Cruise Norway Text: Susan Parker

Theme cruise norway text: susan parker

Cruise Norway (CN) celebrated 20 years in 2012 and there’s no sign of it resting on its laurels. With Wenche Nygard at its helm and Norway being a destination that for many is a lifelong travel dream, the association is reaping rewards. Even with the Emissions Control Area sulphur limit of 0.1% looming in 2015, this is a country that has a ‘wow’ factor that is not easy to replace anywhere nearby. Not only does it boast extraordinarily beautiful fjords, ancient cultures, history and nature in its pur- est form, but this year and last are highlighted as being particularly special for the aurora borealis/Northern Lights. ike Louagie M ike Photo:

SHIPPAXCFI 9 igel Lingard, cruise & travel Between 2007 and 2011 CN tripled industry management consultant, its revenue from NOK 1.7 million (EUR Ncommented: ‘Norway is on the 0.22 million) in 2007 to NOK 5.2 million wish list of the primary demographics (EUR 0.69 million) due to an increased of the cruise market, i.e. retired middle- number of members and activities. ‘Our class people. Most of them at some point aim is to make sure that our sharehold- in their lives want to see the fjords.’ ers and partners get a return on their And Joanna Boxall, Cunard shore investment on the events, for exam- operations executive, said: ‘Norway is ple Cruise Shipping Miami, Seatrade incredibly important for the summer Med and the workshops, as well as the programme. It gives us good itineraries product manual and other activities,’ with lots of ports in a relatively small explained Nygard. area which means we can drop fuel costs. There is a massive amount of vari- Cruise tourism important for ety for shore excursions.’ economy Cruise Norway was set up by a group The 2013-14 product manual is be- of Norwegian ports keen to promote ing distributed as we go to press. New Norway as a cruise destination. Wenche this year is the inclusion of distances Nygard joined in 2006 and has been between port embarkation areas in Nigel Lingard instrumental in taking it further ever nautical miles. The e-book is due to be since. There are 41 shareholders with launched on www.cruise-norway.no Norwegian ports owning the lion’s soon. that the CN cruise manual is the best share, i.e. 70%. There are 20 associate Feedback over the years has been in the market place. We have a website members. very positive: ‘Cruiselines have told us which has a lot of information. In addition we are a spokesman for the industry in Norway. We have close cooperation ‘There is a lot of money in the NOx with the port and hospitality associa- fund. There is an opportunity to apply tions and, for example, the coast guard.’ for funding for new environmentally- Boxall said the association works very hard on raising the profile of friendly technology so use it.´ Norway and introducing new ports as Wenche Nygard, Cruise Norway well as helping out with literature with Lingard adding that Norway promotes itself very actively. Nygard: ‘For years we have fought for cruise tourism to be part of the national tourism strategy and we succeed- ed last year. Finally cruise has come in from the cold. This is fantastic. It means that the Ministry recognises cruise tourism’s important economic value for Norway.’ Indeed, the value of cruise tourism in Norway corresponded to 13% of all foreigners’ tourism spending in Norway in 2010 according to a report, Guest survey of tourism, requested by the Nor- wegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. The direct effect of cruise tourism was calculated at NOK 2 billion (EUR 0.27 billion). Perhaps it is due partly to this that some of the negativity towards cruiseships in the fjords from the hotels a few years ago has changed. ‘Cruise tourism has become more positive for the Norwegian community than it was two years ago.’

Will ECA rules affect Norway’s cruise business? However even before this major step

