Tuesday, April 30, 2019 - 08:19 by ce-press
The Norwegian port of Bronnoysond is expecting 15 calls this year and has recently been welcoming newcomers such as Holland America Line, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. It is also “very popular with explorer ships”, according to Solveig Henriksen, sales & marketing consultant for the port and destination of Bronnoysund.
To date Koningsdam is the largest ship to call at 330m length with 2,260 passengers being tendered. The largest to come alongside is Viking Sea (228m) in 2016.
There are two berths: 150m in the city centre with a draught of 6.2m which can take ships up to 140m; and 2km outside one of 100m in length, but there can be overhang either side, with a draught of 25m. Ships up to 240m in length can be accommodated.
“Bronnoysund’s people are very positive towards cruiseships,” said Henriksen. “There is always a warm welcome, blue carpet, flags, flowers and people in national costume. There are six German and 12 English-speaking local guides. We are recruiting each year so the numbers are going up. There are 20 buses available except for one hour in the morning and afternoon when the schools need them.”
One of the main attractions is to walk up to the hole in Torghatten and see the stunning view of the archipelago. “It is Norway’s answer to the Caribbean view-wise although maybe not temperature-wise,” joked Henriksen. It is possible to put on private concerts in the hole which measures 160m in length by 35m height and 20m width.
Nearby attractions include the Unesco Vega archipelago, home to the Eider ducks, Hildurs arctic herb garden and afternoon tea, Norwegian Aquaculture Center where you can see, learn and taste the result of salmon fish farming and a mountain hike up Torghatten. There are also several open-air museums and, for the more active, zodiac adventures, kayaking, biking and flightseeing to choose from.
