hurtigruten iceland cruise reviews

All about Iceland

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• Explore the fascinating and diverse nature of Iceland
• Visit Reykjavik, Grundarfjörður, Siglufjörður, Seyðisfjörður and the Vestmannaeyjar
• See glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls
• Spot rich birdlife and maybe even whales

What's this trip about?

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Travel themes.

• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife
• Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions.

• Historic sightseeing
• Land expedition
• Photography

Trip includes

• Cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
• Wind and water resistant jacket
• Landings with Polarcirkel boats and activities onboard and ashore
• Professional English speaking Expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanying landings and activities
• Free tea and coffee

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A lot of visitors are puzzled when landing in Iceland, because the airport is located in a part of the country that looks like an arctic desert with lava rocks, moss and mountains. 45 minutes later you find yourself in Reykjavik, a charming and vibrant town with lots of restaurants, museums and shops on narrow streets.

Embarkation from 16:00 hours.

One of Iceland’s best-kept secrets is the Westfjords. Ísafjörður is the largest town, with a centuries-old history as a major centre of commerce and trading, all based on fish. We invite you to take a stroll around to see its architecture or join our wide range of optional excursions.

The Hornbjarg cliff is one of the greatest seafowl habitats, and we will take a closer look, and hopefully make a landing.

Siglufjörður offers facilities for both recreation and sightseeing. A few hours in the rugged landscape give you the chance to savour the peace and tranquillity. Grímsey is where the Arctic Circle touches Iceland, and we will use our Polarcirkel boats to reach this island.

Akureyri is a lively and energetic town. It is the most populated community outside the Reykjavík area and the centre of trade, culture and services for the north of Iceland. Akureyri is close to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural beauty spots and the town itself is a popular destination. Enjoy an optional hike or join an excursion to the impressive Goðafoss waterfall.

On the east coast you will find pine forests, lush farmlands and a variety of colourful fishing villages and vibrant seaside communities. The Vatnajökull glacier is the largest glacier of Europe and a spectacular sight. From Djúpivogur you can join our optional excursion to Vatnajökull lagoon, or stay and hike in the beautiful surroundings of town.

Our voyage of discovery and adventure ends in Reykjavik. If you have the time, join our exciting post programme Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Hurtigruten .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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The coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes is over 1,490 miles long, and in the 19th Century almost all of it was home to rich fishing grounds. The maritime maps were unreliable and there were only a few lighthouses, especially in the north. This important seaway was lined with perilous reefs, small islands and narrow inlets, and it was essential that a safe trade route be established to link the southern and northern regions of Norway.

When the Norwegian government decided to create a connection between the north and the south, Richard With and his friend Anders Holthe took on the challenge of thoroughly mapping the seas along the coastline. In 1893, Captain Richard With’s steamer, DS Vesteraalen, was brought into regular service along the coast of Norway, and Hurtigruten was established. The service offered several weekly departures, first from Trondheim to Hammerfest and later from Bergen to Kirkenes in only seven days. He called this important connection ‘Hurtigruten’ (the fast route).

120 years later, we still carry freight and passengers. Our captains use their extensive maritime expertise to ensure that guests and goods are safely carried from port to port. Today, as then, the Hurtigruten ships are a part of Norwegian coastal life. One of the fleet’s 11 ships departs Bergen daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in 12 days at an average speed of 15 knots.

Hurtigruten's Ships

Hurtigruten ships have been a staple along the Norwegian coast since 1893. The current fleet consists of classic ships, ships built in the late nineties, and ships built after the millennium.

Many boast of their “ultimate” expedition ships. But none, save the MS Fram, contains two critical features which deliver adventure in a more safe and comfortable way. MS Fram is a purpose-build expedition ship built especially for comfortable Explorer voyages, with emphasis on relaxation and discovery.

MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. As well as offering numerous lounges in which to relax, our more active guests can use our well-equipped gym. Meanwhile, on deck, our Jacuzzis guarantee you surreal memories when passing the towering icebergs of Antarctica or Greenland.

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About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip, travel confidently, what's excluded.

