The generally accepted latitude of the Arctic Circle is marked with a globe.

The Arctic Circle Globe on Vikingen, an islet off the Norwegian coast.

The globe is from 2006 and replaces an earlier one that was destroyed by hurricane-force winds.

Arctic Circle Globe with the peak of Hestmannen (aka Hestmonkallen) in the background still hidden.

Blue Nose Ceremony ... initiating those crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time.

NB Day 4: North of the Arctic Circle

August 11 in Norway

The Arctic Circle is one of those imaginary lines that circumnavigate the earth horizontally. It is generally accepted as being located somewhere around latitude 66°33′ N. The exact position changes due to the tilt of the earth’s axis. I looked it up on the internet and at the present time, the circle is at 66°33′51″ N.

m/s Havila Castor crossed north of the circle this morning … at 7:53:35a. I know this because they had a contest to guess the time of the crossing and the winning guess closest to the actual time was announced at the Blue Nose Ceremony.

Blue Nose Ceremony? “What is that,” you ask.

It is a maritime initiation rite designed to celebrate entering the realm of Boreas Rex (King of the North) for the first time. Participants are put through freezing challenges … such as a polar bear plunge into icy waters; their noses are painted blue to symbolize the freezing temperatures of the region; and they are often rewarded with a shot of Aquavit or similar drink.

No, there was no polar bear plunge onboard the ship today, but there was ice involved in the ceremony … and I don’t mean the ice cubes in the drinks.

Having been north of the Arctic Circle many times, we didn’t participate in the ceremony. I was in the cabin anyhow. Mui did go up to watch and record a short clip of the festivities for me. I’m including it here even though the ceremony followed our 10:00a stop in Ørnes.Read more