Our Norway Cruise Adventure was a stunning journey through Norway’s fjords and coastal landscapes, blending natural beauty with cultural exploration. Norway is quite a distance from where I live, near Frankfurt, and driving all the way to the North Cape would be a daunting task—not to mention the cost of finding a decent hotel, and the high prices for food and drinks along the way. So when our family found a cruise that offered a route from Stavanger all the way up to the North Cape, it seemed like the perfect solution, even though Bergen, unfortunately, wasn’t on the itinerary.
Itinerary of Norway Cruise Adventure
With only a few cabins left six months before departure, we opted for one with a large window, giving us a comfortable view of the stunning scenery outside.
The cruise started from Hamburg. To avoid any unpredictable delays with the German trains, we decided to take the train to Hamburg the day before our departure. The cruise terminal for Costa Favolosa isn’t accessible by public bus, so we took a taxi to get there the next day.
The itinerary of the 14 days Norway Cruise Adventure is as follow:
- 29th July 2024 – Setting Sail
- 30th July 2024 – A Day at Sea
- 31st July 2024 – Sunshine in Måløy
- 1st August 2024 – Crossing the Polar Circle
- 2nd August 2024 – Discovering Tromsø
- 3rd August 2024 – The Edge of Europe: North Cape
- 4th August 2024 – Another Day at Sea
- 5th August 2024 – Exploring Lofoten
- 6th August 2024 – A Stroll Through Bodø
- 7th August 2024 – Another Sea Day
- 8th August 2024 – Olden’s Skylift Adventure
- 9th August 2024 – Exploring Stavanger
- 10th August 2024 – A Relaxing Day at Sea
- 11th August 2024 – Leaving the ship
We took several tours to explore the destinations and were very satisfied with what was offered. However, as with all our travels over the years, not everything went perfectly on this trip. I’ll share more about my experiences at the end of this article.
29th July 2024 – Setting Sail
The journey began with a relatively smooth boarding process, though I had a bit of a delay at passport control. My temporary passport, paired with a German resident ID still linked to my old passport, seemed to confuse the staff. It took them about ten minutes to sort it out, but once that was done, everything else went off without a hitch.
At the security checkpoint, we were pleasantly surprised to find that water was allowed onboard. After settling in, we discovered the lunch buffet was still open, so we wasted no time grabbing a bite to eat. It was the perfect way to ease into the first day on the ship, and the rest of the day passed by without any issues.
30th July 2024 – A Day at Sea
The next day was spent entirely at sea, which gave us a chance to get used to the cruise’s daily rhythm. We joined a few activities onboard, trying to find our groove in this floating city. However, the evening show was a bit of a letdown. I had hoped for something a bit more spectacular, but it didn’t quite hit the mark.
31st July 2024 – Sunshine in Måløy
On the third day, we arrived at Måløy to be greeted by glorious sunshine. We decided to explore on foot, walking from the harbour up to a viewpoint. The views along the way were absolutely stunning, with picture-perfect scenery at every turn. It was one of those days where everything just seemed to come together beautifully—the weather, the landscape, the experience.
1st August 2024 – Crossing the Polar Circle
Day four was another day at sea, but this one was special because we crossed the Polar Circle. It was quite a momentous occasion, and everyone received a certificate to mark the crossing. The day also included a Gala dinner, but I was surprised to see only a few people dressed up in formal wear. On previous cruises, Gala nights were a big deal, with everyone donning their best suits and dresses, but this time it was much more relaxed.
As we sailed further north, the days grew longer, and by 11 pm, the sunset began. The sight of the sun dipping below the horizon so late in the evening was something I’d only ever dreamed about. Many of us gathered on the deck to capture this unique and magical moment.
2nd August 2024 – Discovering Tromsø
Early the next morning, we sailed into Tromsø, shrouded in a light mist. The approach to the city was dotted with small islands, some of which were inhabited, adding to the charm of our arrival. Once docked, we hopped on a bus that took us straight to the heart of the city, near the Radisson Blu Hotel.
We spent the day exploring Tromsø, visiting the old cathedral, the city library, and crossing the bridge to admire the striking modern architecture of the Arctic Cathedral. The old town was under construction and not particularly enjoyable to walk around, but the walk to the Arctic Cathedral was pleasant.
3rd August 2024 – The Edge of Europe: North Cape
Day six was all about North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe. We joined a North Cape tour from the harbour, and before reaching the famous cliff, we visited a Sami family, where we had the lovely experience of seeing their reindeer up close. Along the way, we also spotted many wild reindeer grazing on the slopes. We made a stop at a small fishing village, known as the northernmost fishing village on the European continent. When we finally arrived at North Cape, the weather was surprisingly pleasant, with sunshine and a few clouds. The Arctic Sea was calm, and white clouds drifted below the observation platform, creating a stunning scene.
