The Coastal Express Classic Norwegian Cruise

Table Of Content

• Follow the Northern Lights: Southbound Helsinki to Oslo
• The North Cape Express: Full Voyage Bergen to Oslo
• Snowshoeing in Tromsø
• The North Cape Express: Full Voyage Oslo to Bergen
• The Svalbard Express: Southbound from Longyearbyen to Bergen
• Nine of the Best Isles plus Machu Picchu (Western and Northern Route)
• Follow the Northern Lights: Northbound Oslo to Helsinki

From there we voyage towards Brønnøysund 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 a taste of fresh salmon. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning natural scenery of the entire voyage.

Follow the Northern Lights: Southbound Helsinki to Oslo

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. We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway.

The North Cape Express: Full Voyage Bergen to Oslo

Above the Arctic Circle, you can see the sun 24 hours a day in summer, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort which has beautiful panoramas of the city and fjord.

Snowshoeing in Tromsø

Travel from Bergen to Trondheim and see the most beautiful fjords and cities along the coast of Western Norway. In summer we sail into the Geirangerfjord, and in the autumn we sail into the Hjørundfjord, which is known to be the most beautiful fjord in Norway. If you’ve only got a week and like wandering around cities, galleries, and museums, this is the Norwegian coastal cruise for you.

In the afternoon, the ship will sail northwest, passing the ochre-colored Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. 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. Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet.

The North Cape Express: Full Voyage Oslo to Bergen

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. From there we call at Kristiansund, a city spread across four islands with an excellent harbour that has been active since the Stone Age. Today, it is Norway’s ‘cured cod capital’ because of its centuries-old export of dried fish.

We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a concert at Tromsø Cathedral under the Midnight Sun or explore the city by boat for a unique view of the sights and landmarks. You may want to drop by Ølhallen, a classic pub for a friendly beer. Join us for a kayaking excursion in summer along Tromsø’s coastline - a great way to get close to marine wildlife. We mark the occasion with a truly memorable traditional ceremony on deck. At Myrdal join the famous Flåm Railway - a marvel of railway engineering, descending more than 900 metres to the town of Flåm.

Norway's Hurtigruten Unveils Radical Zero-Emission Ship Design - Forbes

Norway's Hurtigruten Unveils Radical Zero-Emission Ship Design.

Posted: Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Join our `Polar History Walk´ in winter to learn more about explorers and Arctic hunters, and taste beer from the world’s northernmost brewery. Admire the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, with peaks up to 1,100m high. 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. We then sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion. You’ll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its array of highlights, either by yourself or on one of the optional excursions we offer. Before boarding, you can relax in our comfortable guest lounge at the terminal.

Follow the Northern Lights: Northbound Oslo to Helsinki

Then it’s off to Sortland, where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to mountains towering over 3,280 feet high. We call at Båtsfjord and Vardø during the night, before docking at Vadsø early in the morning. 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. 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.

In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight. We return to the small, bustling port of Båtsfjord and then make for Berlevåg for late evening, crossing paths with the northbound ship. The ship reaches 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. Spend the morning in Trondheim, then sail past beautiful island scenery and some of Norway’s smallest communities before exploring Kristiansund and Molde. We next make a short stop at UNESCO-listed Nesna, before moving on to Sandnessjøen.

Following this, we journey towards Stamsund and the home of the Vikings. Join an excursion to visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are welcomed into the chieftain’s house for a real Viking feast. While most are drawn to Norway for its famous fjords and glorious mountains, many are thrilled to discover a range of wildlife thriving in its waters, skies, and hillsides. If you are visiting during the autumn or winter hoping to see the aurora borealis, check out our northern lights tour packing list for more suggestions.

The program gives discounts on future travel, cheaper souvenirs on board and discounts with Hurtigruten partners such as Helly Hansen. Because this is a government contract route, both Hurtigruten and Havila must use Norwegian registered ships and a primarily Norwegian crew. They are also subject to Norwegian taxes, and Norwegian laws on things such as alcohol. Bear in mind that quite often the interior of the ships are warmer than you might expect and the outside decks are colder thanks to the biting wind while at sea. An onboard expedition team is well-versed in the region's history, culture, and nature. The fundamental concept is very much the same although there are some onboard differences.

Experience the many highlights and natural gems, such as Vesterålen, Lofoten and the Helgeland coast. Here are five ways our timeless voyages along the stunning Norwegian coast are unique and special. During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy, but before we dock in Bergen, there is some fascinating scenery ahead of us.

Solo traveller deals are often available in the shoulder seasons and on the older ships in the fleet. Whether you want to book the BKB coastal cruise (or port-to-port ferry) or an expedition cruise, the best place for you to book is directly with Hurtigruten. Here you can book the Norwegian coastal cruise or if you prefer a Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise. An Expeditions cruise feels more like a cruise, in that you'll be travelling with the same people from start to finish. There will rarely be more than one port call per day, and possibly some sea days too.

You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea. We offer a Bergen sightseeing tour as well as a range of post-voyage programmes that you can add to your trip, including seeing Sognefjord by train or a tour of Oslo. Leaving Florø, you’ll spot Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite subject for photographers. There’s also stunning views to enjoy as we cross the mouth of Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style and 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. This section of the voyage sees us enter the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements. Celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a fun ceremony highlighted by a spoonful of cod liver oil.