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional excursions and gratuities

You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking or your travel agent must be received at our offices. We recommend ‘Recorded Delivery’. Cancellation takes effect the day we receive your letter or email. Since we incur costs in relation to your arrangements from the time we confirm your booking you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges as shown in the table below (which also applies if we cancel because you have failed to make payments on time - see ‘Payment’ section) together with the cost of any air fare for which we have had to pay at the time of the booking and will be payable immediately on cancellation.

When the cancellation letter is received by us before departure

Charges as a % of the total holiday cost (excl. insurance premiums)

60 or more days Retention of deposit

42–59 days is 30%

28–41 days will be 60%

14–27 days is 90%

Less than 14 days is 100%

If you have to cancel for a reason covered by your travel insurance you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges, less applicable excess. Insurance premiums are not refundable.

• All planned landings are subject to weather – and ice conditions
• All itineraries are subject to change
• Medical questionnaire mandatory
• Free rubber boot rental service on board

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Things to do, itineraries.

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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• Cruise Lines

Hurtigruten Expeditions HX

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

Hurtigruten Expeditions HX fleet

Ms fridtjof nansen, ms roald amundsen, ms spitsbergen, mv santa cruz ii galapagos, review of hurtigruten expeditions hx.

Hurtigruten Expeditions/HX (travelhx.com) is a new premium cruise line and luxury travel brand owned by the parent company Hurtigruten AS . HX's cruise fleet currently consists of 5 vessels - MS Fridtjof Nansen (2020-built), MS Roald Amundsen (2019), MS Spitsbergen (2009), MS Fram (2007) and MV Santa Cruz II Galapagos (2002).

HX cruises are operated by a separate fleet of smaller-sized vessels deployed in regions like South America and Antarctica , Alaska, North and Central America, Arctic Norway ( Spitsbergen Island , Svalbard Archipelago ), Atlantic Europe (Iceland and Greenland), Southern Europe (Mediterranean), Spain's Canary Islands, Portugal's Azores and Madeira).

HX is currently registered as HX EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS LTD (company number 14861217). It was incorporated as a Private Limited Company (PLC) on May 11, 2023. From May 11, 2023, through February 5, 2024, the company was registered as HURTIGRUTEN EXPEDITIONS GROUP LTD . From February 5 through May 30, 2024, the company was registered as HX EXIT CO LTD .

HX's headquarters are in London, England UK (210 Pentonville Road, N1 9JY).

Hurtigruten Expeditions/HX's first CEO was Asta Lassesen, who was later succeeded by Gebhard Rainer. In 2024 (effective June 15th) Rainer was succeeded by. Daniel Skjeldam.

Asta Lassesen (Hurtigruten Expeditions' CEO

HX's current Nautical Itinerary Planners/Marine Operations Officers are Niclas Eriksson and Quentin Le Dain.

HX company history and changes

In January 2021, Hurtigruten Group's cruise shipping operations were reorganized into two separate entities - "Hurtigruten Expeditions" (rebranded "HX" in December 2023) and "Hurtigruten Norway". Both entities have different management teams (including CEOs).

Company changes 2024

In January, HX expanded leadership team with Alex Delamere-White (CCO/Chief Commercial Officer), Jim Sayer (Senior VP of Global Marketing, Managing Director and VP of Europe), Nathaniel Sherborne (VP Sales and Marketing, UK & Nordics/previously worked for P&O UK, Cunard and Princess), Carla Brake (Senior Sales Director), Sheralyn Berry (General Manager for the Americas), Jennifer Kennedy (Business Development Manager Southeast USA), Kent Phillips (Business Development Manager Western Canada), and Ian Kivell (Business Development Manager Eastern Canada).

Since November 2024, HX is an all-inclusive cruise line providing as standard/complimentary (fleetwide, and to all destinations) the following amenities and services:

• Daily land expeditions and activities (hikes, community visits, lectures, etc)
• Full shipboard dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner with house wine and beer)
• Availability of wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails throughout the day and evening
• Unlimited access to beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Inclusive crew gratuities.
• Participation in the onboard interactive science program (Science Centre + activities)
• Access to wellness facilities (sauna, hot tubs, gym, etc)
• Complimentary photos captured by the ship's professional photographer.
• Expedition gear and a reusable water bottle for guests to take home.

In May, HX appointed Chloe Couchman as Executive VP of Public Relations and Communications, reporting directly to the CEO.

