Hurtigruten continues to grow: From 2021, the world’s leading expedition cruise line offers a new way to explore the Norwegian coast – with full-year departures directly from Norway, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Powered with biofuel and packed with green technology, three small, spacious, custom-built Hurtigruten expedition cruise ships featuring modern Scandinavian design will operate expedition voyages along the Norwegian coast. Year-round departures from Bergen, Dover, and Hamburg will start from January 2021.
“Our year-round Norway expedition cruises offer an exciting new way to explore the Norwegian Coast across all seasons from the magic of the Arctic winter and the Northern Lights, to the beauty of the Midnight Sun. With fewer ports, and longer stays, we’re offering guests a more active and immersive way to experience Norway’s culture, landscape and history. Hurtigruten is the local Norway expert and we bring more than 127 years of expertise and passion to the Norway Expedition concept,” says Damian Perry, Managing Director Hurtigruten Asia Pacific.
Operating the Norwegian coast continuously since 1893, Hurtigruten has longer and more in-depth experience on the spectacular Norwegian coastline than any other cruise line. Hurtigruten is the only operator with such a strong connection to the Norwegian people and its local partners, and is the only cruise line to offer year-round cruises on the Norwegian coast.
“The year-round Norway Expedition Cruises expand our support to and engagement with local communities and businesses along this extraordinary coastline,” says Perry.
The new itineraries have been handcrafted by Hurtigruten experts, with flexibility in mind. Offering more time in port for more in-depth experiences, the itineraries change with the seasons to take best advantage of the unique experiences offered at different times of year, either under the Midnight Sun in the seemingly eternal summer days, or below the colourful Northern Lights on dark polar nights.
“Hurtigruten has handpicked the destinations and carefully designed the itineraries. We wanted to make sure guests can enjoy Norway like never before: going deep into the fjords, enjoying nature and observing wildlife, and exploring charming coastal cities, towns and villages all while avoiding the mass tourism crowds,” says Perry.
FROM BERGEN
Hurtigruten will offer year-round departures from Bergen to the North Cape with MS Trollfjord, one of the most popular ships in Hurtigruten’s fleet. Sailing directly from the fjord capital of Bergen, MS Trollfjord will maximise the time spent exploring the Norwegian coastline to North Cape and back, including off-the-beaten-track destinations such as Reine in Lofoten, Fjærland and Træna.
FROM DOVER
Hurtigruten will offer year-round departures on the MS Maud (currently the MS Midnatsol) to the North Cape with two new summer itineraries – one also exploring the British Isles, the other adding southern Norway to its itinerary.
FROM HAMBURG
Hurtigruten will offer year-round departures to the North Cape on the fully upgraded MS Otto Sverdrup (currently MS Finnmarken).
Small ships – big adventures
MS Otto Sverdrup, MS Maud and MS Trollfjord offer a unique, spacious, small-ship experience and authentic, intimate and up-close adventures on the Norwegian coast.
Originally built for the legendary Bergen to Kirkenes route, all three ships will see major changes before entering their new expedition cruise service.
Hurtigruten’s three expedition cruise restaurant concepts will be introduced – Aune, the main restaurant; Fredheim, for casual international dining; and Lindstrøm, an exclusive fine dining restaurant. Each serving cuisine with character and sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.
The brand-new Science Centre is the beating heart of all Hurtigruten expeditions. With a library featuring literature focusing on the nature and culture on the coast, and technology such as touch screens and microscopes, the Science Centre is the best place to informally learn from the Expedition Team about topics ranging from geology to ornithology, history, Northern Lights and the natural sciences.
MS Maud and MS Otto Sverdrup will be fully upgraded with new cabins and suites. Natural Scandinavian materials such as wool, pine, birch, oak, and granite seamlessly bring the great outdoors inside. The redesign aims to create a relaxed and stylish look and feel and add to the premium on-board experience among the like-minded guests.
More sustainable expeditions – powered with biofuel
Hurtigruten is constantly pushing green boundaries and aims to become completely emission free. As the first cruise line in the world, Hurtigruten is now permanently introducing biodiesel as fuel on several ships – including MS Maud, MS Otto Sverdrup and MS Trollfjord.
Biodiesel reduces emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to regular marine diesel. Hurtigruten’s environmentally certified biodiesel is produced from waste from industries such as fisheries and agriculture – which means no palm oil is used in the biofuel production and there are no negative impacts on the rainforests. Biodiesel will be used in combination with other low-emission fuel sources.
“At Hurtigruten, the push for sustainable solutions and the introduction of green technology is the core of everything we do. We operate in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This comes with a responsibility,” Perry says.
Explore with the locals
As with the rest of the Hurtigruten fleet, single-use plastic is banned on MS Maud, MS Otto Sverdrup and MS Trollfjord. The three ships are all equipped for shore power, eliminating emissions when docked in ports with shore power facilities.
Operating on the Norwegian coast for 127 years, Hurtigruten has built close ties to local communities, and food, activities and services are sourced locally. More than a century of local experience and know-how ensures they leave behind nothing but local value and long-lasting memories.
“We are thrilled to fuse sustainable activities, nature and culture into exceptional adventure bundles at less explored locations. En route, our expedition teams give lectures on their respective fields of expertise and discuss the guests’ interesting experiences on shore and on the ship,” says Perry.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
