coastal dining
Hurtigruten has been a household name in Norway since 1893. Captain Richard With carefully prepared a route to sail the Norwegian coast safely by day and night, and the steamship DS Vesterålen was born. They called the voyage "Hurtigruten", which in Norwegian means "the fast" (Hurtig) "route" (ruten). People, post, and goods could now move up and down Norway in a matter of days, instead of weeks.
Fast-forward to today, and Hurtigruten now has a fleet of nine ships. They offer a more relaxed, comfortable experience compared to other cruise lines. There's no staged entertainment or formal dress codes, but there are fascinating talks, a plethora of excursions, and of course—spectacular coastal views. If that sounds like your kind of cruise, then read on to find out more.
northern lights
excursions
wildlife
A Norwegian icon
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Norway, your way: with
Chasing the
Aurora
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No Lights? No worries
Hurtigruten ships are like floating, mobile observatories. They move between areas of built up cloud to find the perfect clear-sky spot.
And even if you do miss them—not to worry, you'll get a second chance. In 2015, Hurtigruten launched the Northern Lights Promise on all departures of 11 days or more, between 20 September-31 March.
If the Lights are not officially sighted during your cruise, then you'll get a free 6- or 7-day cruise to try again next year. No hassle, and no extra cost.
Trust the experts
Hurtigruten have been sailing under the Aurora Borealis for over 130 years, so they're pretty well-practised at finding the best ways to spot them.
They sail directly beneath the Auroral Zone, an area of consistent and heightened activity. Every cabin has a 'Northern Lights alert', so if there is a sighting, you'll be notified immediately.
As the announcement ripples through the ship, there's excitement in the air as everyone gathers on deck or at the nearest window, eyes towards the sky.
A front-row seat to nature's greatest light show
With every ship carrying around 500 passengers, a Hurtigruten cruise always offers a small ship experience. Because of their size, they can sail through sheltered waterways that larger cruise ships can't reach. You'll call at quiet harbours, narrow straits, and remote coastal communities. It's also an amazing way to see one of Norway's greatest natural treasures: the Northern Lights.
Being at sea avoids the air and light pollution on land, making for much better visibility and higher vibrancy of the lights. Plus, instead of waiting hours in the cold for them to appear, you can stay warm and relaxed from the comfort of a ship.
Reindeer have come to be a symbol of Norway—but these hardy creatures are more than just Santa's helpers. Providing everything from clothes to food, they are a key part of Sámi culture. They're kept in herds, and traverse long distances to the rhythm of the changing seasons.
There are estimated to be around 25,000 wild reindeer and over 200,000 domesticated reindeer currently in Norway. Many of them can be found on the Finnmark plateau—for centuries, Sámi people have been moving their herds back and forth from the coast in the summer, and back inland for the winter.
Hurtigruten offers a shore excursion where you can visit an indigenous Sámi family, and meet their herd of reindeer.
Say "hei" to Rudolf
Birdwatchers: don't forget to pack your binoculars! Norway's rugged coastline is home to a range of diverse species—from auks, darters, and frigatebirds, to gulls, cormorants, and pelicans.
The two most popular species are the Atlantic puffin, known as the "clown of the sea", as well as the white-tailed eagle, the largest bird of prey in Norway.
If you're interested in spotting more avian life, you can head out on a birdwatching safari. If you're sailing the Norwegian fjords, visit one of Norway's largest and most impressive bird cliffs in the Gjesværstappan islands. Or, travel by boat to Trollfjord for a chance to spot sea eagles and gulls up close as they dive down for fish.
Birds of a feather
Wildlife lovers will be spoilt for choice in Norway: whether you're racing across snowy landscapes behind a team of huskies, meeting local reindeer, or watching birds of prey soar above the fjords.
The waters are home to a thriving ecosystem—from skrei (Arctic cod) to coalfish, and incredible red king crabs. Nothing beats tasting fresh seafood onboard, just minutes after it's been brought in from the sea bed.
