Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Norwegian border, but further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. WWII history: For those interested in history, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about the town's ordeal during WWII; bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta. For more insights into this somber period, visit the Andersgrotta WWII Bomb Shelter which can house up to 2,500 people underground. Norway's northern frontier: In the port of Vardø, you'll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day. We cruise Norway's coastline to arrive in the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening and then on to Berlevåg. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.

We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund. The northernmost city: In the early afternoon, you'll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world's northernmost settlements. See the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen. Mountains and marine mammals: We continue cruising Norway's coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. We've been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896. If you're visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring. As we make our way to Tromsø, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway. Midnight magic: We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.

Today, you'll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route. After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world's northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula. Next is our smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 3,281-foot-high (1,000-meter-high) mountains. Hurtigruten's birthplace: Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began the Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles Hurtigruten's legacy, centered around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956. A ship-sized fjord: Sailing along Raftsund, the captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close you'll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too. Last stop in Lofoten: We reach Svolvær in the evening, the last stop on your voyage. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree!