are hurtigruten excursions worth it

Hurtigruten Norway Cruise Excursions: How To Plan Your Coastal Cruise

A Norway coastal cruise takes you through some of the most amazing landscapes in the world. Make the most of your Hurtigruten cruise excursions in Norway.

The Hurtigruten coastal cruise is one of the most amazing ways to experience the majestic coast of Norway . But because of the unique nature of the Hurtigruten coastal cruise, it’s important to manage your Hurtigruten excursion list ahead of time in order to see the most amazing sites of coastal Norway. Here is our list of what you’ll see and how to make the most of your Hurtigruten cruise excursions in Norway.

If you aren’t familiar with the Norway Hurtigruten coastal cruise, you should check out our Hurtigruten Northern Lights Cruise post . That article lays out our experiences cruising from Kirkenes to Bergen on the Hurtigruten ferry. We figured it would be better to separate our breakdown of the Hurtigruten excursions in Norway so that it wouldn’t be too long.

Hurtigruten Cruise Excursions in Norway and Ports of Call

Because of the Hurtigruten’s dual function as a cruise ship and a ferry/shipping boat, there are a huge number of stops on the Norway coastal cruise. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the cruise ship to stop several times in a single day. You can check the complete Norwegian Hurtigruten sailing schedule here .

Not all of these stops are created equal, however, so it’s key to pay attention to both the length of the stops and the time at which they occur. Guests of Hurtigruten Norway are only permitted to exit the boat if the Hurtigruten ferry docks for longer than 30 minutes unless they are de-boarding at that port.

Check Out Our Hurtigruten Video

Don’t have time to read about the entire there and back journey with Hurtigruten? Check out all of the stops that we made on our Southbound Hurtigruten cruise from Kirkenes to Bergen.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 1

Bergen is either the start or end-point of a Hurtigruten cruise in Norway. Because it is an endpoint, there are no official Hurtigruten excursions in the city. But that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do! I really recommend getting a hotel in Bergen and spending a few days exploring this beautiful city .

Bergen offers a perfect mix of nature, history, and culture all wrapped in a beautiful urban package. Whether you are arriving via Norway in a Nutshell tour or completing your Norway coastal cruise here, these are some can’t miss experiences:

• Take the funicular to the top of Mount Floyen for epic views of the city. The Floibanen funicular in Bergen holds up to 80 people and runs from early morning to late at night. At the top, you’ll find a beautiful natural setting for hiking, biking, and skiing trails.
• Wander the narrow streets of downtown Bergen. This city is full of great shops located in quaint, colorful buildings. Simply wandering through the town is one of the greatest ways to experience Bergen.
• Take the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Bergen to Oslo through the town of Flam. This iconic Norwegian tour is not really a tour. But, it is a great way to visit some of the most beautiful areas of southern Norway via the combination of rail, bus, and boat.

You can read more about how to make the most of a short time in Bergen here.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 2

Urke is a small town that is a popular spot for Hurtigruten Norway excursions. Many of the excursions here depart Molde and meet back up with the Hurtigruten at a different port later in the day.

• Taste of Norway tour between Molde and Floro. The Taste of Norway offers an easy way to taste the flavors of Norwegian cuisine among some beautiful towns and rural areas.
• Fjord views from above with a Mountain Hike in the Hjorundfjord. This hike, which offers beautiful views of The Hjorundfjord fjord is a great option for those looking for an active way to see the country.
• Explore the rebuilt city on an Art Nouveau Walk. Alesund experienced a terrible fire in 1904 but was rebuilt in an art nouveau style. This unique design is a stark departure from Norway’s traditional utilitarian design.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 3

Trondheim was Norway’s original capital. The town was established by 997 by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason and was originally named Nidaros. And the Nidaros Cathedral is one of the most popular destinations in the city.

Trondheim is also relatively easy to explore on your own. But if you choose to do so, make sure you are back at the boat with time to spare or you’ll need to find your own way to meet the boat in Kristiansund.

• Explore one of Trondheim’s treasures at the Nidaros Cathedral. There are two Trondheim tours that include the Nidaros Cathedral. One combines the visit with the Ringve Museum, while the other focuses more on the city of Trondheim as a whole.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 4

• Experience the world’s most powerful currents. Every six hours the tidal currents flow through a 6-kilometer narrow in Bardo creating currents that flow at up to an impressive 22 knots. This tour takes you on a tour of Bardo and lets you view this incredible feature from the shore. In the summer, there are RIB boat tours along these roaring waters.
• Meet the Vikings for fun and play. Between Stamsund and Svolvaer is the most fun and family-friendly Hurtigruten excursion. The Meet The Vikings experience at the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg, Lofoten. Here there is a Viking village that has been recreated to every last building. We’ve had a similar tour of Viking history during our Viking Trail tour of Newfoundland, Canada and from visiting the Viking museums in Iceland.

• Get a taste for local Norwegian brews. Located in a former fish factory, the Lofotpils brewery serves up delicious local Norwegian craft beers.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 5

The Arctic capital of Tromso is one of the most popular destinations in Norway for experiencing the famous Northern Lights. Tromso is also a great destination for Norway shore excursions.

