For info on Antarctica trip in 2020, go here.
14-Day Voyage of the Midnight Sun Knitting Cruise
Start and End Dates: July 7-21, 2019
Craft Cruises’ Overview of this trip:
Join Craft Cruises on a northerly journey up the rugged Norwegian coast when the days are long and temperatures are pleasant. The long number of daylight hours makes this one of the most scenic cruises in the world. The midnight sun is a phenomenon that happens every summer north of the Arctic Circle allowing the gorgeous coastal-scenery to be enjoyed every waking moment.
Explore steep-sided fjords, stunning mountains and sweeping valleys while being pampered onboard Holland America’s newest ship, the ms Nieuw Statendam. Along the way you’ll learn new knitting techniques while calling on quaint ports, frozen-in-time, where Norwegian tradition reigns strong. Visit yarn and sweater mills, learn about traditional Norwegian costumes and textiles, visit quaint churches and see farming systems dating back to simpler times when families peacefully sowed barley, rye and oats while raising cattle, sheep and goats yielding just enough food to support their families.
Onboard, Beth Brown-Reinsel will be offering a range of her most popular classes including everything from Traditional Beginnings, a Historic Cast-On Class and Norwegian Mittens to Traditional Gansey Techniques and Fair Isle Tams.
(See the itinerary below the highlights section.)
14-Day Voyage of the Midnight Sun Knitting Cruise – Highlights
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- Visit Weldraad, Amsterdam’s leading yarn shop for natural fibers produced using environmentally-friendly processing methods.
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- Attend a presentation about traditional Dutch Ganseys and learn the stories behind these Dutch fisherman sweaters. Like their British counterparts, Dutch Ganseys gave fisherman the warmth and protection needed to survive the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic.
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- Shop at Stephen West’s yarn shop in Amsterdam ‘Stephen & Penelope’s Fine Yarns.’
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- In Eidfjord, see the most spectacular waterfall in Norway, Vøringsfossen while enjoying alpine plateaus offering spectacular views.
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- Take a tour of the Oleana Sweater factory, located on a scenic fjord near Bergen, and shop in its outlet.
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- Visit the Dale of Norway sweater store in Bergen.
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- Shop for yarn at Husfliden, Norway’s hand-craft guild store while admiring their selection of fine traditional Norwegian costumes.
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- Learn about this dramatic landscape, climate and Norwegian culture on a less adventurous scale at the Hardangervidda Nature Centre in Eidfjord.
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- Explore Alesund, a picturesque fishing port at the mouth of Stor Fjord spanning two islands where visitors will be enchanted by its cobbled streets, art nouveau architecture, stone towers, spires and medieval facades.
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- Learn about the rebuilding that took place after the fire that destroyed Alesund, making it Norway’s most beautiful city today.
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- Take a walk through Trondheim, Norway’s oldest and third largest city, founded in AD 997 as a Viking seat of power, and the home of Norway’s crown jewels.
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- Take one of the steepest narrow-gauge railways in the world winding through sharp curves along the shores of Trondheimsfjord, the third longest fjord in Norway, before walking into a steep, yet colorful, 300-year old copper mine inside the fjord.
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- Cruise into the Flåm, the innermost part of the 127-mile Sognefjord, the longest and narrowest, in Norway, alongside of Aurlandsfjord, Norway’s most spectacular fjord, with its glassy waters and snow-frosted peaks towering more than 3,000 over the water.
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- In Flåm, where there is no place to look but up, take the steep Flåm Railway, a masterpiece of engineering, climbing from sea level to 2,800 feet, to the overwhelming Kjosfossen Waterfall where you’ll take the most stunning photographs of your life.
The Itinerary:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arrival Date: July 7, 2019
Departure Date: July 7, 2019 Departure Time: 05:00 PM
Amsterdam often referred to as the Venice of the north and has a storybook quality with is lovely canals and quaint architecture. No two houses are alike and it is a fun city to explore. The attractions are really too numerous to list here but guide books of things to do abound.
Amsterdam can easily assessable by foot or by bike or by boat. The city itself can be walked from end to end in about 30 to 40 minutes. Bikes easily outnumber cars in this city and can be rented very easily by tourists. Another charming way to tour the city is by boat. Boats tours offer a picturesque way to tour the city through the city’s numerous canals.