In June, HX signed a partnership with Air Greenland (aka Greenlandair/Greenland's flag carrier) for fly-cruises in 2025 (ship Fridtjof Nansen) with direct flights between Copenhagen and Nuuk. The new offers include pre- and post-cruise packages with fares inclusive of waterfront lodge stays (Ilimanaq) and fishing tours (Nuuk).

Company changes 2023

In September, HX appointed Sheralyn Berry as General Manager for the Americas (USA-Canada-Latin America). Previously (2018-2023) she was Contiki Holidays' President for Canada.

In 2023, Hurtigruten Norway celebrated its 130th Anniversary, since its first Norwegian Coastal Express voyage in 1893. In September, the sister-company Hurtigruten Expeditions (operating a 6-ship fleet) was rebranded to "HX".

Company changes 2022

In March, Hurtigruten Group AS acquired a 24,9% stake (1/4th) in Metropolitan Touring ( Quito Ecuador -headquartered travel company and luxury brand) specializing in South America and Galapagos voyages.

In October, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a deal with Speedcast (Australian satellite technology provider) and implemented fleetwide SpaceX ' Starlink (satellite internet) connectivity. The fast Internet is unlimited and offered complimentary to both passengers and the crew.

Company changes 2021 (Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise charter)

In June 2021, Hurtigruten Expeditions signed a boat charter deal with Metropolitan Touring (shipowner/company specializing in Galapagos and South America voyages) for the luxury yacht Santa Cruz 2 (max capacity 90 passengers). The boat was extensively drydock-renovated in 2021 (all staterooms and public areas).

The first Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise was scheduled to depart on January 7, 2022.

Hurtigruten's 8-night/9-day Galapagos Islands itinerary includes hotel stays in Quito Ecuador (two nights/pre- and post-voyage), 6-nights of cruising (roundtrips from Baltra Island ), and two domestic flights (between Quito and Baltra).

The maiden season (2022) included a total of 32x expedition packages combining the voyages with land tours in the Galapagos, Cusco-Machu Picchu , Lake Titicaca (Andes Mountain/Bolivia and Peru), Manuel Antonio National Park (off Costa Rica's coast).

In December 2021 were opened bookings for Galapagos 2023-2024 seasons and announced new itineraries. To the 6-night "Eastern Galapagos" was added a 4-night "Northern Galapagos", a 4-night "Western Galapagos" and an 8-night B2B/back-to-back (Northern and Western Galapagos). Hurtigruten also expanded its land program by adding the luxury hotel Mashpi Lodge (capacity 47 beds, northwest of Quito), as a 3-night pre-/post-tour accommodation option for any Galapagos voyage.

Itinerary of Hurtigruten Expeditions HX

Hurtigruten Expeditions/HX cruises are operated by a fleet of smaller-sized vessels deployed in regions like South America and Antarctica/Antarctic Peninsula , Alaska, North and Central America, Arctic Norway ( Spitsbergen Island , Svalbard Archipelago ), Atlantic Europe (Iceland and Greenland), Southern Europe (Mediterranean), Spain's Canary Islands, Portugal's Asores and Madeira).

HX's cruise fleet currently consists of 5 vessels - MS Fridtjof Nansen (2020-built), MS Roald Amundsen (2019), MS Spitsbergen (2009), MS Fram (2007) and MV Santa Cruz II Galapagos (2002).

HX cruises 2025-2026 program

In November 2023, HX unveiled its 2025-2026 season, highlighting its commitment to expanding into growth destinations through the introduction of new ports, landings, and itineraries, along with increased emphasis on local integration and community engagement initiatives.

The upcoming season features 80+ itineraries spanning 5 continents, solidifying HX's reputation for pioneering novel and innovative travel experiences in vital expedition regions such as Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage.

The program's notable highlights include:

Greenland: HX's most extensive Greenland season to date involves the addition of a 4th vessel, MS Spitsbergen . The company is among the first to operate from Nuuk's new airport, with the launch of four itineraries, including 'Grand Greenland' voyages originating from and concluding in Nuuk. This development reduces transit times, allowing passengers to immediately immerse themselves in Greenland's wildlife and landscapes. Furthermore, the itineraries along Greenland's west coast feature enhanced community engagement, building upon the recently announced partnership between HX's sister brand, Hurtigruten, and the local Arctic Umiaq Line.

