No. 5 - 2008
Norway - the ultimate natural cruise experience - is rated as the safest country in the world by Global Country Brand Index
In Cruise Norway News number 5 2008, you can read more about:
- Norwegian cruise year 2008
- New Cruise Norway brochure 2009-10
- Cruise Norway quality guidelines
- News from Svalbard
- News from Hammerfest
- News from Trondheim
- News from World Heritage Site Røros
- News from Skjolden in Sognefjord
- News from Farsund
- Signing up for the Norwegian NOx fund agreement is one way to save you costs
Norwegian cruise year 2008
Norwegian Cruise Year 2008 is the best ever, with more than 1630 cruise calls to Norway this year, 12% up on last year, while the number of visitors was 18.7% up at 1.5 million.
Among Norway`s 35 cruise destinations, the top 15 destinations have 1,4 million visitors.
Bergen is still on top, measured by the number of calls (254) and the number of visitors (232 210).
Geiranger is in second place with 169 calls and 163 695 visitors.
Oslo ranks third in terms of the number of calls with 156, but it is THE WINNER measured by the number of visitors with nearly 240 000 (including Christmas calls).
Flåm takes fourth place with 133 calls and 119 684 visitors.
Arctic Norway is increasing as well, with a 21% rise in the number of visitors to the North Cape, while Tromsø can report a 29% increase and the Lofoten Islands an improvement of 56% compared with 2007.
Stavanger is the winner in percentage terms, measured by the number of visitors, with a 58% increase on 2007.
Markets: The UK and Germany are still Norway`s most important markets. The UK has a market share of 27% and Germany 23%. The is an increase of 1% on 2007.
The US has a market share of 16%.
The forecast for 2009 looks fairly good in terms of the number of calls with an increase of approximately 4%.
New Cruise Norway brochure 2009-10
The "Norway Cruise Manual" is the only comprehensive overview of Norwegian cruise ports and cooperating companies which have the international cruise market as their field of activity. Our new paper brochure, E book and DVD will be distributed to cruise lines in January.
Cruise Norway Quality Guidelines
Cruise Norway shall encourage its cooperating companies to engage in active product development. In cooperating with us, you will also influence developments according to your own interests and requirements. Cruise Norway has started to develop a certain number of quality guidelines.
The Cruise Norway Quality Guidelines relate to
- Port Facilities
- Signs, Information Material & Service
- Service for Crew
- Excursions
- Guide Standard
- Environment & Traffic
For more information about Cruise Norway Quality Guidelines please see www.cruise-norway.no, Trade News section.
News from Svalbard - Welcome to Spitsbergen - The High Arctic at 78 degrees north.
One of the world's largest areas of untouched nature awaits you. In the summer, beautiful colours and contrast provide the framework for dramatic glaciers, majestic mountain formations, bucking bird mountains, and endless arctic tundra with its diverse flora and fauna.
Svalbard is:
- Europe's most exotic destination
- Visitors find themselves enclosed by unparalleled silence on Svalbard.
- A cruise to Spitsbergen is the perfect vacation if you want peace, quiet and space for reflection and dreams.
For more information see www.svalbard.net
News from Hammerfest
Hammerfest and Kvalsund/Skaidi wish you welcome to the northernmost town in the world.
Experience exhilarating and friendly Hammerfest and Kvalsund/Skaidi - a part of the land of the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. The contrasts in light, from the Midnight Sun in the summer to the northern auroras in the winter, help shape the way people live in the far north in Hammerfest and Kvalsund.
Hammerfest is a modern city where new architecture has taken the place of reconstructed buildings from the post-war period. The city has an exiting history encompassing the Pomor trade, through a city in flames, Arctic hunting and fishing, and now energy and gas. If you walk around the city or visit some of the museums you will find more of the fascinating history of Hammerfest.
The region has many activities to offer. How about golf in the Midnight Sun or winter activities at Skaidi - Arctic Deep Sea Fishing invites you to take part in nature-based activities.
