Haugesund climbs to fifth largest cruise port in Norway

He told cruise line representatives during a Cruise Norway familiarisation trip to the southwestern fjords that marketing efforts for Haugesund began in 2012 with its first call following a year later with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. 

Haugesund has 144 cruise calls planned for this year and 450,000 passengers, and next year, expects 163 calls. In 2023, the destination had 121 calls and 372, 334 passengers. 

Buses a challenge 

Dueland told Seatrade Cruise that a lack of buses has been Haugesund’s biggest challenge. There is capacity for around 12 buses simultaneously at Rullestad, Akrafjorden, Skudeneshavn and Avaldsnes but until now, the destination has been able to muster only six. Dueland says this season is already looking ‘more hopeful’ when it comes to gathering more transport. 

According to Mahmoud Ewis, deputy GM, Nordic Gateway, there is a lack of buses for cruise ships in Norway, stemming from a shortage of qualified bus drivers caused by Covid. 

At scenic Akrafjorden, around 40 guides, locally and from cruise ships, can be found during some periods. Last year there were less than half a dozen.

Dueland would like to see more calls through the period October-March. 

‘We strive to have special and different itineraries,’ said Anita Sletbak, senior consultant, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as she explained the circumstances that led Fred. Olsen to be the first cruise line to call at Haugesund. ‘We strive to have special and different itineraries, we don’t like to copy and paste from one year to another. We’re not afraid to try new destinations.’ 

Haugesund is a practical first or final port of call when sailing from the UK, Sletbak noted.

Rasmus Tveit, cruise coordinator, Karmsund Port Authority explained that Haugesund can handle the largest cruise vessels, like Anthem of the Seas at 347 metres.

There is capacity for 20 coaches at the port, ample parking for taxis, and the tourist information centre faces the cruise berth. One large cruise ship per day is the maximum for Haugesund – or two smaller sized vessels. It takes 15 minutes on foot to reach the town centre. 

Hauigesund’s smaller city centre quay can receive ships of up to 130 metres in good weather, but vessels of up to 120 metres are preferable.  

16 MW shore power is available and discounts apply on quay fees when used. 

Medieval and ancient history 

In Avaldsnes, the group had the rare opportunity to step inside the temporary protective buildings shielding the ruins of a royal manor dating to 1250. Archaeological excavation of the site has been ongoing since 2017 as part of the Avaldsnes Royal Manor project. The remains, together with the adjacent St. Olaf's church which also dates to 1250, will be central elements in a medieval park that will later be established at the site.

Ancient history can also be observed at the church, with one of three megalith stones located there a testament to Pagan worship. Directly next to the church a further excavation is underway to unearth and restore the remains of a defence tower. 

In the same vicinity is a subterranean museum dedicated to Avaldsnes and its Viking history. The Norwegian History Centre takes visitors on a journey spanning 3,500 years of maritime history. Audio guides are available in English, German, French and Spanish. Highlights include a cinema room where visitors can watch an 18-minute film on Avaldsnes’ history, as well as Viking costumes to try on. 

50 passengers is the ideal number of cruise visitors for the museum at any one time. Tours usually last 45-50 minutes, and access is possible via an elevator.

The ‘Tilbakeblikk’ app enables visitors to take a guided tour of the Avaldsnes area, including the Viking Farm, by mobile phone. 

World War Two

Arqebus Museum is named after the covert World War Two operation to transit messages from Bjoa, Norway to allied forces in London fighting Germany, at a time when Norway was occupied by Nazis. The museum has the transmitter originally used by Sverre K. Andersen to send the messages from 1942 until May 1945. According to the British general Sir Andrew Thorne, Arquebus was the clandestine station that saw the longest service in all of German occupied Europe. The museum houses weapons, equipment, code books, and wedding gowns made from parachute silk. Reconstructions of a Norwegian street in the early years of the war and the aftermath of a bomb can be observed. Text accompanying the exhibitions appears in Norwegian and English, and German and Spanish guidebooks are also available. For smaller groups, a guide can be provided. The attraction usually receives passengers from two coaches as part of a three-hour tour. 

Sig Hansen venue

The fam trip participants met Norwegian-American captain Sig Hansen, best known for appearing in the documentary television series Deadliest Catch, which follows crab fishermen aboard fishing vessels in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons. He is renovating a 100-year-old building once used for herring that will serve as a fishing museum, restaurant and entertainment space, where bands can perform or Hansen himself can share stories of being at sea. 

‘I believe tourism will be my legacy,’ Hansen said. Originally, he intended to launch Mortholmen in June/July 2024 but, ‘I want to get it right so if it takes more time, fine.’ 

The multifunctional venue will have capacity for 300 passengers. A gift shop will be established inside the building, and Hansen is contemplating offering fishing tours.

The group dined at Fransehagen Cafe-Bistro after a visit to Visnes Mining Museum (Visnes Grubemuseum.) From 1865 to 1895 the area was developed into Northern Europe's biggest copper mine and produced 70% of Norway's copper export, with the mines active from 1865 to 1972.

The Mining Museum consists of the museum itself, the old administration building, a smelting hut, two workers homes and more. They cover 107 years of history through guides, exhibitions and around 2,000 photos.

A stone’s throw from Visnes Grubemuseum is Visnes’ very own five-metre-high Statue of Liberty in Fransehagen park, in recognition of copper from Visnes Mines being used to build the Statue of Liberty in New York. 

 

Other highlights included a whistlestop tour of Skudeneshavn, once a fishing village and now one of Norway’s smallest and best preserved towns. The Old Town, filled with narrow picturesque streets and quaint cafes, has no less than 200 wooden houses and boathouses. 

The fam trip participants also took in panoramic views of the Haugaland region from a viewpoint on top of Steinsfjellet and visited the Langfoss waterfall before stopping at Eljarvik Farm to sample the meat from animals reared on the farm, try local produce and admire the landscape. 

At Home and Garden – a tranquil home with an attractive garden, herb garden and fish pond – lunch was served. Just over 20 minutes from the port, Home and Garden has received one group from a cruise ship so far this year, who were served cake and tea/coffee by the family who live there. 

 

HOLLY PAYNE

Home and Garden

Fam trip participants

Ambassador Cruise Line’s head of itinerary management, Giovanna Dipasquale, and destination experience product executive, Michelle McDermott are among the fam trip attendees.

They are joined by Abigail Crossley, senior manager, global sourcing shore excursions, Carnival Corporation; Catrina Megahey, shore experience product executive, Carnival UK; Maria Cristina Roggero, land experience plan & operation manager, Costa Cruises; Anita Sletbak, senior consultant, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. 

Sylviane de Tracy, director, cruise research & development, Ponant; Tracy Diaz, director, shore excursion operations, Princess Cruises; Neil Cron, destination experience manager, Saga Cruises; Andrea Leonetti, itinerary designer, Silversea Cruises; Susan Parker, freelance journalist also join the trip. 

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