susan parker susan Photo: forward, Nygard has been instrumental

10 SHIPPAXCFI in bringing cruise issues to the table. tory system but that, in the short term, well as the rest of the industry because Most notably the NOx tax of 2007. there may be some benefits to itineraries if we speak with one voice we will be ‘That was the time when we decided north of 62 degrees which is outside the stronger.’ we needed to be a member of the ECA. ‘Some [destinations] will benefit Lingard however commented that European Cruise Council and the HNO from itinerary changes cruiselines are most of the cruiselines have learned to [Norwegian hospitality association]. We contemplating to reduce average cruis- live with the pilotage fees. ‘Some of the have worked very closely with both to ing speeds. There will be some winners bigger ships go through complicated get the NOx tax changed to a NOx fund and some losers. What have been fairly routes to avoid fees but then they don’t which is much more positive for the traditional products like the seven- tend to navigate close to the islands.’ He cruiselines.’ night Norway cruise [out of UK] might added: ‘The actual port costs in Nor- Cruiselines are able to apply to the become eight, a bit like extending the way are not that great, particularly in fun for funding for relevant technical length of the transatlantic cruises.’ some of the fjord ports but they do have development but so far only Fred Olsen Elisabetta de Nardo, port operations limitations of not having fuel or waste Cruise Lines has done so despite Nygard manager Costa Cruises, said that the disposal’. using every opportunity to encourage low sulphur fuel demanded in 2015 and As mentioned above CN has a close operators. ‘There is a lot of money in the 2020 will have an impact on itineraries cooperation with the ECC. Nygard fund. There is an opportunity to apply to what she calls a ‘beautiful and always said: ‘I have been informed that waste for funding for new environmentally- attractive destination’. handling is not a problem in Norway. friendly technology so use it.’ The fund I hope this is true. The ECA is a chal- was due to close in 2013 but this has Other challenges lenge of course. I think it is important been postponed until 2017. Looking ahead Nygard sees pilot fees for us to continue our good work. One In Lingard’s opinion this demon- as a challenge. ‘The pilot fees are going of the benefits of Norway is that we are strates one of CN’s strong points. ‘Many to be reduced by 2% this year. The pilot very port intensive. There are 41 ports of us view Cruise Norway as being an costs have increased 40% in last the five along its coastline so cruising to Norway exemplary cruise association, partly years so a 2% drop is not much. There is value for money for the cruiselines because they have gone beyond just is still a long way to go. We have been from that perspective. You can come and promotional activity. They have helped fighting for two years now, not only CN visit many ports next to each but a large cruiselines with defence against puni- but also working with the port associa- variety. I think that one of the selling tive taxes on environmental measures, tions which are the main organisations points now with the ECA coming in is for example the NOx tax.’ for this issue.’ that northern Norway is not in the ECA, The ECA is bound to effect Norway There are two Norwegian port ie north of 62 degrees.’ but none is quite sure how. AIDA Cruis- organisations which are mainly lobbying In this respect bookings are look- es, for example, has already booked organisations for the ports and shipping ing ‘fantastic’ for 2014 and for 2015, calls in Bergen in 2015 when the 0.1% industry. Nygard commented: ‘They although it is early days yet. Nygard sulphur limit begins. Lingard thinks that don’t deal with cruise so far but that is commented that the ports have already in the end all the primary cruising areas something that I want them to do, to made some bookings, especially from will get wrapped up into some regula- be the spokesperson for cruise lines as AIDA Cruises.

Costa Cruises said that the low sulphur fuel demanded in 2015 and 2020 will have an impact on itineraries. ike Louagie M ike Photo:

SHIPPAXCFI 11 ‘A survey learnt that passengers were not able to spend all the money they wanted to. In fact they wanted to spend 25% more.’

