I don’t know if there is a country with a more stunning coastline than Norway. With its deeply cut fjords, soaring mountain peaks crowned with one of Europe’s largest glaciers, and villages that look like they came straight out of a story book, Norway topped my travel wish list.
1. The original Norway coastal cruise line
Norway’s 62,000 miles of coastline and 320,249 islands can feel daunting to explore, which is why I chose a Hurtigruten cruise for my recent visit. In 1893 Hurtigruten started its first Norwegian coastal route connecting communities and transporting vital supplies.
Until the 1940’s the Hurtigruten ships were the sole lifeline to many of the ports and towns north of Trondheim because they couldn’t be reached any other way. Today, Hurtigruten continues to sail its coastal route year-round from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north, visiting 34 ports along the way.
2. Cruises with no single supplements
Along with the iconic Coastal Cruise which transports goods and ferries cars and passengers alongside the tourist guests, Hurtigruten also offers Signature Voyages.
These Signature Voyages are journeys that showcase specific Norwegian destinations and are managed as typical tourist cruises. Many of these itineraries are often available without a single supplement, a very welcome but rare option for single cruisers like me.
Want more luxury travel ideas? Get inspired with our newsletter!
3. Medium-sized ship
My cruise was on the MS Trollfjord, Hurtigruten’s flagship, which was the perfect size. With a maximum of 500 passengers, it wasn’t too big, and not too small – it was just right.
I was impressed by the many panoramic windows and seating options that allowed every guest onboard to stare in awe at the scenery while sitting in a comfortable, temperature-controlled, environment.
Unlike some of the larger ships I’ve cruised on, this was a very quiet and peaceful experience which really appealed to me. There was no loud music, no trivia games, and no big production shows. Instead, guests were content to read, knit, or chat quietly as they watched the views slip by.
That doesn’t mean that there weren’t any activities. The talented expeditions staff presented lectures in multiple languages explaining each of our port stops. There were also chef’s presentations which gave us a different taste of Norway every day.
And best of all, there was a beautiful, large library with lots of books, games, puzzles, and large picture windows. But the reality was that everyone was on board to see the scenery, so when we were cruising, the views outside the windows provided plenty of distractions.
4. Comfortable cabins
My Arctic Superior cabin was more than roomy enough and provided everything I needed for a weeklong cruise. The bed was comfortable, there was plenty of storage space, and the darkening curtains kept out the early morning sun. Only the higher end suites had balconies on the MS Trollfjord, but I didn’t miss this since my window let in plenty of light. The bathroom was also sufficiently roomy for all necessary tasks.
I liked that my room had a kettle and all the fixings to make morning coffee or tea. And instead of plastic water bottles, I was given a refillable aluminum bottle that I used throughout my trip in Norway.
5. Authentic local cuisine
Complimenting the stunning scenery outside, the cuisine inside the ship provided a non-stop taste of Norway.
Hurtigruten proudly sources 80% of its food and drink supplies from local Norwegian producers. Many are boutique artisans, small farmers, traditional cheesemakers, craft brewers, and village fishermen that represent all corners of the country.
From the bread, jam, and traditional “brunost” brown cheese at breakfast, to reindeer, lamb, and a variety of Arctic fish for lunches and dinners, I had an abundance of local Norwegian flavors to try. This added significantly to the culturally authentic feel of this trip.
6. Interesting itineraries
Whether it’s in the midnight sun season in summer or during the dark winter days in search of northern lights, Hurtigruten’s Signature Voyages take guests to many unique destinations throughout Norway.
My 8 day Svalbard Line South itinerary started with the fascinating town of Longyearbyen in Svalbard and ended in popular Bergen. In between, we stopped at tiny villages like Torsken on the scenically beautiful island of Senja, and Bronnoysund, located midpoint along the Norwegian coast.
We also cruised through scenic fjords, discovered Aalesund with its lovely Art Nouveau architecture, and learned all about Hurtigruten’s history in Stokmarknes.
My favorite stop though was the northernmost settlement of Ny-Aalesund in Svalbard. At a latitude of almost 79 degrees, this was the closest I would ever get to the North Pole.
Established in 1917 as a coal mining town, the settlement is now only used for Arctic research. Though it has an airport, flying in is by invitation only unless you work there. Or you can visit on a Hurtigruten ship like I did.
Exploring the two streets that make up Ny-Alesund was easy as long as I did not go beyond the polar bear warning signs marking the “safe” zone within the town limits.
The main historic landmark in town was the mooring mast that supported Roald Amundson’s flying “ship” Norge which successfully took him to the north pole. Since the mast was outside the town’s safety zone, a rifle carrying escort took us the 200 yards for a close up view.
7. Excursions for all interests and abilities
At each port stop we had a choice of excursions (for an extra charge), or we could explore on our own. Excursion choices were offered for all interests and ability levels. There were guided hikes for those looking for a more adventurous trek and sightseeing tours for those more interested in scenery or history.
The port stops were also easy to explore on my own. I appreciated the detailed maps the expedition crew provided at every port, highlighting the major sights and showing the distances to each location.
I loved everything about my Hurtigruten Signature Journey cruise, but this eight day scenic and cultural taste of Norway left me wanting more.
Leave a Reply