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Hurtigruten Cruises

Hurtigruten Cruises

Independent Expert Reviews by Professional Travel Journalists

Imagine relaxing in an outdoor Jacuzzi watching some of the world’s most spectacular and panoramic scenery drift by.

At the same time your ship will be nestling into ports other cruise lines can only dream of.

This is the appeal of the age-old Norwegian Coastal Voyage, now operated by the company Hurtigruten.

These vessels are working ships that take travellers to a range of ports other ships just can't reach among Norway’s majestic fjords.

They call at 34 amazing ports along the way, most never visited by commercial cruise liners. Still to this day, the ships are used to deliver freight, post and passengers to remote communities.

The vessels have shallow keels – purpose-built for the waters they operate in to allow them to get into the smallest of ports.

The famous Norwegian Coastal Voyage route has been used for over 100 years and travelling on it is part of Norwegian heritage.

Unlike other cruise companies - a ship departs Bergen every day of the year so you can join it whenever you want.

The on board experience is very informal – it is not like traditional cruising with dressing for dinner and lavish entertainment.

The newest ships have all the modern comforts yet remain true to the heritage of the coastal voyage.

As the ship stops several times each day - many passengers will get off and have a look around or perhaps watch the goings on from one of the panorama lounges.

Unlike some other cruise lines, there are no long days at sea. Life on board is all about relaxation and watching the ever changing scenery go by.

Excursions take place most days and often passengers will depart the ship and meet up with it later on in the day at the next port once they have seen a bit more of the local area.

There is no dressing for dinner, no formal captain’s table as a Hurtigruten journey is all about the destination and immersing yourself in it. Food is a smorgasbord for lunch with local cuisine and set dinner.

There is no dressing for dinner, no fuss, no frenzy – it’s all about sailing clearly through the crisp clean air, close to the ever changing environment.

The open seating for breakfast and lunch creates a relaxed atmosphere.

Some of the newer ships have outside Jacuzzis (amazing for sitting in and watching the fjords go by) and the ship Finnmarken has a small pool.

Hurtigruten has also taken the coastal cruising concept into other areas such as Spitsbergen, South America, Antarctica and Greenland.

Its voyages go beyond the traditional cruise, allowing closer encounters with the local environment, wildlife and people along the shoreline near and far.

Hurtigruten is the only operator to offer weekly departures to Antarctica from November to February.

The company also has the newest ship in the market built for polar exploring in Arctic Waters - MS Fram - built specifically to serve Greenland in summer and then Norway during the winter.