Cruising Norway's Spectacular Coastline with Hurtigruten

A Spectacular Voyage along Norway’s Coast:

Hurtigruten's Richard With

The Hurtigruten 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyage from Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen is a spectacular voyage showcasing Norway’s scenic coastline, its rich sea heritage and the life of communities along the coastal stretch. Doing the cruise at Christmas time, we get an extra day as the ship overnights in Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve celebrations.

Hurtigruten’s Norwegian cruises are interesting in that they are neither an ocean cruise nor a river cruise. The company has 11 ships going up and down the coast of Norway delivering mail, cargo and passengers.

We chose to do this Hurtigruten coastal voyage because it has some of the characteristics of a river cruise and it’s been described as the world’s most beautiful voyage.

Hurtigruten ships that travel along the Norwegian coastline make 34 stops in each direction. You’re never too far away from land and passengers get to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery every day of the journey and you’re also able to explore Norway’s coastal towns.

Trip Choices

We started our trip from Bergen, however you can also do the trip in a north to south direction starting from Kirkenes-Bergen-Kirkenes. If you prefer a shorter journey, there is a 7-day northbound journey embarking in Bergen and ending in Kirkenes, or the 6 day southbound return from Kirkenes to Bergen.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage Round Trip – Low Season – Travel during this period provides the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Round Trip – High Season – Travel during this period lets you enjoy the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Below is the 12-day itinerary for the round-trip starting from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen.

DAY AND DESTINATION	ACTIVITIES
1. Bergen	Arrive in the UNESCO world heritage city of Bergen where embarkation takes place in the afternoon.
2. Floro-Maloy-Torvik-Alesund-Molde- Kristiansund	Explore the Art Nouveau town of Alesund and sail into the UNESCO world heritage site of Geirangerfjord. Opportunity to go on shore in Alesund, Molde and Kristiansund.
3. Trondheim-Rørvik	Optional: Visit the Viking city of Trondheim.
4. Brønnøysund-Sandnessjøen- Nesna-Ornes-Bodø-Stamsund- Svolvaer	Cross the Arctic Circle and visit Bodø, then sail past the magnificent Lofoten Islands and Svolvaer. Opportunity to go on shore in Ornes and Svolvaer. Presentation on the Northern Lights.
5. Stokmarknes-Sortland-Risøyhamn- Harstad-Finnsnes-Tromsø-Skjervøy	Opporturnity to go on shore in Finnsnes and Tromsø. Enjoy Tromso, the capital of the Arctic, a perfect place to see the Northern Lights between October and March. Optional: Dog sledding excursion
6. Oksfjord-Hammerfest-Havoysund- Honningsvag-Kjollefjord-Mehamn- Berlevag	Opportunity to go on shore in Hammerfest and Honningsvag. Presentation on Sami History. Optional: Excursion to North Cape
7. Batsfjord-Vardo-Vadso-Kirkenes- Vardo-Batsfjord-Berlevag	Some passengers leave in Kirkenes whilst others may join. Optional: Visit Kirkenes on the Russian border. Excursion to Ice Hotel.
8. Mehamn-Kjollefjord-Honningsvag- Havoysund-Hammerfest-Oksfjord- Skjervoy-Tromsø	Opportunity to go on shore in Hammerfest, the the world’s most northerly town, and Tromso.
9. Tromsø-Finnsnes-Harstad-Risøyhamn- Sortland-Stokmarknes-Svolvaer- Stamsund	Opportunity to go on shore in Stokmarknes and Svolver. At Stokmarknes you can visit Hurtigruten’s Museum.
10. Bodø-Ornes-Nesna-Sandnessjøen	Look out for the globe marking the Arctic Circle. Overnight at Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve celebrations. Opportunity to attend Christmas church services or explore town.
11. Sandnessjøen-Brønnøysund-Rørvik	Christmas morning in Sandnessjøen. Optional: Visit “Norveg” centre in Brønnøysund.
12. Trondheim-Kristiansund-Molde- Alesund	If you’re up at 6:30 am, you can go on shore in Trondheim. Otherwise, wait for Kristiansund or Molde.
13. Alesund-Torvik-Maloy-Floro-Bergen	Arrive in Bergen in early afternoon. Spend extra night in this beautiful town or if you have a late flight, make for the airport.