And because the Southbound port of call isn’t as conducive to exploring, the Northbound experience is the time to do it.

• Take a Tour of the Arctic capital. This tour gives you a pretty complete look at Tromso including the famous Arctic Cathedral. Visitors also get to enjoy a mountain cable car ride to view the city from above.
• Go on a dog sledding expedition. This tour allows you to get a real taste of the Arctic winter while you sled across the tundra pulled by a team of sled dogs. We skipped this experience as we had already experienced dog sledding in Yellowknife and Mont Tremblant in Canada .
• Experience a Polar Explorer Walk along the coast. This tour takes you along the shores of Tromso and includes the polar museum.
• Watch majestic whales from the deck of a tall ship. Tromso also offers the amazing experience of whale watching from the oak decks of a schooner. This is similar to our whale watching experience in Husavik Iceland which was unforgettable.
• Meet Europe’s only indigenous people, the Sami. The Sami are the only indigenous culture remaining in Europe. We have always tried to experience indigenous culture whenever we travel. Whether we are experiencing Pow Wows in North America or meeting Guarani tribes in Argentina , we feel it’s important for us and our children to learn about the breadth of cultures that make up a region.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 6

Honningsvag.

Now we are really getting up north! Honningsvag is the gateway to some of the northernmost reaches of Europe.

• Visit the North Cape, one of the northernmost points of mainland Europe. This excursion brings you to some of the most epic landscapes in the world. You’ll visit the northernmost point of mainland Norway.
• Learn about Nordic fishing culture with a fishing village tour. Fishing becomes ever more important as you travel further north in Norway. It’s at the heart of the culture in much of Finnmarken. This tour brings you through local fishing villages and explains the process and the culture behind this important trade.
• Tear through the Arctic landscape on a snowmobile. Snowmobiling is a classic activity for northern nations. This Hurtigruten excursion takes you through the northern landscapes on a motor sled to experience true Arctic life. We imagine it is similar to our snowmobile excursion in Iceland.

Northbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 7 – Southbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 1

Kirkenes is the turning point for the Hurtigruten coastal tour . This is also where we started our cruise after spending a few days experiencing this northern town with at GoToKirkenes, the rental apartment of our Norwegian friend Roar . However, there are a few options for hotels in Kirkenes , you can check out some of the options here. They can book up fast though. If you have the opportunity to spend a few days in Kirkenes you won’t regret it!

• Arctic Ice Fishing on a fjord. Head out by snowmobile through the Arctic landscape. Along the way, you’ll experience an original Arctic pioneer house and attempt to catch some fish on a fjord.
• Make a quick trip to the Russian border. The Russian border is a quick 10-minute scenic drive from Kirkenes. This quirky stop is fun for geography lovers or those who just want to get close to a new country.
• Tour Kirkenes and learn about it’s WWII history. Kirkenes holds the record as the “most bombed city” during WWII. Take a tour through the monuments and bunkers that survived the war. You can also try kick-sleds through downtown Kirkenes.
• Snowmobile through the Arctic wilderness. This Hurtigruten excursion takes you through the beautiful landscape surrounding Kirkenes. You’ll learn about Sami culture and life in rural Arctic Norway.
• Visit Norway’s Snowhotel. The Snowhotel in Kirkenes is adorned with gorgeous lighting and cool artwork, and the artwork is all carved from the ice! It’s very similar to the Ice castle we visited in Canada’s Northwest Territories .
• Go Fishing for King Crab. We really wanted to try this excursion. Unfortunately, our children were too young to take part, so we had to pass. The tour takes you out on a RIB boat where you’ll check King Crab traps. From there you’ll take your catch to shore and dine on a King Crab feast.

You can read more about our experiences in Kirkenes Norway here.

The first Southbound Norway port of call is the town of Vardo. We arrived in the late afternoon with just enough time to take a stroll into town. We took in a small town festival that was underway and explored the Vardohus fortress. This nearly 300-year-old fortress features a small church and memorabilia from Norway’s military history.

Southbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 2

Although the Hurtigruten ferry docks in Mehamn in the middle of the night, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity for adventure.

• Go on a snowmobiling expedition under the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, due to traveling on the Hurtigruten with kids, this wasn’t an option for us, but if it’s anything like when we saw them on our Hurtigruten Northern Lights cruise, it must be amazing.

Dubbed “the World’s northernmost town,” Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world with more than 5,000 residents. Although there are several towns further north than here that have a smaller population. One of the claims to fame of Hammerfest is that it was the final point of the mapping of the shape of the northern hemisphere. Here it was proven that the earth is tapered at the poles rather than completely spherical. You can find some great things to do in Hammerfest here .

• Explore Hammerfest from top to bottom. This is the Hammerfest tour that we took part in on our Hurtigruten cruise. It took us up to a viewpoint overlooking the city and to the various points of the city that make Hammerfest so spectacular.
• Plant your flag on the top of Mount Salen. This Hurtigruten excursion follows in the footsteps of legendary Norwegian explorer Adolf Henrik Linstrom. You’ll climb Mount Salen and plant a flag at the peak like a true Arctic explorer.

