 - Leaving Svalbard

Sailing south to mainland Norway

Unfortunately, it's time for us to say farewell to Svalbard and to Spitsbergen and sail south back to mainland Norway.

On board the ship, use the day to relax. If skies are clear, enjoy some summer sun out on deck and keep on the lookout for whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

For some fascinating insights into local history and wildlife, catch a lecture delivered by the Expedition Team.

Enjoy the sumptuous food and drinks on board, courtesy of our Norway's Coastal Kitchen concept that features the finest, most flavoursome, local Norwegian produce.

You can also curl up with a good book in the lounge or chat with new-found friends in the bar while reminiscing together about your favourite experiences of the voyage so far.

Activities & Highlights:

Friday, August 8, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 11 - Senja

Exploring 'Little Norway'

After a day at sea, we arrive back to mainland Norway.

Our first stop of the day is Tromsø, to drop off any cargo from Svalbard and pick up cargo bound for ports to the south, before we continue south to Senja. The island is one of the country's largest, and northern Norway's fast-rising star destination, as you'd expect for a place ranked among CNN's top ten most beautiful islands in the world.

Often proudly described by locals as a 'mini Norway', Senja has a concentration of diverse landscapes that mirror different parts of the Norwegian coast, from the sandy beaches, turquoise waters and lofty mountains of its northern coast to the rocky coastline and pine forests of southern Senja and Ånderdalen National Park. You'll find rolling hills and birch forests to the east.

Disembark in the charming fishing village of Torsken and explore by bus, e-bike, on foot, or take to the fjords on a wildlife safari on one of the optional excursions.

Activities & Highlights:

Saturday, August 9, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 12 - Svolvær, Lofoten

Fall in love with Lofoten

Start the day with a few hours in Stokmarknes, an historic town with a special place in our hearts. It's the birthplace of Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express.

It's a fitting place for the Hurtigruten Museum, where you are immersed in the atmosphere of a different era on our retired 1956 ship, MS Finnmarken, proudly encased in glass on the waterfront.

After Stokmarknes, we'll sail via Raftsundet and Trollfjord to Lofoten. The rest of the day is all about exploring this breathtaking archipelago. Hailed as one of the most spectacular areas in all of Norway, you'll understand why as you see its jagged green cliffs rise dramatically out of the ocean, climbing high into the sky like giant teeth.

The beating heart of the archipelago is the town of Svolvær where your ship will be based. There are shops and restaurants to enjoy, and the hours can be spent exploring and getting to know the town yourself.

To experience the mountains, islands, and villages around Svolvær, choose from a variety of handpicked top Lofoten excursions. You can go fishing, kayaking, or sit back and enjoy the incredible scenery on foot or on a bus tour.

Activities & Highlights:

Sunday, August 10, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 13 - Brønnøysund

Highlights of the Helgeland Coast

The ship continues south and reaches the midpoint of the Norwegian coast. This is the Helgeland Coast, a well-known stretch full of distinctive mountains that have inspired many a charming myth and local folklore.

We will base the ship in the town of Brønnøysund, which features a lovely marina and a Neo-Gothic stone church from 1870. Spend your time exploring the town or join optional excursions such as a RIB cruise.

Further along from Brønnøysund is the unique Torghatten Mountain. The first thing you'll notice about Torghatten is the hole that pierces right through its centre. At an easy pace, it takes about an hour to reach the hole in Torghatten on an optional excursion. The panoramic view of the islands stretching out before you is well worth it.

Activities & Highlights:

Note: From 2026, the ship will stop at the coastal village of Bessaker instead of Brønnøysund.

Monday, August 11, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 14 - Ålesund & Hjørundfjord

Secret of the Sunnmøre Alps

The ship will make a brief stop in the town of Ålesund, known for its Art Nouveau architecture and picturesque position on a peninsula below Mount Aksla. If you're joining the overland excursion to Hjørundfjord and Sæbø, this is where you disembark, or you can explore the town on foot.

Near to Ålesund, cutting through the peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps, some 1,700 metres high, is magnificent Hjørundfjord. Its picture-perfect position embedded in the Sunnmøre Alps means it is the area's hidden gem and a secret from most other ships.

On the banks of one of Hjørundfjord's branches is the idyllic village of Sæbø. It's a beautiful spot to enjoy at your own pace – but don't miss the free concert in the church. You can see more of the area on an optional guided walk through the beautiful scenery of the Urke Valley.

We are fast approaching the last day of our voyage. What better way to celebrate our Svalbard Line experience than a farewell dinner on our last night.

Activities & Highlights:

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

🚢 Cruise Day 15 - Bergen Disembarkation

Back where we began

We arrive back in Bergen in the morning. It's time to disembark the ship, but not before saying fond farewells to your fellow passengers and to the crew who made your Svalbard Line journey such a comfortable one.

You've travelled as part of this historic, iconic voyage to pieces of paradise along the Norwegian coast you won't soon forget. If you've engaged in optional excursions, will you have photos to share of you kayaking, hiking, fishing, cycling in some of the most beautiful scenery ever seen?

We know you'll take fond memories of the North Cape, Helgeland, Lofoten, Senja, Hjørundfjord, crossing the Arctic Circle, Tromsø, Bjørnøya, Longyearbyen, and Ny-Ålesund home with you.

Journey Memories:

🏨 Accommodation - Bergen

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Bergen

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

✈️ Flight SK2875 - Bergen to Copenhagen

🏨 Extended Stay - Copenhagen

Bob W Østerbro Copenhagen

Cancellation Policy: Non-refundable - total price will be charged if cancelled, modified, or no-show (DKK 6,371.15 from June 23, 2025)

Copenhagen Exploration Days:

Sunday, August 17, 2025

✈️ Return Flight FR6880 - Copenhagen to Manchester

Ryanair

End of Journey: Arrive Manchester at 14:05

Important Booking References

📋 Key Confirmation Numbers:

Essential Travel Information

🌡️ Weather & Packing Guide

Arctic (Svalbard - Days 8-10):

Norwegian Coast (Days 11-15):

Copenhagen Extension (August 13-17):

🌅 Daylight Information

🛳️ Onboard Facilities (MS Trollfjord)

💰 Practical Information

📸 Photography Tips

🐻 Wildlife Viewing Guide

🏛️ Copenhagen Highlights

Must-See Attractions:

Neighborhood to Explore:

Have a wonderful complete journey from York to Copenhagen and back!