• 12 min de lectura
• 12 min de lectura
Cruise industry representatives explored Brønnøysund's diverse attractions during Cruise Norway's latest familiarisation trip, discovering new shore excursion opportunities launching in 2027.
September 11, 2026
Standing at the exact coastal midpoint of Norway in BrønnøysundPHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE
The final leg of Cruise Norway's Northern Norway familiarisation trip took cruise line representatives through the Helgeland archipelago, moving from Tjøtta island and Sandnessjøen to Brønnøysund. September 10-11 showcased the town's expanding portfolio of shore excursion opportunities, highlighting a unique blend of natural wonders, wartime history, cultural heritage and innovative tourism experiences.
The journey began with a visit to the International War Cemetery, located approximately 25km south of Sandnessjøen town centre, where representatives received a comprehensive introduction to this significant memorial site accompanied by Adventure Helgeland.
The cemetery holds approximately 7,500 war victims from World War II, including victims of the tragic Rigel disaster - one of the deadliest ship sinkings in history. The cemetery also contains graves of Soviet prisoners of war who perished in Nazi-occupied Norway during the conflict, providing passengers with insights into the region's wartime history.
Following the cemetery visit, the group stopped at Tjøtta Guesthouse on the scenic village and island located in Alstahaug Municipality. The 19th-century inn sits in historic surroundings approximately 40 km from Sandnessjøen along the Coastal Highway, offering visitors an authentic taste of Norwegian island hospitality. The strategic location provides convenient access to attractions including the Seven Sisters mountain range, cultural trails and historical sites, with ferry connections enabling day trips to islands along the Helgeland coast.
Nearby attractions accessible from Tjøtta also include the Petter Dass Museum, Alstahaug medieval church and the war cemetery. From Tjøtta, the group took a ferry ride to visit the popular coffee roaster at Forvik.
The programme's highlight featured Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark and the famous Torghatten mountain, renowned for having a distinctive hole piercing through it. The geopark features a sheltered information area providing comprehensive introductions to the geological significance of the region. Visitors walk 120 mtr uphill to reach the mountain's famous opening, with parts of the path designed as wheelchair-friendly with smooth gravel surfaces suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The experience typically requires 2.5 hours for shore excursions, with guides sharing troll fairytales while serving coffee, tea and lefse at the conclusion.
In 2024, a smooth path was developed by Sherpas, significantly improving access to the iconic opening compared to previous years. The hole typically remains open from April 15 to October 15, with May and June offering optimal viewing conditions due to the area's colourful flora displays.
During the walk, Book North Travel's coordinator for Brønnøysund, Trine Saltermark, and Visit Helgeland's cruise coordinator and regional manager, Kristin Elisabeth Maasø, discussed moss and lichen varieties encountered along the route while drawing attention to interesting geological formations, with indications of how high sea levels reached at the end of the last ice age.
The group enjoyed opportunities for selfies and group photographs at the iconic opening before passing through to witness views of surrounding islands including Masøya, Sandøya and Husøya, where light refreshments of lefse and juniper berry tea were served.
Saltermark shared captivating stories about the king of Semna, the Seven Sisters, arrows and trolls, with narratives linking and explaining the mountain's distinctive hole formation. The return journey featured scenic drives weaving through camping parks with eateries and WC facilities.
Torghatten is approximately a 40-minute bus ride from each of Brønnøysund's two cruise quays.
Cruise Norway's Marit Karlsen at Torghatten mountain PHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE
The Norwegian Aquaculture Centre provided comprehensive insights into modern salmon farming techniques and sustainability initiatives.
The facility features an upstairs exhibition room where chairs are arranged around screens displaying real-time monitoring of fish populations. Visitors learned about dramatic reductions in antibiotic usage compared to historical practices and comprehensive salmon vaccination programmes designed to prevent antibiotic dependency. However, the upstairs area is not wheelchair accessible due to stairs and absence of lift facilities.
"Last year, 2.9 million tons of salmon was produced in the world," centre staff explained during presentations. The venue can accommodate two groups of 20-25 people simultaneously rotating through different sections of the centre. Tours are available in Norwegian, German and English, requiring a minimum of one hour though visits often extend to 2.5 hours including 30-minute coach journeys each way to and from the port.
The centre conducts ongoing research into sustainable fish feeding operations, and the guided tour concluded with salmon tasting sessions, allowing visitors to experience the quality of locally produced seafood.