Tromso is the final stop on Day 3 of the Norway cruise. It was approaching 10:00 PM when we arrived and the boys were tucked into bed. I opted to explore the town on foot, however, there is one Hurtigruten excursion at this port.

• Enjoy a midnight concert in Tromo’s Arctic Cathedral. This is a midnight concert simply because that is the time you arrive! But the Arctic Cathedral is a beautiful site, especially when lit up at night.

Southbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 3

The next morning the boat arrives in the town of Harstad. This marks one of the most popular multi-port Hurtigruten excursions.

• Dive into Norwegian food, landscapes, and history with the Taste of Vesteralen tour. The Taste of Vesteralen excursion begins in Harstad, Norway where we visited the 1,200-year-old Trondenes Church as well as a Viking museum. From there we took to the fjords and mountain ranges that make coastal Norway so spectacular. We then made our way deeper through the fjords and Norwegian mountains before crossing one of the fjords in a ferry. This gave us a chance to taste some of the famous Norwegian brown cheese paired with some pastry and tea. The boys could not get enough of these Norwegian delicacies and were soon hopping from table to table to see if any of the tour-goers had left any on their trays. We were so inspired that we brought some of our own Norwegian recipes home with us . We finally made our way into Sortland where we had the thrill of seeing our Hurtigruten cruise ship passing underneath us on its way to the Sortland port.

Stokmarknes

Later in the afternoon, the Hurtigruten stops in the town of Stokmarknes. Stokmarknes is notable as being where the Hurtigruten company came into existence.

Dry docked here is one of the old Finnmarken ships that has been turned into a museum. The colorful row houses of Stokmarknes were also a nice sight to see during the short shore time available here.

The Hurtigruten ship docks in the beautiful town of Svolvaer for a few hours This opens up a few very interesting excursions. Svolvaer is famous for its deep fishing history. This lifestyle is on full display here with many stockfish drying racks lined up near fishing huts.

In addition to the Meet the Vikings experience listed in the Northbound Hurtigruten itinerary, there are a few other amazing tours to help you explore Svolvaer and the Lofoten Islands.

• Go horseback riding under the Northern Lights. This is one of the excursions we really wanted to do, however, our children were too young to take part. They were a tad disappointed as they had plenty of experience riding horses through Petra, Jordan a few years back.
• Experience Life in an Arctic Fishing Village. This was the tour that we opted for, and we certainly didn’t regret it. The tour includes a stop at a recreation of a traditional fishing cabin. It does a great job of displaying the life of the fishermen of long ago. Svolvaer is an incredibly photogenic town, especially as the sun drops and the lights of the town begin to twinkle.
• Climb a Mountain and see Lofoten from above. This was another tour we would have loved to experience, but unfortunately, our children were under the age limit. The tour starts by bus, includes snacks and coffee, and meets back up with the Hurtigruten in Stamsund.
• Go Cod Fishing in true Norwegian style. This short but exciting fishing excursion takes you back out on the water. Cast a line and prepare to bring in some heftily sized fish.

Southbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 4

Sandnessjoen.

The morning of Day 4 on the Hurtigruten cruise brought us to Nesna for a very brief stop. But our second stop was the town on Sandnessjoen. We were greeted at the Hurtigruten port by some beautiful Norwegian street art. The artistic leanings of this pretty town were on display with fun bicycle displays playing tribute to the chilly winters of coastal Norway.

• Cruise through the picturesque Vega Islands. This Hurtigruten excursion goes between Sandnessjoen and Bronnoysund. The route takes visitors through fishing villages and gorgeous islands.

Bronnoysund

Later in the day we stopped in the town of Bronnoysund and had enough time to do a stroll through the town. Although there are excursions from this port, many visitors take the time to explore by themselves. There is a river just a few blocks from the port that makes for a wonderful walk. You can also stroll along the Bronnoysund pier and visit the quaint Bronnoy Church.

• Discover the facts about Norwegian Fish Farming. This Hurtigruten excursion starts with a bus tour of Bronnoysund. It then heads to an aquaculture facility where visitors learn about modern Norwegian fish farming.
• Go on a guided walk of Bronnoysund. Although Bronnoysund is easy to explore on your own if you would like a guide to point out the details surrounding you, a guided walking tour of Bronnoysund is also offered.

Southbound Hurtigruten Excursions Day 5

The Trondheim Hurtigruten Port of Call for the Southbound route is identical to the Northbound Hurtigruten excursion offerings. During the summer Hurtigruten excursions include bicycle and kayak tours of Trondheim.

Kristiansund

Our stop in Kristiansund gave us our longest Hurtigruten excursion. While it’s easy to stay in Kristiansund and explore the pretty town, this stop offers some of the most breathtaking views in Norway. A Hurtigruten excursion here is really worth your time.

• Take a ride on the Atlantic Highway. The Atlantic Highway is a stunning series of bridges that bounce between a series of islands. You’ve probably seen memes listing it as one of the scariest highways in the world due to the massive waves that can cascade right over the bridge during storms. But on a clear day, these elegant bridges are absolutely beautiful.
• Cruise through an underground lake in a marble mountain. Although not always the case, our route to the Bergtatt Marble Mine also took us over the Atlantic Highway. From there, we continued through where we took a beautiful tour of an illuminated underground lake filled with crystal-clear water. Our experience was topped off with some delicious local chowder serviced in the mines concert hall.

