hurtigruten classic round voyage reviews

Hurtigruten Trip: Route, Ships & our Tips for Norway’s Coast

Rugged Fjords, colourful Norwegian wooden houses and endlessly wide oceans – a Hurtigruten expedition along the Norwegian coast is one of the most beautiful sea trips in the world. We can’t confirm if it really is the best, but one thing is for sure: Our expedition on the Hurtigruten is absolutely one of our top travel highlights.

A trip along the Classic Roundtrip Voyage of the Hurtigruten takes 12 days. 12 days filled with breathtaking scenery, a slower pace and – depending on the season – northern lights or midnight sun.

Perhaps you are considering traveling on a Hurtigruten Ship through Norway? Then you’re in the right place. In this article on our travel blog, we have gathered together all the information you need to plan and prepare for your Hurtigruten trip. In addition, as always, we provide you with our personal travel trips.

1. Hurtigruten Trip: Initial info & FAQs

2. the hurtigruten travel routes [+ info to book], 3. best time to travel, 4. hurtigruten ships & cabin info, 5. prices and costs: how much does a trip with the hurtigruten cost, 6. hurtigruten packing list: what should i take with me.

Hurtigruten – what actually is that?

Are you thinking of the German word ‘hurtig’ (quick)? Well, that’s not so far off. ‘Hurtigruten’ translated from Norwegian roughly means ‘the fastest route’ and is the term for the traditional Norwegian postal ship route.

The Hurtigruten were once intended as a means of transport for the post or freight and passengers. Especially in winter, the Hurtigruten were once the fastest way to get from A to B. In the meantime, the trip on the Hurtigruten has become popular amongst tourists. Nevertheless, many locals still use the ships. 

The classic Hurtigruten route goes for 12 days (11 nights) along the coast of Norway. It goes from Bergen in the south up north to Kirkenes and eventually back down again to Bergen.

Who is a trip with the Hurtigruten suited towards?

• Nature: Without a doubt – the number one reason to take a trip with the Hurtigruten is to watch Norway’s scenery go by in such a special way. Spectacular fjords, colourful Norwegian houses and ocean as far as the eye can see – the scenic backdrop is absolutely unique here in the far north.
• Slow pace & winding down: The nice thing on board is that there is not too much to do – other than enjoy the trip. Anyone who really wants to switch off and calm down is absolutely in the right place on board a Hurtigruten ship.

What is NOT to be expected?

• Luxury: Or in other words: A trip with the Hurtigruten is no cruise! The cabins are small, the furnishings more basic, the atmosphere on board is cosy, and you can hear noises when the ship is loading. In short: A trip with the Hurtigruten is an experience, but certainly not suited towards someone who wants to compare the standard to that of a cruise.
• A cheap trip: What we said above would suggest otherwise, but unfortunately the opposite is the case. A trip with the Hurtigruten is an expensive undertaking. Norway is already quite an expensive country to travel to and the Hurtigruten is no exception.
• Many trips onshore: When you take a look at the travel route of the Hurtigruten trip (We will provide the link further down) then you will quickly realise: You see many places along the coast, but only have time to properly explore a few of them. Therefore, the focus is on experiencing the nature from on board. However, there are some great excursions on offer, through which you can thankfully also experience some of the country. We will reveal more about this later.

Atmosphere & flair: How should I imagine a Hurtigruten trip?

Relaxed, cosy and informal – that describes the atmosphere on board a Hurtigruten ship. You learn to cherish the slower pace. Often you sit hours long on the deck and let the fjord landscape pass you by. (Talking about the deck: You really cannot miss one of the highlights because there is always an announcement over the loudspeaker in advance. For example, the crossing of the Arctic Circle is duly celebrated.)

Fancy and chic are fortunately nowhere to be found on board a Hurtigruten ship. Expedition not cruise is the motto. If an extensive entertainment program or a fine gala dinner is important to you, then you would be far better off on a cruise boat. 

We found the Hurtigruten passengers to be very open minded, connected to nature and relaxed. Most were sporty and casually dressed – no one would find it strange if you wore your sweatpants to breakfast. And there was also no need to dress up for dinner – something we found very relaxing! 

You notice right away that the people on a Hurtigruten trip value nature. The focus is on the experience, the adventure and the travel itself. The average age of the passengers is somewhat older but that didn’t bother us in the least – in fact just the opposite. We had conversations with incredibly interesting, young-at-heart people.

Classic Roundtrip Voyage: Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen

When talking about a trip on the Hurtigruten through Norway, this usually refers to the Classic Roundtrip Voyage. This trip with the Hurtigruten takes 12 days (11 nights) and starts in the in the pleasant city of Bergen in the southwest of Norway.

The ship leaves from Bergen direction north, past the northern Polar Circle and reaches Kirkenes after six days. There the ship turns around and returns back again in the direction of Bergen.  

The Hurtigruten ship makes its way to countless ports along its trip. (To be precise, there are 34 ports just from south to north!). It usually only makes short stops (often only 10 to 15 minutes), sometimes also for a few hours so that you can see the place or take an excursion on shore.

You can find the exact travel route with all the arrival and departure times for each port here under this link: Travel Route Hurtigruten

Additional info: Other Hurtigruten travel routes

In addition to the classic postal ship route, there are also other worthwhile travel routes through countless countries that you cover on the Hurtigruten ships.

For example, there is also an expedition which partially goes to the ports in Norway along the postal ship route. While on board on this expedition ship (currently the MS Otto Sverdrup), you will travel (from Hamburg) to not all 34, but just some selected ports. An advantage: You have more time in each place and usually travel on a more modern ship. The classic postal ship feeling is probably missing a little bit though.

The expedition to Greenland or the Antarctic must be a very special experience – definitely a lifelong dream that we would like to fulfill one day.

Northbound vs southbound routes (Classic Roundtrip Voyage)

Even though at first glance it looks as though you will travel the same route twice (once direction north and then back south), that’s only partially true.

The time (and length of stay) for each port visited and also the exact route change for the northbound and southbound routes. Therefore, many travellers decide to travel the complete route (Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen), even though it is of course possible to just book part of the trip (e.g. half the route).

Our tip: If you really only want to travel have of the route then we would suggest traveling the northbound route, i.e. Bergen to Kirkenes. This is for two reasons: One, on the trip north you pass by the imposing Geiranger Fjord (however, only in summer). The other reason is that the nature when you head north always gets more and more spectacular as you go. The more north you get, the more arctic and impressive it is.

How do I book a Hurtigruten trip?

You can book your Hurtigruten trip at your trusted travel agent, or you could also easily book it online on the official website in just a few clicks.

Next you select the travel route of your desire, i.e. either the entire postal ship route or perhaps just one section (e.g. northbound from Bergen to Kirkenes or southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen).

A different ship leaves every day, i.e. if you want to travel on one particular ship then you have to select the correct date for it – but that is shown quite clearly online.

After that you choose your desired cabin. Whether it is inside or outside is a question of price or taste. We personally would opt for an outside cabin. You can now select your cabin of choice based on the deck plan. Alternatively, there is also a cheaper option where you are given your cabin number on arrival. We let you know more about the cabins later on in this blog article. The next step is to choose your trips on shore (more on this soon), and that’s it.

You can book the expedition here: Hurtigruten (official website)

Additional info: Booking your arrival

You book your arrival to the Hurtigruten boat trip separately. It is possible to book with the support of Hurtigruten, but the flights booked via Hurtigruten are often (but not always) more expensive.

Therefore, you can also very easily book the flights yourself. Our tip: It is best to check the flight prices before booking your Hurtigruten expedition – so that you don’t get a nasty surprise.

We really recommend staying a night in Bergen as a buffer. One reason is that you never know of your flight will be delayed and the other reason is that Bergen is a nice city that you should definitely see. Many also spend a night in Bergen at the end of their trip, but that is a matter of taste.

You can search for cheap flights here: Skyscanner

Shore Excursions during a Hurtigruten trip

The trips on shore while on a Hurtigruten trip are like the icing on the cake. Because the ship often only stops in the ports for a short time, the offer to take trips on shore are a good (and also only option) to see more of the country.

It’s not that uncommon that the arrival and departure ports for the trips will be different. This means that the Hurtigruten ship will carry along on its route and you can re-board at a different port after you finish your excursion (e.g. after 5 hours). The trips on shore are really well organised so you don’t need to worry about missing your ship.

Which trips can I book – and how?

The offers are wide-ranging from leisurely city walks to past-paced rides in rubber dinghies. We dare to say that there is really something for everyone – be it relaxed, adventurous or family-friendly. You can read about which trips we recommend in our detailed blog article: The Most Beautiful Hurtigruten Onshore Excursions .

The onshore trips on offer differ depending on season, i.e. in summer some of the trips are different to those in winter. Also good to know: northbound and southbound trips have different onshore trips on offer.

You can either book your trips online (either when booking your trip or later) or also spontaneously onboard the ship. It is better to book the most popular trips with limited spots, or those trips you are really set on doing, from home. Otherwise, we would suggest not to pack your trip full and to decide more spontaneously (depending on weather) when you are there.

Small (or better said, big) downside: The trips on shore are unfortunately fairly expens ive and it’s not unusual for them to cost 200 or even 300 euros per person – and that’s just for a few hours. This is also one reason we suggest limiting your trips on shore to your favourites.

You can search for trips on shore & book them here: Hurtigruten Onshore Excursions

Selecting the best time to travel is always a bit tricky. If you ask die-hard Norway fans what the best time to visit is they will say, it has to be all year round.

The fact is that every season is completely different – and this is due to the interesting light. Therefore, which season you choose will depend on your personal preferences.

Winter: Northern lights & polar nights

One of the most popular times to travel is clearly in winter, and that is for one reason: The northern lights! If you want to see the colourful lights dancing across the sky, then you need to come in winter. The northern lights season in Norway stretches from October to March.

During this travel period, the Hurtigruten provides the ‘northern lights promise’. If no northern light sightings are announced over the loudspeaker during your trip, then you can travel again within the next 28 days, with expenses covered by the Hurtigruten.

It is important to know that during some months in winter it can be continuously dark or dusky above the Polar Circle on a Hurtigruten trip. This phenomenon is called the polar night. In some areas north of Polar Circle the sun doesn’t rise for months. (For example, in Tromsø the polar night lasts from the end of November until mid-January).

However, it is not always pitch black but often quite dusky. If you’re not so comfortable with darkness, you might be more interested in taking a trip from the middle/end of February when the days a noticeably longer. 

Summer: Midnight sun

The counterpart to the polar night is the midnight sun. Over the period of a few months in some regions north of the Polar Circle the sun shines down from the sky 24/7. For example, at the North Cape (not directly part of the route, but nearby and can be booked as an excursion) this spectacle lasts from mid-May to the end of July.

We ourselves were underway on the Hurtigruten in July and therefore, exactly at the time of the midnight sun. The lighting atmosphere is simply fascinating and a unique experience. However, you should be prepared for the fact that your body may find it difficult to go into sleep mode when it is so bright.

Important to know: You can also encounter rough weather in the middle of summer. It is never properly hot – when we were there in July the temperatures were always between 10 and almost 20 degrees. We often had rain, a lot of wind and luckily also a lot of sunshine. Always keep in mind that you are venturing into the far north and the weather can be quite variable.

Shoulder seasons: Spring & autumn

We were told by a Hurtigruten-pro that spring is also beautiful. For example, during April/May you can watch the sunset for hours. Generally, March is a very popular season because you still have the chance to see the northern lights, but the days are already much longer.

When the weather is stable, autumn is a very colourful travel time. The forests are in colour during September/October and make for a brilliant photo. However, the weather can also be quite rough and stormy.

The Hurtigruten fleet has around a dozen ships that vary in size, decor, design and age. So the question is: Which ship should I decide on?

If you are more into luxury, then we would suggest taking one of the newer ships or one that has been recently renovated.