Iceland: HX is set to offer two new Icelandic itineraries, both departing from Reykjavik . The company made history by becoming the first cruise line to connect to shoreside electricity in Iceland this fall.

Northwest Passage and Arctic Canada: In 2025, HX introduces four new Arctic Canada sailings, all originating from or concluding in Nuuk Greenland . These voyages encompass two Northwest Passage crossings, allowing travelers to experience this renowned route.

Antarctica: HX offers 50 departures to Antarctica, marking the largest-ever offering in this destination. The company's Science & Education program continues to support numerous projects and research endeavors in the region.

Svalbard: HX introduces exclusive spring itineraries, allowing guests to explore the Svalbard Islands as they emerge from the polar winter into spring.

Alaska: HX's MS Roald Amundsen , the world's first battery hybrid-powered ship , continues to serve guests for its 5th season in Alaska.

West Africa: HX plans to return to West Africa, where it is expected to be the sole cruise line offering exclusive voyages to the archipelagos of Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands.

HX Galapagos cruise charter (ship Santa Cruz II)

The first Hurtigruten Galapagos cruise was scheduled for January 7, 2022.

HX's 8-night/9-day Galapagos Islands itinerary includes hotel stays in Quito Ecuador (two nights/pre- and post-voyage), 6-nights of cruising (roundtrips from Baltra Island ), and two domestic flights (between Quito and Baltra).

In December 2021 were opened bookings for Galapagos 2023-2024 seasons and were announced new itineraries. To the 6-night "Eastern Galapagos" itinerary was added a 4-night "Northern Galapagos", a 4-night "Western Galapagos" and an 8-night B2B/back-to-back (Northern and Western Galapagos). Hurtigruten also expanded its Galapagos land program by adding the luxury hotel Mashpi Lodge (capacity 47 beds, northwest of Quito), as a 3-night pre-/post-tour accommodation option for any Galapagos voyage.

Hurtigruten Expeditions HX related cruise news

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HX-Hurtigruten Expeditions unveils extensive 2025-2026 itinerary overhaul

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Iceland Cruises

A land of beauty forged by ice and fire

Reasons to explore Iceland with us

An Iceland expedition offers steaming volcanic landscapes, vast glaciers, gushing waterfalls, and bubbling hot springs. Visit Iceland and experience incredible sights and discover birds in Iceland and rest of the wildlife including whales.

Save up to 30% on all-inclusive adventure to Iceland

Explore Iceland on our small, well-equipped, hybrid expedition ships, where safety and sustainability come first. Sail in style and comfort so you’re relaxed, rested, and ready for adventure.

PLUS with our Price Promise, if you find the same cabin available for a lower price after you've booked, let us know and we'll give you back the difference.

Activities in Iceland

While cruising Iceland, you can take part in optional activities that will bring your expedition to life. The long summer days are the best time to go walking, hiking, and kayaking as part of our Iceland excursions.

Your Expedition Team will guide hikes and landings. They’ll also share fascinating insights in lectures on the geology, nature, and history of Iceland.

Wildlife in Iceland

The summer months are immense for wildlife along Iceland’s coast. Go whale watching for humpbacks, minke and blue whales. Spot for Arctic birds including Atlantic Puffins and see seals as you sail.

Land of Ice and Fire

Stunning otherworldly landscapes of steaming geysers and black sand beaches await you in Iceland. Hike on glaciers, through lava fields, to waterfalls and hot springs.

Cruises to Iceland

Iceland Circular Saga — Hamburg to Reykjavík via Windswept Isles of the North

Ms fridtjof nansen.

Voyage to Iceland — Windswept Isles of the North from Hamburg to Reykjavík

Elemental Iceland – Circular Saga from Reykjavík

With the HX Price Promise. Book before 11th November 2024.

Active adventure

You’ll visit the best places along Iceland’s coastline on guided town walks, hikes in nature, wildlife watching, or on kayaking trips in glorious fjords.

Iceland’s stunning landscapes are a magnet for adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers and those looking for experiences off the beaten track. You’ll explore Iceland on your expedition cruise with us on a host of included and optional activities.

Stykkishólmur - Top of the Diamond

Join us on a spectacular Snowcat tour to the top of Snæfellsjökull, the famous ice-capped volcano. 

