Having just returned from a press trip in Norway with Havila Voyages, I’m convinced: one of the best ways to see Norway’s coast is by cruise. As we made our way north from Trondheim to Kirkenes, we woke up each day in a new port, ready to explore some of Norway’s otherwise difficult-to-navigate terrain. However, there’s only so much you can see from the boat (although it was a very comfortable boat, indeed). I came to appreciate excursions as a way to learn about history and culture much deeper than textbooks could teach (and that’s coming from a Scandinavian Area Studies minor).
These 5 Norwegian coastal cruise excursions added a very special layer to my trip, and I wanted to share them with you!
1. Walk the Edge of Europe at the North Cape
Hands down, this was one of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip. Above the 71st parallel, the North Cape is the northernmost part of Europe. You can imagine how fresh the air is up there! Once only accessible by an arduous hike made by intrepid explorers and curious members of the nobility, Nordkapp is now just a 30-minute bus transfer from Honningsvåg. Visiting in late March, we lucked out with gorgeous weather (the roads are often too snowy to bypass during the winter months).
Just the drive itself through dramatic snowy hills was gorgeous enough, but once we finally reached the cape, I could hardly take it all in. You find yourself staring out across the Arctic, blue-gray sea stretching as far as the eye can see. Glance to the peninsula in the west to spy the *actual* northernmost landmass of Europe. There’s a visitor’s center with museums, a gift shop, and a cafe where you can toast to the panoramic view.
2. Visit the Sámi and Feed Reindeer
What better way to learn about the indigenous peoples of the Scandinavian north than by paying a visit?
I admit I was excited to learn we’d be visiting a reindeer farm during our stop in Tromsø, I soon learned they were so much more significant than the cartoonish, Rudolph-related ideas that I’d grown up with. The Sámi are the only people allowed to own reindeer in Norway (Sámi languages have over 1000 words to describe reindeer!), and these gentle creatures are a huge part of their livelihood. Once mostly nomadic, the Sámi have had to adapt due to unfair government policies and climate change.
After feeding the reindeer (the sledding portion of the excursion was cancelled due to low snow levels), we went to a presentation and Q + A with our Sámi guide, Inga Katalina. There, seated in a traditional lavvu, the smell of woodsmoke rising around us, it was a privilege to learn about the Sámi cultural survival (3 of their 12 languages were lost over the years of homogenization efforts, for example) and pride.
3. Ride Snowmobiles Under the Polar Sun
Normally not one for adrenaline sports, I admit I was intimidated by the idea of snowmobiling. But this was as smooth as could be.
We were collected from the ship where our snow gear and helmets were waiting for us. After a quick change and bus ride, a fleet of snowmobiles came into view. Although we made a tame single-file line over the snow, the experience still felt wild for a first-timer like me. There were drifts of white as far as the eye could see before we eventually saw the lights of Mehamn’s on the horizon (apparently the town has the world’s largest private Christmas museum!).
Part of what made this experience fun was the good-natured but no-nonsense instructors. During our breaks, I loved listening to Ragnar’s tales of Arctic experiences throughout the year, from snowmobiling in the winter to 2 a.m. fishing trips under the midnight sun.
4. Learn About Nature and History on a Norwegian Coastal Walk
Norway’s landscapes were scene-stealing enough from the boat, but I appreciated the chance to see them up close! In late March, we had snagged one of the last periods before tourists and campers descended upon the area. We walked into the wind, mountains at our back and water to our side, hemming us in on a path over beaches and through forests. Our guide told us stories along the way, covering everything from troll folklore to the geological formation of fjords to ancient Viking history (we even visited an old Viking monument!).
5. Attend a Farewell Feast for a Viking Chieftain
Oh, you know I love a good dinner theater. For an interactive dinner, we spent an evening with a Viking chieftain and his wife in a reconstructed longhouse. We learned about the types of ceremonies that would take place on the eve of his departure, as well as the different roles of the household. They asked for blessings from the gods and answered our questions in character. There was even a museum in the back where we could learn more about daily life at the time.
And then, it was time to eat! Highlights include honeyed mead, succulent lamb, and eating without a fork in sight! We even ended the night with a dance!
Would you want to book any of these excursions when you visit Norway? Let me know below!
Xx Denae
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