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National Geographic Explorer arrives at Båly
Home > Current > News > Expedition ship visited Mandal and Båly

Expedition ship visited Mandal and Båly

April 16, 2026

The National Geographic Explorer expedition ship visited Mandal and Båly this week, with 147 international guests on board. The 112-meter-long ship gave passengers a unique experience of the southern coast.

The ship is one of the flagships of National Geographic and operates globally from Antarctica in winter to the Arctic in summer. On the journey through the Atlantic, the ship explores, among other things, the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian coast, the Northwest Passage and coastal areas in both North and South America. The call at Sørlandet shows that the region is also attractive for more exclusive expedition cruises.

Kristiansand Port IKS has contributed with coordination, facilities and expertise in advance of the call. In close collaboration with Lindesnes Municipality and local stakeholders, the visit was carried out in a good manner.

– We see a growing interest in this type of cruise, where proximity to nature and authentic experiences are at the center. This provides good opportunities for the region, says cruise manager Fredrik Auestad at the port of Kristiansand

Through its role as a regional port, Kristiansand Port IKS contributes experience, networks and infrastructure that also benefit nearby destinations. Cooperation along the coast is crucial to facilitate new types of calls and create good experiences for international guests.

– Visits like this show that Southern Norway is also attractive for more exclusive expedition cruises, says Cassiana Martins from Cruise Southern Norway.

The call at Mandal and Båly is a good example of how smaller destinations can be strengthened through collaboration with a larger port, and how the region as a whole can develop as an attractive cruise destination.

For inquiries related to port operations, contact the harbor guard 24/7:

Telephone:
+47 970 90 504

VHF:
Channel 12

E-mail:
trafikk@kristiansand-havn.no

Address:
Gravane 4
4610 Kristiansand

E-mail: post@kristiansand-havn.no
Telephone: +47 38 00 60 00

Org.no: NO 926 180 711 MVA
Bank account: 3207.34.60807

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