Kristiansund is a town of four islands on the edge of the Atlantic ocean with the harbour at its centre. There are two quays a short distance from the fairway: Storkaien (360m long and 10m depth) and Devoldholmen (205m/12m). The largest ship yet to call is Norwegian Jade with a length of 294m.
This year the port is expecting 22 calls, compared to eight in 2012 (3,849 passengers) and 14 (10,201) last year. In 2015 there are already 21 calls booked bringing 20,000 passengers to the Norwegian destination.
The town’s history is largely based on klipfish (dried, salted cod) which also gave rise to the founding of the local opera which to this day is integral to this town renowned for its annual opera festival in February. Indeed Saga is including the opera house ‘Festiviteten’, the oldest in Norway, on its opera-themed cruise in September this year bringing between 500 to 700 visitors to the town.
Synnove Henden of Destination Kristiansund & Nordmore, commented: “We hope that cruiseliners one day will visit in February on winter cruises. It would be exciting to have an opera performance on the way to the north searching for the Nordic lights.”
When it comes to Northern Lights, Kristiansund is also keen to market its annual Nordic Light Festival of Photography. She added: “I think a photo cruise would be something new and popular for theme-cruisers”. The festival organiser commented: “The environment here is genuine and a mix that fascinates: old fish nostalgia, brutality of post-war architecture and the ocean coming straight in”.
The top selling attraction is The Atlantic Road just 30 minutes away by bus. This can be combined with Haholmen fishing island, Kvernes Stave church or Bergtatt marble caves. For those wanting to take to the water, the Sundbaten harbour boat offers a 90-minute harbour sightseeing and storytelling trip, just minutes’ walk from the pier. This boat has been transporting locals and tourists for over 130 years without stop.
Also on offer is a three-hour trip to the old fishing village of Grip Island which includes a 40-minute boat trip each way. There are several boat departures for individuals. In addition the Norwegian Klipfish museum tells the important history of the town and can be reached by the Sundbat. Also maritime Kristiansund is popular on winter cruises including a walking tour to the marina, blacksmith storytelling and a visit to the museum cafe tasting ‘smithy’ cake and special coffee from an old coffee roaster. Other attractions include hiking, seal safaris, diving and home/industrial and farm visits as well as a visit to a fort from World War Two.
