Svalbard Line Cruise, Bergen to Longyearbyen

The Svalbard Line is Hurtigruten’s showcase Signature voyage, a 15-day round trip from Bergen that follows the Helgeland coast past the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø and the North Cape before crossing the Barents Sea to Svalbard, the remote Arctic archipelago, and the research outpost of Ny-Ålesund at 78 degrees north.

Why this journey

Signature voyages are built around longer stays in handpicked ports rather than a packed schedule, and this one reaches places few other cruises go. Beyond the well-known stops, Tromsø, the North Cape, Lofoten, it lingers in the lesser-visited Hjørundfjord and Senja, a fjord-and-beach island Hurtigruten calls “Norway’s Caribbean”, before the open-water crossing to Svalbard itself.

Journey highlights

• Crossing the Barents Sea to Svalbard, venturing up to the Ny-Ålesund Arctic research station at 78°N
• The Lofoten Islands, Reine’s red seaside cabins beneath soaring mountain backdrops
• Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s unique capital, with the world’s northernmost brewery and the Svalbard Museum
• Senja, Norway’s fairytale island, a wildlife safari through turquoise fjords and white sand beaches
• Hjørundfjord, one of Norway’s most majestic fjords, with a stop in the quiet village of Sæbø or Urke
• The Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes, aboard a beautifully restored vintage ship
• Arctic wildlife throughout, Atlantic puffins, Arctic foxes, whales and, rarely, polar bears

The ship

MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol sail this route, ship varies by departure date, both built for the Signature experience: panoramic lounges, a choice of restaurants, from the buffet-style Flora to the fine dining of Røst, and a six-strong Expedition Team offering deeper local knowledge than the Original voyages. There are no casinos or cabarets on board, just expert-led talks, on-deck tastings and premium food and drink served with a story.

Beyond the two complimentary excursions, Hurtigruten runs a wider programme of optional shore excursions along the route, from Arctic wildlife walks to kayaking in Reine, available at additional cost.

Itinerary

Bergen. Embarkation in Norway’s gateway to the fjords.

Åndalsnes. Access point for the Golden Train and the Romsdal Gondola, deep in fjord country.

Træna. A scattering of small islands off the Helgeland coast, little visited by cruise ships.

Reine. The postcard village of the Lofoten Islands, red cabins beneath sheer granite peaks.

Tromsø. The Arctic capital, polar history and café culture beneath snow-capped mountains.

Honningsvåg. Port for the North Cape, mainland Europe’s most northerly point.

Longyearbyen. Svalbard’s capital, world-class dining and the world’s northernmost brewery.

Ny-Ålesund. The world’s northernmost settlement, an international research outpost shared with Arctic wildlife.

Barents Sea. A day at sea crossing to and from the high Arctic.

Senja. Norway’s fairytale island, wildlife safaris through turquoise fjords and white sand beaches.

Svolvær. Lofoten’s largest town, gateway to Arctic fishing and dramatic coastal scenery.

Bessaker. A small, quiet coastal community on the Norwegian mainland.

Ålesund. Art Nouveau architecture rebuilt after an 1904 fire.

Hjørundfjorden. One of Norway’s most majestic fjords, with stops in Sæbø or Urke, before returning to Bergen.