Discover Iceland's South Coast (Post)

Explore the black sand beaches, mountains and waterfalls along the south coast of Iceland.

* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.

Whales and Arctic birds

We’ll take you to some of the best destinations in Europe for whale watching. Iceland is also home to some of the world’s largest bird populations in the summer months, including Atlantic Puffins, Arctic terns and skuas.

Iceland's wildlife

Iceland’s incredible scenery may steal the limelight, but marine mammals and bird life also thrive here among the volcanoes and glaciers. Around 23 whale species frequent these waters, including humpbacks, minke, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and even the occasional blue whale. Look out too for harbour and grey seals, and thousands of birds.

Nordic folklore

Icelandic folk tales are full of mysticism and supernatural creatures. Learn about Viking sagas and their enduring impact on modern Icelandic society.

Iceland Expedition Team

When cruising Iceland, get more out of your travels with lectures and talks from your Expedition Team as you visit Iceland’s most popular and important sights. Immerse yourself in Iceland’s jaw-dropping scenery actively and safely on activities and adventures, guided by your Expedition Team.

Expedition Ships to Iceland

Our smaller ice-class expedition ships are your stylish and comfortable havens at sea. Travel safely and sustainably as you explore Iceland on these expedition ships.

A Small Ship, Big Adventure! From the moment you step onboard MS Maud, we want you to relax, discover new places, and learn fascinating facts. Whether you're ready to say hello to your inner scientist in our advanced Science Center or indulge your inner foodie in one of three restaurants onboard. Ready to explore the world onboard MS Maud? With discounted departures across various destinations and No Single Supplement – there’s never been a better time to make the most of one of our amazing offers. Click Here to Explore Our Latest Offers

MS Spitsbergen

MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of traveling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the 'Sports Route'. After a complete reconstruction, MS Spitsbergen joined the Hurtigruten fleet in 2016. The ship features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. She is modern and environmentally progressive and will undergo further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more. The new ship’s maneuverability and optimal size make her quite suitable for exploring polar waters.

The newest addition to our fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake – the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Known for his innovations in Arctic expeditions, Nansen led the first crossing of Greenland on cross-country skis. He is perhaps most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during the Fram Expedition (1893-1896). Interestingly, after Nansen's Fram expedition, the ship was passed on to another great explorer who secretly planned an expedition to the South Pole - Roald Amundsen.

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Single-use plastics are banned on board our ships and we continually work to be more sustainable. We also support stronger community engagement, so you’ll have the chance to help on local initiatives, giving you a deeper cultural understanding of the places you visit.

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Hurtigruten   Reviews

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CUSTOMER SERVICE GOAL - WEAR YOU DOWN UNTIL YOU GO AWAY

It’s been my experience that if your cruise actually occurs they generally take good care of passengers. We’ve used them in the past a few times. Our latest experience would be rated horrible. They cancelled the cruise we were booked on. They made several offers to reimburse funds already paid or rebook funds on another HX expedition. Sounds okay correct? Not for us. We attempted to explain cruises available had already been traveled (many with them) thus we wanted a refund for trip insurance and flights paid for the cruise they cancelled. Yes, no, maybe, no, yes, can’t t do that - via numerous customer service agents. Escalated to a senior customer service representative. After months of back and forth - with the last straw being total to attempt repayment via trip insurance (which they declined to pay) then asking for proof we hadn’t used the trip insurance (maybe they would consider payment) we ended our battle with Hurtigruten. Basically they sent us in circles and successful wore us down. DO NOT EXPECT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO RESOLVE ISSUES IN A TIMELY AND FAIR MANNER. We’ve heard people have taken up to a year for resolution, unfortunately I don’t have the time an patience to fight with anyone that long in hopes of reaching an resolution.

