Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten has sailed the Norwegian coast since 1893, when Captain Richard With ran the first scheduled service north from Trondheim. Before the route existed, mail from central Norway to Hammerfest took three weeks in summer and up to five months in winter. The ships still carry cargo and local passengers alongside travellers, which is what separates the experience from a conventional cruise.

The Coastal Express runs year-round between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle near the Russian border. The full round trip covers 2,500 nautical miles and calls at 34 ports, some for a few hours and some for only long enough to exchange mail. Northbound takes seven days, southbound six, and the complete return voyage twelve. Seven Hurtigruten ships rotate across the route, so the vessel depends on the departure date rather than the itinerary.

Ports include Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Honningsvåg, and the schedule means ships call at some of them in the middle of the night. Fares are full board, with more than 200 optional shore excursions available to book separately.

Winter sailings cross the Arctic Circle during the polar night, which is when the Northern Lights are visible. Summer sailings run under the midnight sun. Hurtigruten suits travellers who want Norway’s coastline and working communities rather than resort-style cruising.