Ports and destinations in the Cruise Norway and Cruise Northern Norway and Svalbard networks are making enhancements to improve the onshore experience for visitors in 2025 and beyond.
A primary investment for many ports is shore power, particularly for those affected by the Norwegian government’s new requirements for passenger vessels under 10,000gt to operate emission-free when sailing in Norway’s five Unesco World Heritage fjords – Aurlandsfjord, Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord, Sunnylvsfjord and Tafjord – from 1 January 2026 onwards. The rule will become mandatory for larger ships from 1 January 2032 and vessels will also be obliged to use shore power when calling at ports in these fjords.
Flåm Port has secured parliamentary funding to make shore power available to cruise ships from 2027. The port will begin extending its cruise pier from 120 metres to 195 metres in October 2025, allowing it to accommodate ships over 300 metres when complete in 2026.
In 2026, the Port of Kristiansand will mandate the use of shore power for cruise ships and will also relocate the container port away from the city centre, freeing up an area for waterside development. The port is considering the feasibility of extending the cruise pier too.
Tromsø will offer shore power connectivity at both its city centre and Breivika cruise piers by 2027. It will add modern fenders and a concrete skirt to a 310-metre stretch of its main pier in 2025, making it easier for cruise lines to carry out maintenance work, refuel or restock their vessels. The port hopes to increase turnaround operations, which will be helped by local hotels increasing their capacity and airlines adding extra direct flights to international airports in 2025.
Oslo will provide shore power at both cruise quays by the end of 2025 and is working to spread calls throughout the year to minimise overcrowding and reduce the environmental impact of ships. Visit Oslo and the port are encouraging cruise lines to use local resources, such as bicycles and tour 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-metre-long 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.
Fredrik Ahlsen/Visit Norway
Cruise guests can meet the Sami people in various destinations, including Alta
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 is upgrading its infrastructure to make it safer and easier for ships to dock in inclement weather. It is also exploring the feasibility of berthing ships at a location 10 minutes’ drive from Nordfjordeid.
Harstad is developing new winter experiences to cater for the growth in calls during these months, including skiing, snowshoeing and reindeer feeding. Nordkapp (North Cape) is also creating more year-round attractions, such as the new Ocean Stories maritime museum that will open near the cruise pier in Honningsvåg in summer 2025. Visit Nordkapp is encouraging local tour providers to introduce combined excursion packages for cruise guests, allowing them to travel between different activities using the same tour bus.
Skjolden is devising excursions that don’t require bus transport, such as culinary tours in town. Noteworthy options in the destination include a new trail at the glacier, Sjkolden cidery and the Unesco World Heritage-listed Stave Church at Urnes. Plans are underway to build a museum about the church.
Collaborating for sustainable growth
In north-eastern Norway, the Port of Kirkenes is joining forces with ports in Båtsfjord and Vardo to develop Destination Varanger and offer excursions showcasing attractions including the northern lights, Snowhotel Kirkenes, the fishing industry in Båtsfjord and Vardøhus Fortress. Destination Varager offering will be available from 2026.
Bård Løken/www.nordnorge.com
Multiple destinations are introducing new winter activities, such as dog sledding, to encourage cruise ships to call in the winter
Kirkenes is also keen to develop as a turnaround port, particularly for expedition cruise lines. The airport will provide direct flights to Oslo and Finnish Lapland in 2025, and local hotels are expanding their capacity. Similarly, Bodø hopes a new airport set to open in 2029 will help to establish it as a turnaround port for Arctic cruises.
Sortland and Hadsel have joined forces with Brønnøysund, Lofoten and Narvik to create a ‘slow cruising’ concept, which is designed to enable guests to explore all the destinations in one voyage. Cruise lines will receive discounts on harbour fees when booking calls at several ports and the first ship to sail this concept will visit in 2026.
All five destinations are investing to upgrade the visitor experience. For example Brønnøysund is planning a new dolphin that will enable it to take ships up to 300 metres long, while Narvik will open a shore power facility at its primary cruise berth in 2026 and has introduced shore excursions to immerse guests in local life. They include guided ‘food and story’ walks, aquavit tasting and activities centred on music and storytelling. Lofoten is working with key stakeholders and locals across the municipalities to make the destination more sustainable and extend the season.
In the Vesterålen region, the port of Stokmarknes in Hadsel is collaborating with the port of Sortland to drive sustainable cruise industry growth by ensuring there is only ever one vessel per day in either location and that two tour buses are never in the same place at the same time. This will create exclusive experiences for cruise visitors, while also preventing overcrowding for locals, who are increasingly leading tours, welcoming ships at the port and more.
Likewise, Stavanger’s cruise network is working on initiatives to promote the value of cruising to the local community and politicians, while showcasing the environmental advancements the industry is making. The port plans to have shore power connectivity available by 2027 and is also offering crew members free access to museums or discounts on guided tours.
Discover more insights like this in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.