Hurtigruten: the spirit of Norway since 1893

Editorial, Silver Travel Advisor

Hurtigruten have been the ‘spirit of Norway’ since 1893, caring for the country’s coast and inviting the world to travel their home as a local. Sail their famous route, which has been connecting local communities to thirty-four ports for more than 130 years. The Original Coastal Express travels from the southern city of Bergen, across the Arctic Circle and up to Kirkenes – and back – all-year-round. The voyage lasts 12 days and covers 2,500 nautical miles, and features some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

For a more premium experience, the range of Signature Voyages offers all inclusive food and drink to top, handpicked destinations. In summer, the Svalbard Line follows the Midnight Sun along the Norwegian coast and up to the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard, nestled at the top of the world. In winter, the North Cape Line sails from Oslo to North Cape at the top of Europe – and back – enabling passengers to experience Norway’s winter wonderland and the magical Northern Lights. 

Life onboard a Hurtigruten cruise is famously informal. There are in-depth lectures, birdwatching opportunities on deck and handpicked hikes, with members of the Coastal Experience Team on hand to enhance your voyage both at sea and on land. Nobody knows the Norwegian coast better than they do! 

On a voyage with Hurtigruten, you won’t just see the Norwegian coast; you’ll taste it too. As the crew sails its length, they pick from its pantry, sourcing the finest homegrown produce from the ports they visit. Hurtigruten are proud to support fifty local farms, bakeries, and producers from across Norway. In their onboard restaurants, enjoy the likes of melt-in- your-mouth cod from Vesterålen, award-winning cheeses from Lofoten, and quality craft beer from Bergen. 

As a result of its varied geography – from the deepest seas to the highest mountains – and climate, Norway is home to a diversity of wonderful wildlife, from cruising whales to diving seabirds. It’s all waiting to be discovered. 

Aurora at sea: the best way to see the Northern Lights

With over 130 years of experience navigating Norway’s coast, Hurtigruten has witnessed every imaginable form of the Northern Lights, from ribbons of pink and red dancing across the Arctic sky to rare coronas framing fjords and waterfalls. They even once saw an aurora resembling a dragon! Years of expertise have taught them that the best way to witness this breathtaking phenomenon is from the sea, sailing directly beneath the Auroral Oval. Over the decades, they’ve tailored their ships into floating observatories, giving aurora chasers an ideal vantage point. And with the Solar Maximum now underway, Hurtigruten’s voyages offer an even greater likelihood of experiencing the most vivid Northern Lights displays in years. Plus, with their Northern Lights Promise, if you embark on an 11-night or longer cruise and the lights elude you, Hurtigruten will give you a free six- or seven-day cruise the following season.

Explore Hurtigruten’s range of cruises

Most famous route connecting local communities to 34 ports since 1893.

  • 12-day The Coastal Express
  • Route: Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen
  • Departures – all throughout the year (Northern Lights season is 20 Sep – 31 Mar)

Premium range of cruises with all inclusive food and drink to top, handpicked destinations.

  • 15-day North Cape Line
  • Route: Oslo – Honningsvåg – Oslo
  • Departures: Sep 2025 – April 2026

Next steps

For more information and to book your Hurtigruten cruise please call 0800 412 5678 and speak to our team of Silver Travel Advisors.

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