Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, inhabited by about 280,000 people, and its population has been growing quickly over the past decade — but not as rapidly as when the cruiseships arrive.

In 2018, these floating hotels brought nearly 600,000 passengers to the west coast city, with ship visits rising to about 340.

“The number of ships and passengers has increased every year,” Johnny Breivik, Bergen’s port director told TradeWinds.