Viking Jupiter Cruise Norway and the North Sea 24 June - 1 July 2025

Boarding day

Before sailing we hiked to the Fløirestauranten restaurant at the top of a funicular overlooking Bergen for lunch with:

Our travel mates, Bill and Frances from Tucson and their friends Richard and Susan from Phoenix.

Our two-mile, 1000 feet hike to the restaurant through the woods with a light drizzle

View of Bergen through the clouds

When we signed up for the cruise, we picked cabin number 6063. It was starboard (right) side, mid-ship on the 6^th of 8 decks. We were told mid-ship is best for having a stable feel in rough seas. The higher decks are good for views. For the route of this cruise, the starboard side has views of land as we head north along the western coast of Norway and then south along the east coast of the UK. As the cruise progresses the only disadvantage of this strategy has been that the southbound leg has the “midnight sun” shining most of the “night” on to our bed, but since we have adjusted to the time change, sleep is less of a problem.

Theater seats 400

Atrium with grand staircase

Representative of the food bounty everywhere

After sailing all night, our first port, Eidsdal

The fiord was too deep (~950 ft) to anchor. The ship was “station keeping” using a function that the bridge actuates with a joystick and uses the various propulsion systems including bow and stern thrusters, to oppose wind and current forces keeping the ship stationary. 

Viking Jupiter station keeping and using the ship's tenders to take passengers ashore

A sunny day hike through the village of Eidsdal, population 400

Sailing surprisingly close to shore on the way to Lofoten port stop

Sailing during the day to Lofoten we crossed the Arctic Circle which was celebrated onboard with a "blue nose" ceremony were passengers dipped in cold water then received blue frosting on their nose and drank a shot of aquavit. We did quarter mile laps (probably not enough) on the promenade deck to work off what we have been eating. Our first night without a sunset.

Scenic hike from Lofoten with goats and mud. Our ship in the background.

Sailing under the longest bridge yet on our way to Tromso

There is time for notes and reflection

Scenes from our "Hiking with a Viking" excursion out of Tromso

Glass blowing shop on our walking tour

Tromso is the biggest port and university city in the north of Norway serving the North Sea oil platforms and tourism.

Port view of Honnigsvag

Honnigsvag is the northernmost point on our trip and the northernmost city in Europe. Located at 71 degrees, 10 minutes north latitude, about 450 miles north of the arctic circle. This far north we're above the tree line.

We took a tour to the North Cape which documents this northernmost location with displays, monuments and a video.

King crab farming is significant part of the Honnigsvag economy. This is an example of a medium size king crab.

Our tour stopped to visit a Sami (indigenous people) roadside kiosk, similar to those found on any trip through Indian country in the southwest US. This Sami besides running the kiosk, is a dentist! All reindeer in Norway are owned by the Sami. Reindeer were roaming free the whole way to the North Cape. Most had coats that looked a little mangy.

Two rough days with rain and 5-foot swells as we sail south from Honnigsvag. This is a bright spell on the way.

One bit of excitement - A medical emergency evacuation. The rescue helicopter came from Norway ~ 50 miles away to do the pick-up, hovering and winching the person on board.

This is the end of our Norway ports. Onward to Scotland sailing the North Sea. 

 Norway Viking Jupiter Cruise Pre-Tour 19 - 23 June 2025

View from roof bar Clarion Hub Oslo

Our pre-tour group at Vigeland sculpture park Oslo

Granite and bronze by the same sculpture, Vigeland - largest sculpture park in Norway

Viking ship replica under construction at the Maritime Museum Oslo

Vikings coined the terms "port" and "starboard." Their “long ships” had the rudder on the right rear side, so they docked with the left side facing the wharf to protect the rudder. Therefore, the left side was called "port," and "starboard" comes from the Viking word for rudder.

Oslo street scenes

Oslo - Bergen train above the tree line

Stop at Finse near the highest altitude ~3000 ft

Arriving Bergen

Salmon and whale steak (tastes like beef not fish - duh) dinner

At dinner, we spoke with a couple from Manchester. They noted that Brexit has led to unrest about immigration, as European immigrants left the UK and were replaced by less favored non-Europeans.

Bergen classic scenery

Throughout history, Bergen's neighborhoods of wooden houses have experienced multiple fires. Our bus tour included a visit to a village featuring restored houses from the 16th century. These structures were reminiscent of reconstructed American villages from the colonial era. 

We visited an archaeological museum, where exhibits demonstrated how excavations following the most recent fires revealed multiple layers of Bergen's civilization.

Our tour bus was a comfortable electric battery-powered model manufactured in China (E-Coach, Tourist Coach or Intercity Coach-Yutong), offering approximately 225 miles of range. For improved maneuverability, the bus featured both front and rear wheel steering. According to our guide, 25% of cars in Norway and over 40% of cars in metropolitan areas are battery-powered.