Top 3 attractions:
Museum of Post-War Reconstruction
The exhibition portrays the dramatic events from WWII with forced evacuation, a city burned to the ground and the period of reconstruction. See how the inhabitants created their new homes through optimism and a strong belief in the future. www.gjenreisningsmuseet.no
The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society
The museum displays the town's proud traditions linked to fishing and hunting in Arctic areas. Become a member of the exclusive club and take home the famous polar bear pin. www.isbjornklubben.no
The Meridian Column
This column was erected in 1854 in memory of the first international measurement of the Earth's circumference. The Column is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
News from Trondheim
Founded by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason in the year 997, Trondheim holds a special place in Norwegian history and culture. It was the first capital of Norway and is still the city where new kings receive their ceremonial blessing.
Situated by the Trondheim fjord, it is surrounded by lovely forested hills with the Nidelva river winding through the town. It has been, and still is a popular pilgrimage site, an ecclesiastical centre, a regional capital and last, but not least, a city of education and research.
Trondheim has a wide spectre of attractions and one of them is of course Nidaros Cathedral - Norway's National Sanctuary.
The world's most northerly and Scandinavia's biggest cathedral, built over the grave of Norway's holy king - Olav Haraldsson. In 1052, the Pope conferred an archbishopric on Nidaros (which was the original name of Trondheim). After a few years the Archbishop had built a palace next to the cathedral. From then on, Nidaros was both a spiritual and a political centre in northern Europe.
Today, Nidaros Cathedral is one of Norway's most visited tourist attractions. It is still used as an ordinary church by it's congregation and offers services several times a week as well as concerts with famous artists and musicians.
News from the World Heritage Site Røros
As one of the oldest wooden towns in Europe, Røros has earned a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Join a guided tour through the town centre or a tour of the Olavsgruva mine - it is spectacular!
In Røros you will find artists and craftsmen, small boutiques and cafés side by side with great mountain plateaux, snow-capped peaks and tranquil lakes.
The region is surrounded by two national parks and offers a wide range of activities such as dog-sledding, ice fishing, hiking, golfing and reindeer safaris.
See www.rorosinfo.no for more information.
News from Skjolden in Sognefjord
Unique location with major attractions
Last year saw the establishment of Cruise Destination Skjolden - Sognefjord, and the destination is growing rapidly. Naturally, one of the main reasons why Skjolden is already a success is its unique location at the head of Norway's longest fjord, the Sognefjord, and at the foot of Norway's highest mountains and largest glacier. Skjolden therefore has some of Norway's most impressive attractions, such as:
Jotunheimen National Park - Norway's highest mountains, with alpine peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe - the Sognefjellsvegen Road, the RV 55.
Jostedalsbreen National Park - the spectacular Nigardsbreen Glacier and the Breheimsenteret National Park Visitor Centre.
Urnes Stave Church - Norway's oldest stave church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Feigumfossen - one of Norway's highest waterfalls, located beside the emerald green Lusterfjord.
Outdoor activities for everyone
No other cruise destination can offer such a huge variety of guided outdoor activities for the growing number of cruise passengers who wish to explore the great outdoors.
New cruise pier
Skjolden already has a good pier for tender boats, but a large cruise pier is scheduled for completion in June 2010. Check out the www.sognefjordcruise.com website to see photos and drawings of the new pier and surrounding area.
News from Farsund - Fred Olsen`s MS Boudicca is the first cruise ship to visit Farsund
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced its planned arrival at the Privateer City of Farsund on the 1st and 30th of May 2009. MS Boudicca, with its 28 000 dwt and 800 passengers, will get the attention worthy of this shipping line. The landing stage is at the deep-water quay in Lundevågen, which in turn is located in close proximity to the city. This is the first call at the city, and it has already attracted a lot of attention. The agreement has been made possible thanks to the position taken by FOCL as innovators in relation to new, exiting and "undiscovered" destinations, given the right conditions.
In this connection, events have been arranged giving visitors the chance to experience everything from the City of Farsund to Lista's multitude of sights and culture have been organized. Farsund and Lista are widely known for their authentic environments and picturesque surroundings, and evoke a strong desire for repeat visits among those who are there for the first time. With its history from the Napoleonic Wars, Farsund/Lista is also Norway's "privateer nest". In its heyday, the city was one of the largest shipping cities in the world.
NOx News
Remember to sign up for The Business Sector NOx-fund from 2009. One way to save costs in Norway
For further information and to download the fund agreement see www.nho.no/nox/english