One example of this is the MS Spitsbergen. The ship is very tasteful decorated with a lot of wood but also not at all pretentious or overdone. The sauna is also great: It has a large glass window. That means that you can watch the interesting landscape go by while you are in the sauna.

The oldest ship of the fleet is the MS Lofoten, which has been in operation since 1964. Although the ship was modernized in 2003, it is still something for the nostalgic among us. However, from 2021 the MS Lofoten will no longer be part of the fleet.

The new hybrid expedition ships ( MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen ) are certainly also an experience but are primarily used for trips to the Arctic and Antarctic and not for the postal ship route.

Cabins onboard the Hurtigruten ships

Important to note in advance: A trip on the Hurtigruten is definitely no luxury cruise – and that goes for the cabins as well. There are some more exclusive cabins with balconies (especially the suites) but that’s not always the case – and also costs accordingly.

The cabins tend to be quite small, the furnishings more functional, but still comfortable. We personally would recommend an outside cabin (not an inside cabin) for you. Speaking from experience, you spend most of the time in public spaces or on the deck, but it is quite nice to be able to look outside from time to time

Important: There are also outside cabins with restricted views (e.g. because a safety boat is hanging in front of it). Some are also located on the promenade deck, i.e. where other guests may be walking in front of your window. There are great plans on the Hurtigruten website so that you can easily find and book your preferred cabin.

Whether you prefer to spend the night on the starboard side (right), or port side (left) is a matter of taste. Important to know: The ship docks on the port side. You can observe the port hustle and bustle better from here, but you also have the disadvantage of hearing the ship’s charging noises better on this side.

The bad news first: Norway is one of the most expensive countries to travel to in Europe. And unfortunately a trip on the Hurtigruten is no exception.

There is no single price. The price of your Hurtigruten trip will depend on a few factors. One factor is the question of your travel route. For example there is a large difference if you do the complete postal route (12 days) or just one part of it.

The second important factor is your choice of cabin. Often there are worlds between the cheaper category cabins and the more expensive suites. In addition, the onshore excursions also cost extra, which can be quite pricey. Of course, there are also large differences here: Some do without them completely and others book a lot of onshore trips.

And last but not least, you also need to get to Norway somehow (Bergen in this particular case). Whether or not you find a good deal will also affect the overall price. 

Roughly speaking, the price for the stretch from Bergen-Kirkenes (i.e. the postal route one way) is around 1,500 euros per person (fully catered, excluding onshore trips).

Some things should always be packed – regardless of season – for a Hurtigruten trip to Norway. This includes:

• Enough warm clothes (e.g. thermal shirts, fleece shirts, long sleeved shirts, warm sweaters, long trousers; we recommend an onion look – i.e. many thin layers that are as warm as possible.)
• Jacket (If just one, then this needs to be rain and wind proof.)
• Beanie & gloves
• Waterproof, comfortable shoes with good grip
• Rainproof trousers (We found these to be practical e.g. while kayaking but may not be necessary if you are not planning these kind of trips.)
• Backpack (ideally waterproof)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimsuit or swim shorts (for the spa pool)
• Ear plugs (if you are sensitive to noise – the ship is still docking and departing during the night. 
• And of course, very important: Camera & enough memory cards (and a rainproof case for it)

What you can leave at home with a clear conscious are your fancy clothes. You practically never wear chic clothing or even suits onboard (maybe with the exception of New Year). Concentrate your efforts on selecting clothing that is comfortable and functional.

In summer you can also take sandals and a few lighter clothing items with you. Although on our trip we wore long trousers throughout because it was too fresh otherwise. We would have been more pleased with an additional thick sweater.

In winter it’s definitely worth it to have shoes with a good profile. Some even swear by spikes because it can be quite slippery in the towns. You should definitely also bring a warm winter jacket.

Disclaimer: Invitation & Affiliate Links

We were invited by Hurtigruten to travel on this dream trip – thank you very much! Of course, this does not influence our honest opinions.

This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Tell us: Have you already been on a Hurtigruten trip? What did your travel route look like? Let us know your experiences. We look forward to your additional tips in the comments.

You might also be interested in this

Hurtigruten: The Best and Most Adventurous Excursions

Best of Tromsø (Norway): Top Things to Do & Our Travel Tips

4 responses.

Thank you for the informative posts – we are travelling on MS Richard With in February on the BKB and cannot wait!

Amazing, have a great trip and enjoy the northern lights! :)

Your Blog is excellent. We had a taste of the Hurtigruten expedition in 2018 doing the 2 day round trip from Tromso-Svolvaer-Tromso to experience the midnight sun from another perspective. It was amazing. Next year my friend and I are doing the Classic 12 day Voyage, so have found your Blog interesting. This time its in autumn to see the Northern Lights. Some great tips as well as much info that we have found during our research. We are saddened to see the Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso and Breakfast at Nordkapp are not available. Thankyou for sharing your experience

Hello Dianne, Thank you so much for your comment! Autumn is surely an amazing season, wow. :) Are you sure that there is no Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral in autumn? (It’s only on the southbound route I guess.) We wish you a memorable trip! Fingers crossed for Northern Lights. :) All the best Kathi & Romeo

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Home Cruise News Armchair Traveller Ten Highlights Of Hurtigruten’s Classic Round Voyage

Ten Highlights Of Hurtigruten’s Classic Round Voyage

Just recently, Lonely Planet named Norway in its best in travel 2022 list, putting the mountainous marvel back on our the radars of avid travellers once again. One of our we’ll be taking a deep dive into the destination in the next issue of Into The Blue; in the meantime,…

Just recently, Lonely Planet named Norway in its best in travel 2022 list, putting the mountainous marvel back on our the radars of avid travellers once again. One of our we’ll be taking a deep dive into the destination in the next issue of Into The Blue; in the meantime, we’re hopping aboard Hurtigruten’s Classic Round Voyage, a trip that isn’t like any other cruise to the Norwegian Fjords . From tiny villages to adventurous archipelagos and coastal capital cities, you’ll see it all over the course of 2,500 nautical miles and 34 ports. That’s right, THIRTY-FOUR!

There are too many highlights on the voyage to mention in a blog post alone but here are just a handful of those that will inspire you to hitch a ride along the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten.

For such a big international city, Bergen is a friendly old town. It is surrounded by seven mountains, one of which – Mount Fløyen – is scaled by the Fløibanen Funicular, probably the most famous railway in Europe and with views from the top that are some of the best in the world. Bergen is the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and just outside the city the mountain railway showcases some seriously beautiful sights that will whet your appetite for adventures along the coast.

Florø and its surrounding archipelagos are a hive of activity in the great Norwegian outdoors. Islands rise from the sea, encouraging long coastal hikes and gentle strolls alike. There’s sea fishing and kayaking if you prefer to hit the water. The locals still make much of their living through fish farming, along with catching some of the best wild salmon, herring and mackerel in the deepest blue.

There’s something fishy about Måløy, the charming town with just over 3,000 people yet a yearly export of some 180,000-200,000 tonnes of fish brought ashore from the surrounding waters. Keep your eyes peeled for the mushroom-shaped Kannestenen rock and scout out the island’s silver sand beach, rumoured to be the best in Norway. Måløy is the starting point for trips to the Jostedalsbreen National Park, almost half of which is covered by the Jostedalsbreen glacier; the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Plus, the seafood here is amazing!

Torvik is the kind of tiny village you see on the Norwegian coast’s green hillsides and wonder who is fortunate enough to live there. The coastal community is a gateway to the glaciers and waterfalls of the surrounding archipelago, including the island of Runde, a birdwatcher’s paradise with 240 species nesting here each year.

Ålesund’s Art Nouveau architecture makes for an impressive introduction to the Geirangerfjord, a highlight of any Norwegian Fjords cruise. The town itself looks like a fairy tale, all turrets and towers, with the majestic Aksla Mountain commanding spectacular views over the town from atop its 418 steps. The walk to the top more than justifies the patisserie in town once you’re back at the bottom. The mountains around Ålesund attract alpine skiers and only a little further is Geirangerfjord, the real star of the show. Taking a RIB boat or kayak so close to the fjord’s Seven Sisters waterfall that you can feel the spray on your face is an experience you’ll never forget.

The beauty of Hurtigruten’s Classic Voyages is the unique way they combine Norway’s exuberant cities with charming fjord-side villages. Trondheim blends a typical wooden European city dating back in areas to the 1700s, with a great artisanal shopping scene and the Nidarosdomen cathedral, Norway’s national sanctuary and the world’s northernmost cathedral. Trondheim is also well-known for its foodie scene, so now is the time to give some of those Norwegian delicacies a go. Start with kjøttboller meatballs with creamy gravy and lingonberry jam, washed down with a tot of akevitt, Norway’s national tipple.

Don’t forget to look up in Bodø; sea eagles, the midnight sun and the northern lights are all overhead. A position between the Arctic Circle and the Lofoten Islands makes Bodø unique. The strongest tidal current in the world, Saltstraumen, is just southeast of the city and its wild waters reach speeds up to 22 knots. It is a fascinating sight, so much so that author Jules Verne wrote about it in his novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Stokmarknes

Without Stokmarknes, there would be no Hurtigruten. Founder Richard With started the shipping line here 125 years ago and you’ll find a museum charting the Hurtigruten history in the town, along with MS Finnmarken, an old ship turned impressive landmark.

Honningsvåg

Honningsvåg welcomes you to the North Cape. Here, only the Svalbard islands stand between you and the North Pole. It is Europe’s northernmost point but, standing on the cliff edge gazing out across nothing but sea, it feels more like the end of the world. Arrive here during northern lights season and you’ll find yourself in one of the best spots in the world to watch them paint the skies. In summer, it glows under the ethereal midnight sun and offers the chance to encounter the indigenous Sami people.

Vardø is the last stop before the North Pole and the only town in Norway located within the Arctic climate zone. It is Norway’s oldest town too, with views toward the Northwest Passage, a crossing made by some of history’s great explorers.

Have we whet your appetite for the Norwegian coast ? Nobody does it better than Hurtigruten.

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Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen

The Coastal Express

Price from $2,279

Regular departures

Voyage overview

Our 12-day Norwegian coastal cruise travels northbound and then southbound, taking in Norway’s many fjords and mountains along the way. Your ship will call at 34 ports of all sizes and cross the Arctic Circle twice over 2,500 nautical miles. It is the definitive scenic route to see the Norwegian coast.

Discover our full scenic route with 34 ports visited twice, northbound and southbound, allowing you to really get to know the heart and soul of Norway’s coastline

Bask in spectacular scenery any season of the year as we sail past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains

Spend half your voyage on an Arctic tour of Norway, maximizing your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoying 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer

Take your pick from all optional hikes and the full list of optional seasonal excursions to enhance your coastal experience

As we follow our scenic route and cruise Norway’s coastline, most of the ports we visit by night northbound are revisited by day southbound, allowing you to discover majestic fjords, mountains, cosmopolitan cities, market towns, and isolated hamlets. You also have our full range of available optional seasonal excursions to tailor each day of your journey the way you want.

Welcome Aboard!

Your voyage starts in Bergen , Norway’s second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 A.D., Bergen boasts architecture influenced by the prosperous 14th-century German trading organization, the Hanseatic League.

If you have time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO-listed wharfs in the colorful Bryggen district, now a neighborhood with artisan’s shops, complete with cobblestone streets. Just across the street is the famous fish market, which serves delicious seafood. The Fløibanen funicular can also take you up to the top of Mount Fløyen for views of the city.

Your voyage begins

Before boarding, relax in our comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce as we depart Bergen and sail the old Viking route along the Hjeltefjord.

You’ll also meet your ship’s Coastal Experience Team , who will be your guides as we sail Norway’s coastline. They’ll organize lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.

