The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

A visit to Stavanger is like a step back in time, with its rich landscape, enchanting fjords and wonderful mixture of old against new. Littered with 19-century buildings, its beautiful old quarter is the perfect place to transport yourself back in time to the historic days of prosperity. Situated in the heart of the city is Stavanger’s 12th century cathedral, the only church to have retained all its original features since its construction in the Middle Ages. Discover Pulpit Rock, hanging 1,800 feet above the Lysefjord below – when you step out to admire the views, you’ll feel on top of the world.

Nestled peacefully at the end of one of Norway’s most beautiful waterways, Nordfjordeid is a picturesque, hidden gem. Wander the old centre of town to find white-painted buildings brimming with cafés, restaurants, bakeries and shops, or discover unique architecture at the modern opera house or the 19th century Eid Church – home to spectacular carvings and intricate paintings. At the Sagastad Viking heritage centre you can interact with fascinating exhibits and step aboard the Myklebust, an authentic 100-foot-long replica ship based on the remains of one of the largest Viking ships ever unearthed. Visiting in the summer? Why not relax in the lush Saga Park which has its own beach by the fjord? Despite Nordfjordeid’s sleepy charm, this small village is big on adventure. Connect with the marine environment on a kayaking tour, go fishing for huge monkfish, wolf fish and mackerel, or ride a Fjord horse – one of the world’s oldest pure breeds. The surrounding emerald hillsides transform into towering mountains, and hikes in the immediate area reveal spellbinding views. Who knows, if you head up here you might even encounter the mythical Huldra – a seductive, sometimes dangerous forest creature who takes the form of a beautiful woman with a cow’s tail. If she doesn’t appear to mesmerise you, the spectacular vistas certainly will.

Enjoy the best of all possible worlds in Norways first-ever capital, which is still its third largest city and one of its most popular Fjordland cruise ports, Trondheim. Looking south along the picturesque Trondheim fjord, the most northerly in Norways west coast Fjordland region, are lush forests and valley but look north and you see the beginnings of the vast expanse of the Arctic Ocean. But, whichever way you are heading, there is much to enjoy in Trondheim before you set sail. Visit Stiftsgården, the King of Norways official residence, which also happens to be the oldest wooden building in northern Europe, while the Archbishops Palace is the oldest secular building in Scandinavia. Among the pick of several fascinating museums is one featuring the decorative arts with its collections of 16th century ceramics and Art Nouveau artefacts. For the best bars and restaurants, try the 18th century Bakklandet waterfront district.

People have been cruising to Andalsnes for more than 120 years because of its stunning location. For, an Alpine town as well as a cruise port, Andalsnes nestles where the towering Romsdal Alps meet the northern end of the sparkling Romsdalfjord. A small, friendly town with shops and markets, Andalsnes is also close to the famous Trollstigen road. This leads through pretty villages, past scenic fjords and majestic mountain peaks and across the stone bridge over the cascading Stigfossen waterfall to the Trollvegen (Troll Wall) which – at nearly 6,000 feet – is the highest vertical drop in northern Europe. Another way to see the Troll Wall and even more dramatic Alpine scenery besides is to take the Rauma Railway steam train which leaves from a station right by the cruise port. Please note snow based shore excursions are not available on autumn cruises.

Because it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the country’s west coast now better known as simply ‘Fjordland’. Stretching across three islands at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Alesunds architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-Gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau. Turrets and spires dot the skyline and you can trace the towns trend setting style development at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town. The pick is the open-air Sunnmre while the Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe.

Bergen’s an old city with a young outlook, full of infectious charm. With its stunning setting, medieval buildings and a bustling atmosphere, it won’t take you long to get caught up in the excitement of this magnificent city. Steeped in culture, Bergen has one of the oldest symphony orchestras, the first national theatre and plenty of museums including the Bergen Art Museum, which showcases some of Norway’s finest artists. For a spectacular panorama of the city, the funicular railway can take you 1,000 feet to the top of Mount Floyen.

Kristiansund is a municipality on the western coast of Norway in the Nordmøre district of Møre og Romsdal county. The administrative center of the municipality is the town of Kristiansund, which is the major town for the whole Nordmøre region

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.