We had a blast on our Hurtigruten coastal cruise of Norway . The landscape is absolutely mesmerizing. But it was just the start of our family travel in Norway.

5 Tips For Successful Hurtigruten Cruise Excursions in Norway

• In general, we found that prices for tours were the same price whether booked through Hurtigruten or with another tour company.
• A handful of tours were not appropriate for children under 12 years of age. And the same tours don’t necessarily run all year round. However, there were always other options for exploring the port or town.
• Prices for the cruise excursions go up yearly. So, if possible, pre-pay for all your tours before embarkation. For us, we booked in November and took part in a coastal cruise on March of the following year. The excursions we booked onboard, cost more than what we were originally quoted had we booked the previous year.
• If doing a town tour on your own, grab a free town map from the cruise excursion desk and plan out the sites that you want to see.
• Dress appropriately. Check the weather forecast before heading out for your cruise excursion. Some excursions spend a lot of time outdoors and the weather during our March coastal cruise varied widely; some days we needed our balaclavas and foot warmers and other days we didn’t even need our winter jackets.

You May Also Like To Read:

Friday 9th of July 2021

Enjoyed viewing your video and reading your journey comments very much. Your pictures are fantastic!. I just booked the RT Hurtigruten classic coastal cruise sailing in March 2022. So excited to see that your trip was made in March also. The weather you experienced seems to allow great sightseeing and photos. Which part of March were you on the coastal voyage? I will be there around Mid-March. I am going in winter to catch the northern lights. Which day in March did you see the spectacular northern light? How long did it last? Also appreciate your info on the Norway in a nutshell trip. I plan to do that also, but from Bergen and back. How did you book the hotel in Bergen?

Kevin Wagar

Hello Wen, happy travels!

We were on the Hurtigruten in mid-March as well and yes, we did see the Northern Lights put on a spectacular show for several hours. We booked the hotel in Bergen via Booking.com. You can link up woith that here if you’d like. https://www.booking.com/hotel/no/grand-terminus.en.html?aid=1368243&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1

Thursday 23rd of August 2018

One of my huge travel dreams is to sail on a Norway cruise! Now I'm just more craving it! Thank you - hope that I'll make the most of the cruise soon!

Alexa Meisler

Thursday 16th of August 2018

Wow! This looks so incredible. What a wonderful and beautiful cruise experience. I'm so excited to learn more about Hurtigruten Cruise Excursions!

Tracie Howe

Thursday 9th of August 2018

This is great! I didn't know there was a ferry/cruise option along the coast of Norway! I'll definitely have to consider that the next time I visit Norway because several of these locations are on my must see (and must see again) list! It's nice to know what excursions can be managed while in port. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to check out the cruise post itself!

I would gladly explore the narrow streets of downtown Bergen, and the Art Nouveau is one of my favorite architectural styles. so yes, I would enjoy quite a few places you've mentioned here. The photographs are amazing, by the way!

Privacy Overview

Thanks for visiting nordicvisitor.com! For the very best browsing experience on our website, we urge you to upgrade to the most recent version of your browser . Some of our site features may not function properly on older versions.

• Search Suggested Results View All Results
• EUR (€)
• GBP (£)
• Self-Drive i
• Privately Guided i
• Guided Small Groups i
• Northern Lights i
• Honeymoon & Romance i
• Ice & Snow Hotels i
• Multi-Country Tours i
• All Travel Styles
• Show all tours
• Best Sellers
• Special Offers
• Scandinavia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Book With Confidence i
• Why book with us i
• Travel Update
• Booking Terms i
• Sustainability Policy i
• Manage Booking
• Privacy policy

Iceland Bíldshöfði 20 110 Reykjavík +354 578 20 80 View Map

Sweden Scotland View Details

First Hurtigruten Cruise? Tips for your Maiden Voyage

Whether it's your first time ever on a cruise, or just your first experience with the Hurtigruten coastal voyage, we're here with some tips to make sure it's all smooth sailing.

Lonely Planet called this cruise along Norway's breathtaking coastline "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage", and rightly so. 

The classic one-way journey covers roughly 1,255 kilometres (780 miles) of craggy, fjord-studded coast between Bergen in the south to Kirkenes, in the arctic north. Taking 6 or 7 days, the route takes in stops at 34 ports of call, including the charming cities of Trondheim, Ålesund and Tromsø.

So it's time to get your feet wet. Figuratively speaking, of course! Read on for handy hints on how to make the most of your time on a Hurtigruten voyage. 

1. Embrace the flexibility

Apart from the stunning scenery, one of the best things about Hurtigruten is its hop-on, hop-off style, so if you're new to cruise travel—or simply don't have time to do the full route—you have the option of joining just part of the coastal voyage with only one or two nights on board.

Bonus tip : you're not limited to certain seasons as cruises are available year-round.