Time in port:

Bergen : 2:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Iconic Architecture and Fantastic Fjords

Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord , near Torvik. Then we’ll sail past the West Cape for our approach to Ålesund.

Art Nouveau city

Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums. If you’re traveling with us in spring or winter, you’ll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town.

Into the fjords

In the summer, from June to August, we set course for UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord *. This is a protected and preserved piece of paradise with towering mountain cliffs and waterfalls like the famous Seven Sisters cascading into the fjord.

*Note: Geirangerfjord is replaced by Hjørundfjord for the following sailings: 2024: 16th June, 27th June, 8th July, 19th July, 30th July, 10th August, 21st August 2025: 1st June, 12th June, 23rd June, 4th July, 15th July, 26th July, 6th August, 17th August, 28th August

In spring, from April to May*, and in fall, from September to October, your ship will sail to Hjørundfjord , hidden away in the Sunnmøre Alps . There’ll also be a call at the scenic village of Urke to gaze at the view of thousand-year-old farms, the fjord, and the lush mountainsides.

*Only on voyages departing in 2025-26. 

Mountains and roses

The last port of the day is Molde . In summer, there might just enough daylight to see the amazing view of the 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called the ‘ Molde Panorama’.

And from mid-June to late August, the streets and gardens are adorned with roses of all shades and scents, all solidify Molde’s nickname as the ‘City of Roses’.

Florø : 2:45 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Måløy : 5:15 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.

Torvik : 8:20 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

(11.01-03.31) Ålesund : 9:45 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(4.1 – 5.31* & 9.1-10.31) Ålesund: 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(4.1 – 5.31* & 9.1-10.31) Urke: 12:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

(6.1-8.31) Ålesund: 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

(6.1-8.31) Geiranger: 2:25 - 2:45 p.m.

Molde : 10:35 p.m. - 11:05 p.m.

City of Kings and Palaces

This section of the voyage brings us to the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements.

Magical, medieval, and modern

Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 A.D. and is now Norway’s third-largest city. It features a mix of historic buildings and a lively student population.

You’ll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its various highlights, either on your own or on one of our optional excursions.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’ for its Gothic architectural style. It is considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace, where Norway’s crown jewels are on display.

Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighborhood’s colorful wooden wharves, which are propped up on stilts by the river’s edge, now house a variety of restaurants. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort, which has beautiful panoramic views of the city and fjord.

Back on board

In the afternoon, the ship will sail northwest, passing the ochre-colored Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we’ll head towards charming Rørvik .

Kristiansund : 2:45 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Trondheim : 9:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Rørvik : 9:40 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Into the Arctic

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up.

Above the Arctic Circle in summer, you can enjoy the sun 24 hours a day, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.

Forces of nature

At 10 a.m., we’ll dock in Ørnes , near Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the ‘Love Bench’, where sweethearts declare their lasting romance with a padlock.

Then we’ll sail to Bodø , Northern Norway’s second-largest city, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen , the world’s most powerful maelstrom.

Welcome to Lofoten

The ship enters the Lofoten Archipelago in the afternoon. The Lofoten Wall , standing over 3,200 feet tall, is a stunning sight on the horizon.

Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands, which is busiest between January and April, when the Arctic cod—known locally as skrei —swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn.

This evening, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the pretty harbor of Svolvær when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer . This is the main town of the Lofoten Islands .

Brønnøysund : 1:35 a.m. - 1:45 a.m.

Sandnessjøen : 4:35 a.m. - 4:50 a.m.

Nesna : 6:00 a.m. - 6:10 a.m.

Ørnes : 10:00 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.

Bodø : 1:05 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Stamsund : 7:15 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.

Svolvær :: 9:20 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.

Capital of the Arctic

We dock in Harstad just after 7 a.m. Feel free to have a peaceful early morning stroll around town.

The ship will then continue to Finnsnes , which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, as there are several colonies nearby.

Gateway to the Arctic

Then we’ll sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø , where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion.

Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a center exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Pop in to one of the many shops and restaurants in the city center, including Mack Brewery and the Ølhallen pub, a favorite local watering hole. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee-foam art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, check out the iconic Arctic Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

Leaving Tromsø in the early evening, we’ll head north for the trading post of Skjervøy , founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea.

Stokmarknes : 1:30 a.m. - 1:40 a.m.

Sortland : 2:55 a.m. - 3:10 a.m.

Risøyhamn : 4:35 a.m. - 4:50 a.m.

Harstad : 7:10 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

Finnsnes : 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Tromsø : 2:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Skjervøy : 10:10 p.m. - 10:25 p.m.

Norway’s Northern Frontier

The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. In the summer, herds of reindeer migrate to the island by the thousands.

You’ll know we’ve reached Havøysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havøygavlen wind farm, which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes.

At the top of Europe

In the mid-morning, we’ll arrive at Honningsvåg , the portal to the North Cape , where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus, passing herds of reindeer on the way, depending on the season.

Sámi heartlands

Near the entrance of the Kjøllefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka , an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi . You can join an optional summer excursion to meet local Sámi, learn about their reindeer-herding life, and listen to joik folk songs.

Continuing north

We’ll reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn , in the evening. If you’re visiting during the months of February and March, you might spot cod drying on outdoor wooden racks, called hjell , mainly destined for export.

The ship then sets off for Berlevåg . On the way, we’ll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the planet’s northernmost mainland lighthouse.

Øksfjord : 1:50 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Hammerfest : 5:05 a.m. - 5:45 a.m.

Havøysund : 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Honningsvåg : 10:55 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Kjøllefjord : 4:40 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mehamn 6:55 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Berlevåg : 10:00 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.

Norway’s Eastern Edge

We call at Båtsfjord and Vardø during the night, before docking at Vadsø early in the morning.

Look to the skies

The area around Vadsø is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Watch for Hooded Crows and Sea Eagles.

Near the Norwegian border

By the time we reach Kirkenes after breakfast, you’ll have traveled farther east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul! You’ll have many optional excursions to choose from to explore the area.

The journey’s turning point

Kirkenes is where the Norwegian Coastal Express changes direction and the ship heads south. Several of the places we stopped at during the night we’ll now see during the day.

Back in Vardø , visit the solemn Witches’ Monument and the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains in use by the military to this day.

We’ll return to the small, bustling port of Båtsfjord and then make for Berlevåg in the late evening, crossing paths with the northbound ship.

Båtsfjord : 12:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Vardø : 3:30 a.m. - 3:45 a.m.

Vadsø : 6:55 a.m. - 7:10 a.m.

Kirkenes : 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Vardø : 4:05 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Båtsfjord : 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Berlevåg : 10:25 p.m. – 10:35 p.m.

From the Top of Europe

We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early-morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund .

Almost the northernmost

In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest , which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements.

See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.

Mountains and marine mammals

We’ll continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then continue to Skjervøy , surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.

If you’re visiting in the winter, you might spot the orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.

As we make our way to Tromsø , you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps, which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.

Midnight magic

We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, stroll the still-busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.

Mehamn : 1:20 a.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Kjøllefjord : 3:25 a.m. - 3:35 a.m.

Honningsvåg : 5:45 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Havøysund : 8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

Hammerfest : 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Øksfjord : 3:50 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.

Skjervøy : 7:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Tromsø : 11:45 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

High Peaks and Idyllic Islands

On this day, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesteråle n, true highlights of our scenic Norwegian route.

After a call at Finnsnes in the early morning, the ship calls at Harstad . Here lies the world’s northernmost medieval stone church on the peninsula: the white-washed Trondenes Church .

Next we’ll stop at Risøyhamn , our smallest port of call. Then it’s off to Sortland , where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to mountains towering over 3,280 feet high.

Our birthplace

Stokmarknes is where captain Richard With launched The Norwegian Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a building resembling a ship in a bottle. It chronicles the Hurtigruten legacy, centered around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956.

A ship-sized fjord

Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into the tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close, you’ll think you can reach out and touch them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees in a single spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here, too.

Leaving Lofoten

We’ll reach Svolvær in the evening. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the ‘Svolvær Goat’ , due to its supposed resemblance. Do you agree?

The ship then sails to Stamsund , eventually passing the giant granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall .

Finnsnes : 4:20 a.m. - 4:40 a.m.

Harstad : 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Risøyhamn : 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Sortland : 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Stokmarknes : 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Svolvær : 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Stamsund : 10:15 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

A Landscape of Trolls

The ship will call at Bodø in the wee hours of the morning and then at Ørnes at 7 a.m. Then, we’ll cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. We’ll commemorate the moment with the time-honored tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol’ Norwegian cod liver oil!

Next, we’ll make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen , the gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.

Legend has it …

Admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks stretching up to 3,600 feet. According to legend, seven beautiful troll princesses were caught outside as the sun rose as they fled from an unwanted suitor. The sun turned them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today.

Don’t miss the distinctive hole passing straight through Torghatten Mountain ! There is also a local legend as to how the mountain came to have such a hole. Make sure you ask your Coastal Experience Team about it!

We’ll reach Brønnøysund in mid-afternoon. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. In the center of town is Brønnøy Church, a Neo-Gothic style stone church dating back to 1870.

Our last stop of the day is the cozy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna Archipelago.

Bodø : 2:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.

Ørnes : 6:25 a.m. - 6:35 a.m.

Nesna : 10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.

Sandnessjøen : 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Brønnøysund : 3:00 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Rørvik : 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Coastal Communities and Klippfisk

We’ll spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde.

Capital of the Viking Age

Stroll around Trondheim in the early morning as the city wakes. Then visit the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, the resting place of St. Olav. Walk to the Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over the Nid River.

Perhaps treat yourself to quality coffee and a Nordic patisserie in one of the Bakklandet district’s many chic cafés. Then walk up to Kristiansten Fort for sweeping views of Norway’s third-largest city.

Dealing in dried cod

We dock at Kristiansund’s harbor in the late afternoon. The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway’s ‘Bacalao Capital’ (called klippfisk in Norwegian) for the salted cod that’s dried out on the surrounding cliffs.

Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port. You can also head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for lovely panoramic views.

Peaks and petals

The second-to-last port of the day is Molde , where you can spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. Flowers should be in bloom in this ‘City of Roses’ between mid-June and late August.

Trondheim : 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Kristiansund : 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Molde : 9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Until Next Time

At least for this time around, your voyage will reach its end today. During the previous night, we’ll have called at Ålesund and Torvik . On our approach to Måløy , you might catch a glimpse of the Norwegian Coastal Express heading north (if you’re up early enough).

Morning highlights

You’ll have the chance to glimpse the Nordfjord , under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest.

The ship then docks at Florø in the morning. There, you can take in the harbor and marina.

The home stretch

Leaving Florø, you’ll see Stabben Lighthouse, a favorite subject for photographers. Enjoy stunning views as we cross the mouth of the Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in all of Norway.

As we reach our final port in the afternoon, the ship will navigate through the last islands and skerries of our scenic route, and sail down the Hjeltefjord into Bergen.

Explore more of Norway

Sadly, it’s time to say farewell to the Captain, crew, and fellow guests.

But your journey doesn’t have to stop after disembarkation. We offer a Bergen sightseeing tour, as well as a range of post-cruise Post-Programs that you can add to your voyage, including seeing the Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo.

Ålesund : 00:30 a.m. - 1:20 a.m.

Torvik : 2:35 a.m. - 2:45 a.m.

Måløy : 5:45 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Florø : 8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Bergen : 2:45 p.m.

About your trip

What's included, cabin guests.

Enjoy our feel-at-home Hurtigruten hospitality. Enjoy various included benefits when you choose from our selection of comfortable options: Polar Inside, Polar Outside, and Arctic Superior cabins.