For a lot of visitors though, the main event is spotting a whale. These majestic creatures can be spotted on deck, whilst exploring on a kayak safari, or out on a boat excursion. If you're lucky, you might see a group of humpbacks surfacing at the same time—a truly breathtaking experience.
A whole world under the surface
All creatures
great and small
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Delve deeper on shore excursions
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Uniquely Norwegian
In partnership with:
Excursions for all
The range of excursions are divided into four distinct physical levels that cater to everyone—from accessible museum visits, to challenging hikes for the more fitness-focussed travellers.
Plus, the activities are very easy to book. Head to the excursions hub and select your sailing from the drop-down list. Choose which one you'd like to do, and click 'add'. A member of the team will then be in touch to arrange payment and add it to your booking.
Or, if you'd prefer, you can call their customer service centre to talk it through with a helpful advisor. You can also add them on board, but it's best to book in advance to avoid missing out.
Year-round adventures
Hurtigruten offers more than 130 excursions up and down Norway's coast. They're all run by local suppliers, who are passionate about showcasing their wonderful home. Some of these are year-round, whereas others are more seasonal.
In the summer months, you could make the most of the longer days with a guided e-bike tour around the island of Senja, known as 'Norway in miniature' or the 'fairytale island'. Go kayaking in Ålesund, or join fishermen in Kirkenes to see them catch king crabs (then enjoy a crab buffet).
In the winter, you can explore a snowy wonderland by cross-country skis, or dog sleds. Visit a snow hotel and have a drink in Norway's largest ice bar. Glide across the serene Hjørundfjord on a vintage boat, or wrap up warm for a walking city tour.
Learning on the waves
On Signature Voyages, you'll also get to take part in onboard tastings and demonstrations.
Depending on what's in season, you might try cured reindeer from Finnmark, fresh shrimp from Lyngenfjord, or even Norway's golden nectar—the distilled spirit, aquavit. Chefs and mixologists will share the stories behind the produce, and their individual roots.
You can also take part in cooking courses, guided by expert chefs, to learn the basics of traditional Norwegian techniques: like smoking, salting, and curing.
Then, it's time for the best part: tasting your creations afterwards.
Experience elevated dining on a Signature Voyage
For something truly special, Hurtigruten's Signature Voyages offer an all-inclusive experience that's a cut above. This includes all your meals at the main restaurant, Flora, plus lunch and dinner at the Arran brasserie, and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Flora takes inspiration from Norway's edible herbs, berries, mushrooms, and flowers. Menus vary by what's in season, and evening meals change every night of the voyage.
For more of a fine dining experience, Røst offers a three-to-five course seasonal menu curated around the ports you visit throughout the voyage. This comes at an extra cost, unless you book a Suite.
Flavours of
the coast
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Excursions on a Hurtigruten cruise aren't your usual tours. When you're cruising in Norway, there's a whole host of one-of-a-kind experiences waiting for you to try. Visit Hammerfest, the northernmost town in the world, or have breakfast at the top of Europe.
Thrillseekers can go snowmobiling over mountains at night, or go quad biking to the North Cape. History buffs can join a World War II tour in Kristiansand, or explore the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
Nature lovers will adore the beautiful Lofoten Islands, or journeying down into an awe-inspiring marble mine, and sailing across a subterranean lake. Whichever way you like to explore, there's an excursion for it.
Hurtigruten
Ready to book?
Hurtigruten sources its food directly from around 70 local farms, fisheries, and bakeries, bringing the fresh flavours of Norway's coastline straight to your plate. On a classic Coastal Express route, there are four different eateries to explore.
All your meals are included at the main restaurant, Torget. Start the day with a breakfast buffet, and finish with a 3-course meal in the evening. For an extra cost, you can dine at the other three restaurants. Kysten has fresh seafood, kelp, and even tender reindeer on the menu. If you just fancy a quick bite to eat, you can head to the Brygga bistro.
For a true Scandi experience, try some smørbrød, (open sandwiches) or brown cheese-flavoured ice cream from the bakery, Multe. It takes its name from the Norwegian word for cloudberry, a rare Arctic berry that you can taste in the bakery's own jam.
A taste of Norway