172 NORTHERN EUROPE: REPORT guides, for shore excursions and they are also piloting a new scheme with one cruise line to give guests a pass for free public transport and entry to attractions. If successful, it will be expanded in future.Cruise lines are also being encouraged to use local resources in Longyearbyen in Svalbard, where there are 18 partners that can provide excursions or activities. An economic impact study published in early 2025 shows the increase in turnaround calls from expedition cruise ships is a key driver for Longyearbyen’s future growth. Elsewhere in Norway, ports are upgrading their infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels. Molde is dredging its cruise berth, almost doubling the capacity of its parking area for buses, and hopes to provide shore power by 2026. Mo i Rana’s dredging project has increased the depth of its cruise berth from seven to 9.5 metres. Meanwhile, Trondheim is lengthening the main cruise quay from 96 to 120 metres and expanding its shore power capabilities with a new frequency transformer and a grid upgrade. The port, which expects 98 calls and 174,000 passengers in 2025, has six new tours including Home of the Troll, themed walks and dog sledding. Plus, guests can choose from 14 excursions on the nearby islands of Frøya and Hitra. Hammerfest opened a new cruise pier in 2024, enabling it to berth 280-metrelong vessels in the town centre. It is also diversifying its shore excursion portfolio with new cultural activities and options for the winter season. Two years ago, ships only visited Hammerfest in the summer but in 2024, the port welcomed vessels between February and November. Expanding shore experiences Other ports and destinations are expanding shore excursion programmes to extend their seasons too, creating a wider variety of experiences to immerse visitors in local history, culture and nature. In Åndalsnes, cruise guests can take Norwegian Travel’s storytelling tour on the historic Golden Train or explore sites such as Rødven Stave Church, Bud fishing village and Berillstølen summer pasture farm. Meanwhile in Alta, they can take overland or whale-watching tours, and in Eidfjord they can visit the newly expanded Voringfossen waterfall, which fully reopened in September 2024. Haugesund now offers workshops, paddleboarding tours, visits to a Viking farm, tasting sessions at Hovleveit brewery and fishing experiences on Mortholmen island, which is owned by Captain Sig Hansen, star of TV show Deadliest Catch. Notable new excursion options in Kristiansund include bike tours, seal safaris, a combined fishing tour and dining experience for small groups, and Normoria opera house, which will open in autumn 2025. Kristiansund and the nearby ports of Smøla and Averøy are set to host a combined total of 27 cruise calls in 2025, marking a record for the region. Guests sailing into Arendal can now try gourmet cheese-making, alpaca walking and sauna bathing in a forest. In the Port of Flekkefjord, which is located close to Arendal, visitors can head to Brufjell caves and the island of Hidra, go rail biking along Flekkefjord railway, or try dog sledding, wildlife safaris and adventure swimming. Popular shore excursion options in Ålesund include the via ferrata, Svai sauna, food tours and trips to Runde Island. Neighbouring village Hareid will open for its first-ever cruise calls in 2026 and be marketed primarily at expedition brands. Here, cruise guests can visit Ishavsmuseet museum to learn about Norway’s polar past, or head to the Viking centre, which will open in 2025. Showcasing Norway’s Viking heritage is a key focus for the town of Nordfjordeid, which hopes to gain Unesco World Heritage status in 2025. In late April, it will host a week-long celebration to launch a replica of Myklebust – the largest Viking ship ever discovered in Norway – from the Sagastad Viking Centre, which is being expanded. The town is working to build a Viking village too. The port Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen/Visit Norway Cruise guests can meet the Sami people in various destinations, including Alta
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=