Wonderful Norway with Hurtigruten

If you want a truly authentic cruise around the Norwegian Fjords, then travelling with Hurtigruten is as Norwegian as it gets. “Hurtigruten is not just a cruise line; we’re an integral part of Norwegian coastal communities, connecting over 100,000 local passengers each year, transporting freight between 34 ports and providing authentic experiences,” says Rikke Jorgensen, VP of Organizational Development and Sustainability. Hurtigruten’s service has been an essential part of Norway’s infrastructure since 1893, with their small, agile ships visiting tiny ports that the big ships simply can’t access, keeping the preserving and celebration of Norway’s stunning natural beauty at the heart of its operations. Hurtigruten sets the industry standard for environmentally responsible maritime travel, earning Friends of the Earth’s ‘Top Operator in the Cruise Ship Category’ in 2024. They source provisions from 50 local farms, bakeries, and producers along their route, as well as employing entirely Norwegian crew. Karen from Travel Norwich Airport, and Natasha, from our Lymington branch, got to experience Hurtigruten’s Norwegian hospitality onboard MS Trollfjord, when they joined a 7-night voyage from Oslo to Tromso.  

MS Trollfjord is the flagship of Hurtigruten’s Signature Voyages programme, which take a more leisurely and luxurious route along the coastline than their Original Voyages. The ship’s interior features locally sourced natural materials, such as wood and stone, reflecting the beauty of the fjords, and accommodates just 500 guests. “As I first boarded, I was immediately struck by the intimate yet spacious feel of the ship.” says Karen. “It felt cosy and welcoming, with a design that made it clear this was a vessel meant for enjoying the incredible scenery. The observation areas were beautiful and thoughtfully designed to ensure you could make the most of the views, no matter where you were on the ship. Even though the ship itself was relatively small, it had plenty of space to move around and enjoy different perspectives of the coastline. It created a relaxed, personal atmosphere that made the whole experience feel more connected to the surroundings, something I hadn't expected but really appreciated.”

A favourite spot to relax onboard was the double decker observation area 1893 at the front of the ship, “Simply relax, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and watch the stunning scenery pass by.” advises Karen. “The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable,” says Natasha, “Some lived near to the places that we were visiting, so they gave us recommendations on what to do if we didn’t have a trip booked.” Karen enjoyed several informative talks during the cruise, “These sessions were a highlight, it was fascinating to learn more about the history, culture, and natural wonders of the Norwegian coastline. They were included in the cruise package, making them a great value for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the places we were exploring, and were a wonderful way to enrich the journey without any extra charge.” As well as the lecture hall there is a fitness room, library with puzzles, games and books to enjoy, and separate male and female saunas with floor to ceiling windows.

Onboard dining is available in three restaurants:

‍Flora is the main restaurant with a buffet for breakfast and lunch, and buffet or a la carte dinner, and Brasserie Árran is included, featuring quick and tasty dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches and burgers with some classic Norwegian dishes. Røst is an a la carte option offering guests a taster menu paired with local wines where you see the chefs in action and is at an additional charge. “My favourite was Røst,” says Natasha, “This was an experience that I will not forget - 6 courses with a wine to try with each. There is no menu, you just give any dietary requirements at the time of booking. The wine was served first, followed by an explanation of the dish that it accompanied. One Brut we tried was called Havets Bobler, which is made exclusively for Hurtigruten and is aged deep in the Norwegian Sea!”

“The ship offered a variety of additional food and drink experiences that really enhanced the journey.” advises Karen. “There were cocktail-making classes, local beer tastings, and opportunities to sample local food, which gave a wonderful insight into the regional flavours. These experiences were often held on deck, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning views while indulging in the tastings - making it easy to immerse yourself in the culture of the places we were visiting. While some of these experiences came at an additional cost, they were well worth it, especially for those who wanted a deeper connection to the local cuisine and beverages. It really added a special touch to the trip.”

Onboard the atmosphere is very casual, with walking boots often worn at dinner, and everyone poised at any point to grab a coat and run out on deck if the Northern Lights or some exciting marine life appears! For evening entertainment there is a musician on a keyboard, “The Norwegian Scenery is the entertainment!” says Karen. “On our last night there was a fun quiz that covered everywhere we had sailed through on this 6-day leg of the journey.” says Natasha. “We came 4th in the quiz, which was a bit of fun, and everyone got involved.”

Karen and Natasha’s Signature Voyage was part of the North Cape Line, sailing September to May. (The Svalbard Line sails May to Sept) Natasha gives a rundown of their itinerary’s highlights:

“Leaving Oslo, Norway’s cosmopolitan capital, our first port of call was Kristiansand, and here we joined an excursion called Highlights of the South Coast & South Cape. We visited the northern most vineyard in the world - Skudeneset Farm and Vineyard and sampled their sparkling wine and cider. We took a scenic bus ride to Lindesnes Lighthouse - a famous landmark at the South Cape of Norway that marks the entrance of the Skaggerak Strait.