• Explore our range of tours including Hurtigruten voyages
• Find out more about our Norway coastal cruises

2. Slow down and get to know your cruise

Before rushing ahead with our travel tips, let's get to know Hurtigruten and its story.

It's not an ordinary cruise line, and that's perhaps why the experience is so unique. These cruise ships also double as ferries, shuttling locals and supplies between towns just as it's been done for decades.

This Norwegian cruise line traces its roots back to the 19th century, when the journey at sea was long and gruelling with the simple steamers, and the mountains and fjords made travel by road difficult and sometimes dangerous.

It wasn't until 1893 that one man, Richard With, revolutionised Norwegian maritime travel with his sturdy and better-equipped steamer, the DS Vesteraalen. He thus established a regular route with weekly departures from Hammerfest to Trondheim, later extending it to the route we still use today, Kirkenes to Bergen. This "new service" cut travel and shipping times significantly around the turn of the century and was thus deemed "the fast route", or hurtigruten in Norwegian.

The irony is that today Norway is hailed as leaders in the "slow travel" movement , with Hurtigruten at the forefront. In 2011, Norway's national TV station NRK broadcast a 134-hour live stream of a Hurtigruten voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen. This "Slow TV" show, Hurtigruten Minute by Minute , was a hit—drawing over 3 millions viewers! (For context, Norway has just over 5 million residents.)

3. Entertain yourself

It may be called 'slow travel', but rest assured there's plenty of excitement around.

As John T., a recent Nordic Visitor traveller, quipped, "Who needs entertainment when you have windows?" He explained that seeing the northern lights fluttering overhead on more than one night of his coastal voyage in December was all the show he needed.

On these ships, nature takes centre stage.

It's not a party boat or a travelling circus; instead the crew offers seasonal activities—such as demonstrations or presentations—that seek to educate passengers about the nature and wildlife they're apt to encounter on the route.

Or, if you want to entertain your friends back home with your own "slow TV" video from the sundeck, you can connect to Wi-Fi in most public areas indoors. Note that this requires a fee, paid at reception desk. And bandwidth and signal strength can sometimes be limited.

And if you're perfectly content to disconnect from the digital world to watch the real-time scenery, the outdoor sun decks or indoor lounges with their extra large windows are the best places to be.

4. Stay up past your bedtime

In summer or winter, staying up late has its advantages. Thanks to the tilt of the Earth between seasons, Norway experiences some rather eye-catching phenomena. Stay up until the wee hours in summer—especially around the solstice —and you'll enjoy the pastel hues of the midnight sun, or in winter you can watch for bursts of colourful aurora borealis ( northern lights ) to illuminate the nighttime darkness.

Planning to photograph the northern lights on a winter cruise? Get our camera tips here

5. Get out of your shell

Sleeping quarters are important, and the range of cabins on board Hurtigruten—though snug in size for some—are equipped with comfortable amenities. But let's face it, after finding out how much there is to do on your cruise, you won't be able to justify spending much time inside your cabin.

Even if you're staying in the best available class of cabin on an upper deck with a nice window, nothing beats being outside with a 180- or 360-degree view of your natural surroundings. Besides the wonderful views you'll have ample opportunities to meet other travellers from around the world, or perhaps to spot sea eagles or other wildlife.

Good to know:  There are 11 different ships for Hurtigruten's Norway cruises—all with varying size, facilities and deck plans—and the specific ship you're booked on will depend on the departure point, voyage route and season. Cabins also vary in size, views and amenities according to category.

6. Get moving

Hurtigruten vessels aren't huge—they carry about 500 guests on average versus thousands in the mega-ships—but there's still plenty of room for moving around and stretching your legs.

And thankfully for the fitness enthusiasts among us, most Hurtigruten ships have small fitness rooms equipped with a small number of basic cardio and nautilus machines. For a truly interesting experience, go for a jog on the treadmill while the boat gently rocks in the waves. Should you go overboard (ahem) with your fitness routine, you can use the jacuzzi while gazing at some fjords.

Keep in mind:  Not all the ships have fitness rooms, pools, sauna or jacuzzis.

7. Move even more

Are you stuck on the ship the whole time? No! At the shorter ports of call, you can of course choose to disembark and have a quick look around—just be sure to be back on time, because Hurtigruten doesn't wait for the punctually-challenged.

And at the longer stops during daytime hours, we highly recommend  joining one of the shore excursions. These short guided trips, organized by Hurtigruten, are designed to make the most of your time on land. Best of all, you won't have to worry at all about keeping track of the time for getting back to the ship.

Some excursions, such as the popular Atlantic Road Excursion, also take you from one port to the next—making them a good option for those who need a little time on dry land.

Pro tip :  It's best to plan ahead for what you'd like to see along the route and then pre-book some shore excursions, ideally a month or more in advance (though excursions can also be booked on board the cruise, subject to availability). Your Nordic Visitor travel consultant can assist with this or offer suggestions.

Need some ideas? We featured some of the more popular ports of call in this blog post .

8. Enjoy the local cuisine

All this movement can make a person hungry, right?

Whether your Hurtigruten cruise lasts just one night or a full week, breakfast is included in the price. And trust us – you won't go hungry. The breakfast buffet is usually well stocked with cold meats, cheese, eggs, cereal, fruit, assorted breads and pastries.