Date of experience : 27 June 2024

NoisyGruten -- You may want to consider Havila instead

The worst cruise trip ever. Never again with Hurtigruten. If you do --think it very carefully and read other people's reviews--, please don't forget to take with you a "calibrated or professional sound level meter". Hurtigruten might need it. Keep reading if you wanna know why. We'd been in several cruise ships before, but never experienced something like this. We sailed on Hurtigruten's MS Nordlys from Alesund to Bergen and were assigned cabin 364. IMPORTANT: the cabins in that area (and on the opposite side of the ship, I think) have a constant noise level of approximately 80 dB during cruising, which we measured with a sound meter app. Noise was even higher during loading and unloading operations in ports. We could not sleep at all --it was a nightmare--, since 80 dB is similar to the sound of your vacuum cleaner or being near the wings on an airplane. The noise level in the corridors of those areas were over 90 dB. This noise level is much higher than what current Norwegian legislation allows on ships (maximum of 60 dB in accommodation spaces). Other areas of the ship were probably within the legal limits, but considerably noisier than any other cruise ship we had been in the past. We complaint on board but the hotel manager didn't want to take ownership of the issue. He didn't even offered us a coffee after our terrible night. After what we considered a breach of the contract, we complaint to Hurtigruten's customer service, which --one month later-- denied any responsibility and rejected our request for a full refund (bargaining and offering us €150 instead). We subsequently copied on our emails to Hurtigruten's top management, who didn't seem to care much, since finally a customer service representative --with arguments probably drafted by the legal folks-- declined our request. She offered us instead an onboard credit of €43 on a future trip on Hurtigruten, appealing to the "paramount importance" of customer satisfaction for the company. We felt that offer as an offense. And, yes, as you --clever reader-- have probably guessed, Hurtigruten thinks that, while smartphone apps can provide an estimate of sound levels, they may not be as accurate or calibrated as professional sound level meters. So, you can buy one in Amazon for around $30 and add it to your luggage ;) For Hurtigruten it is not relevant if customers cannot sleep in some of their cabins due to the constant high noise. Customers are required to prove it with a professional sound meter.

Date of experience : 03 May 2024

This is by far the most hostile…

This is by far the most hostile customer and staff company I have ever encountered. They have constant "campaigns" where they just increase prices and add discounts on top of it and try to squeeze customers money as much as possible. An average customer is around 75-80 yo and most do not understand that they pay 5-6 thousand euro more depending on how they make their reservation (Travel Agency, website or telefon) for unnessary "products". The managers of Customer Service are some of the worst people I have ever talked with. Extrem focus on personal metrics and zero customer care.

Date of experience : 30 April 2024

Terrible service

We went from Bergen to Bergen. As we were boarding, they dropped one of our bags into the ocean which had a laptop. After a week, we didn’t hear from the customer service at all, so we initiated the communication. Then we got a reply to submit receipts of the items ruined. Now I had been another week, and we haven’t heard back yet. One of us got sick because of heavy food they fed us. She threw up and had no fever. However, she was quarantined until we disembarked, which was 1.5 days. The problems was they had no doctor on board or any medicine. They just told us to stay in the room and that they would bring us food. As the meal time approached, we called. Then they said they would call us later. Two hours went by and they finally called us back. They don’t care if people are sick. They don’t care if people are needing food. They don’t care. Nice people but terrible customer service and service in general. They also promised 5% back during booking which we never got.

Date of experience : 21 May 2024

Fix your broken adverts

This company advertised on mobile games, their adverts are completely broken, no reward is ever given and time spent playing the game is lost as the game requires a restart and progress is lost, every single time (it is in the dozens at this point, extremely frustrating!!). If you can't trust a company to get something as simple as a mobile advert right, I definitely wouldn't trust them to safely navigate me over large bodies of water.

Date of experience : 24 May 2024

Great Expedition , Very Poor Pre and Post service

Really difficult to put a rating , first of our Expedition cruise was excellent , 5 stars all the way . However the pre and post service from the office is a shambles and really disappointing . Ages to answer questions if they ever do , broken promises etc .

Date of experience : 09 February 2024

Cruise Cancelled

We initially booked on a Black Friday deal for a total cost of around £14000 Excited for our travels we were told our cruise was cancelled due to the sheep no longer being in use in Antarctica and we’d need a refund or to rebook We rung and were offered to rebook on a nicer ship, same dates at THE SAME COST A few weeks later we were again contacted to say they couldn’t honour this price, despite offering it to us It has ended in us getting a refund (not currently received) having got our hopes up and ruining what would have been a trip of a life time Overall, I hope the company will improve its service in the future and honour prices it is offering, but currently I wouldn’t trust a word the company says as it’s left us and many other customers very disappointed

Date of experience : 27 March 2024

2 excellent voyages with Hurtigruten

Just back from an excellent expedition around Svalbard with Hurtigruten. Well organised with a skillful Expedition Team ensuring safe shore and ice landings, and amazing kayaking in sea ice. Crew went the extra mile looking out for polarbears and northern lights (and smooth waters!) Great food, warm and comfortable cabins. Loved it, booking our next trip this weekend. Have also been on the Norweigan Coastal ferry journey, loved that too. Quite different, the ferry purpose comes first but also great excursions and fabulous food, comfortable and clean cabins.