Accommodation on ship: Your home away from home

Choice of cabin type

Choice of cabin location (1)

Comfortable cabin with ensuite bathroom

Your culinary experience on board: Food & drink

Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the ship’s main restaurant Torget

Unlimited selection of tea and black filter coffee (1)

Choice of dining time (1)

Life on board

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship and in your cabin (1)

Multi-lingual Coastal Experience Team

Daily themed lectures

Access to Cameralla photo sharing app

Enhance your journey with:

Wine package (House, Superior, Premium)

Welcome basket with sparkling wine

Dinner in fine dining restaurant Kysten

Wide range of optional seasonal excursions and guided hikes

(1) Voyages booked in Select Fare

Suite guests 

For the best in onboard comfort, cuisine, service, and beautifully appointed rooms, choose our suite experience.

Choice of suite type

Choice of suite location

Priority check-in

Stylish, spacious suite with ensuite bathroom

Unlimited selection of tea and black filter coffee

Choice of dining time

Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship and in your cabin

What's Not Included

Flights and transfers

Travel insurance

Optional seasonal excursions

Luggage handling

Optional hikes with the Coastal Experience Team

Prices are in USD, per person based on two people traveling together sharing a cabin

Not all cabin categories are available for all departures

Hurtigruten has a flexible pricing system and all prices are capacity controlled and subject to availability

We have several ships in the fleet that we travel with.

MS Kong Harald

Norway’s reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable hybrid vessel.

MS Nordkapp

MS Nordkapp is named after the northernmost point on mainland Europe: North Cape (71ºN) - one of the geographical highpoints you can visit on a Hurtigruten voyage.

MS Nordnorge

MS Nordnorge is aptly named for northern Norway, most of which lies above the Arctic Circle.

Related cruises

Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen (Roundtrip)

Bergen – Kirkenes – Trondheim (Roundtrip)

The Coastal Express – To the Viking Capital

Kirkenes – Bergen (Southbound)

The Coastal Express – South

Know before you go.

• FAQ: The Coastal Express
• Meet the team on our Coastal Express ships
• What to pack for a cruise in Norway

Special Offers

There’s more than one way to sail with us and discover the many wonders of the Norwegian coast.

Save up to $1000 or get up to 6000NOK OBC

We're celebrating our 'Norwegianess' with up to $1000 on select Original Voyages and up to 6000NOK in OBC on select Signature Voyages.

Northern Lights Promise on Select Norwegian Coastal Voyages

For those who have your heart set on witnessing the swirling glow of the aurora borealis, we make you a promise no one can match.

Save Up to 50% Off on Child Passengers

Family members of all generations can adventure with Hurtigruten. Save up to 50% off your child’s voyage and save on your next family cruise. Book today!

Solo travelers: No single supplement cruises

We have a range of cruises in Norway for those who like to travel solo. And, unlike other cruise lines, we won't charge you extra!

Optional Excursions

Explore your destination even further with our wide range of exciting excursions. The excursion program presented is an indication of some of the excursions that may be available during your voyage.

Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass

Starts from

The Geirangerfjord

Summer (Jun - Aug)

Art Nouveau Walk (Spring & Winter)

Spring (Apr - May), Winter (Nov - Mar)

Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla

Art Nouveau Walk (Fall)

Autumn (Sep - Oct)

1 hour 30 minutes

A Taste of Norway

The Hjørundfjord

2 hours 15 minutes

Mountain Hike in the Hjørundfjord

2 hours 45 minutes

Hike with a Visit to a Shieling

Hjørundfjord, Geiranger, and Ålesund

6 hours 30 minutes

Kayaking in Ålesund

Alnes Lighthouse

3 hours 30 minutes

Hjørundfjord – Tastes and Traditions

Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve Museum

Trondheim – Norway’s capital of technology

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug)

Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

Autumn (Sep - Oct), Winter (Nov - Mar)

Trondheim City Walk

Kayaking on the River Nid

2 hours 30 minutes

Cycling in Trondheim

Spring (Apr - May), Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

2 hours, 45 min

Svartisen Glacier

Ørnes – deep within the majesty of Helgeland

Arctic Coastal Walk

2 hours, 10 minutes

Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen

RIB Safari to Saltstraumen

Meet the Vikings (Winter)

Stamsund – the essence of Lofoten

Winter (Nov - Mar)

Meet the Vikings (Summer)

Highlights of Lofoten

2 hours, 40 min

Farm Visit in Lofoten

Tromsø, the Arctic Capital

Tromsø – gateway to the Arctic

Dog Sledding (Tromsø)

Polar History Walk

Cross-Country Skiing

Snowshoeing in Tromsø

Explore Tromsø by E-bike  (Spring & Summer)

The North Cape

Honningsvåg – gateway to the North Cape

Birdwatching Safari

Summer (Jun - Aug), Autumn (Sep - Oct)

Sámi Culture

Kjøllefjord – beautiful wilderness where nature rules

Snowmobile Trip in the Arctic

The North Cape Exclusive

Fishing Village Visit

The Norwegian Border

Kirkenes – right on the border

Riverboat to the Norwegian Border

Snowmobile Safari

Snowhotel Kirkenes

ATV/Quad safari to the Norwegian border (Kirkenes)

King Crab Adventure (Summer)

King Crab Adventure (Winter)

Breakfast at the North Cape

The Northernmost Town in the World

1 hour 45 minutes

Midnight Concert in Tromsø Cathedral

1 hour 15 minutes

Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night

Mountain Hike in Hammerfest

A Taste of Vesterålen

Harstad – at the heart of Northern Norway

4 hours, 15 minutes

Lofoten Islands

Svolvær – at the heart of Lofoten

Sea Eagle Safari

Stokmarknes – the birthplace of Hurtigruten

Lofoten by Horseback

RIB Adventure in Lofoten

The Hurtigruten Museum

Sortland – the blue city

Lofotpils Brewery

UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago

Sandnessjøen – gateway to the Helgeland Coast

Visit the Salmon

Brønnøysund – coastal charm right in the middle of Norway

Hike to Torghatten Mountain

The Hidden Rooms of Nidaros Cathedral

The Atlantic Road

Kristiansund – home of the Bacalao

4 hours 30 minutes

Bergtatt – Magnificent Marble Mine

Spring (Apr - May), Autumn (Sep - Oct), Winter (Nov - Mar)

Pre and post programs

Island Seafood Dinner & Boat Trip from Bergen

Bergen – gateway to the fjords

Snowhotel – A Unique Winter Experience

Gamme Cabins at the Snowhotel

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• Spitsbergen (Svalbard)
• Faroe Islands
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• Destinations

Hurtigruten Classic Roundtrip Voyage

This Hurtigruten voyage takes you north from the beautiful, historic city of Bergen, to Kirkenes in the far Arctic wilderness, sailing through beautiful fjords and past many islands. Explore the rugged coastline and a collection of the country's natural wonders, with the chance to enjoy various optional excursions en route. Then sail south back to Bergen. The return voyage stops at some different ports, giving you a changed perspective and experience.

Day 1 The journey begins: Bergen

Your twelve day round trip journey to the high north starts in Bergen, a city surrounded by seven mountains. After embarkation enjoy a tasty dinner buffet, based on the best ingredients from the coast. We sail north from Bergen along the Hjeltefjord, the same route the Vikings once sailed to the Shetland Islands and beyond – we are heading to the high north. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing as you take in the spectacular landscapes, either from deck or in one of the panorama lounges.

Day 2 A day for masterpieces: Florø to Molde

During the night, we stop at Florø, Norway’s westernmost town, and then Måløy, home to the mushroom-shaped Kannesteinen rock. After that, we head to Torvik where if you wake up early, you have the chance to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. Sail past the West Cape and then out into open sea, before the ship navigates through skerries and islands, towards Ålesund. The first thing you might notice about Ålesund is the unique architecture. The larger part of the town was destroyed in a blaze in 1904, after which much of it was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style. Look out for brightly coloured buildings with semicircular windows and charming rounded towers that wouldn’t look out of place in a fairytale. Time to explore Alesund on your own or join an optional excursion. Those visiting in spring and winter will have most of the day to explore this delightful town. For summer and autumn guests, you’ll head off for fabulous fjords before returning here in the evening. 

For summer sailings, we’ll leave Ålesund and make our way to UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. The worldfamous fjord is located deep within a branching fjord system that stretches more than 90 kilometres. As we sail in and out of Geirangerfjord, Storfjord, and Sunnylvfjord, you’ll be treated to some of the most magnificent scenery Norway has to offer. As we navigate the Geirangerfjord, you may be able to see one of the most famous Norwegian waterfalls, the Seven Sisters, made up of seven separate streams. Depending on recent rainfall, the streams can be seen most clearly around early June, fed by meltwater from last winter’s snow. N.B. ONLY guests on a pre-booked excursion can disembark the vessel at Geiranger.

During an autumn cruise, rather than Geirangerfjord, we’ll instead sail on Hjørundfjord. Overlooked by the Sunnmøre Alps as high as 1,300 metres, Hjørundfjord is a hidden gem Geirangerfjord / Seven Sisters / Summer UNESCO World Heritage Site rarely visited by others. Look out for thousand-year-old small farms and communities clinging to the lush mountainsides. At about midday during an autumn cruise, we reach Urke, a little village in the Sunnmøre Alps. This area has been visited over the years by famous hikers and members of European aristocracy who admired the quiet and scenic landscape. Sip coffee outside a local café and gaze at the towering mountains and their reflections in the fjord below.

The last port of the day is Molde, where we arrive late in the evening. If sailing with us in the summer, there might still be enough daylight for you to see the breathtaking view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord.

Optional excursions today: Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass (02 Jun-01 Sep),  Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla (02 Nov-01 Jun), Art Nouveau walk Autumn (02 Sep-01 Nov) Art Nouveau walk (02 Nov-01 Jun), A Taste of Norway (02Sep-01 Nov), Mountain hike in Hjørundfjord (02 Sep-01 Nov), Hike with a visit to a shieling (02 Sep-01 Nov), Hjørundfjord, Geiranger, and Ålesund (01 Oct-31 Oct),  Kayaking in Ålesund (01 Jan-31 May), Alnes Lighthouse (02 Nov-01 Jun), Sunnmøre Open Air Museum (02 Nov-01 Jun) and The Romsdal Gondola (02 Nov-01 Jun).

Day 3 In the footsteps of the Vikings: Kristiansund - Trondheim - Rørvik

Morning arrival in beautiful Trondheim. Trondheim was founded in 997 by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason, making it the country’s first capital. Rich in history and is Norway's third largest city. The architecture and surroundings here create a beautiful and almost mythical setting.

You will have approximately 3 hours to explore the city. Perhaps visit Trondheim’s Nidaros Cathedral which is a fine example of medieval Gothic architecture and is seen as the most sacred building in all Norway. King Olav Tryggvason – who introduced Christianity to Norway – is buried here. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace, or Erkebispegården. Dating from the 12th Century, Norway’s Crown Jewels are housed here in a part of the building dedicated as a museum. Walk east from the cathedral, to arrive at the old city bridge Gamle Bybro which sits over Nid River. The bridge dates to 1681 and is also known by some as “The Gate of Happiness” after the lyrics of a 1940s Norwegian waltz. On the other side of the river is the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. Stand on the bridge for a picturesque view of the neighbourhood’s colourful old wooden wharves, propped up on stilts by the river’s edge.Or join one of the optional excursions on offer. 

In the afternoon the ship sails northwest, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through the narrow Stoksund, the ship arrives at charming Rørvik for a short stop.

Optional excursions today: Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum (03 Apr-02 Sep), Trondheim and Nidaros (03 Sep-02 Apr), Kayaking on River Nid (01 Jan-31 Dec), Trondheim City Walk (01 Jan-31 Dec) and Cycling in Bakkland district (03 Apr-02 Sep). 