When it's time for lunch and dinner, you're free to choose from the options available on board. For instance, the lunch buffet has several salad and fish/meat options, and dinners are a mixture of buffets and set menus.

Hungry now? We'll bet you are! These are the typical meal times on most cruises:

• Breakfast from 07:30 to 10:00 (open seating)
• Lunch from 12:00 (open seating)
• Dinner from 18:30 (set seating)

It's highly unlikely you'll leave the main dining room still feeling hungry, but if you do get peckish between meals you can always pop into one of the cafes or lounges for a snack or beverage.

So, are you ready to cruise? Nordic Visitor is a certified Hurtigruten agent and offers a range of package tours with varying cruise durations. Most also include scenic road and railway journeys to or from Oslo, such as the famous Norway in a Nutshell®  route.

If it's your first time as a cruise passenger, your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be glad to help you navigate the sea of options and offer suggestions regarding recommended attire, itinerary modifications, cabin categories and more. Just ask!

Contact our travel consultants   for more information.

When not writing about Northern European tourist attractions, Jessica Bowe is busy daydreaming about her next trip or scouring Instagram for travel inspiration. Originally from Wisconsin (USA), she's lived in Iceland since 2008 and has since become fully immersed in Eurovision mania and Scandinavian coffee culture.

Find Jessica on LinkedIn .

Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL® - CLASSIC

Norway in a nutshell® & pulpit rock, related posts, my norway: fjords, goats & bikes.

Scandinavia , Norway , In Focus

Norway Cruises in Focus: Get on a boat!

In brief: what to do in bergen, in focus: norway’s amazing unesco sites.

Hurtigruten Trip: Route, Ships & our Tips for Norway’s Coast

Rugged Fjords, colourful Norwegian wooden houses and endlessly wide oceans – a Hurtigruten expedition along the Norwegian coast is one of the most beautiful sea trips in the world. We can’t confirm if it really is the best, but one thing is for sure: Our expedition on the Hurtigruten is absolutely one of our top travel highlights.

A trip along the Classic Roundtrip Voyage of the Hurtigruten takes 12 days. 12 days filled with breathtaking scenery, a slower pace and – depending on the season – northern lights or midnight sun.

Perhaps you are considering traveling on a Hurtigruten Ship through Norway? Then you’re in the right place. In this article on our travel blog, we have gathered together all the information you need to plan and prepare for your Hurtigruten trip. In addition, as always, we provide you with our personal travel trips.

1. Hurtigruten Trip: Initial info & FAQs

2. the hurtigruten travel routes [+ info to book], 3. best time to travel, 4. hurtigruten ships & cabin info, 5. prices and costs: how much does a trip with the hurtigruten cost, 6. hurtigruten packing list: what should i take with me.

Hurtigruten – what actually is that?

Are you thinking of the German word ‘hurtig’ (quick)? Well, that’s not so far off. ‘Hurtigruten’ translated from Norwegian roughly means ‘the fastest route’ and is the term for the traditional Norwegian postal ship route.

The Hurtigruten were once intended as a means of transport for the post or freight and passengers. Especially in winter, the Hurtigruten were once the fastest way to get from A to B. In the meantime, the trip on the Hurtigruten has become popular amongst tourists. Nevertheless, many locals still use the ships. 

The classic Hurtigruten route goes for 12 days (11 nights) along the coast of Norway. It goes from Bergen in the south up north to Kirkenes and eventually back down again to Bergen.

Who is a trip with the Hurtigruten suited towards?

• Nature: Without a doubt – the number one reason to take a trip with the Hurtigruten is to watch Norway’s scenery go by in such a special way. Spectacular fjords, colourful Norwegian houses and ocean as far as the eye can see – the scenic backdrop is absolutely unique here in the far north.
• Slow pace & winding down: The nice thing on board is that there is not too much to do – other than enjoy the trip. Anyone who really wants to switch off and calm down is absolutely in the right place on board a Hurtigruten ship.

What is NOT to be expected?

• Luxury: Or in other words: A trip with the Hurtigruten is no cruise! The cabins are small, the furnishings more basic, the atmosphere on board is cosy, and you can hear noises when the ship is loading. In short: A trip with the Hurtigruten is an experience, but certainly not suited towards someone who wants to compare the standard to that of a cruise.
• A cheap trip: What we said above would suggest otherwise, but unfortunately the opposite is the case. A trip with the Hurtigruten is an expensive undertaking. Norway is already quite an expensive country to travel to and the Hurtigruten is no exception.
• Many trips onshore: When you take a look at the travel route of the Hurtigruten trip (We will provide the link further down) then you will quickly realise: You see many places along the coast, but only have time to properly explore a few of them. Therefore, the focus is on experiencing the nature from on board. However, there are some great excursions on offer, through which you can thankfully also experience some of the country. We will reveal more about this later.

Atmosphere & flair: How should I imagine a Hurtigruten trip?

