Known as the 'Gateway to the World', Hamburg is the ideal port for us to start our adventurous cruise up the stunning Norwegian coast. Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, is a place of strong contrasts, with lush parks, historic buildings, and sleek modern architecture.
Norwegian Coastal Towns
Our first stop is Bergen, which is also the starting point of Hurtigruten's traditional Norway Coastal cruise. Enjoy the city's marvelous, well-preserved historic buildings before re-joining the ship and heading north. We sail into the magnificent Geirangerfjord, where you can disembark and join an overland trip to Ålesund. This road journey enables you to discover the UNESCO-listed Geirgangerfjord, with amazing views and photo stops along the way. We continue along the route of the coastal cruise as we make our way to Trondheim, Bodø, and the Lofoten archipelago towns of Reine and Svolvær. Subject to weather conditions, the captain will sail into the narrow Trollfjord, with mountain ranges towering on both sides!
Stopping at Hammerfest and Honningsvåg gives you the opportunity to visit both of Norway's northernmost towns as well as the capital of the North Cape – and both places have plenty for you to explore.
We also stop at Kirkenes to explore this intriguing port with strong Russian ties before we turn around and make our way south.
Our final morning brings us into the capital of the Arctic – Tromsø, a delightful town well worth exploring before heading home.
- Explore magnificent Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen
- Discover the splendor of Lofoten under the Midnight Sun
- Travel with the Norwegian coastal experts
- Enjoy the highlights of the Norwegian coast
Price includes:
- Hurtigruten expedition cruise in the cabin grade of your choice on a full-board basis
- Wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Professional English-speaking expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanies landings and activities
- Complimentary tea and coffee
Not included:
- International flights
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions and gratuities
Itinerary
Canals and Gardens - Hamburg, Germany
The second-largest city in Germany is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River and is one of the greenest urban areas in Europe – boasting large parks, botanical gardens, and nature reserves. Before embarking on your ship, you may want to enjoy a tour on a harbor barge and explore some of the city's canals.
Towards the Norwegian Coast - At sea
Enjoy an idyllic day at sea as we head toward the beautiful Norwegian coast. Take in the panoramic views from one of the many viewpoints around the ship, relax with a book, or join one of the lectures on board and find out more about the exciting days ahead.
Beautiful Bergen - Bergen
Norway has many beautiful cities and Bergen most certainly rates highly among them. Explore the harbor area, fronted by wooden houses dating back as far as the 1300s. Stroll through the alleyways or take a trip up to Mount Fløyen. The Fløibanen funicular (cable car) takes you to the top of Mount Fløyen in just six minutes, where you'll enjoy amazing views over the city that is spectacularly situated between seven mountains and the sea.
The Magnificence of the FJords - Geiranger and Ålesund
GEIRANGER:
The Geirangerfjord features plenty of charming towns and villages along its 62-mile stretch! You can disembark in Geiranger and join the optional overland excursion that will have you meeting and rejoining the ship in Ålesund. The fjord is UNESCO-listed and this trip allows you to enjoy magnificent views along the route, which also features 11 hairpin turns as you descend the Trollstigen Pass.
ÅLESUND:
For those who stay on the ship, our next port of call is Ålesund where you will have time to explore the city on your own or with our optional excursions. This Art Nouveau town is so picturesque, it could have been taken right out of a fairy tale. The majority of Ålesund was rebuilt in 1904 after a devastating fire. Visit the Art Nouveau Center, which documents the town´s fascinating history or take a walk up the 418 steps to the top of the Aksla Mountain – it’s worth it for the unforgettable views!
The Viking City - Trondheim
Trondheim was founded by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 and was the capital of Norway for 200 years. It has a rich cultural life with an international flavor – and is said to have the most restaurants and cafés per person in Norway! There is plenty to admire as you wander through this historic city, taking in the architecture and surroundings that create a beautiful, almost-mystical atmosphere. Take in the Nidaros Cathedral, kayak on the river Nid, or explore the beautifully restored wooden buildings of the Bakklandet district – either by foot or on a bicycle.