Day 4 Welcome to the Arctic! Brønnøysund to Svolvær

Through the night, we sail along the Helgeland Coast into Nordland county, with short stops at Brønnøysund and Sandnessjøen. After a 10-minute stop in Nesna, the ship will cross the Arctic Circle around 7am. You’ll see the line marked on a globe statue on the small islet of Vikingen. The Arctic Circle marks the border to the Arctic region. Join us out on deck for a small tradition that is sure to be effective in fully waking you up!  In summer this means 24-hour daylight - often referred to as the ‘Midnight Sun'. During autumn and winter, being above this degree of latitude provides the best chances of experiencing the Northern Lights. 

The ship then sails towards charming Bodø, Northern Norway’s second largest city. The spectacular Børvass peaks, a chain of mountains dominates views of the area.  In Bodø, take a walk to see the fabulous street art, visit the architectural gem Kulturkvartalet Stormen with its modern library, or join an optional excursion.

Next we head northwest across Vestfjord to Stamsund. Along this stretch, you can look forward to seeing majestic mountains, the famous Skomvær Lighthouse, a powerful whirlpool, and quaint fishing villages. The region is also rich in birdlife with over 250 species recorded, while seals and orcas can often be spotted in the fjord. Later this afternoon the sight of the 1000m high Lofoten Wall will appear on the horizon. The “wall” is, in fact, a string of islands packed tightly together, notable for their spectacular, jagged, granite peaks. The charms of the Lofoten Islands are revealed in all the small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere. Continue along Vestfjord among stunning islands, steep mountains, beautiful beaches, and sheltered bays. In the evening, when you see row upon row of traditional fishermen’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer, you’ve arrived in the picturesque harbour of Svolvær.

Optional excursions today: Svartisen Glacier (04 Jun-03 Sep), Arctic Coastal Hike (01 Jan-31 Dec), Experience Bødø and Saltstraumen (01 Jan-31 Dec), RIB Safari to Saltstraumen (01 Apr-03 Nov), Meet the Vikings (04 Nov-03 Apr), Highlights of Lofoten (04 Apr-31 Aug), Meet the Vikings Summer (04 Apr-03 Nov), Farm Visit in Lofoten (04 Apr-30 Sep), Lofotpils Brewery (01 Jan-31 Dec)

Day 5 Into the wild: Stokmarknes to Skjervøy

We dock at Stokmarknes and Sortland in the small hours of the morning before arriving at Risøyhamn. If you’re aboard with us in the summer, the Midnight Sun will be reigning in the sky for most of if not all night. For voyages between October and March, you may find that it’s the Northern Lights who come out to play, dancing across the dark Arctic sky glistening with stars. If you’re awake early in summer, the stretch between Risøyhamn and Harstad is also known to offer excellent birdwatching opportunities. Several bird colonies are found close by, including one with at least 160,000 nesting puffins. The deep, nutrient-rich waters here are also ideal feeding ground for sperm whales. Keep your eyes peeled - you might get lucky, especially during winter. Harstad is known to Norwegians as the “Culture Town of the North,” and its calendar is usually peppered with events like beer festivals and concerts. At the time of day we’ll be there though, it will likely be quiet, perfect for a peaceful morning stroll.

Continuing our journey north, you should be able to enjoy views of Senja’s varied landscape of rolling hills and fjords surrounded by steep jagged mountains – scenery that has earned the island a reputation among locals as a “Mini Norway”. We call at Finnsnes next, a small town next to the impressive Gisund Bridge, which joins Senja to Norway’s mainland. The ship then arrives at Tromsø in the afternoon. You’ll have just over four hours to explore Tromsø, where you can walk to the city centre to check out the many shops and restaurants the city has to offer or visit the  iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic. Not far from the cathedral is Fjellheisen Cable Car which will whisk you to the top of nearby Storsteinen Mountain to soak up stunning views 400 metres above the city, mountains, and fjords. Or perhaps take one of the optional excursions on offer.

Leaving Tromsø in the early evening, we head north for the trading post of Skjervøy, founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps which rise majestically from the sea. Leaving Tromsø in the early evening, we head north for the trading post of Skjervøy, founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps which rise majestically from the sea.

Optional excursions today:  The Actic Capital Tromso (01 Jan-31 Dec), Dog-sledding (01 Dec-04 May), Scenery and Huskies (18 May-04 Nov), Polar History Walk (05 Nov-04 Apr), Kayaking (01 Jun-31 Aug), Cross Country Skiiung (01 Dec-01 May),  Snowshoeing in Tromso (01 Dec-01 May) and Electric Cruising in Tromso (01 Oct-15 Apr)

Day 6 The North Cape: Øksfjord to Berlevåg

During the night, we continue into Troms & Finnmark county, stopping in Øksfjord briefly. This is one of Norway’s largest yet least populated counties, characterised by beautifully stark landscapes of rugged mountains and deep fjords. We dock in the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. In summer, the island has herds of reindeer migrating here in their thousands. Some are known to wander into the centre of Hammerfest, especially at this time of day when it’s quiet and no cars are about. You’ll know we’ve reached Havøysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havøyglaven windfarm which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes. Just opposite Havøysund is Hjelmsøystauren, a nesting site boasting the highest number of different bird species gathered on a bird mountain in all of Europe. Spot birds like Atlantic Puffins, Common Guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

We arrive at Honningsvåg mid-morning, the gateway to the North Cape where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. The optional excursion up to the dramatic promontory is very popular so it’s best to pre-book early to secure your place. In the fishing village itself, you’ll find the North Cape Museum where you can learn more about the cape and the area’s coastal culture. Ten minutes away from the museum, you’ll find Honningsvåg Church from 1885, the oldest building in the area. It’s also worth checking out the Once Upon A Dream art gallery and the Artico Ice Bar here.

The ship heads eastwards to the village of Kjøllefjord. Near the entrance of the village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient Sámi sacrificial site. The surrounding hills and plains here form part of the larger Sápmi area and have been the summer pastures for Sámi reindeer herds for generations. The Sápmi region spans parts of Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, inhabited by the indigenous people for over 11,000 years. While the Sámi of Northern Norway have modernised their lifestyles, they also carefully preserve their customs including traditional herbal remedies, joik folk songs, and reindeer husbandry. We reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn, in the evening. Fishing has always been the primary industry for the residents here. The months of February and March see them hang 300 tons of cod on outdoor wooden racks called hjell, mainly destined for export as dried stockfish.

Around dinner time the ship sets off for Berlevåg. On our way, we pass the Slettnes Lighthouse located on Gamvik’s shore. One of Norway’s tallest lighthouses, it has the distinction of being the northernmost mainland lighthouse on Earth. Berlevåg is protected from the crashing waves of the Barents Sea by four man-made breakwaters, enabling our ships to dock and deliver essential goods to the 1,000 residents who live here. 

Optional excursions today: The North Cape (01 Jan-31 Dec), Bird Watching Safari (06 Apr-05 Sep), Sami culture (06 May-05 Sep), Snowmobile Trip in the Arctic (15 Dec-30 Apr), Sami Autumn (06 Sep-05 Nov), Fishing Village Walk (01 Jan-31 Dec) and RIB Expedition on 71 Degrees North (01 Jun-30 Sep)

Day 7 The Extreme North: Kirkenes - Berlevåg

We call at Båtsfjord before docking at Vadsø early in the morning. Fleeing famine in the early 1800s, settlers from Finland moved to Vadsø which still has a strong Finnish heritage today. In Vadsø, cast your eyes east of the ship’s berth for a piece of polar exploration history. You’ll see the 60-metre mooring mast for the airship Norge flown in 1926 by Roald Amundsen in his bid to reach the North Pole. The area around Vadsø is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Watch the skies for hooded crows and sea eagles. If you’re visiting in early summer, you might even spot the rare Steller’s eider duck. We sail along Varangerfjord towards Kirkenes. It was here in the 1980s that local fishermen began hauling up strange-looking, enormous crustaceans in their nets – the now-famous local delicacy Red King Crab. The crabs had spread from Murmansk further along the coast, introduced into the wild by Russian researchers.

We reach Kirkenes, the turning point of our 12 day voyage, after breakfast. Kirkenes is located just a few miles from the Russian border, here you’ll find many Russian influences; from road signs in both Norwegian and Russian, a monthly Russian market, and the Russian Monument commemorating how the Red Army liberated the area from Nazi occupation in 1944. Join one of the optional excursions on offer.

As the ship changes direction and heads south, several of the places we sailed to during the night we’ll now see during the day.We return to Vardø in the late afternoon. It is the only town in Norway actually situated in the Arctic climate zone. True enough, it gets very windy here, so much so that some locals claim that, in the Kirkenes / Winter old days, children carried rocks in their pockets to prevent themselves from being blown away! You can visit the solemn Witches’ Monument inscribed with the names of the 90 victims of the ‘witches’ trials in the 17th century. A ten-minute walk away, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day. We arrive back at the small, bustling port of Båtsfjord in the evening. If it’s still light here, you might notice the stripes of different layers of strata in the sandstone cliffs. The ship then makes for Berlevåg later tonight, crossing paths with the northbound ship. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, sacred to the Sámi. Or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.

Optional excursions today: The Russian Border (01 Jan-31 Dec), Riverboat to the Russian Border (01 Jun-10 Sep), Snowmobile Safari (15 Dec-05 May), Kirkenes Snowhotel visit (01 Jan-31 Dec), ATV/Quad Safari to the Russian Border (07 May-06 Oct), Husky Tour (20 Oct-30 May), King Crab Adventure Summer (21 Apr-30 Nov) and King Crab Adventure Winter (01 Dec-20 Apr)

Day 8: The Extreme North - Mehamn to Tromsø

During the night we call at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord before making an early morning stop at Honningsvåg. On our way to Havøysund, we sail through the narrow Magerøy Sound along the east coast of Magerøya, home of the North Cape. Following winter, the ocean current here is too strong for the poorly nourished reindeer that need to cross every spring to their summer pastures on Magerøya. As a result, the Norwegian Army deploys landing craft to transport around 3,800 reindeer across the strait each year. After docking briefly in Havøysund, we make an extended stop in Hammerfest, an urban surprise along a sparsely populated coast. The town defended its reputation as the northernmost town in the world for many years until the title passed to Longyearbyen in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Check out the UNESCO listed Meridian Column in Hammerfest. It marks the northernmost measuring point of the Struve Geodetic Arc, a chain of survey triangulations for geographic meridians that established the exact size and shape of the planet. Plotted by astronomer Friedrich Struve between 1816 and 1855, the arc stretches over 2,820 km through a total of 10 countries, from Hammerfest to the Black Sea. Amble to the highly informative Polar Bear Society and stop by the lovely souvenir shop. For sweeping views over the whole area, take the zig-zag path behind the town to the viewpoint on Mount Salen.

We continue sailing south to Øksfjord to find a small but thriving community of around 500 people. Nearby, you might be able to glimpse one of Norway’s top ten largest glaciers, the mighty Øksfjordjøkelen, towering 1,204 metres above sea level. The horn of our ship is a welcome sound in these parts. Like many of Norway’s coastal towns and villages, Øksfjord is not easy to reach by road. On emerging out of the four kilometre-long dimly lit, narrow tunnel that leads here, one traveller described it as going from “hell to heaven in the blink of an eye”. Our next port of call is the picturesque settlement of Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896. If you’re visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.

On our way to Tromsø, we’ll pass by the entrance of stunning Lyngenfjord. If weather allows, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Lyngsalpene mountains, where some of the highest peaks run all the way down to the shoreline. We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight. Tromsø has more restaurants and pubs per capita than any other Norwegian town so perhaps you’ll enjoy a local brew before we depart at 01:30 am. If you’re not too tired, we recommend staying on deck to experience the Midnight Sun over nearby Fjellheisen Peak in summer. During the rest of the year, depending on solar storm activity in the atmosphere and clear skies above, you might see the Northern Lights reflecting on the sea.