Relaxed, cosy and informal – that describes the atmosphere on board a Hurtigruten ship. You learn to cherish the slower pace. Often you sit hours long on the deck and let the fjord landscape pass you by. (Talking about the deck: You really cannot miss one of the highlights because there is always an announcement over the loudspeaker in advance. For example, the crossing of the Arctic Circle is duly celebrated.)

Fancy and chic are fortunately nowhere to be found on board a Hurtigruten ship. Expedition not cruise is the motto. If an extensive entertainment program or a fine gala dinner is important to you, then you would be far better off on a cruise boat. 

We found the Hurtigruten passengers to be very open minded, connected to nature and relaxed. Most were sporty and casually dressed – no one would find it strange if you wore your sweatpants to breakfast. And there was also no need to dress up for dinner – something we found very relaxing! 

You notice right away that the people on a Hurtigruten trip value nature. The focus is on the experience, the adventure and the travel itself. The average age of the passengers is somewhat older but that didn’t bother us in the least – in fact just the opposite. We had conversations with incredibly interesting, young-at-heart people.

Classic Roundtrip Voyage: Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen

When talking about a trip on the Hurtigruten through Norway, this usually refers to the Classic Roundtrip Voyage. This trip with the Hurtigruten takes 12 days (11 nights) and starts in the in the pleasant city of Bergen in the southwest of Norway.

The ship leaves from Bergen direction north, past the northern Polar Circle and reaches Kirkenes after six days. There the ship turns around and returns back again in the direction of Bergen.  

The Hurtigruten ship makes its way to countless ports along its trip. (To be precise, there are 34 ports just from south to north!). It usually only makes short stops (often only 10 to 15 minutes), sometimes also for a few hours so that you can see the place or take an excursion on shore.

You can find the exact travel route with all the arrival and departure times for each port here under this link: Travel Route Hurtigruten

Additional info: Other Hurtigruten travel routes

In addition to the classic postal ship route, there are also other worthwhile travel routes through countless countries that you cover on the Hurtigruten ships.

For example, there is also an expedition which partially goes to the ports in Norway along the postal ship route. While on board on this expedition ship (currently the MS Otto Sverdrup), you will travel (from Hamburg) to not all 34, but just some selected ports. An advantage: You have more time in each place and usually travel on a more modern ship. The classic postal ship feeling is probably missing a little bit though.

The expedition to Greenland or the Antarctic must be a very special experience – definitely a lifelong dream that we would like to fulfill one day.

Northbound vs southbound routes (Classic Roundtrip Voyage)

Even though at first glance it looks as though you will travel the same route twice (once direction north and then back south), that’s only partially true.

The time (and length of stay) for each port visited and also the exact route change for the northbound and southbound routes. Therefore, many travellers decide to travel the complete route (Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen), even though it is of course possible to just book part of the trip (e.g. half the route).

Our tip: If you really only want to travel have of the route then we would suggest traveling the northbound route, i.e. Bergen to Kirkenes. This is for two reasons: One, on the trip north you pass by the imposing Geiranger Fjord (however, only in summer). The other reason is that the nature when you head north always gets more and more spectacular as you go. The more north you get, the more arctic and impressive it is.

How do I book a Hurtigruten trip?

You can book your Hurtigruten trip at your trusted travel agent, or you could also easily book it online on the official website in just a few clicks.

Next you select the travel route of your desire, i.e. either the entire postal ship route or perhaps just one section (e.g. northbound from Bergen to Kirkenes or southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen).

A different ship leaves every day, i.e. if you want to travel on one particular ship then you have to select the correct date for it – but that is shown quite clearly online.

After that you choose your desired cabin. Whether it is inside or outside is a question of price or taste. We personally would opt for an outside cabin. You can now select your cabin of choice based on the deck plan. Alternatively, there is also a cheaper option where you are given your cabin number on arrival. We let you know more about the cabins later on in this blog article. The next step is to choose your trips on shore (more on this soon), and that’s it.

You can book the expedition here: Hurtigruten (official website)

Additional info: Booking your arrival

You book your arrival to the Hurtigruten boat trip separately. It is possible to book with the support of Hurtigruten, but the flights booked via Hurtigruten are often (but not always) more expensive.

Therefore, you can also very easily book the flights yourself. Our tip: It is best to check the flight prices before booking your Hurtigruten expedition – so that you don’t get a nasty surprise.

We really recommend staying a night in Bergen as a buffer. One reason is that you never know of your flight will be delayed and the other reason is that Bergen is a nice city that you should definitely see. Many also spend a night in Bergen at the end of their trip, but that is a matter of taste.

You can search for cheap flights here: Skyscanner

Shore Excursions during a Hurtigruten trip

The trips on shore while on a Hurtigruten trip are like the icing on the cake. Because the ship often only stops in the ports for a short time, the offer to take trips on shore are a good (and also only option) to see more of the country.

It’s not that uncommon that the arrival and departure ports for the trips will be different. This means that the Hurtigruten ship will carry along on its route and you can re-board at a different port after you finish your excursion (e.g. after 5 hours). The trips on shore are really well organised so you don’t need to worry about missing your ship.

Which trips can I book – and how?

The offers are wide-ranging from leisurely city walks to past-paced rides in rubber dinghies. We dare to say that there is really something for everyone – be it relaxed, adventurous or family-friendly. You can read about which trips we recommend in our detailed blog article: The Most Beautiful Hurtigruten Onshore Excursions .

