This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Travel with Hurtigruten
✓ The coast of Norway is often rated as one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Discover the full range of this natural treasure on our 12-day round trip voyage
✓ Call on 34 ports, sail world-famous fjords and encounter unforgettable scenery along the way
✓ Learn from complementary lectures and onboard activities from our Hurtigruten Guides
✓ 32 meals - 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 11 Dinners
✓ Sail on board a small ship Hurtigruten vessel in a Polar Inside cabin (various ships)
✓ Onboard lectures and presentations on history, biology, geography, geology and culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
✓ English-speaking Tour Leader on board
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Gateway to the Fjords - Your voyage starts in the lovely city of Bergen. Before departure, you may want to explore this colourful gateway to the fjords. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD, and retains a great deal of its character, charm and history. Visit the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharfs dating back to the 14th century.
You may enjoy a stroll in the cobblestone alleyways, a bite at an outdoor café or restaurant, a trip on the Fløibanen funicular or a visit to the famous fish market.
Spoil your taste buds - After we depart, enjoy a tasty dinner buffet made from fresh coastal produce. We sail north from Bergen along the Viking route of Hjeltefjord. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing as you admire the spectacular landscapes from the deck or in our panorama lounge.
Enjoy early morning in the breathtaking Nordfjord, followed by a delicious breakfast. We then sail past West Cape for our approach to Ålesund.
Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and famed Atlanterhavsparken aquarium. Our tour to the aquarium includes a visit to see resident penguins before we continue to nearby Mount Aksla for an amazing view.
In the summer, we set our course for the spectacular UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord, passing sheer, 800 metre-high cliffs and dramatic waterfalls. In autumn, we explore Hjørundfjord in the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. The fjord’s pristine natural landscape of steep rock walls, lush green meadows, lonely mountain farms and tiny villages is unforgettable.
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’.
History and Charm - Charming Trondheim is home to great history and a rich cultural life.
Magical, medieval and modern - Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is a unique mix of the ancient and modern. Join our optional excursion to the soaring Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s only gothic cathedral and the burial place of St. Olav (Tryggvason). Marvel at the cathedral’s exquisite works of art, architectural details and medieval statues.
Excursions for every taste - 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. Be sure to ride the world’s only bicycle lift, near the quaint Bakklandet neighbourhood, from April to September. You can also join the Hurtigruten Guides for a hike to discover more of the area.
In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the Kjeungskjær lighthouse, islets and rocky reefs. After sailing through the narrow channel of Stokksund, we head towards charming Rørvik.
Welcome to the Arctic! Today we cross the Arctic Circle, marking your best chance to see Northern Lights in winter and experience the Midnight Sun in summer. We mark the occasion with a fun Arctic Circle ceremony on deck.
Forces of nature. Ørnes is the site of Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen. In summer, join us for a trip to the Svartisen Tourist Centre to admire this enigmatic world of ice, and visit a moose farm. We then sail along the beautiful coast of Helgeland to Bodø, where you can experience Saltstraumen, the world’s most powerful maelstrom, by small boat.
Majestic Lofoten - That afternoon, the 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall looms on the horizon, ushering us towards majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches.
Meet the Vikings At Stamsund - visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are welcomed into the chieftain’s house for a real Viking feast.
Going organic - Between Stamsund and Svolvær, you can experience life on an organic herb and cheese farm, or visit the Lofoten’s only craft brewery, in Svolvær.
Hunting the Northern Lights - In winter, crossing the Arctic Circle means an intensified hunt for the Northern Lights, and we present a multimedia show, ‘The Magic Light, Aurora Borealis’.
As we sail through the narrow Raftsund, we stop at the entrance to Trollfjord, a dramatic natural wonder that should not be missed.
In the Footsteps of Polar Heroes, we briefly dock at Risøyhamn, Harstad and Finnsnes in the morning.
We then sail to the Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Join our `Polar History Walk´ in winter to learn more about explorers and Arctic hunters, and taste beer from the world’s northernmost brewery.
In winter and spring, you can complete your stay in Tromsø with a thrilling dog-sledge ride, as huskies pull you over the frozen landscape past stunning views of the snowy plateaus. The only light during the polar night comes from headlamps, the starry sky, and, if we’re lucky, the magical Northern Lights.
Why not have some winter fun by joining a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing adventure, or go deep-sea fishing on an Arctic fjord? All year, you can join the Hurtigruten Guides for hikes and discover more of the Tromsø area.
Want to experience serenity on the sea? Join us for a kayaking excursion in summer along Tromsø’s coastline - a great way to get close to marine wildlife.
Sailing from Tromsø, we continue to search for the Northern Lights from September to March.
Enjoy magnificent landscapes as we sail to the North Cape, one of the northernmost points on the European continent. In summer, you may see herds of reindeer and small camps of indigenous Sámi people in the area.
After a brief stop in Hammerfest, we arrive in Havøysund. Join a small boat excursion here to see the North Cape from the sea, visit the world’s northernmost fishing village and ride by bus to North Cape plateau.
The ship continues to Honningsvåg, from where you can join a bird-watching excursion to Gjesværstappan, home to millions of birds during nesting season.
The ship continues north into the heartland of the Sámi people. Visit Kjøllefjord, where you can learn about the Sámi way of life and hear traditional joiking (song).
In winter, you can join an unforgettable snowmobile trip across snowy plains and perhaps spot the Northern Lights in the starry sky.
Sámi traditions - 'Sámi Autumn' is a fall excursion to learn about the Arctic natural 'pantry and pharmacy', sampling dried-reindeer meat, crowberry juice, herbal tea (nettle) and roseroot tincture. You may also feel the presence of the Sámi shaman, Noaidi.