After lunch and a stroll our last stop on the tour was at Under, a Michelin Star status underwater restaurant where the dining room is 5.5 meters below the sea level! With floor to ceiling glass windows can see fish swimming in the water and seals visit on occasion. Their 12-course dinner would cost around £150pp without drinks!

We stopped the next morning in Haugesund where we took a shuttlebus into the town for a wander before boarding to sail on. We cruised Hardangerjford, which was very picturesque, followed by more scenic cruising to Alesund.

The next morning we joined the Saga Islands Bus Tour to Alnes excursion. Our first stop was the island of Giske, the birthplace of the Viking chieftain Rollo. In 911, Rollo invaded Normandy and was great-great-great grandfather of William the Conqueror! Taking one of the under-sea tunnels linking the islands, we visited the island of Godøy, and the pretty fishing village of Alnes for a walk to a waterfall and lighthouse.

Our next stop is the halfway point on Norway’s coast, called Bronnoysund. Before docking we saw the mountain with a hole in the middle called Torghatten. According to legend, the hole was created by an arrow fired by the lusty son of a troll king whilst he chased a troll maiden! Leaving Bronnoysund, we passed the Seven Sisters - a picturesque scene of snow and ice on the mountains.  Onboard they announced a quiz to guess when we would sail into the Arctic Circle, with a guide time of between 8-9pm – we all entered our votes in a ballot box before 6pm. After dinner we went on deck for the ceremony – I had guessed 8:10pm, but we actually crossed at 8:56pm – the winner won a Hurtigruten Flag and we woke up the Norse God of the sea, Njord by blowing a horn. We were welcomed to the Arctic Circle with icy water down our backs, in return for a shot of something warming – everyone queued up to ‘enjoy’ this and we were awarded a stamped postcard to say we’d crossed the Arctic Circle!

Our next port was Svolvær, part of the Lofoten Islands, one of Norway’s most stunning locations. Here we could admire Svolvær Goat - a nearby mountain so-called for resembling a goat! Here we took a Rib ride out to see the Sea Eagles. Wow!!! What an experience this was - highly recommended. After putting on waterproofs and safety gear we travelled out to sea for about 15 minutes. Here our guide fed the eagles whilst giving a talking about them, full of interesting facts, such as the oldest eagles have grey feathers and the youngest have brown. It was incredible to see them in their natural habitat and so close, diving for the fish being thrown.

We stopped at Stokmarknes, the birthplace of Hurtigruten, where the company was established in 1893. This is a small town with a few shops and the Hurtigruten museum, featuring a full-size ship that has been lovingly restored.

Next day we woke up in Tromso, gateway to the Arctic, situated 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Taking the shuttle bus into town we viewed the Arctic Church from a distance, conditions underfoot were very slippery here, due to snow and ice. This was our final stop before flying home.”

Summarising their experiences, Karen confirms, “Before embarking on my cruise I had always wondered what set Hurtigruten apart from other cruise lines. The thought of cruising so close to the Norwegian coastline, rather than venturing out into the open sea was particularly appealing. Having tried it firsthand, this truly is a wonderful way of travelling! The scenery was nothing short of breathtaking - whether it was the stunning fjords, dramatic cliffs, or charming coastal villages, there was always something beautiful to see, no matter the time of day or night. Even at night, the landscape had a certain magic to it, with the Northern Lights or the peaceful waters reflecting the stars. The proximity to land provided a much more immersive experience than I had imagined. I now realise that this type of cruising gives you a whole new appreciation for nature and the serenity of the coastline, which is something I hadn’t fully anticipated. If you love river cruising – this is a great alternative.”

Natasha loved it too, “For me the highlight was the scenery, starting from Oslo where it was relatively sunny, then heading up the coast to Tromso where it was a wintry wonderland – my photos simply can’t do it justice. Seeing the sea eagles was an amazing experience, swooping and diving for food – I will never forget it! Norway was breathtaking and will always be in my heart.”

TOP TIPS

- The dress code onboard is very relaxed. Wearing layers is important, the further north you travel, the colder it gets! Have your coat available at all times - you may want to run out on deck to see something amazing!

- Walking boots are advisable for walking round the ports. We went in March and Tromso was very icy.

- You do not need any cash - card payments are preferred.

- Seatbelts must be worn at all times on shore excursions

- Alcoholic beverages are not served before midday.

If you would like to plan a cruise to Norway please contact your local branch. You can find Karen at Travel Norwich Airport and Natasha at Lymington

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