Internally CN makes sure it is keep- really hope another survey will be done ing its customers satisfied. In a CN which will show us where there is po- member/partner survey in 2012, it was tential for all of us to earn more money.’ found that CN’s partners were 93.5% She is hoping that this new develop- satisfied with the association’s market ment may lead to funding. ‘We would activities, up from 83.3% in 2010, and love to have some more money for mar- 100% satisfied with communication and keting. We don’t get any funding from information, up from 81.3% in 2010. the government. Everything is paid for When it comes the industry itself, by the ports and destinations.’ Despite Nygard knows only too well that: ‘We the positive feedback to CN, Nygard have to make sure that we deliver value would like to do more and says a rise to the cruiselines and to our guests. We in employees from the present 1.6 to 3 have to develop and invest in new prod- would result in a lot more being accom- ucts all the time.’ plished. Working closely with the cruiselines One challenge Norway has is that the is important to ensure Norway remains exchange rate is very high compared to attractive as a destination. As well as the euro and the dollar making Norway decreasing pilotage costs, continuing a very expensive country. The only taxes to offer high quality and high service are VAT (25% on food and other serv- levels is vital. ‘We have to revise the ices, 8% on transport) and the NOX tax quality guidelines which we have had although all tourists visiting Svalbard for four years now. This is not a market- have to pay an environmental tax of ing tool, it is an internal working tool for NOK 150 (EUR 20.2) each. Nygard com- the ports. We have to see how we can mented on the latter: ‘It has been there develop them further. We have to always for years and it is not an issue.’ improve service and quality and ensure that we all earn more money.’ Marketing the country One thing CN learnt from survey When it comes to fam trips, CN has of about 2,000 passengers in 2010 was been very proactive. Beginning in 2009, that they were not able to spend all the first two weeks of September has the money they wanted to. In fact they been given over to a fam trip which wanted to spend 25% more. Unsurpris- focuses on a particular area. ‘I am con- ingly Nygard said: ‘We want that money. vinced that fam trips are the best way That is good news for the cruiselines to market our country. I know that, for too. We can help each other to get that example Royal Caribbean decided to go money so our guests can go home broke to Lofoten after visiting on a site inspec- and happy.’ tion.’ With 41 ports, Nygard said: ‘We have Innovation Norway a lot of hidden gems. We have tried to Now that cruise has become part of the develop a kind of tier as it takes three to national tourism strategy, Innovation four years before each port gets a sec- Norway has employed someone spe- ond visit.’ One thing is for sure though. cifically to work and advise on cruise ‘We will continue to arrange fam trips matters. Tore-Johan Pedersen started in as long as customers, cruiselines and 2012 on a three-year project, focusing on member ports want to do it.’ four areas: One example given of the impor- • Increasing competence and skill in tance of offering a variety of shore the Norwegian market excursions is Longyearbyen, capital of • Product development Svalbard. Calls were scheduled for about • Norwegian seafood on board cruise- four hours with passengers only having ships the option of taking a shuttle to the local • Norway as a turnaround destination museum but on further research and collaboration cruiselines decided to ex- He will work closely with CN and tend calls to eight hours given that there all the stakeholders in Norway on these was much more to do than was initially four initiatives. Nygard commented: ‘We realised.

12 SHIPPAXCFI Cruise calls In 2012 there were 2,066 cruise calls to the 41 Cruise Norway destinations, with 2.6 million passengers visiting, giving a 23% and 26% increase on 2011 respec- tively. The season has been getting longer with only two months with no calls last year. Among Norway’s top 17 ports only Oslo experienced a decline in 2012 and that was due to the cancellation of 10 calls because of the pilot strike in the summer. For 2013 calls are up 12% on 2012 at 2,324 calls and passengers up 17% on last year to 3.01m passengers are forecast.

Top 5 Norwegian ports (number of pax in 2012) 1. bergen 446,906 2. geirangerfjorden 312,136 3. oslo 300,000 4. stavanger 277,000 5. flam 199,875

Source markets The German market is the largest with 164,000, followed by UK with 154,000 and the US with 57,000 compared to 82,000, 96,000 and 46,000 respec- tively in 2007. The British market which experienced a 10% decline in cruise traffic to Norway in 2010 has now increased by 37.5%.

Cruise Norway’s new members New members to join CN in 2013 are Arendal, Telemark and Odda ports and Spitsbergen Travel and Maersk Broker Agency. ike Louagie M ike Photo:

SHIPPAXCFI 13 SVALBARD

SPITSBERGEN

LONGYEARBYEN NORTH CAPE HONNINGSVÅG Norwegian Cruise HAMMERFEST ALTA Ports, an overview TROMSØ VESTERÅLEN Norway has a wealth of differ- HARSTAD LOFOTEN ISLANDS SORTLAND ent ports ranging from the high- NARVIK LEKNES profile large ports such as Oslo and SVOLVÆR Bergen to those tucked away in the depths of the countryside such

as Farsund and Sandnessjøen. BODØ With such a variety there is plenty of choice for the cruiselines. SVARTISEN GLA CIER Joanna Boxall, Cunard shore opera- SANDNESSJØEN Flåm offers one of Norway’s most popular attractions executive, also commented tions. Flåmsbana is widely recognized as one of on the increasing length of the the steepest and most beautiful railways in the BRØNNØYSUND season and the advantages that world. The train station is just next to the ship.