4th August 2024 – Another Day at Sea
Another day at sea gave us the chance to relax and make the most of the ship’s amenities. The highlight was, once again, a stunning sunset around 11 pm. The sky was dotted with small clouds, and the soft light of the setting sun created a truly enchanting scene. Sipping a cocktail and listening to live pop music, it was one of those moments when you can’t help but feel grateful to be in such a beautiful place.
5th August 2024 – Exploring Lofoten
Our stop in Lofoten was nothing short of spectacular. The tour took us to several stunning spots, starting with a beautiful beach, then on to Hamnøy, Reine, and Å. Each location had its own unique charm, with the typical traditional red and white houses dotting the landscape. According to our tour guide, it was rare for Lofoten to enjoy such a sunny and warm day, with temperatures reaching 22°C. Lofoten’s rugged beauty and serene landscapes made this day one of the highlights of the trip.
6th August 2024 – A Stroll Through Bodø
In Bodø, we took a leisurely walk through the town and then wandered back along the waterfront. Although the town itself didn’t have any particularly notable features, the fresh sea air and peaceful atmosphere provided a brief moment of relaxation.
7th August 2024 – Another Sea Day
With another day at sea, we took the opportunity to unwind and enjoy the ship’s facilities. It was a much-needed break after all the exploring we’d done over the past few days. Although the prizes for the Quiz Time activities weren’t particularly attractive, we still joined in a few but didn’t manage to win anything.
8th August 2024 – Olden’s Skylift Adventure
In Olden, we took a shuttle bus that included tickets for the Skylift, which promised panoramic views of the fjords from the top. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side, with overcast skies and a bit of rain. But just when we thought we might miss out, a patch of sunlight broke through the clouds. We quickly snapped some photos as the sun moved across the sky, making the most of the brief moment of good weather.
9th August 2024 – Exploring Stavanger
Our time in Stavanger started after lunch when the rain finally cleared up. We headed out to explore the old town, where all the houses are painted white, creating a charming and cohesive look. From there, we walked along the waterfront to the newer part of town, where the houses were bursting with colour—every shade imaginable except white. It was a lovely contrast and made for a picturesque afternoon.
10th August 2024 – A Relaxing Day at Sea
The final day of our cruise was spent at sea, and we decided to make the most of the ship’s amenities. We indulged in a relaxing session at the sauna and pool, soaking up the last bits of our holiday before heading back to reality.
11th August 2024 – Leaving the Ship
The end of our Norway Cruise Adventure was a straightforward process. To prepare for the leaving the ship, we tagged our luggage with our cabin number and contact information and placed it outside our cabin before midnight. The staff collected it and transported it to the cruise terminal once the ship docked.
The ship arrived in Hamburg early in the morning, and we were assigned to the “U” departure group, scheduled for around 10:00. This gave us time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before disembarking. When we walked off the ship and reached the terminal, we easily found our luggage neatly lined up behind the “U” sign.
Taxis were waiting just outside, and within a few minutes, we were on our way to Hamburg Central Train Station.
Travel tips of our Norway Cruise Adventure with Costa Favolosa
This cruise to Norway was an unforgettable journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, unique experiences, and the kind of peaceful moments that stay with you long after the trip is over. Norway’s natural beauty is something everyone should experience at least once, and I’m already dreaming of my next adventure.
Here’s a brief summary of our personal experience from our Norway Cruise Adventure.
Costa Favolosa
The drink package was a great deal. For breakfast, only tea, juices, water, and coffee were included, with water also available at the buffet restaurant. We purchased the drink package, which offered a wide range of beverages including various liqueurs, cocktails, long drinks, soft drinks, coffee varieties, several wines, and two bottles of water per cabin each day. We used it frequently and found it to be excellent value for money.
There were two dinner slots in the restaurant, at 18:00 and 20:00. Lunch was served around 12:00, and afternoon cake time was at 16:00. We chose the 18:00 slot, but often found that we weren’t very hungry at that time.
In the SPA section, only the gym and the sauna next to it were free for all passengers. The women’s sauna had a lovely view of the seaside, but the men’s sauna felt like a small, heated storage room—not worth trying.
Sightseeing tips
The Lofoten Islands offer some of the most stunning coastal drives in the world. However, many of the smaller roads leading to remote areas can be narrow and winding. In summer, the weather can change quickly, with fog affecting visibility and driving conditions. If you only have one day, it might be better to join a tour.
The Skylift in Olden provides fantastic views of the fjords, but if the weather isn’t ideal, you could enjoy a walk around the idyllic lake, which is not far from the cruise terminal.
In Tromsø, we bought our bus tickets using a local app. Buses in Norway don’t accept credit cards onboard and only take local currency. So, it’s a good idea to either use the app, which lets you pay by card, or have some Norwegian cash on hand for bus tickets.
Traveling to North Cape on your own isn’t easy. Local buses are limited, and taxis are both expensive and hard to find. The best option is to join a tour.
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