Date of experience : 15 September 2023

Booked a 3 night tour from Tromso to Trondheim, trip did not go as planned, no planned stops as per itenary, 1 day completely stranded on a random location with nothing to do, the other day there was just non-stop sailing. Not worth it.

Date of experience : 25 January 2024

Booked a ferry to leave from Ålesund to…

Booked a ferry to leave from Ålesund to Bergen at 1:20am. Booking process was a bit outdated, needing to call up separately to get our bikes on board. What was very frustrating was not being able to find the ferry port without help from some friendly locals. No signs, Google maps had the wrong location and no ticket desk etc. This was especially annoying considering the departure time. No information about where to board on the ticket, tried to call customer services and they were closed.

Date of experience : 16 August 2023

Perfect expedition to Antartica

I can't understand why there are so many bad reviews here. I am right now writing this review from a trip in Antartica! It's awesome, great internet, landings and cruising every day, this is so well organized expedition, I love it!

Date of experience : 02 February 2024

We sailed Hurtigruten from Kirkenes to…

We sailed Hurtigruten from Kirkenes to Bergen with M/S Vesterålen in May 2024. This is the smallest and oldest ship in the fleet, but we found it to be comfortable and charming. There is a certain timelessness where you realize that few things have changed since they started these voyages 130 years ago (internet is one change, and it worked great). The beds were very comfortable and combined with the humming of the engines and movement of the ship we slept very well on board. On the last night we made several stops during the night that woke us up. The restaurant was great. The selection of food in the buffet was good and the service was excellent. All staff was very friendly and professional. It did rain one day, but most other days the weather was fine, and we really enjoyed the changing scenery from the arctic north to the green south of Norway, visiting a lot of little villages on the way. The Panorama Lounge was a great place from where to take in the sights and order drinks while doing so. All Hurtigruten ships are equipped with stabilizers that prevent the ship from rolling. There is still a pitching movement in waves, but that is not uncomfortable except when you walk. Most of the time is traveled in protected waters, and the unprotected passages are short and announced ahead of time. Check in and out, and airport transfer, were fast and efficient. 50 minutes after we docked in Bergen, we were at the airport gate.

Date of experience : 07 May 2024

They don't care

When things go right, the trip is lovely. When they're to blame, you're on your own. The views are beautiful, the boats are somewhat on time, when not being cancelled like ours. But the moment they have your money, you're just a number to them, especially when it comes to owed refunds. Disjointed, no communication on the back end, and it's the guest experience that suffers for it. It's like they're hoping that through ineptitude, ignoring emails, and passing you round to different email addresses, that you'll give in and stop following up for your refund. Ask for a phone number to call, or the name of their alternative dispute resolution provider and they'll ignore you for a week - then ask a question you answered months ago. They don't care. They just wat your money, then you barely exist to them.

Date of experience : 23 January 2024

Broken promises

Initially our expedition was cancelled and then I rung the company for the second time after they had been caught lying to numerous customers. After the call handler spoke to their team leader I got a call back to say I was out on Fram and price matched and it was all sorted. This was about 2 weeks ago. I was about ready to alter my review below on this company after they agreed to price match but then they broke this promise after a cabin was allocated. The exact quote was ‘this request was denied by our revenue department’. This had been approved by a team leader. What a cowboy company. My dream trip might be cancelled but I won’t have to deal with this shambles anymore. They should be ashamed of themselves. Do yourselves a favour and book with a company that values their customers. Take note of how low average review is for this company… it’s for a good reason.

The customer service is shocking

The customer service is shocking. While on board the barman charged us for 2 bottles of wine instead of 2 glasses, we raised this immediately and the refund should also have happened immediately (£119), 5 weeks and 4 emails later still no response. There are many other options for trips in this area and we will be taking those not Hurtigruten in future.

