North Cape Cruises

Beyond the Arctic Circle to the top of Norway, under the midnight sun.

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North Cape cruises take the classic fjords route and keep going: past the Arctic Circle, through the Lofoten Islands and on to the cliffs at the top of Norway.

North Cape Cruises: The Route North

Stop	What to expect
Crossing the Arctic Circle	Ships often mark the moment on board; the coast becomes wilder and emptier.
Lofoten Islands	Jagged peaks rising straight from the sea, fishing villages and white beaches.
Tromso	The largest city in northern Norway, with the Arctic Cathedral and a cable car viewpoint.
Honningsvag	The port for the North Cape; excursions drive up to the plateau and the globe monument.
Return south	Many voyages call at fjord ports on the way back, so you see the fjords too.

Because of the distance, North Cape cruises are longer than fjord-only sailings, typically around twelve to fourteen nights, with several days of coastal cruising.

The Midnight Sun

North of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set for part of the summer. At the North Cape the midnight sun lasts from about mid-May to late July. Some ships time their call so passengers can be on the plateau around midnight, watching the sun swing low over the Arctic Ocean and climb again without setting. Sightings depend on clouds, which roll in quickly this far north, so take any chance you get.

Light this strong takes getting used to. A sleep mask helps, and so does a cabin with good curtains.

Low sun over a calm bay on a northern Norway summer night — Late at night in June, the sun is still up.

Planning North Cape Cruises

Choose June or early July for the best chance of midnight sun.
Pack properly warm clothing: the plateau can be cold and windy even in summer.
Consider a balcony for the long coastal passages.
Book the North Cape excursion early, or plan your own transport from Honningsvag.
Check whether the voyage also includes the southern fjords, or only the north.

The North Cape globe monument — The globe monument on the North Cape plateau.

Use Cruising Checklist for a full packing list, and Cruise Ship Deck Plans to choose a cabin on the side you prefer.

Wildlife and Landscapes of the Far North

The northern coast is not only about the sun. Sea eagles are often seen soaring above the fjords and sounds, seabird colonies crowd the cliffs, and reindeer graze on the open tundra around the North Cape in summer. The landscape changes too: the forests and farms of the south give way to bare, rounded hills and small fishing settlements clinging to the shore. Lofoten’s red cabins and drying racks for cod are among the most photographed sights in Norway. Bring a camera with a zoom lens, and spend some of those long evenings on deck simply watching the coast go by.

North Cape Questions

When can I see the midnight sun at the North Cape?

From about mid-May to late July the sun stays above the horizon at the North Cape around the clock. Exact dates vary slightly by source and year.

Is the North Cape the northernmost point of Europe?

It is often described that way and is the best-known northern viewpoint, but a nearby headland, Knivskjellodden, reaches slightly farther north. The North Cape plateau, with its globe monument, is where cruise excursions go.

Sail to the North Cape

Midnight sun, Lofoten and the top of Europe: our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare North Cape cruises for your dates, free.

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