Lonely Planet is a recognized purveyors of travel information. In its new book, “Lonely Planet Bluelist,” it designates the Norwegian Coastal Voyage as the world’s best boat trip. The Norwegian trip is ranked higher than such adventures as an excursion in Vietnam’s Halong Bay and an Amazon River cruise in South America.
“The round trip includes fabulous fjords and islands, midnight sun, a medieval monastery and art nouveau cities,” the Lonely Planet authors write.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage ships have plied Norway’s coast since 1893. Today there are 11 vessels in all, carrying some 550,000 passengers a year. The journey lasts 11 days, beginning in the west coast city of Bergen and ending at Kirkenes in the far north. Along the way the ships make 34 stops; passengers who do not wish to see the whole stretch may board for parts of the journey.