Lofoten Archipelago Discovery - Bodø and Reine
After crossing the Arctic Circle in the morning (an event that will be celebrated in the traditional Hurtigurten manner!), we arrive in Bodø.
Surrounded by sea and fjord, Bodø is a city bathed in magical light. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, this is where we enter the land of the midnight sun. Join our optional excursion to discover the world’s strongest tidal current, or explore the Bodø on your own.
In the evening we arrive in Reine, a true gem of Lofoten that has been added as an extra highlight to this twist on our traditional coastal cruise. Pick up any coffee table book or travel magazine featuring Norway and you can be sure it will contain a picture of Reine! In fact, local artist Gunnar Berg started painting the local fishing boats moored in front of the spectacular Lofoten mountains here back in the 1880s. Picture red and white traditional fisherman’s cottages - known as Rorbuer - perched on stilts over the water’s edge, with a background of granite spires jutting skyward and you have Reine. Take your time ashore here, taking in the serenity of the place.
Idyllic Beauty - Svolvær
In the heart of Lofoten, the picturesque town of Svolvær is a fishing village where age-old seagoing traditions are still being practiced. Hike in the mountains here, or join a historical journey to the Lofotr Viking Museum, where you are invited into the chieftain’s house, a full-sized reconstruction featuring exhibits of finds dating back to the Viking Age.
From here, we sail through the Raftsundet Strait while keeping a sharp eye open for white-tailed sea eagles. We then enter the magnificent Trollfjord, surrounded by mountains that stretch up to 1,200 metres above sea level in a narrow passage that slices deeply and dramatically into heart of the island. Depending on conditions, we navigate carefully far into the fjord to marvel at mountain walls that rise directly out of the sea. This pristine channel is at times so narrow it feels as though you can reach out and touch the side of the fjord.
The Northernmost Town - Hammerfest
As the northernmost city in the world, Hammerfest’s latitude is comperable to the northernmost parts of Siberia and Alaska. This historic town has many gravesites dating back to the Stone Age and was an important fishing and Arctic hunting settlement for a long time before it was given market town rights in 1789.
It was here that the popular myth began of polar bears roaming the streets of Norway. There is usually an enormous stuffed example of this great mammal outside one of the shops, which creates a great photo opportunity. Hammerfest is also home to one chain of the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc – a chain of survey triangulations stretching to the Black Sea, through 10 countries and over 1,752 miles!
Norway meets Russia - Kirkenes
This is Hurtigruten’s traditional turning point for the return journey southward. Kirkenes lies about 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Just miles from the Russian border, there are strong bonds and cultural influences from Russia that become obvious as you explore the town. There are many ways to visit the Russian border: travel by bus, enjoy a riverboat safari, or join an action-packed trip on ATV/quad-bikes . Kirkenes also boasts several fascinating small museums recounting the remarkably rich history and heritage of this remote region.
The Capital of the North Cape - Honningsvåg
Honningsvåg is the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. An optional excursion to the North Cape Plateau puts you at 71° 10’ 21" N, only 1,242 miles away from the Geographic North Pole. Standing on top the 1,007-foot-high North Cape Plateau imparts a sublime sense of being at the end of the world – and is a great place for taking unforgettable photos!
Other excursions you may enjoy here are a fishing village visit, hiking, and birdwatching. You may also explore the town on your own.
Gateway to the Arctic - Tromsø
Our final morning brings us to the gateway to the Arctic – Tromsø – a small city brimming with culture and history as well as being set among a magnificent landscape. It boasts friendly locals, and wonderful shopping and restaurants, along with the city’s most noticeable landmark – the Arctic Cathedral, featuring its enormous stained-glass mosaic.
There’s also the Arctic Aquarium, the world’s northernmost Botanical Garden and the Fjellheisen Cable Car affording breathtaking views across the city, mountains and fjords. Spend some time exploring the city after disembarking.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.