Hildurs Herb Garden (Hilders Urterarium) in Tilrem, located 6.5 km north of Brønnøysund, offered a peaceful conclusion to the day's activities. Guided by Atle, who inherited the farm from his parents Hildur and Torbjørn, the venue represents nearly four decades of family dedication to herbal cultivation and culinary excellence. Atle Torbjørn expanded his mother's original herb vision into a thriving restaurant (Restaurant Sagastua) and culinary destination.
"A living library of knowledge... a place of discovery," Atle Torbjørn described the venue, emphasising its role as both educational resource and cultural experience. The grounds, set against a backdrop of towering mountains, feature diverse medicinal plants, heritage herb varieties, and immaculately maintained gardens that frequently serve as wedding venues during summer months.
Atle Torbjørn shared fascinating insights into historic and cultural traditions involving trees and plants. The garden includes a replica Stone Age hut serving as a gathering place where fish smoking takes place, connecting visitors with traditional preservation methods.
The group explored the herb collections, experiencing sensory encounters with cola plants, peppermint varieties and other aromatic species. The venue's restaurant prepares everything from scratch using local ingredients, with each generation introducing innovations while maintaining core principles of warmth, family atmosphere and practical herbal knowledge.
The facility includes a cosy wooden room where cruise passengers typically enjoy coffee and cake, plus a summer café with outdoor seating overlooking the gardens, complete with a pizza oven. Tours typically last two hours including 15-minute bus journeys each way from Gardsøya pier, and can be combined with panoramic tours featuring church visits and concerts, extending total duration to 2.5-3 hours. Currently, the venue limits cruise passenger offerings to coffee and cake, with no immediate plans for expanded dining options.
Hildurs Herb Garden PHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE
Gardsoya pier:
Brønnøysund's cruise infrastructure is designed to accommodate various vessel sizes and operational requirements. The main Gardsøya pier stretches 100 mtr and can accommodate ships up to 260 mtr in length, serving as the primary facility for most cruise operations. The pier maintains full ISPS security compliance and offers water filling services alongside other essential ship services.
Port Director Sølvi Helen Kristoffersen explained the facility's recent enhancements, noting that a new pier constructed the previous year for exporting goods resulted in additional mooring bollards. These improvements have enabled larger vessels, including AIDA and Viking ships, to berth at the facility.
The pier features blue carpet rollouts for passenger arrivals, nationality flags or Norwegian flags for welcoming ceremonies, and fresh flower presentations.
A comfortable 2 km pathway has been developed connecting the pier directly to Brønnøysund town centre. However, shore power remains unavailable for cruise ships. "We're in a waiting queue to get more power out to the coast," Kristoffersen explained regarding future electrical infrastructure developments.
Plans include constructing a dolphin north of the existing pier to accommodate ships up to 300 mtr in length, requiring two hours for entry with tugboat assistance available. The facility has served as a winter waiting berth for vessels during inclement weather when restrictions prevent entry to other ports, demonstrating its versatility for various maritime operations. Ample space accommodates shuttle buses and tour coaches.
Central pier:
The central pier, fully ISPS secured, accepts vessels up to 160 mtr in length with 6-metre depth capabilities. While narrower than Gardsøya pier, it can accommodate four to five buses and provides priority access for the coastal ferry operating from 3-5:30pm. "Expedition ships and smaller ships are using this one as it's easier access to the town, there's no need for a shuttle bus," Kristoffersen noted.
Additionally, a tender pier serves ships anchoring offshore, with tender journeys taking just 5-6 minutes from anchorage to port. Traditional dress welcomes often greet arriving cruise ships, with tour leaders sometimes conducting excursions while wearing traditional Norwegian dress.
Brønnøysund received approximately 20 cruise calls during the current year, with expectations of around 25 calls for 2027. The largest ships received belong to AIDA Cruises, while Aqua Expeditions' Aqua Lares represents the smallest vessel to visit the destination. The port is conveniently located just five minutes by vehicle or 15 minutes walking from Gardsøya pier to the town centre.
The comprehensive city walking tour highlighted Brønnøysund's unique position and cultural offerings. Representatives learned about Vega Island, accessible via public ferry or private vessel arrangements, featuring the World Heritage Centre and famous Vega stairs. The Vega Archipelago represents a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrating centuries-old symbiotic relationships where islanders protect wild eider ducks while harvesting their ultra-warm breast down. The 15-minute ferry service operates every couple of hours, serving the island's 30 permanent residents.
