Saturday, April 13, 2024

Hurtigruten US: Norwegian Fjords & Northern Lights Cruises

cruise hurtigruten norway

In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements. 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. 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. After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula. Between late May and early August, north of the Arctic Circle is the realm of the Midnight Sun, 24 hours of glorious summer sunshine.

cruise hurtigruten norway

Norway’s Coastal Kitchen

We now reach spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long, 100 m wide and surrounded by majestic mountains. The Russian border is a just few kilometres from Kirkenes and you’ll notice local road signs in both Norwegian and Russian. There are many ways to experience the Russian influence on the local area with many different excursions and activities. Following breakfast and another chance to explore this picturesque city, join the ship at the port to begin your voyage towards the Arctic circle and the Midnight Sun. MS Maud, previously MS Midnatsol, is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' from 1917. The original 'Maud' got her name from the first Queen of modern-day Norway.

Day 9

Travel in April/May or early September for example, and you might find some great value-for-money deals. Of every 11 departures on the daily coastal BKB service from Bergen, seven are operated by Hurtigruten. You’ll have the chance to glimpse the Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest.

Expedition itineraries in Svalbard

The ship then docks at Florø in the morning where you can take in the harbour and marina. Next is our smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains. If you’re visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring. The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight on the horizon, as if there to welcome us. 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.

cruise hurtigruten norway

Take your pick from the many shops and restaurants in the city centre, including Mack Brewery and favourite local watering hole Ølhallen pub. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic. Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums.

Highlights of Lofoten

Join our optional excursion to the soaring Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s only gothic cathedral and the burial place of St. Olav (Tryggvason). In the summer, we set our course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, passing sheer, 800 metre-high cliffs and dramatic waterfalls. The fjord’s pristine natural landscape of steep rock walls, lush green meadows, lonely mountain farms and tiny villages is unforgettable. Enjoy the early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. Seven of our ships along the Norwegian Coast have Hurtigruten Guides. You are welcome to join them on hikes during many of our port stays or enjoy onboard lectures and activities.

Day 8

The penultimate port of the day is Molde where you can spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. Nicknamed “The City of Roses”, flowers should be in bloom between mid-June and late August. Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge.

Day 12

From September to May, experience Trondheim with a unique carriage tour on the world’s northernmost tram line. You can also explore Trondheim by kayak on the River Nid or experience the city by bicycle. You can also join the Hurtigruten Guides for a hike to discover more of the area. After breakfast, board the ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen, enjoying the spectacular views as you pass through the narrow Nærøyfjord. Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows.

The Hidden Rooms of Nidaros Cathedral

Several of the places we sailed to during the night we’ll now see during the day. We arrive at Honningsvåg mid-morning, portal to the North Cape where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a centre exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium.

Coastal Experts on board will also share their insights of the coast with you, whether about history, culture, science, or photography. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning natural scenery of the entire voyage. Lofoten is renowned for its steep mountains, sandy beaches, wild nature and picturesque fishing villages. Following breakfast and another chance to explore this picturesque city, join the ship at the port to begin your voyage towards the Arctic circle and the Northern Lights. We cruise Norway’s coastline to arrive in the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening and then on to Berlevåg.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’ for its Gothic architectural style. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace, where Norway’s crown jewels are on display. 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. Our Scandinavian tour packages offer a deeply immersive experience — the perfect Nordic adventure is waiting for you. There’s more than one way to sail with us and discover the many wonders of the Norwegian coast. Back on the ship, you can also learn how to take care of the amazing surroundings you sail through.

You’ll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its various highlights, either on your own or on one of our optional excursions. Brønnøysund is a pretty little town that offers a charming high street and marina. You can join an excursion to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre for an interesting tour and taste of fresh salmon. We also sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range – with peaks up to 1,100 m high.

Hurtigruten Cruise Ship Awaiting Tow After Hit from Rogue Wave - gCaptain

Hurtigruten Cruise Ship Awaiting Tow After Hit from Rogue Wave.

Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

You can also sign up for a range of awesome adventures, powered by nature and organised by local guides and tour operators. 80 per cent of the food you enjoy on board comes from Norwegian providers, which secures workplaces and the daily lives of the people who live along the coast. Explore how the coastal express connected Norway at the iconic new landmark, the Hurtigruten museum (a part of Museum Nord) that opened in 2021.

This means both companies must pay much higher wages than on other cruise ships, and charge significantly higher amounts for alcohol to comply with local laws. For passengers used to traditional cruising, it's also worth noting that the ships are very informal. Although a few people may dress smartly for dinner, there is no formal night and dress tends to be functional onboard. Some of Hurtigruten's newest, greenest ships have been put to work in the expeditions fleet. Ships like the MS Roald Amundsen were needed to cope with the challenging conditions of destinations such as Antarctica. Also, although there are 34 ports of call, many are just long enough to load and unload cargo.

The town is spread over three islands and known for being Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” for the salted cod that’s dried on the surrounding cliffs, called klippfisk in Norwegian. Molde is known as the ‘City of Roses’ because of its lovely municipal gardens. This attractive coastal town has an amazing view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called ‘the Molde Panorama’. After we depart, enjoy a tasty dinner buffet made from fresh coastal produce.

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. We’ll continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then continue to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a center exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium.

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