At Sea
Arrival Date: July 8, 2019
Departure Date: July 8, 2019
While at sea you can enjoy the vast amenities offered aboard the cruise ship. Craft Cruises holds various classes during times at sea.
Eidfjord, Norway
Arrival Date: July 9, 2019 Arrival Time: 08:00 AM
Departure Date: July 9, 2019 Departure Time: 06:00 PM
Natural beauty and the outdoors is the main emphasis in this port. As you cruise into Eidfjord, the serenity of the surroundings encompass daily life for locals and is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers. Though this is a small village of around 1000 people, it is included in Norway’s top wealthiest communities, predominantly due to the production of hydroelectric power. The largest city near Eidfjord is Bergen, though Oslo (Norway’s capital) is a mere train or coach ride away. People venture from these larger cities to bask in the peaceful life Eidfjord offers. Largely populated cities are wonderfully vibrant and colorful, but once you have spent a day visiting Eidfjord, and experienced what it has to offer, you won’t want to return home!
Bergen, Norway
Arrival Date: July 10, 2019 Arrival Time: 08:00 AM
Departure Date: July 10, 2019 Departure Time: 05:00 PM
Travelers love Bergen because it is one of the least intimidating, most friendly and relaxed cities in Europe, and is very rich in history and art surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the world.
Whether you’re looking to shop, sightsee, eat, hike, or just relax, you are sure to feel welcome in Bergen.
Alesund, Norway
Arrival Date: July 11, 2019 Arrival Time: 08:00 AM
Departure Date: July 11, 2019 Departure Time: 05:00 PM
Art Nouveau architecture, a historic fire, lighthouses, and fishing are all huge facets to Alesund’s culture. Alesund is located atop three different islands in Norway, creating a unique and special experience for visitors. Cruising through fjords to approach the islands is an experience visitors are sure to remember.
Trondheim, Norway
Arrival Date: July 12, 2019 Arrival Time: 08:00 AM
Departure Date: July 12, 2019 Departure Time: 05:00 PM
Trondheim is the third largest Norwegian city, and one of Scandinavia’s oldest. It was founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason, and was Norway’s capital until 1380. Today, this university town is a hub for medical and maritime research.
Day at Sea
Arrival Date: July 13, 2019
Departure Date: July 13, 2019
Explore the ship and enjoy taking our various classes.
Honningsvag, Norway
Arrival Date: July 14, 2019 Arrival Time: 10:00 AM
Departure Date: July 14, 2019 Departure Time: 06:00 PM
Honningsvag; gateway to the North Cape and home to the world’s northernmost fishing village. From this scenic cruise port, enjoy the views and serenity that Northern Norway has to offer.
At Sea
Arrival Date: July 15, 2019
Departure Date: July 15, 2019
While at sea you can enjoy the vast amenities offered aboard the cruise ship. Craft Cruises holds various classes during times at sea.
Day at Sea
Arrival Date: July 16, 2019
Departure Date: July 16, 2019
Explore the ship and enjoy taking our various classes.
Flam, (Gudvangen) Norway
Arrival Date: July 18, 2019 Arrival Time: 08:00 AM
Departure Date: July 18, 2019 Departure Time: 06:00 PM
Travelers prefer Flam in the summer because of the beauty of the dramatic fjords and all the outdoor activities. Whether you want to visit this “tiny Norwegian Disneyland” for its steep railway, shop, eat, hike, cycle or sightsee, you will not be disappointed with time spent in one of the most beautiful Norwegian ports.
At Sea
Arrival Date: July 20, 2019
Departure Date: July 20, 2019
While at sea you can enjoy the vast amenities offered aboard the cruise ship. Craft Cruises holds various classes during times at sea.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arrival Date: July 21, 2019 Arrival Time: 07:00 AM
Departure Date: July 21, 2019
Amsterdam often referred to as the Venice of the north and has a storybook quality with is lovely canals and quaint architecture. No two houses are alike and it is a fun city to explore. The attractions are really too numerous to list here but guide books of things to do abound.
Amsterdam can easily assessable by foot or by bike or by boat. The city itself can be walked from end to end in about 30 to 40 minutes. Bikes easily outnumber cars in this city and can be rented very easily by tourists. Another charming way to tour the city is by boat. Boats tours offer a picturesque way to tour the city through the city’s numerous canals.