Date of experience : 30 March 2023

Hurtigruten are a fantastic company

Hurtigruten are a fantastic company. We did the 12 day coastal trip, Bergen- Kirkenes- Bergen, it was the experience of a lifetime. Booking direct with Hurtigruten was very easy, their customer service is wonderful. Ship was fabulous, ģreat staff, great cabin, great food. Please note though this is not a cruise, it's a ferry with wonderful benefits. Don't book with Hurtigruten thinking you're going to get fitness classes and Vegas style entertainment, thank goodness, this trip is about the scenery, the country and it's traditions, wonderful excursions and meeting like minded people and it's brilliant.

Date of experience : 20 February 2023

Just completed Bergen- Kirkenes- Bergen…

Just completed Bergen- Kirkenes- Bergen on MS Nordnorge. Have to say it was a great experience and delivered on its promises. There was an initial problem using the web site and ended up going through a travel agent. However, this should not take away the level of service from a happy crew, the catering which was wonderful and the overall smoothness of the operation from airport to ship and back again. The scenery is majestic and should be seen. Lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. This is a working ship with, if you like, a hotel plonked on top of it. Excellent and will consider another trip at some time

Date of experience : 04 November 2023

Fabulous company, highly recommend

Fabulous company, I've been on 4 trips with Hurtigruten - Antarctica, Falklands and BKB. Cannot fault them at all, wonderful crew who can't do enough for you, very professional and knowledgeable expedition teams, amazing food, very clean and comfortable ships. 5 star all the way! 😊

Date of experience : 04 January 2023

After doing the coastal cruise last…

After doing the coastal cruise last year of which the onboard experience was second to none, we decided to book the Svalbard Excursion, a cruise / expedition costing £15000. Booking direct with Hurtigruten was our first mistake. Last time we booked via Hays Travel who were fantastic. The whole customer service experience is flawed & the payment system is diabolical - The payment portal link is broken, [+ parts of the website down]. This forces you to speak to an agent who then sends you a payment link. The problem according to my bank, who this morning are launching a fraud investigation after freezing my account, this link is unsolicited and directs you to a third party App which then requests full access to your bank account to withdraw the funds, but with full open access, in fact it could withdraw the total account sum. At this point, the bank declined the access preventing the payment. In this day and age it is not acceptable to behave in this way and need to ensure customer payment security is guaranteed.

Date of experience : 30 March 2024

Unfortunately I had to leave one star

Unfortunately I had to leave one star. They cancelled the cruise just a few days before we were due to embark due to technical issues with the ship. Fair enough but we have lost money because of it and they have refused to reimburse us. Not only that but they gave us a feeble excuse as to why they wouldn't and it took them almost two weeks to respond to me. Appalling customer service from a company who it would appear just want your money and don't care whether you are satisfied or not. If I could have given them zero stars I would have done.

Date of experience : 19 November 2023

• Hurtigruten

HX random questions (may be more specific to Greenland/Iceland)

By AroundWithMAPTravels , March 24 in Hurtigruten

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AroundWithMAPTravels

New to HX, some random questions (have July Iceland/Greenland expedition scheduled) (note, not new to expedition cruising, have traveled with at least 3 others).

1. I see that there is no “baggage handling” included… does this mean that you just go to port with your bags, and both you and your bags get screened, after which you just roll/carry your bags to cabin? 2. Normal embarkation time in Reykjavik?   Is there a buffet lunch on embarkation day?

3. how are items labeled on menus/buffet regarding gluten free, vegetarian, etc?  Also in Lindstrom restaurant?

4. Disembarking in Reykjavik,   Assuming that we will need to disembark by around 0900, with flight not until 1700… are there excursions offered onboard for disembarkation day that include a tour plus drop off at Keflavik to “pass the time”?   I have found some 3rd party excursions that include blue lagoon and transfer to Keflavik, but given the current situation with volcano and last minute closures, do not want to caught with last minute cancellation and have to scramble to find another way to airport.   What options have people found ?

5.  Overall impressions on how included excursions are handled? If/ When options like kayak are offered, how are they handled (nothing listed for our itinerary, so I am assuming that like other expedition trips, they are not “scheduled “ as such, and will only be announced based on itinerary?   Included in cost or extra  - if so, approximate cost)? 6. Things that HX does best 😄 (for those of you that have done expeditions with others)?

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