Optional excursions today: Breakfast at the North Cape (08 May-07 Oct), The Northernmost Town in the World (08 Jun-08 Apr), Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral (01 Jan-31 Dec), Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night (15 Dec-30 Apr), Mountain Hike in Hammerfest (08 Jun-07 Nov), Into the Ice - Stories of a Polar Hero (08 Nov-22 Mar) and Arctic Midnight Adventure (08 May-08 Aug)

Day 9: The Lofoten Islands - Tromsø to Stamsund

We sail through the night from Tromsø, arriving at Finnsnes very early in the morning. A quick stop here and then it’s on to Harstad, located on Hinnøya, the largest island of mainland Norway. Our popular “A Taste of Vesterålen” bus excursion departs from here, driving through beautiful scenery to Sortland. As the third largest city in Northern Norway, Harstad’s history is connected to herring fishing, the military, and in more recent times, oil. You should be able to spot the white walls of Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost medieval stone church, on the peninsula to the north. Next is Risøyhamn on the island of Andøya. At 200 inhabitants, it is our smallest port of call. Our founder Captain Richard With moved here in 1875, spending the next few years having sand dredged from the nearby Risøyrenna channel to expand it. Thanks to his efforts, our ships were later able to sail here to support the local villagers.

The ship now heads south to Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to steep 1,000-metre-high mountains rising up from the ocean. Sortland is sometimes called “The Blue Town on the Sound” thanks to a local artist’s idea to have many of the town’s buildings painted shades of blue. Stokmarknes on the north side of Hadseløya is where Captain Richard With first began The Coastal Express back in 1893. Take a short stroll from the port to Hurtigrutemuseet, a shipin-a-bottle building that chronicles our legacy, centred around retired ship MS Finnmarken.

On our way to Svolvær, we sail along Raftsund and pass Raften at around 4-4:30pm. Locals and any camping guests here normally like to wave to us from shore. This is something that always makes our Captains and crew proud, and just goes to show how much our ships are appreciated. Trollfjord is well worth a detour if weather allows. It’s a breath-holding moment as the Captain skilfully manoeuvres the ship to enter the tiny, narrow fjord. The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate on the spot by 180 degrees, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too, after catching your breath.

We reach Svolvær in the evening. The huge mountain here is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree! There are plenty of restaurants to enjoy in this thriving town, including a few with views out over the harbour. The ship will now sail for Stamsund. We pass the Vågakallen mountain range, where you might be able to admire the contrast between dramatic, dark mountains and bright green grasslands. You’ll also see Lofotveggen, the Lofoten Wall of giant granite mountains that seem to guard the entrance to these magnificent islands. Leaving Stamsund late in the evening marks the end of this day. In summer, we’ll have the Midnight Sun behind us, while autumn and winter might give us swirling aurora borealis above

Optional excursions today: A Taste of Vesterålen (01 Jan-31 Dec), Lofoten Islands (09 Apr-31 Aug), Sea Eagle Safari (24 Mar-15 Oct), Lofoten by Horse (01 Jan-31 Dec), RIB Adventure in Lofoten (09 Jun-08 Sep), Discover a Fishing Village (01 Sep-08 Apr), Vesteralen and Lofoten by RIB (15 May-31 Aug) and Electric Cruising in Lofoten (01 May-30 Sep).

Day 10: Crossing the Arctic Circle - Bodø to Rørvik

We sail south towards the glorious landscapes of the Helgeland Coast, passing skerries and small islands, interspersed with charming fishing villages. The ship calls at Bodø in the small hours of the morning and then Ørnes at 7am. We then cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Join us on deck as we commemorate the moment with a fun tradition that’s different to what we do on the northbound route – this time involving tasting cod liver oil. The Vikings were known to highly value this Vitamin D-rich tonic for its powers of healing, going so far as consuming cod livers dipped in the oil. It’ll just be a spoonful for you though!

We make a short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjøen, gateway to the Helgeland Coast. To the west of Sandnessjøen, the Dønnamannen Mountain towers above the islands. To the east, you’ll see the modern design of the elegant Helgeland Bridge that crosses Leirfjord. Our journey continues south past the island of Herøy to the west with its five bridges and medieval cathedral. Be sure to spend some time looking east on deck to admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 1,100m high. Legend has it that the seven beautiful troll princesses of King Sulis, fleeing from unwanted suitor Vågekallen, got caught out as the sun rose, turning them into the seven beautiful mountains you see today. You’ll not want to miss views of Torghatten Mountain, with the distinctive hole in it, on Hestmann Island to the east. 

We reach Brønnøysund mid afternoon and you will have two and a half hours to explore this pretty coastal town, rich in maritime history. The town’s name comes from the Old Norse word “brunney” or “brunnur”, meaning a “well”– indicating seafarers of yore knew they’d find fresh water here. Explore the bustling marina on a walk along Havnegata. Venture into one of the local pubs or enjoy a delicious snack at one of the charming cafés. In the centre of town is Brønnøy Church: a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870.

Along the next stretch, we pass through Bindalfjord and Tosenfjord, which mark the centre point of the Norwegian coastline. To the west, you can spot Leka, with its red mountains dating back 500 million years. Our last stop of the day is the cosy fishing port of Rørvik in the picturesque Vikna archipelago. Stroll around the coastal museum Norveg, an architectural landmark and maybe enjoy cod cakes and Viknasuppe, a local twist on traditional fish soup.

Optional excursions today: UNESCO Vega Archipelago (10 Jun-09 Sep), Visit the Salmon (01 Jan-31 Dec), Hike to Torghatten (01 Jun-31 Oct) and Visist Hildurs Urterarium (01 Nov-31 Mar).

Day 11: In the footsteps of the Vikings - Trondheim to Ålesund

Early morning arrival into Trondheim. Stroll around its narrow alleys and streets, many dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit landmarks such as the Nidaros Cathedral and the Gamle Bybro “Portal of Happiness” bridge over Nid River. Take a walk up to Kristiansten Fort and be rewarded with great photo opportunities of Norway’s third largest city. As the ship leaves Trondheim, we’ll pass the tiny island of Munkholmen, the site of a former fort, prison, execution site, and German submarine base during WWII.  After retracing our path up the majestic Trondheimsfjord, we’ll enter the channel which separates the marshy island of Hitra from the mainland. Coined the “Island of Deer”, Hitra has the densest population of deer in Northern Europe.

Just north of Hitra is Smøla, a flat, scenic island whose name is thought to mean “crumble”. This supposedly is in reference to the thousands of small islands and islets scattered around the main island, with at least one for each one of its 2,400 inhabitants. The area is home to the world’s largest population of Whitetailed Sea Eagles. See if you luck out as you sweep the skies for these massive birds of prey from the ship’s observation deck. Hidden within the Smøla archipelago is the historically significant island of Edøya. A 17-metre Viking burial ship was located near the old Edøy Church using radar technology in 2019. You might make out the old stone church, dated 1190, as we sail past the island.

Next, we encounter the magnificent mountain peaks of Tustna, rising some 900 metres above sea level. Soon, the island of Grip and its lighthouse come into view. A little over 100 people live in the clusters of houses built around the small 15th century stave church here. We dock at Kristiansund’s harbour late afternoon for an hour. This is a town spread over three islands. While its history as Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” is to do with drying and salting cod on the surrounding cliffs, it’s now also a base for North Sea oil workers and a place where boats are built and repaired. Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town on Innladet island, and tour the lively port flanked by colourful houses and salted cod or klippfisk wharves. If you have time, it’s an easy walk to the Varden viewpoint, where an old watchtower gives breathtaking 360-degree views of Kristiansund and its neighbouring islands.

As we cross the open sea to Molde, you will spot the steep, pointed peaks of the lofty Romsdal Alps and a panorama of 222 peaks. Molde has a reputation as “The City of Roses” and if you’re sailing with us between mid-June and late August, the flower should be in bloom, decorating streets and houses in the late evening sun.

Optional excursions today: Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral (01 Jan-31 Dec), The Hidden Rooms of Nidaros Cathedral (01 Jan-31 Dec), The Atlantic Road (11 Apr-10 Sep) and Bergtatt - Magnificient Marble Mine (15 Sep-30 Apr).  

Day 12: A Hanseatic city – Arrival in Bergen

During the night, the ship will call at Ålesund and Torvik. The Norwegian coast never runs out of breathtaking scenery, and even on the last stretch of your voyage, there’s still plenty of beauty waiting to be admired. You’ll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest. From here, the fjord widens to the east, reaching 90 kilometres inland to Loen and Olden. We’ll pass the islands of Gangsøya and Risøya as we cross over into the Bremanger municipality. The ship then takes you into Skatestraumen, a narrow strait with rapid tidal currents that have made it a productive fishing spot since the Stone Age.

The ship docks for a quick stop at Florø at around 08:15. This western town was built largely on the herring trade. The waters around the town have been a herring spawning area for possibly thousands of years. Although inconsistent, some periods saw extremely large herring catches, including a record 12.3 million hectares of herring in 1956.

It’s time to make our way to Bergen, our last stop. Leaving Florø, you’ll spot Stabben Lighthouse. This sturdy, isolated lighthouse, built on a slippery, solitary skerry in the middle of the shipping lane, is a favourite subject for photographers whatever the sea conditions. On our way to Bergen, we still have some nautical miles of memorable scenery to take in. Enjoy stunning views as we cross the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord, “King of the Fjords”. This is both the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway, stretching 205 kilometres inland and reaching a maximum depth of 1,308 metres. Upon arrival into Bergen your roundtrip voyage ends. 

2024 departures: 3-4 times a week

2025 departures: 3-4 times a week.

Please enquire for further information and pricing regarding any of the optional  excursions mentioned above. 

Pre and post cruise extensions:

From Oslo to Bergen or Bergen to Oslo: Add one of our fantastic Norway in a Nutshell (all year) independent tours at the end of your voyage, which includes a trip on the delightful Flam Railway.  There are several different itinerary options, all of which can be offered in Bergen to Oslo or Oslo to Bergen direction.

For more add on tour suggestions - please enquire.

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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

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The Hurtigruten 12 Day Coastal Express Voyage 2024/25

Video: hurtigruten's coastal express voyage.

12 days / 11 nights Bergen • Kirkenes • Bergen

HURTIGRUTEN Coastal Express Fares

FLIGHT AND LAND PACKAGES PRICES

Departures between 1 October to 31 March now include :- • Northern Lights Promise - If the Northern Lights don't occur, you'll get a new 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage free of charge!

Many travellers dream of experiencing the complete 12 day hurtigruten voyage on the ship of their choice, so its not surprising that so many opt for the coastal express voyage from bergen, north to kirkenes and returning back to bergen enjoying the incredible scenery and fabulous communities the ships enable you to visit along the way., the hurtigruten coastal express navigates northbound to kirkenes (seven days), before turning south to sail back to bergen. ports visited by night on the northbound voyage are seen by day on the southbound journey, ensuring that all passengers get to know the very best of the dramatic and interesting norwegian coastline. of the 34 ports of call the main ones are listed in the below itinerary., day 1 - embarkation in bergen :.

Ports visited today : Bergen

Before you check in, explore the charming port and Hanseatic city of Bergen. Stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter, visit the Hanseatic Museum or stroll among the stalls at the fish market. Take the funicular railway 320m up Mount Fløyen, located just outside the city, and you'll enjoy the best view of Bergen and its fjords. In the evening your Hurtigruten voyage sets off through the Hjeltefjord, following in the wake of the Vikings who sailed from here to the Shetland Islands and beyond.

Available Extensions :

Bergen Hotels and Extensions

Day 2 - Ålesund and Geirangerfjord :

Ports visited today : Florø, Måløy, Torvik, Ålesund, Molde.