KRISTIANSUND TRONDHEIM MOLDE ÅLESUND ÅNDALSNES MÅLØY HELLESYLT GEIRANGERFJORD NORDFJORD GEIRANGER FLORØ OLDEN JOSTEDAL GLA CIER SKJOLDEN SOGNEFJORD VIK FLÅM BERGEN ULVIK HARDANGERJØKULEN GLACIER EIDFJORD HARDANGERFJORD FOLGEFONNA GLACIER JONDAL/ROSENDAL ODDA HAUGESUND OSLO DRAMMEN STAVANGER LYSEFJORD SANDEFJORD FREDRIKSTAD BREVIK KRAGERØ ARENDAL FARSUND KRISTIANSAND Louagie M ike Photo:

this brings in organising shore When asked about the adequa- cabotage means a ship has to go excursions. cy of the port facilities, Boxall was elsewhere. I have my doubts as to ‘It was June, July, August but pragmatic: ‘Some of the younger Norway as a genuine base.’ now we are visiting earlier and ear- destinations are tender-only and When it comes to shore excur- lier and staying later so we have may not have quayside facilities sions, Boxall was enthusiastic: more scope. When there were so but mostly if we tell the passen- ‘There is a really good variety of many ships calling in a short time it gers in advance they are happy shore excursions from hiking to could get congested and we would with that. Obviously we want more King Crab safaris and huskies.’ have capacity issues. When in a facilities in some places but we However for Cunard Line and P&O port there are only so many buses understand that if it is a small port Cruises the most popular excursion etc that you can use, so with a it is not practical’. by far is the trains: ‘If we could add longer season there are now more Nigel Lingard commented on carriages to the trains we would choices.’ She added however that Norway’s desire to have more love to. We sell out all the time. the earlier the call the more likeli- turnarounds: ‘It is a long way to Not just in Norway but every- hood of snow on the roads. anywhere else from Norway. Also where.’

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OSLO The capital of Norway, Oslo, is well located between The Baltic and the Norwegian Fjords. It is undergoing

an urban renewal and the waterfront Louagie M ike Photo: project, Fjord City, which will create better connections between the sea and the city by placing the traffic under- ground. The relatively new Oslo Opera House is an iconic building in a city that has many. The older City Hall and Nobel Peace Center are no less important and are close to the port. A quick ferry ride leads passengers to attractions such as the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Polar Ship FRAM, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Not to be missed is The Vigeland Park with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. Last year the Astrup Fearnley Mu- seum of Modern Art designed by Renzo Vigeland Park, Oslo. Piano was opened in the Tjuvholmen neighbourhood which has become a new destination in itself with many with a major exhibition on his art from been set up to take people through the shops and restaurants. The Museum 1904 to 1944 at the Munch Museum. city’s streets, the setting of the popular is located at the outer edges of the city There are 162 calls scheduled to crime novels by Jo Nesbo about Hole. next to the fjord. The three buildings are the port this year and passengers will At the moment cruiseships can tie integrated into the landscape which in- have a number of new shore excursions up below the 700-year old Akershus cludes canals, bridges and lawns where to choose from. Opened last summer, Fortress. The Port of Oslo has however sculptures are displayed. Oslo Summer Park includes a downhill developed a plan for new cruise piers. Also opened in 2012 was the Mathal- bike park and a large climbing park. One is on the west side of the harbour len Food Market. Nordic cooking has All equipment is included in the ticket next to the Color Line ferry to Germany. undergone a recent renaissance and the and available on site. Biking tours of a And the other is an extension of the pier strong connection with the North Sea less hair-raising nature have been set next to the medieval castle. A decision and wild natures brings an abundance of up to visit the Akerselva River, the Oslo on where to start building and when has ingredients to the kitchen. Waterfront and the Holmenkollen Ski yet to be taken. This year marks the 150th anniver- Jump and Vigeland Sculpture Park. sary of famous painter Edvard Munch In the footsteps of Harry Hole has BERGEN As a European City of Culture and World Heritage City, Bergen offers HAMBURG arriving in Bergen. world-class experiences and culture. Being the ‘Gateway to the Fjords of Norway’, the Bergen region combines nature, culture and urban attractions all year round. This is a big city, packed with history and tradition, with small-town charm and atmosphere. The port is within easy walking distance of the city centre which can be explored on foot. From the main cruise pier, Skolteg- runnskaien, passengers can stroll along the listed wooden buildings at Bryggen to the old fortress at Bergenhus, or call in at one of Bergen’s many museums and galleries. It is also not far from the city centre to Mount Floyen, Mount Ulriken or another of the seven mountains that

om gu l brandsen form the backdrop to the city. With 335 calls and close to 475,000

