Summer Solstice Cruise
I took this cruise because it offered a unique opportunity to spend time inside the Arctic Circle around the time of the Summer Solstice, allowing me the chance to experience 24 hours of sunshine each day. The cruise encompassed the traditional Norwegian fjord experience with a visit to three ports in northern Norway (Tromsø, Honningsvåg, and Alta).
Ship: Emerald Princess – The first of four back-to-back cruises.
Date: June 17 – July 3, 2025 (16 days)
This cruise provided my first chance to visit Norway. The first three ports were in southern Norway, each located in a fjord, and each very different. The views were spectacular.
The ports in central and northern Norway features more ice and snow as we encountered colder weather (7C) to accompany the continuous sun.
Trolls
Trolls are a prominent part of Norwegian folklore and mythology. They are believed to live in isolated areas and be hostile towards. They were often found outside shops in many of the ports we visited.
Fjord Cruising
Many of the ports we visited were located deep inside the many fjords found on Norway’s coast. This often meant we were treated with a scenic cruise along the fjor each evening as we headed back out to sea.
Posts
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Return To Southampton
Having stepped off the Princess Sky in Southampton back in March, I have returned to Southampton to resume my exploration of Europe.
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Summer Solstice Cruise
In CruisingI took this cruise because it offered a unique opportunity to spend time inside the Arctic Circle around the time of the Summer Solstice, allowing me the chance to experience 24 hours of sunshine each day. The cruise encompassed the traditional Norwegian fjord experience with a visit to three ports in northern Norway (Tromsø, Honningsvåg,…
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Bergen – City of Seven Mountains
My first visit to Norway included an enjoyable stroll around central Bergen and a visit to the Ice Bar, a bar where everything is made of ice.
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Olden and Nordfjorden
The view from my beer. The Norwegian fjords have me searching for new and different superlatives to describe my view that I haven’t used before. What can I say, the world is filled with so many amazing places. This is one of them.
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Mountaineering in Åndalsnes
The view from my beer today again comes to you from fjord country. Today it is the beautiful Åndalsnes and the view from up high (I really earned this beer)
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Trolling in Tromsø
Tromsø, the Northern Lights capital of Norway and deep in the land of the midnight sun. I have begun to believe paradise is not a place, it’s more a state of mind. Beauty abounds everywhere. It’s just packaged better in Tassie!
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Honningsvåg – The Top of Europe
The view from my beer comes from a pub in the Northern most city in continental Europe. It has taken a while, but we have finally reached the top of Norway and spent the day in charming Honningsvåg before we head south, and hopefully a warmer climate later today.
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A Day in Alta
The warmest day experienced inside the Arctic Circle. Alta was a more modern city featuring the spectacular Northern Lights Cathedral.
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The Magnificence of Molde
A small city in southern Norway provided stunning natural beauty and architectural heritage.
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Trolling Trondheim
Last night we headed north again to visit the city of Trondheim. Norway’s third largest city provided a wealth of history and Norwegian culture, including the spotting of a few more trolls.
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Edinburgh – Hagis, Kilts, and Whiskey
My only previous visit to Edinburg was a business trip and I didn’t get to see much of the city. Today I was overwhelmed with just how much culture and heritage was packed into the central part of Edinburg.