Russian Border and Turning Point. We arrive early today in Vadsø before docking in Kirkenes - the ship’s turning point for the return journey. The Russian border is a just few kilometers from Kirkenes and you’ll notice local road signs in both Norwegian and Russian. There are many ways to visit the Russian frontier:
year-round bus tours
a riverboat safari
via canoe
hiking
ATV/quad-bike trek in summer
You can also join an excursion to catch and eat giant king crab from the Barents Sea.
Winter wonder - Kirkenes offers a wide range of classic winter activities, like dog-sledging, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and visiting an Arctic Ice Dome.
Southbound and down - As the ship starts its voyage south, remember that you’ve seen only half of what Norway’s coastline offers. The ports we visited by night going north are now seen by day.
Ice dipping - Docking again at Vardø, we may invite you to swim in the icy Arctic Ocean in winter. We then cruise along Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord and Berlevåg, home to a famous male choir of local fishermen.
Around midnight we dock at Mehamn with the option to join in winter a snowmobile trip to hunt the Aurora.
North Cape breakfast
We again dock at Honningsvåg, where you can join an excursion that includes eating breakfast at North Cape. The ship continues to Hammerfest, where you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column. You can also join a mini-mountain expedition and learn about local polar hero Adolf Lindstrøm.
Amazing Lyngenfjord
We continue south to Øksfjord with a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy. In spring, we sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the rugged Lyngen Alps.
Midnight adventures
We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral. You can also explore Tromsø under the Midnight Sun by boat in summer. You may want to drop by Ølhallen, a classic pub for a friendly beer.
We arrive in Harstad, where you can join the excursion A taste of Vesterålen.
Amazing scenery - 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.
Hurtigruten’s birthplace - We make a short stop at Risøyhamn, population 200, to deliver passengers, groceries and mail, and then continue to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 125 years ago. Go ashore and visit the Hurtigruten Museum. Continuing south, we slip through a passage into the narrow Raftsund, past peaks rising 1,000 metres from the sea.
Spectacular Trollfjord - We now reach spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long, 100 m wide and surrounded by majestic mountains. If possible, we sail inside, where the dramatic landscape inspires images of fairy tales and trolls. Just north, you can opt to see sea eagles up close by boat.
Heart of Lofoten - At Svolvær, you can select several excursion options, including a sunset horseback ride on a beach, fast boat ride or a guided fishing village walk. We then proceed to Stamsund along the massive Lofoten wall.
Across the Arctic Circle
Celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a fun ceremony highlighted by a spoonful of cod liver oil.
Mountain with a hole
As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you’ll see the strange mountain Torghatten, famous for its distinctive hole in the centre. The opening is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age. If the weather allows, join a hike with your guides up the mountain.
Myths and legends
We also sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range – with peaks up to 1,100 m high. The story goes that seven beautiful troll sisters got caught out at sunrise and turned to stone, thus the seven beautiful peaks.
UNESCO heritage
We next make a short stop at Nesna, before moving on to Sandnessjøen. where you can join an optional excursion in summer to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Vega Islands.
Charming coastal town
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 from April throughout October.
Rich History and Living Culture
We revisit Trondheim to further explore it´s colourful history. Join our excursion Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral to learn more.
Fishing, scenery and excursions
Next is 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.
Join an excursion to the renowned Atlantic Road - one of the most scenic routes in the world. Another interesting excursion is to Bergtatt marble mine, which includes going inside a mountain and sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake, before enjoying a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’.
Norwegian Alps
Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will cross the open sea to Molde, known as Norway´s ‘City of Roses’. Along the way, you will take in the steep peaks of the Romsdal Alps on the horizon.
During the night, the ship calls at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy, as our voyage draws to a close. But before we dock in Bergen, there is some fascinating scenery ahead of us.
Glaciers and lush farmland
We sail through picturesque Nordfjord beneath Jostedal Glacier. This rugged coastal region features farms with fruit orchards and glacial fingers that stretch towards glistening lakes. In the morning, we call at Florø.
Back to Bergen
We navigate the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord and enjoy superb views of the island-studded coastline before you disembark in Bergen.
We hope you will take home memories of stunning nature, wildlife and fascinating culture, and we hope to see you on board again in the near future!
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
The Norwegian Coastline Cruises operate with a number of different ships, all with similar facilities and deck plans. Please click the ship name below to be taken to further information including the deck plans;
MS Kong Harald
MS Nordkapp
MS Nordnorge
MS Richard With
MS Nordlys
MS Spitsbergen
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Polar Inside cabin: INCLUDED. Our cosy Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. All cabins include bathrooms with shower/WC. Most of the cabins have separate beds where one doubles as a sofa, while some are equipped with a double bed or upper and lower berths. All the cabins have individual specifications and do not offer windows.
Polar Outside Window cabin:. The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the lower/middle decks with windows, they are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin), TV and Ensuite for excellent and high standard accommodation. Upgrades available from $450 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Arctic Superior Balcony cabin: *Great for wildlife photography* Arctic Superior class cabins are comfortable and roomy accommodation and have balconies. They have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin), TV and ensuite and other features make this one of our most popular categories. Upgrades available from $1,100 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Suite cabin - *Great for wildlife photography* Suites feature private balcony, top-high decks, ensuite, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofabed, TV, minibar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker. They have flexible sleeping arrangements (double or twin). Upgrades available from $5,050 per person, twin share (subject to availability)
Please request your cabin upgrade in the 'special requests' field. Availability and price will then be confirmed and added to your invoice upon acceptance.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
A single supplement is available on all nights of this trip from an extra $4,924 subject to availability.
Triple Share
Not available.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
A vast array of optional tours can be booked on the coastal cruises.
For a comprehensive list of optional tours, please click HERE
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