Norwegian Cruise Day 1｜Departing from Bergen, Setting Sail for the Arctic Circle Journey

🚢 This time we chose the renowned Hurtigruten cruise, famous for its classic Norwegian West Coast route. We boarded the fleet's "Aurora Class" ship — MS Polarlys, specially designed for sailing fjords and polar waters. 🗺️ Route Overview • Departure and Arrival Ports: Bergen ➡ Kirkenes • Duration: 7 days 6 nights｜Classic West Coast route • Highlights: Crossing the Arctic Circle, visiting the world's northernmost town, fjord scenery combined with the Northern Lights✨ 🌊 Day 1 – Time in Bergen Before Departure We arrived a day early in Bergen, known as the "Pearl of Norway's West Coast": ▪️ Bryggen Wharf: Walk among colorful wooden houses, feel the tranquility and poetry of this World Heritage site, and warm your stomach and heart with a bowl of fish soup from a street corner. ▪️ Fløibanen Funicular: Ascend for a panoramic view of the city and the fjord lines embraced by the seven mountains, breathtakingly magnificent. ▪️ Fish Market Lunch: Recommended smoked salmon and king crab legs, bursting with the fresh sweetness of Norwegian waters. 🌅 At 6 PM, we dragged our luggage toward the port. The MS Polarlys, docked in a quiet bay, was already lit up. The crew thoughtfully handed us hot towels and a cup of hot cocoa. Standing on the deck, the sea breeze carried a faint salty scent, and the luggage tags read "Arctic Circle" — the lights of Bergen gradually faded away, and our polar story was just beginning. 📒 Onboard Life Notes 1️⃣ Sightseeing and Photography ▪ Recommended viewing spot: 7th floor bow deck, the best place to capture glacier reflections in the morning and wait for the Northern Lights at night. 2️⃣ Dining Experience ▪ Norwegian local flavors: Fresh seafood served daily, recommended trying reindeer meat and cloudberry cake. ▪ Coffee time: Enjoy a latte and cinnamon roll at the 5th-floor observation lounge, with fjord views outside the window. 3️⃣ Practical Tips ▪ Internet: Signal is unstable in international waters; it’s advisable to download books or movies in advance. ▪ Warmth: The deck is windy; be sure to bring a windproof jacket, hat, and gloves. ▪ Payments: Cards are accepted onboard, Norwegian kroner is the currency; some small ports require a small amount of cash. 📓 Afterword From the drizzle in Bergen to the Northern Lights realm of the Arctic Circle, this cruise route is like a living Norwegian landscape scroll. The meaning of travel may not just be the destination, but the warmth of a cup of hot cocoa in the sea breeze, and the moment when glacier and ocean meet. #ArcticCircleAdventure #HurtigrutenRoute #PolarJourney #MSPolarlys #SlowTravelTheWorld #AuroraPath #FjordLife #PolarCruiseGuide