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Hurtigruten’s ships sailing along the Norwegian coast vary in size and age. Built on a long tradition of transporting people and cargo, these are working vessels operating a regularly scheduled service carrying goods and vehicles. Operating by night and day, they are an integral part of coastal Norwegian way of life.
Ships differ from one to the other but each has something which uniquely theirs. But informality and a great experience is what they all have in common.
Let the adventure begin! As the ship begins its voyage south, you can first enjoy a wonderful lunch followed by views of arctic wilderness from the deck or the panorama lounge. There will be a presentation on Pomor trade history in the winter season. In the afternoon the ship docks in Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean during the winter season. On board, there will also be a presentation of “Life in the sea” in spring. In winter, local Arctic divers will bring displays and give a lecture out on deck about life in the ocean. We continue along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord before reaching Berlevåg in the evening.
In the middle of the night, we dock at Mehamn, where you can join an unforgettable snowmobile trip through one of Europe’s most extreme and exciting natural areas in winter. In Honningsvåg you can enjoy an excursion and breakfast at the North Cape while discovering hidden parts of Finnmark. Before stopping in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an ‘energy coffee’ and a short introduction to ‘Melkøya – The northernmost natural gas terminal’ on board. In autumn we invite you to taste dried reindeer meat on deck. In Hammerfest, you can participate on a mountain hike or join a city guiding and see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise measurement of the globe. We continue south to Øksfjord. In winter our crew will teach you how to tie maritime knots on deck. After crossing open water, we will make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy before sailing through the beautiful Lyngenfjord in spring. Surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Lyngen Alps, we may be visited by a local fisherman and enjoy a taste of local freshly caught prawns. We dock in Tromsø – “the gateway to the Arctic” – just in time to enjoy a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. Alternatively, a walk around town will give you the chance to enjoy a local brew in one of Tromsø’s many friendly pubs.
Morning arrival in Harstad where you can participate in one of the classic entries in Hurtigruten’s excursion programme: A taste of Vesterålen. The Risøyrenna channel is just 7 metres deep and was made especially for Hurtigruten in the 1920s, providing an “inside route” between Harstad and Sortland. The sandbanks are visible through the clear, green water. Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants. A short stop is made to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. From this port you are able in wintertime, to join in a spectacular whale-watching experience. Continue via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 120 years ago. Carry on south through the narrow Raftsund. As a tribute to the fishing history in this region, the chef will show you how to fillet the catch of the day on deck in winter. Next, you reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long and 100 metres wide with majestic mountains surrounding it. If the weather and time permits – the captain will take a detour into the fjord. Join a sea eagle excursion to see the birds up close. Reaching Svolvær, you are able to choose from several excursion options in summer, spring and winter. From Svolvær continue on to Stamsund where the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten wall can be viewed. Leaving the islands during the evening, set course for the mainland.
Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’ today. Celebrate the event with a taste of Arctic traditions out on the deck. Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 metres high, and it is easy to understand why these ‘ladies’ have inspired ancient myths. Take a short stop in Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vega Islands is close to the place of call in Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. In Brønnøysund, an excursion to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre is on offer.
Today brings another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. The city walk is a journey through its 1,000-year history. Back on board, the ship heads out of the majestic Trondheimsfjord, 170km long and up to 25km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, reaching 577m at the deepest. As you sail along the coast you’ll realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund’s location has formed the basis for a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. The town reigns as Norway’s ‘cured cod capital’ because of its longtime export of salted dry fish. Join a trip to the Atlantic Road, one of Norway’s most visited tourist destinations. As you cross the open sea to Molde, known as the ‘city of roses’, you will notice the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
During the night, the ship will call at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy as the world’s most beautiful voyage starts to draw to a close. But before we dock in Bergen there are still a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of us, such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal glacier. We will make a call at Florø, a modern town representing the Sogn og Fjordane region’s oldest and Norway’s most western town. A few nautical miles south of Florø we navigate the estuary of the mighty Sognefjord. You also get the best views of the archipelago en route before you finally disembark in Bergen.