Your Hurtigruten ship navigates the skerries and islands further north before reaching Ålesund. Marvel at the inspiring architecture in the Apotekergate and Kongensgate pedestrian precinct, perfect examples of the Art Nouveau style. Don't miss out on the view from Mount Aksla but beware, there are 418 steps to the top!

In the summer months, the next destination will be the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. En route to the end of this beautiful fjord you pass sheer, 800m cliffs and impressive waterfalls.

Available Excursions :

2B Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass

2C Art Nouveau Tour, Ålesund

2D Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla

2F A Taste of Norway

2G A Mountain Hike in the Hjørundfjord

2H Hike with a Visit to a Shieling

2L Hjørunderfjorden, Geiranger and Trollstigen Pass

Day 3 - The Royal City of Trondheim :

Ports visited today : Kristiansund, Trondheim, Rørvik.

When visiting the old royal city of Trondheim, be sure to get a good view from the Gamle Bybrua ("Old Town Bridge"). Dating from 1861, this neo-gothic wooden bridge used to be the only way into the town centre. Nidaros Cathedral, built between 1070 and 1300, is Norway's largest Gothic religious edifice. In the neighbouring Archbishop's Palace, the Norwegian Crown Jewels are kept.

In Trondheim itself, the Hanseatic, waterside storehouses built on wooden stilts are just as charming as the Rococo-style Stiftsgården, the largest wooden building in Norway and residence for the Royal Family when visiting Trondheim. You then set a course for the northwest, past the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and thousands of little islands and picturesque rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will arrive at Rørvik.

Available excursions :

3A Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum

3B Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

3D Trondheim City Walk

3G Kayaking on the River Nid

3H Cycling in Trondheim

3L The Northernmost Tram Ride

Day 4 - Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands :

Ports visited today : Brønnøysund, Sandnessjøen, Nesna, Ørnes, Bodø, Stamsund, Svolvær.

This morning, between Nesna and Ørnes, you pass a globe on a small islet which heralds your crossing of the Arctic Circle. Passengers sailing in Arctic waters for the first time are given an Arctic Circle baptism by Njord, the ruler of the Seven Seas. This comes in the form of an ice cube down your front or back, but is entirely optional.

In the evening you reach Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands. These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches. Complete your visit with a stroll between the stockfish racks and 'rorbuer', the traditional, red fishermen's residences. The Lofoten Islands are a truly extraordinary experience.

4A Glacier Adventure, Svartisen

4B Arctic Coastal Walk

4C Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen

4D Saltstraumen - Rib Safari

4E Lofotr Viking Feast, Winter

4F Lofotr Viking Feast, Summer

4G Highlights of Lofoten

4H Lofotpils Brewery

4L Farm Visit in Lofoten

Day 5 - Tromsø, Gateway to the Arctic :

Ports visited today : Stokmarknes, Sortland, Risøyhamn, Harstad, Finnsnes, Tromsø ,Skjervøy.

During the night your Hurtigruten ship navigates the narrow Raftsund strait. After a stop in Harstad, situated on the largest island of Norway, Hinnøya, you continue via Finnsnes to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many of the epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point; the famous explorer Roald Amundsen sourced both crew and supplies here.

With the presence of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the city has cemented its position as the Polar Capital of Norway. Ishavskatedralen, the Arctic Cathedral, is the most famous landmark with its modern design and extraordinary stained glass window. Tromsø is also home to the world's northernmost university and the large number of people arriving here has created a vibrant cultural scene with numerous restaurants and cafes constantly teeming with life.

5A The Arctic Capital Tromsø

5B Dog Sledging

5C Scenery & Huskies

5D Polar History Walk

5G Kayaking in Tromsø

5M Cross-Country Skiing

5N Snowshoeing in Tromsø

Day 6 - Honningsvåg and the North Cape :

Ports visited today : Øksfjord, Hammerfest, Havøysund, Honningsvåg, Kjøllefjord, Mehamn, Berlevåg.

Following the scenic sailing through Magerøysund and after an early stop in Hammerfest, you arrive in Honningsvåg. This small port is the gateway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape which rises 300m from the ocean, and at 71° 10' 21" north it puts you a mere 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. Standing atop the North Cape Plateau you'll get the eerie feeling of being at the end of the world.

The area is also known for its bird life, and Gjesværstappan, a bird sanctuary with up to 250,000 seabirds is home to some High Arctic species that can only be observed here on the Norwegian mainland. This evening, as you approach Kjøllefjord, you pass a rock formation that is sacred to the indigenous Sami people, Finnkjerka.

6A The North Cape

6B Bird Watching Safari

6C Sámi Culture

6D Snowmobile Trip in Lapland

6E Sámi Autumn

6H Fishing Village Visit

6J Expedition to the North Cape - The Historical Route

6L Winter Expedition in the Arctic Wilderness

Day 7 - Kirkenes, The Voyage Turning Point :

Ports visited today : Båtsfjord, Vardø, Vadsø, Kirkenes.

The last port on the Hurtigruten Voyage North is Kirkenes. And at longitude 30 east, you are actually further east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. The well-policed Russian border and the Kola peninsula are close by which explains why the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian.

Being at the north-easterly terminus of Hurtigruten, the only choice from here is to set south again but spending a few days in Kirkenes offers you the opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous Arctic activities available nearby.

7A The Russian Border

7B River Boat Safari to the Russian Border

7C Snowmobile Safari

7D Kirkenes Snow Hotel

7E ATV/Quad Safari to the Russian Border

7F Husky Adventure

7H King Crab Expedition

7I Mountain Hike with Husky

Arctic cathedral Tromsø

Bryggen Quay in Bergen

MS Finnmarken sailing the fjords

Day 8 - hammerfest and tromsø :.

Ports visited today : Mehamn, Kjøllefjord, Honningsvåg, Havøysund, Hammerfest, Øksfjord, Skjervøy, Tromsø.

Breakfast at the North Cape including a visit to a Sámi family form part of an early morning excursion (at extra cost). Your next stop, Hammerfest, was a settlement back to the Stone Age and is still playing an important role as a fishing port. Founded in 1789 to develop trade with Russia, Hammerfest reconfirmed its position as Norway's Polar capital of its time, acting as a base for hunting expeditions to the High Arctic. In Hammerfest the Meridian Column, erected in 1854, commemorates the first precise measurement of the globe, an achievement so important that it's become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As early as 1891, wave energy provided power to the first electric street lighting in Northern Europe, and energy innovation is still a signature for Hammerfest with its large Liquid Gas Plant just outside town. From here, your next major stop will be Tromsø where you are invited to take part in a very special musical experience, The Arctic Cathedral Midnight Concert. Or why not head to one of the town's many friendly pubs and sample the local brew, Mack's Arctic Beer.

8A Breakfast at the North Cape

8B The Northernmost Town in the World, Hammerfest

8C Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral

8F Snowmobile Trip in the Polar Night

8G Mountain Hike in Hammerfest

8H Into the Ice

Day 9 - Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands :

Ports visited today : Tromsø, Finnsnes, Harstad, Risøyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvær, Stamsund.

The Vesterålen and Lofoten Island are amongst today's highlights. Before you reach them, you pass through Risøyrenna, a channel that was specially constructed for Hurtigruten, providing the vessels an 'inside route' between Harstad and Sortland. Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded, is the location of the Hurtigruten Museum. Entry is free for all Hurtigruten passengers.

You continue through the narrow Raftsund, the picturesque narrow channel between the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, where, time and weather permitting, you'll take a detour into the spectacular Trollfjord where steep cliffs hug the ship's sides. Then it's on to Svolvær, the main settlement on the Lofoten Islands followed by Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall can be viewed. You leave the islands during the evening and set course for the mainland.

9A A Taste of Vesterålen

9B Lofoten Islands

9C Sea Eagle Safari

9D Lofoten by Horse

9E RIB-Adventure in Lofoten

9F Discover a Fishing Village

9G Fishing in Lofoten

9I Vesterålen and Lofoten by RIB

Day 10 - Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters :

Ports visited today : Bodø, Ørnes, Nesna, Sandnessjøen, Brønnøysund, Rørvik.

The Helgeland coast with hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls is worth getting up early to experience. Today will also be your last one north of the Arctic Circle as you cross it between Ørnes and Nesna. This part of the coast is rich in local lore with stories including the legend of the Seven Sisters, a picturesque row of peaks, and the myth about how the arrow from Hestmannen's bow formed the hole in Torghatten Mountain. The Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is close to your call in Sandnessjøen.

The islands were inscribed on this prestigious list due to the unique interaction between man and nature - over centuries the local population have protected the eider duck nests in return for the highly valuable down from the birds.

Available excursion :

10B UNESCO Islands Vega

10C Visit the Salmon

Day 11 - Trondheim and Kristiansund :

Ports visited today : Trondheim, Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund.

Today gives you another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Nidaros Cathedral, in which three Queens and seven Kings have been crowned, is Scandinavia's largest medieval building, and Norway's crown jewels are kept in the adjacent Archbishop's Residence. Passing the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra you then cross the open sea to Molde, known as the 'city of roses' due to its lush Gulf Stream location.

You will notice the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps glinting in the sun. The town of Kristiansund, located on the scenic Atlantic Road, holds the rather obscure title of Norway's 'cured cod capital' because of the nature of its main export.

11A Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

11B The Hidden Rooms of Nidaros Cathedral

11C The Atlantic Road

11E Bergtatt - A Magnificent Marble Mine

Day 12 - Rocky Islands, Disembarkation :

Ports visited today : Ålesund, Torvik, Måløy, Florø, Bergen.

Today, your Hurtigruten voyage will come to an end when you arrive in the City of Seven Mountains, Bergen. But before that, you still have a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of you such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedalsbreen glacier, Norway's longest fjord - the mighty Sognefjord and the picturesque Bergen Archipelago. Take home your memories of the world's most beautiful voyage and the many seafaring companions and friends you've made along the way.

One of the unique features of the Hurtigruten voyage is that with daily departures throughout the year you can choose the date and ship that suits your taste. With several UK airports to choose from this gives you great flexibility to decide your own schedule. See FLIGHT PACKAGES below.

DEPARTURES 2024/25 :

Coastal Express Voyage Fares 2024/25

PLEASE NOTE:

• * Cabin with limited view.
• All prices are shown in £s per person , based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin, voyage only.
• The ship departure date determines the price of your voyage.
• Not all cabin grades are available on all ships.

Please also see FARE OPTIONS to see what is included in the different fares.

Cabin Single Supplements available on request.

The price you pay for your cabin will depend on when you book. Early bookers will get the 'from' price. As the cabins get booked up, the price will rise. It is strongly advised to book early to get the best fare.

Your voyage price includes :

• • Voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis.
• • English speaking tour leader on board.

Not included :

• • Flights & Transfers
• • Travel insurance
• • Optional excursions
• • Luggage handling
• • Fuel surcharges

Arrival, Departure & Flight Options

Hurtigruten can offer flights with several scheduled airlines, including Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian, BMI and KLM depending on your preferred departure airport.

Booking a complete package with Hurtigruten gives you the advantage of having everything smoothly organised for you from start to finish at the same time as your voyage. You will also benefit from protection under Hurtigruten's ATOL licence.

Flights can be arranged from the following airports :-

Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Dublin, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow, Humberside, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Manston, Newcastle, Norwich and Stansted.

Connections and airlines will vary depending on the departure and arrival airports.

If you choose not to book flights with us, you can still book transfers for certain routes, as well as pre and post tours, excursions and hotels.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin room.

Extra nights in Bergen can be booked. Prices on request.