At King's Pier, located within walking distance of the city centre pier, luxury fishing experiences operate with meals prepared from caught fish. Soft drinks and alcohol service are available aboard vessels, with operators able to collect guests from King's Pier or relocate near Gardsøya pier for larger cruise ships. Weekly shrimp boat arrivals provide opportunities for fresh seafood sampling, as demonstrated during the familiarisation visit when representatives tasted shrimp directly from arriving fishing vessels. The pier can also serve tender operations when required.
The tour included photography at the iconic stone marking the geographical midpoint between northern and southern Norway, emphasising Brønnøysund's strategic significance. Representatives explored the town's developing art scene, viewed the distinctive monkfish sculpture and learned about local birdwatching opportunities.
A Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark presentation provided comprehensive insights into the protected area encompassing six distinct parks. The group learned how glacial forces shaped the distinctive landscape, including the characteristic strand flat formations. The geopark's name derives from troll stories connected to Torghatten's legendary hole formation.
Significantly, the Geopark plans to establish, in partnership with Visit Helgeland, a dedicated geological history centre in town near Gardsøya pier. This welcome centre will be strategically located in the city centre near the cruise quay for large ships, positioned at the beginning of the main road where cruise passengers arrive. The facility aims to open for the 2027 season, with existing buildings already secured for the project.
Brønnøysund Church, rebuilt in 1870 but maintaining centuries of religious heritage on the site, provides unique cultural experiences for cruise passengers. Private concerts can be arranged specifically for cruise ship passengers, utilising the church's two organs for musical performances. Tours are available in Norwegian, English and German, and can be combined with panoramic city tours.
The church accommodates 400 people and maintains full wheelchair accessibility with WC facilities.
Representatives also visited a historic 1893 building and learned about its restoration story. This intimate venue accommodates 20 people inside and can host summer concerts within the house or in the garden. The building's significance stems from three generations of photographers who lived there, creating its celebrated photographic heritage.
Book North Travel's Trine Saltermark presented comprehensive details of upcoming shore excursion developments launching in 2027. The programme introduces two exclusive concepts designed to evolve and vary from project to project, requiring no previous experience or special skills from participants.
"Be Part of the Art" takes passengers to Stavarsodden, where artist Ørjan Elias Ebbesen Eikemo has established his studio and EE Gallery on a restored former smallholding overlooking Torghatten. This experience invites guests to meet the local artist and participate in creative exchanges between visitors and place. Guided by Ørjan's artistic expression, guests explore his world, creative processes and landscape connections while each creating something personal - leaving traces behind to become part of larger, evolving artworks. In return, they receive pieces to take home, creating invisible connections between place, artwork and visitor.
"Be Part of the Culture" enables passengers to meet local people caring for traditions, heritage and community places, working alongside them on meaningful projects. The company aims to collaborate annually with different local organisations and projects where guests contribute time and effort while receiving closer connections to people, culture and places visited.
For 2027, a hands-on experience inspired by shoreline environments, local wool and traditional craft techniques is being developed. Passengers will help create large felt artworks representing life along the Helgeland coast, with each guest contributing small elements such as seaweed, shells or sea urchins to collaborative artworks growing throughout the season. Personal contributions remain behind while guests receive locally made pieces to take home, creating exchanges between visitors, places and local communities. The concept aims to create new artworks annually, gradually building collections shaped by visitors from around the world and local residents.
Confirmed 2027 excursions also include "Seashore Secrets: Between Rock and Wave - Where Knowledge & Myths Meet," offering coastline experiences in Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark with small group sizes to limit environmental impact on privately owned grazing land. The slow-paced coastal encounters examine algae, plants, ancient bedrock, soil patterns, coastal heathland, peatland, seaweeds, lichens, shoreline plants and marine creatures, with experiences varying according to season, weather, wind and tide conditions. Maximum group size is 19 people per guide.
The September 5-11 familiarisation trip included: Karina Bogdan, destination manager, Nordic Gateway; Pamela Barrera, Oceania land programs specialist, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Ileana Fraga, director of land services, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings; Miryam Giuliana Yanez, port operations manager, Windstar Cruises; Line Hartvedt Sorteberg, shore excursions manager, European Cruise Service; Stig Johansen, owner, Polar Tours and coordinator of Book North Travel; Katarzyna Macherska, operations coordinator - cruise, DMC Nordic Norway; Sophie Marsh, destination experience executive, Saga Cruises; Courtney Richardson, tour product owner, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Scott Tristram, destination experiences product executive; Ambassador Cruise Line, alongside Cruise Norway's marketing executive Marit Karlsen.
Fuente: sea-trade cruise