Sailing with the Svalbard Line

The journey begins with a flight from Denmark to Bergen.

Welcome to Bergen! Your Arctic adventure starts in this beautiful city on the west coast of Norway. Founded by King Olav Kyrre in 1070, Bergen is now the second-largest city in the country. The dramatic mountain peaks surrounding the city have earned it the famous nickname “the city between the seven mountains”.

In the heart of Bergen, you find the harbour area of Vågen and the UNESCO-listed district of Bryggen, known for its charming cobbled streets and small local shops. Close to Bryggen, the famous fish market offers freshly prepared seafood and traditional Norwegian specialities.

Before boarding M/S Trollfjord in Bergen, you can relax in the comfortable terminal lounge. Here, the staff can assist with booking optional excursions that still have available places.

After the welcome onboard, you meet the ship’s Coastal Experience Team, who serve as hosts and guides throughout the voyage along the Norwegian coast and to Svalbard. This is also a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers and settle into your cabin for the journey ahead.

Enjoy your first meal onboard while watching the colourful buildings of Bergen slowly disappear into the horizon as the ship sails out onto the Norwegian Sea.

The Oldest Fishing Community in Norway

Træna is an island archipelago along the Helgeland Coast, located on the edge of the Arctic Circle — 33 nautical miles northwest of the mainland. The archipelago consists of around 500 islands, islets, and skerries, with only four inhabited throughout the year.

Today’s activities and optional excursions give you the opportunity to experience the central sights and traditions of the islands. The village opens exclusively for our visit, including the church, the Petter Dass Chapel, and the local museum.

Alternatively, you can choose optional experiences such as a scenic hike, a cultural walking tour, a sauna visit, or a refreshing swim in the Arctic Ocean.

Back onboard, the journey continues north as we cross the Arctic Circle, celebrated with a traditional and entertaining ceremony.

At Sea

Today is spent far from land as we cross the Barents Sea on the way towards the remote wilderness of Svalbard. It feels as though civilisation is left far behind while the ship sails deeper into the Arctic. During the day, there will be a lecture about Svalbard, with a focus on the Arctic desert environment. Out on deck, the talented onboard chefs prepare another special tasting experience for guests to enjoy.

This is a perfect day to relax, enjoy the facilities onboard, and learn more about the next destination. In the afternoon, there will also be a briefing about the important environmental guidelines everyone must follow to help protect the fragile Arctic nature upon arrival in Ny-Ålesund.

There is plenty to enjoy onboard throughout the day. Relax in the sauna, work out in the fitness area, or spend time browsing the library. You may also want to organise the photos captured so far during the journey — and if there are favourites you are especially proud of, remember to share them with fellow travellers through the Cameralla app so everyone can enjoy them together.

Science at the Edge of the Arctic

At the tip of the Brøgger Peninsula, along the shores of Kongsfjord, lies Ny-Ålesund. Like Longyearbyen, the settlement originally began as a coal mining community, but from the mid-20th century it developed into an important research centre. During summer, more than one hundred scientists from over 20 glaciology and climate institutes representing more than 10 countries work here.

Take a walk through one of the northernmost settlements in the world, visit the local museum and souvenir shop, or send a postcard to friends and family from the small Arctic post office.

If you did not fully enjoy the impressive scenery of Kongsfjord while arriving in Ny-Ålesund, be sure to head out on deck as the ship departs. This is one of the largest fjords in the area, protected by two enormous glaciers that regularly calve ice directly into the fjord.

Along the route, keep watch for walruses resting along the shoreline and many migratory bird species, including puffins, king eiders, pink-footed geese, and guillemots.

On land, you may occasionally spot Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer, while white whales often appear near the surface of the water. If luck is on your side, you might even see a polar bear along the coast hunting bearded and ringed seals.

Leaving Svalbard

Unfortunately, it is time to say goodbye to Svalbard and Spitsbergen as the voyage turns south towards the mainland coast of Norway.

During the journey, you can fully relax and enjoy life onboard. If the skies are clear, spend time out on deck beneath the Arctic summer sun while watching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the surrounding waters.

Gain fascinating insight into local history and Arctic wildlife by attending lectures hosted by the Coastal Experience Team.

Enjoy exceptional food and drinks inspired by the Norway’s Coastal Kitchen concept, where the chefs prepare meals using some of the finest and most flavourful local Norwegian ingredients.

You may also choose to unwind with a good book in the lounge or share favourite travel memories with fellow passengers in the bar.

The Hidden Gem of the Sunnmøre Alps

The ship makes a short stop in Ålesund, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture and picturesque location on a peninsula beneath Mount Aksla. Here, cargo is unloaded and passengers joining excursions leave the ship.

Near Ålesund, the magnificent Hjørundfjord cuts through mountain peaks rising up to 1,700 metres in the dramatic Sunnmøre Alps. Surrounded by towering mountains, the fjord remains one of the hidden gems of the region and is rarely visited by larger ships.

Along one branch of Hjørundfjord lies the idyllic village of Sæbø. This peaceful setting is perfect to explore at your own pace — but don’t miss the complimentary concert in the local church. You may also choose an optional guided excursion through the beautiful landscapes of Urkedalen.

On the western side of Hjørundfjord, the village of Sæbø also serves as the meeting point where guests returning from excursions that began in Ålesund rejoin the ship.

The final day of the journey is now approaching quickly. Although it feels bittersweet, there is no better way to celebrate the unforgettable Svalbard Line experience than with a festive farewell dinner onboard. It is also the perfect moment to reflect on the many highlights shared throughout the voyage.

Back Where the Journey Began

We arrive in Bergen in the morning. The time has come to disembark — but not before saying farewell to fellow travellers and the crew aboard M/S Trollfjord, who made the journey on the Svalbard Line truly unforgettable.

After arriving in Bergen, it is time to head to the airport for your flight back to Denmark.

You leave with memories from one of the most iconic voyages along the coast of Norway — a journey filled with Arctic landscapes and extraordinary experiences that are not easily forgotten. If you joined optional excursions, you will return home with photos and memories from kayaking, fishing, and cycling through some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world.

The journey leaves you with unforgettable impressions from the North Cape, the Helgeland Coast, Lofoten, Senja, Hjørundfjord, the crossing of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø, Bear Island (Bjørnøya), Longyearbyen, and Ny-Ålesund.