• 5 min de lectura
• 5 min de lectura
Cruise Norway's familiarisation trip continued September 7-8 in Bodø, where participants discovered a destination combining geological storytelling, adrenaline-fueled RIB safaris and emerging turnaround capabilities.
The two-day programme highlighted the city's unique positioning as both an Arctic adventure hub and a practical gateway for cruise operations, with its airport just five minutes from the quay.
Monday afternoon saw the group embark on an Arctic coastal hike led by Alessandro Talgø, head of sales and marketing at Let's Go North. The 12-minute bus ride from port delivered participants to a landscape where pale sand beaches meet dramatic mountain horizons.
Talgø's narrative weaved together the geological formation of Norwegian mountains and the European coastline, Viking navigation techniques including a demonstration of a sun stone, archaeological heritage as the group passed an ancient Viking burial mound, and botanical history with participants sampling tea of meadowsweet (queen of the meadow) – a plant once used by seafarers.
"The coastal walk takes place in any type of weather," Talgø explained, emphasising the year-round viability of the experience.
The company operates six RIB boats with 12 seats each and has rental capacity for more, employing 45 external guides including what Talgø described as "the highest number of German guides working in Bodø."
Core offerings span RIB safaris and fishing trips, northern lights hunts in winter, midnight sun tours in summer, guided city walks focusing on WWII history and Cold War heritage, plus day trips to Kjerringøy, Lofoten and the Helgeland Coast.
The company's busiest period runs April to November but maintains operations year-round. Current clients include Havila Voyages and AIDA Cruises.
Tuesday morning brought participants to Saltstraumen via RIB boat with Rampen Adventures. The journey to the world's strongest tidal current delivered encounters with sea eagles swooping overhead – a highlight for the group.
Aurora Strachan, sales and marketing manager, outlined Rampen's expansion plans including two additional RIB boats arriving in April to bring the total fleet to five. The company's winter portfolio encompasses snowshoeing to Valnesfossen, electric snowmobile safaris, northern lights tours and sledding at Skarmoen with 10 sleds available. Rampen also operates via ferrata experiences in Bodø and offers flexible programming to adjust for strong winds and ensure passenger comfort.
The Saltstraumen phenomenon occurs four times daily during tidal flows in and out of Saltfjorden. Tours run March to November and can be combined with bus transfers.
The RIB journey concluded at Tuvsjyen Stone Age settlement, where the group disembarked for storytelling and a light lunch in a turf hut. The atmospheric setting with dark lighting and an open fire transports passengers to an era when this landscape was first inhabited.
The host family has operated Tuvsjyen for 24 years, offering Stone Age cultural experiences with models of archaeological artifacts, including flint tools, bows and arrows, and more. It offers local cuisine – halibut, homemade jam and rustic bread – plus interactive elements such as 120 handmade drums for passengers to play. The venue can accommodate up to 60 people per room (two rooms available) and operates year-round with advance booking required.
Archaeological excavations confirm settlements dating back 10,000 years to the last Ice Age. AIDA Cruises currently includes Tuvsjyen in organised tours. An optional 1.5-hour hill walk showcases polished rocks from glacial activity, adding a geological dimension to the cultural narrative.
Torjus Levisen Johansen, maritime manager and Marthe Andersen, commercial manager, Port of Bodø, outlined the port's infrastructure and turnaround potential. It offers ISPS-approved cruise quays, all within walking distance of the city centre.
Terminal Quay South has a towncentre position and serves as the main cruise quay with a maximum ship length of 250m, quay length of 200m and depth of 7.7m. Low voltage shore power is available at this berth.
Terminal Quay operates as a multipurpose facility accommodating ships up to 300m (recommended due to narrow breakwater) with a quay length of 350m and depth of 11m.
Another quay even closer to the city centre can accommodate small expedition and luxury vessels.
The port crew handles all mooring operations without third-party involvement, with eight fenders available at Terminal Quay South. Check-in containers serve smaller ships such as Explora Journeys and Sea Cloud. The port sits just four nautical miles from open sea, and shore power expansion is planned via a TNT port proposal for larger vessels.
Bodø's turnaround advantages centre on airport proximity at just five minutes from the quay, international connections via Bodø Airport and a proposed partnership with Avinor for seamless luggage and screening logistics representing a new concept for the region. The city offers 1,649 hotel rooms with continued growth, walkable access to hotels, restaurants, culture and services, and strategic positioning as a gateway to the Arctic coast both north and south.
In inclement weather, such as high winds, Harstad and Narvik serve as alternative ports for Bodø. Johansen emphasised Bodø's aspiration to attract more expedition ships, noting that while the narrow breakwater limits vessel size, it creates opportunities for smaller vessels.