Photo: t Photo: passengers there is no doubting the at-

16 SHIPPAXCFI traction of this particular city. A cruise terminal at Skolte- grunnskaien is going to be developed and will be the main cruise port in Bergen. It will be used for turnaround calls with the port hoping to be a homeport in the future. There’s a wealth of things to see and do in Bergen but for the active a Bergen Jogging Experience might tick some boxes. A guide will make sure passengers, of all abilities, discover the winding alleyways and mountain panoramas of Bergen. A more leisurely way of getting around is the Hop On and Hop Off bus which is guided in eight languag- es. Visiting Edvard Grieg’s composer’s cabin and enjoying a lunchtime concert at Troldsalen gives a musical flavour or a trip to the Aquarium offers new sea lion shows, a new snake exhibit, a shark tunnel and more. For the histori- cally minded the Ole Bergen Museum is a reconstructed town dating back to the 18th century with actors telling the stories of old Bergen families.

ARENDAL The cruise quays in Arendal city centre will be ready in spring this year. The port is now actively marketing itself to the cruise industry with two calls scheduled this year but with discussions ongoing for more both this year and next. The point of arrival has all been redeveloped with new buildings, roads, roundabouts and parking spaces in place. The port has eliminated all non-statutory charges such as quay, passenger and cargo dues so that visiting ships will only pay for used services. Arendal is very close to the main shipping route to/from the Baltic and north-

SHIPPAXCFI 17 ern Europe. and summer ski centre where pas- The city was founded on shipping, sengers can ski and sledge even in the forestry and mining and became one of summer months. Rosendal has Norway’s the wealthiest towns in Europe during only Barony with rose garden while the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- Odda is the only town of Hardanger turies. Arendal is built on seven small based on the hydro power industry with or j an iversen Photo: islands and is just a few hours’ sailing a museum charting its history. There is from the main route in the Skagerak. also a Roldal stave church and waterfall Whether a kayak, a rafting boat, a valley. boat, a bus or on foot there are shore Eidfjord is home to Norway’s largest excursions for all levels of fitness and national Park Hardangervidda and the Haugesund’s Viking festival. interest. Passengers can visit the local country’s most visited natural attraction, archipelago and the lighthouses, Store the Voringfoss waterfall. The Norwegian and Lille Torungen, or go upriver on the road authorities are investing NOK140 last year and has five calls this year, four Nidelv. million (EUR 19 million) in building a from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and one Wooden townhouses dating back to panoramic restaurant, better access and from Swan Hellenic. The port is close to the sixteenth century and the City Hall a glass bridge over the waterfall which the city centre. By the first call - BAL- bring history to life. Only 25 minutes’ is due to be finished in 2017. MORAL- on 22 May, the pier will have drive away is Grimstad which was home This year Edvard Grieg concerts are been landscaped and a new terminal, to Norway’s greatest poets, Henrik being introduced for cruise passengers Haugesund Harbourpark, will be ready. Ibsen and Knut Hamsun. For something in Lofthus Ullensvang as well as piano One important factor to note is that completely different the Naes Ironworks concerts in Ulvik Church and folklore. pilots can now join ships just east of Museum dates back to the 17th century For families, farm visits at Voss are Haugesund at Roevaer which is only with the ironworks finally being closed being introduced. In addition combina- 5nm from the city. in 1959. tion shore excursions are being offered The city is host to numerous festivals which mean that passengers can leave a including the Viking Festival in June, HARDANGERFJORD vessel in Haugesund, drive overland to the Herring Table and the Norwegian The five ports of Hardangerfjord - Hardangerfjord (or vice versa) and pick International Film Festival both in Eidfjord, Ulvik, Jondal, Rosendal and up the ship there. August. Odda - are expecting 114 calls and A wide variety of shore excursions 170,000 passengers this year. Each has HAUGESUND have been put together including Home- its own particular attraction. Located between Stavanger and Bergen, land of the Viking Kings which visits Having been to Ulvik when the blos- Haugesund is where King Harald Avaldsnes, Norway’s first capital city. soms are out I can vouch for the beauty Fairhair united Norway into a single Passengers visit the old church built by a of this fruit village where apple juice, kingdom a thousand years ago and it Viking king and a reconstructed farm to cider and brandy are produced from the was from the area that the Viking Kings find out how they lived. A tractor safari apples, pears, cherries and plums. Jon- ruled for more than 500 years. along the Eikemo mountain pasture trail dal is the site of the Folgefonna glacier The port only began targeting cruise includes a boat trip and tractor safari to view mountain farm life as few have seen it as well as a visit to Langfoss AZAMARA JOURNEY in Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord. waterfall. Few people know that the Statue of Liberty in New York is clad in copper produced in the area. The Visnes Min- ing Museum tells the story dating back to 1895. Closer in time is the museum telling the story of the German occupa- tion during World War Two. For fishing enthusiasts sea fishing off the coast can be tried while birdwatchers might pre- fer an eagle safari in Yrkefjord.