Fare Options

Life on Board a Hurtigruten Ship

Your cabin On Board

Hurtigruten Ports of Call

How to Book Your Hurtigruten Voyage

Hurtigruten Booking Information

The History of Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten Route map

Hurtigruten Booking Conditions

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Not worth 1 star they put profit before…

Not worth 1 star they put profit before customers feeling. Listen to your customers hurtigruten because without us you have no buisness. Read reviews 64% 1 star but you do not care. Never again

Date of experience : March 29, 2022

We booked a classic round voyage on the MS

Nordlys in April 2019 to travel on 4th November 2020 with the outbreak of the Covid 19 virus, I was fully expecting this cruise to be cancelled but ferries have not been cancelled, despite the definition of a cruise being staying overnight on a sea-going ship with people from multiple households. this trip is not termed a cruise! The British Foreign Office are advising against all Cruise Travel and we are both in the at risk group, however when speaking to the ROL office they say if we cancel we will lose all our money £3.398. and offered us a voucher. I have explained that we will not consider cruising again. so it looks like we will lose our money this was going to be a dream trip but it has turned into a nightmare. I am thinking of taking them to court because as has been said previously this is robbery. Maureen

Date of experience : September 17, 2020

Poor service at its worst.

I’m in the north of Norway and with just a single email Hurtigruten tell me their boat is broken down and they will refund my money (that might take up to 6 weeks so it looks like their office service is as good as their boats!) and I need to find my own way home. A drive of 2000km, so around two days driving, an overnight in a hotel and a sore back. That was the whole point of booking this ferry ride in the first place. In my honest opinion if you rely on this company for your travel or transport you had better have a plan B as Hurtigruten will let you down with a moments notice

Date of experience : May 11, 2023

Customer service non-existent; negative review is apparently a crime?

Recently had a trip to the Antarctica with Hurtigruten. Trip was cut short because someone had an accident onboard and we had to sail back. While I have full sympathy for the patient, I was not happy with the compensation offer. I wrote to the customer service to negotiate, no one responded. I wrote my review on my social media, it was a genuine and honest review, but Hurtigruten’s PR team came and accused me of infringement. So basically they think a customer writing a negative review on social media is destroying their reputation and therefore considered a crime. I have written many feedbacks in the past, positive and negative. This is the first time I have encountered such thing. So fellow reviewers, be careful, this company does not take NO for an answer, negative review is apparently a crime. After waiting for 3 weeks, I called their customer service again, they apologized for ignoring my email for 3 weeks. I received an email from their compensation team after the call, but the email just says they will look into it, I hope it’s not another 3 weeks of wait.

Date of experience : November 13, 2023

We have travelled on Trollfiord 3 times…

We have travelled on Trollfiord 3 times 2017 2019 and March 2022 This time it was very disappointing ,the food was cheap boring and like school dinners. A 4 euro bottle of Portuguese white wine cost £61 sold as their house wine.no coffee and tea served in the restaurant ,you have to use a machine on deck8where the coffee is cold. Our cabin cost £560 per night for 6 nights.We should have been served better food with more choice not root vegetable soups all the time. Will we travel with them again????????

Date of experience : March 24, 2022

Hurtigruten , did not following good management controls for ensuring health and safety of their passenger…

Prior to getting a covid test taken before embarkation in Lingyearbyen Svarsbard Hurtigruten in their non sensical management manner decided to herd 170+ passengers into a moderate sized restaurant for a meal, we were sitting shoulder to shoulder with strangers. The next day we were tested at an extortionate cost of £30 per passenger( average cost about £2), they then told us that 2 groups if passengers had tested positive and sent home. Sounds good except of course they would have been in the same confined room so infected many other people. The obvious happened and our party of 4 all caught covid, we estimated that over 70% of other passengers also were infected many people looked ill We decided to sue them at the small claims court in the UK and won, if you had same problems suggest you follow this route as well.

Date of experience : July 26, 2022

This is a review of the booking…

This is a review of the booking procedure. My trip on Roald Amundsen has been cancelled as the ship is not ready. But worse still is that it has been IMPOSSIBLE for me or my agent in London to get hold of anyone at Hurtigruten to reschedule my booking. I am fearing I may not get booked on the next available sailing in December 2019 some 22 months away. Please pick up the phones and deal with my agent.

Date of experience : March 01, 2018

We had booked a trip with Ms Lofoten on…

We had booked a trip with Ms Lofoten on June 30, 2020 in the month of January, which due to coronavirus has been canceled. Along the way, received serious treatment on inquiries and now got the money back. Sincerely Gorm Jensen

Date of experience : June 18, 2020

Bad Experience - avoid

This company made commitments regarding COVID-19 safety when encouraging bookings over the last year, it is now reneging on those commitments without giving customers the right to cancel. If you are worried about the prospect of catching COVID-19 on board, as many in this site have reported doing, then cancel your booking well in advance as Hurtigruten will not accept UK Law applies to them when changing the terms under which they made a booking. Whilst the trip Hurtigruten makes is exceptional, it is not worth dying for as some COVID-19 deniers and Hurtigruten staff on this site seem to think. It is also censoring comments by not allowing public viewing of these issues. Hurtigruten needs to learn to fulfil its obligations and that contracts apply to buyer AND seller.

Date of experience : March 10, 2022

High charges for testing

I’ve sailed with Hurtigruten twice before and had good experiences. I’m doing my third trip in July, a British Isles expedition which I should have done last year but it was cancelled due to covid. I left my money with the company for a year to support them in these difficult times. I was shocked to be told that there’s now a mandatory charge of €65 to have a lateral flow test before boarding. I support testing but this price is ridiculous. I can go to Boots and get one with a certificate for £14.99. I can get a PCR test for £49.They didn’t charge on my last trip to Norway and the charge didn’t apply when I booked so as others have said, beware Hurtigruten changing the terms after you have booked. As they won’t let you on board there’s little you can do except go elsewhere for future cruises.

Date of experience : June 20, 2022

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY! Totally and completely unethical. We booked a cruise last March and paid a 20% required deposit of $4200. Within just 3 days we decided to change the cruise and the new cruise only needed $1760 (the 20% deposit). They asked if rather than refund me the difference, they could apply the entire $4200 to the new cruise and since I made the change within just a few days it would be like the original booking never happened. Unfortunately, I agreed. Now for medical reasons I have had to cancel the 2nd booking. Per their own policy, they can keep the 20% deposit or $1760 but they said NO and that they get to keep the original 20% deposit. That is stealing where I come from. This company deserves every single bad review they have received and continue to receive. My father-in-law took a cruise with them last June and also had financial issues with them overcharging and then refunding a lesser amount. Thieves!

Date of experience : January 14, 2020

Disappointing

Generally, the whole cruise experience seemed more like a hit & miss experience. Hurtigrutn is not in the same league as Scenic, APT etc.

Date of experience : January 28, 2023

Overcharging Hurtigruten Australia

I was on the Iceland trip recently. I have no problems with the cruise. My complaint is with the pre & post tours. I am an Australian & my agent dealt with the Australian branch of Hurtigruten. Although I was told i would have credits when I boarded the ship no credits were ever forthcoming. I was charged twice as much the pre & post tours as I spoke to other nationalities on board the ship. Hurtigruten quoted me $600+ for the Foss Hotel at Reykjavik, I bought an extra night at the hotel online for just over $300. The two days trips cost me over $1000 for just 1 day & overnight hotel. I am sure I was charged double. Was it because I am an Australian? Hurtigruten have not replied to any of my concerns about over charging or lack of credits. I would hesitate to book through the Australian office again. In future perhaps try the UK Office.

Date of experience : August 04, 2022

Lengthy refund delays and poor communication

We booked an Antarctic Cruise on MS "Roald Amundsen" in 2017 for one of the first cruises in 2019 on the new ship through Bolsover Cruise Club . Cruise was cancelled due to the ship not being commissioned in time, and we re-booked on the MS "Fridtjof Nansen" for an Arctic Adventure. This was also cancelled for the same reason. Once again we re-booked for the Antarctic Cruise on MS "Roald Amundsen", sailing on 15th March 2020, but we were strongly advised not to travel to Chile at the last moment, as it was likely we would be put into quarantine, due to fears over Covid-19. What they didn't tell us was that the ship was never going to make the sailing date, as it was forbidden to dock in Punta Arenas. Our cruise was not cancelled until some days later, but we had to find this out from the media. Our refund request for almost £18,000 would take 3 months, so they said, despite the legal requirement to refund in 14 days. It's now almost 4 months. Hurtigruten show indifference to genuine customer complaints and only communicate on a general impersonal level. Our agent has been powerless to generate a proper response to their extensive delay in refunding.

Date of experience : July 06, 2020

Disorganised impenetrable uncooperative.

I appreciate that the consequences of the Covid-19 situation has caused difficulties for many organisations involved in the travel business, however, Hurtigruten have proven to be extremely difficult to deal with. I am unable to establish contact with anyone who can assist. I have resorted to emailing their CEO who dismissed my approach.

Date of experience : May 20, 2021

MS Nordkapp - September 2019

I have recently returned from a cruise on the MS Nordkapp from Bergen - Kirkenes - Bergen. The Nordkapp is very clean with hand sanitisers everywhere. The staff, all of them, cleaners, reception, expedition team, waiters, waitresses, were all friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Only 4* for the excursions because they are expensive and over-rated. However, 5* for the service. I did get a full refund on one I had pre-booked and wanted to switch it to a similar one which was shorter and cheaper. We also got a partial refund on a tour which had to be curtailed because the coach was involved in an accident on the way to the ship and the replacement was 30 minutes later in arriving. Food, whist of good quality, and professionally presented, was nothing special, and there were alternatives to fish for breakfast and lunch, but not always for dinner. Buffet lunches and dinners were a scrum when the ship was almost full. Based on this, and given the opportunity, I would certainly travel with them again.

Date of experience : October 17, 2019

Northern lights guarantee cruise Nov 2019

My wife and I completed the northern lights guarantee cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes to Bergen. We arrived back in Bergen on December 4th Our ship, Richard With, was caught in a Arctic Low , which is a hurricane , this was on the way south. So we missed out On a number of smaller ports, but we also missed out on Tromso and our midnight concert in Tromso cathedral was cancelled, they told us we would be reimbursed for the cancelled excursion when we arrived home. We where also given a letter stating we would be reimbursed each for one-days sailing due to cancelled ports and horrendous weather. On return to Sydney I applied for the rebates of cancelled excursion tickets and a day each cruise costs. I had booked through imagine cruising , they have sent emails back and forth to hurtigruten, with no success, hurtigruten have copies of the letter stating a days cruising would be reimbursed and also copies of the excursion tickets not used due to cancellation. They have had 8 weeks now and still no reimbursement. Think twice about booking with hurtigruten, they do not do what they promise. I have always thought of this company as upfront and trustworthy. I now have my doubts. Sydney, Australia

Date of experience : January 28, 2020

Atrocious Customer Service

I booked a Northern Lights return voyage Bergan to Bergan cruise for March 2020. Five weeks before departure we were advised that the ship would not return to Bergan but drop off all passengers in Trondheim due to the need to carryout repairs to the ship. Over a period of over two weeks I attempted to obtain additional information regarding this change but the majority of my calls and e-mails remained unanswered. The need to maintain the ship was fully accepted but the change of programme involved a day and a half of lost cruising the time being replaced with a 36hour period alongside in Trondheim. I requested detailed information of how customers were to be recompensed and entertained. The information provided was drip fed and incomplete. after two weeks of numerous unanswered phone calls and e-mails I finally cancelled. This is a company cannot be recommend their customer service is atrocious. Avoid at all costs.

Date of experience : February 25, 2020

Hurtigruten is by far the best

The safest way to explore the Antarctic and the Arctic must be on board one of their vessels. Excellent presentations, food and cabins at very reasonable prices.

Date of experience : November 14, 2017

Reply from Hurtigruten

Thank you, Georgia. We are really happy that you enjoyed your exploration travel with us. Hope to see you again some time in the future! Hurtigruten

Horrible from beginning to end

Horrible from beginning to end. Too many issues to list. I would NEVER recommend this cruise. It will take me months maybe years to forget the trauma

Date of experience : August 01, 2023