LONGYEARBYEN Longyearbyen is a modern Arctic community found on Spitsbergen at 78 degrees north, midway between Norway and the North Pole. The climate is surprisingly mild due to the Gulf Stream which runs northwards along the west coast of the Svalbard archipelago. Glaciers cover over 60% of the archipelago and the remaining area is filled

ike Louagie M ike Photo: with mountain ranges and wide tundra

18 SHIPPAXCFI A calving glacier on Svalbard. an c e andersen ons t bard reise l iv/ c l bard va Photo: S Photo:

SHIPPAXCFI 19 plains. to the explorers of the 1800s; the Burma

Cruise Port Longyearbyen is a safe Road Walk from the old coal harbour ø ken

harbour which is centrally located on towards Longyearbyen; Explorer’s ård L Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Culture where passengers follow a map

archipelago, and the only island with to the Airship Museum, which tells the B Photo: permanent settlements. Founded as a story of Roald Amundsen’s adventure to coal mining town in 1906, it is today the the North Pole, the Svalbard Museum, administrative centre of the archi- the Barentz Pub for an arctic smørbrod pelago. A colorful and multicultural (sandwich)and Fruene for a cup of cof- community, the town boasts modern fee with the locals. infrastructure to combat issues like There are a host of other choices to permafrost and isolation. Local wildlife suit all ages and fitness levels whether it like the Svalbard Reindeer are often be viewing nesting seabirds on Fugle- seen wandering amongst the pictur- fjella (Bird Mountain) from an open esque buildings. Polarcirkel boat before heading to the There are endless opportunities abandoned mining town of Grumant, for adventure here with Spitsbergen summer dogsledding or fossil hunting at Travel’s guides on hand to lead the way. the Longyear Glacier. On any trips out of the town guides will carry high calibre rifles and flare guns NORTH CAPE to ward against the 3,500 polar bears North Cape is located at the very top which roam the area. of continental Europe. Passengers can Huskies in Tromsø. Most of the ships calling are expe- stand as close to the sea as they dare dition ships. A dock reception facility and have a photograph taken to mark is being developed where passengers the spot. It is an area of Arctic beauty 139,000 passengers are booked. Last will be able to book shore excursions with fishing villages steeped in cultural year there were 112 calls and 121,000 directly, gather information and buy traditions. passengers. The season began mid May souvenirs. Work was completed on a new and lasted until mid October. This year Spitsbergen Travel has cruise pier last year. It has received Of the passengers visiting last year, put on four new shore excursions: The some very positive feedback, giving 83,000 travelled to the North Cape Spitsbergen Experience which includes the port the ability to take larger ships plateau. an introduction to Longyearbyen and alongside but also to be able to handle a visit to the Svalbard Museum and ships safely in rough weather conditions TROMSØ Camp Barentz; Art of Svalbard to view which do sometimes occur in this far Tromsø is situated midway between the paintings by Kare Tveter and taste northern city. Lofoten Islands and North Cape. It is a champagne, a tradition which goes back This year 106 calls with an estimated compact city with good infrastructure and has plenty of attractions to appeal to people of all ages. The famous globe on the North Cape. It lies in the middle of the North- ern Lights belt and is said to be the best place to explore these fascinating lights. Groups can be organised giving photographers a course on capturing the lights on camera or the thrill of dog sledging under the lights. The Science Centre of Northern Norway is a newly- opened planetarium which educates about the aurora borealis and the night sky. Tromsø’ Lapland is a new excursion which introduces passengers to the Sami culture and the traditions of a Sami camp. The port has 112 calls this year with the majority between May and Au- gust, 10 in February/March and one in October. Tromsø’ has recently dredged the seabed in the city centre and new improved quays have been built so that larger ships can call in the heart of the city. A new terminal for Hurtigruten and catamarans is to be built. In addition, facilities for turnaround operations are

yngve kris t iansen yngve Photo: planned.

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