The onshore trips on offer differ depending on season, i.e. in summer some of the trips are different to those in winter. Also good to know: northbound and southbound trips have different onshore trips on offer.

You can either book your trips online (either when booking your trip or later) or also spontaneously onboard the ship. It is better to book the most popular trips with limited spots, or those trips you are really set on doing, from home. Otherwise, we would suggest not to pack your trip full and to decide more spontaneously (depending on weather) when you are there.

Small (or better said, big) downside: The trips on shore are unfortunately fairly expens ive and it’s not unusual for them to cost 200 or even 300 euros per person – and that’s just for a few hours. This is also one reason we suggest limiting your trips on shore to your favourites.

You can search for trips on shore & book them here: Hurtigruten Onshore Excursions

Selecting the best time to travel is always a bit tricky. If you ask die-hard Norway fans what the best time to visit is they will say, it has to be all year round.

The fact is that every season is completely different – and this is due to the interesting light. Therefore, which season you choose will depend on your personal preferences.

Winter: Northern lights & polar nights

One of the most popular times to travel is clearly in winter, and that is for one reason: The northern lights! If you want to see the colourful lights dancing across the sky, then you need to come in winter. The northern lights season in Norway stretches from October to March.

During this travel period, the Hurtigruten provides the ‘northern lights promise’. If no northern light sightings are announced over the loudspeaker during your trip, then you can travel again within the next 28 days, with expenses covered by the Hurtigruten.

It is important to know that during some months in winter it can be continuously dark or dusky above the Polar Circle on a Hurtigruten trip. This phenomenon is called the polar night. In some areas north of Polar Circle the sun doesn’t rise for months. (For example, in Tromsø the polar night lasts from the end of November until mid-January).

However, it is not always pitch black but often quite dusky. If you’re not so comfortable with darkness, you might be more interested in taking a trip from the middle/end of February when the days a noticeably longer. 

Summer: Midnight sun

The counterpart to the polar night is the midnight sun. Over the period of a few months in some regions north of the Polar Circle the sun shines down from the sky 24/7. For example, at the North Cape (not directly part of the route, but nearby and can be booked as an excursion) this spectacle lasts from mid-May to the end of July.

We ourselves were underway on the Hurtigruten in July and therefore, exactly at the time of the midnight sun. The lighting atmosphere is simply fascinating and a unique experience. However, you should be prepared for the fact that your body may find it difficult to go into sleep mode when it is so bright.

Important to know: You can also encounter rough weather in the middle of summer. It is never properly hot – when we were there in July the temperatures were always between 10 and almost 20 degrees. We often had rain, a lot of wind and luckily also a lot of sunshine. Always keep in mind that you are venturing into the far north and the weather can be quite variable.

Shoulder seasons: Spring & autumn

We were told by a Hurtigruten-pro that spring is also beautiful. For example, during April/May you can watch the sunset for hours. Generally, March is a very popular season because you still have the chance to see the northern lights, but the days are already much longer.

When the weather is stable, autumn is a very colourful travel time. The forests are in colour during September/October and make for a brilliant photo. However, the weather can also be quite rough and stormy.

The Hurtigruten fleet has around a dozen ships that vary in size, decor, design and age. So the question is: Which ship should I decide on?

If you are more into luxury, then we would suggest taking one of the newer ships or one that has been recently renovated.

One example of this is the MS Spitsbergen. The ship is very tasteful decorated with a lot of wood but also not at all pretentious or overdone. The sauna is also great: It has a large glass window. That means that you can watch the interesting landscape go by while you are in the sauna.

The oldest ship of the fleet is the MS Lofoten, which has been in operation since 1964. Although the ship was modernized in 2003, it is still something for the nostalgic among us. However, from 2021 the MS Lofoten will no longer be part of the fleet.

The new hybrid expedition ships ( MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen ) are certainly also an experience but are primarily used for trips to the Arctic and Antarctic and not for the postal ship route.

Cabins onboard the Hurtigruten ships

Important to note in advance: A trip on the Hurtigruten is definitely no luxury cruise – and that goes for the cabins as well. There are some more exclusive cabins with balconies (especially the suites) but that’s not always the case – and also costs accordingly.

The cabins tend to be quite small, the furnishings more functional, but still comfortable. We personally would recommend an outside cabin (not an inside cabin) for you. Speaking from experience, you spend most of the time in public spaces or on the deck, but it is quite nice to be able to look outside from time to time

Important: There are also outside cabins with restricted views (e.g. because a safety boat is hanging in front of it). Some are also located on the promenade deck, i.e. where other guests may be walking in front of your window. There are great plans on the Hurtigruten website so that you can easily find and book your preferred cabin.

Whether you prefer to spend the night on the starboard side (right), or port side (left) is a matter of taste. Important to know: The ship docks on the port side. You can observe the port hustle and bustle better from here, but you also have the disadvantage of hearing the ship’s charging noises better on this side.

The bad news first: Norway is one of the most expensive countries to travel to in Europe. And unfortunately a trip on the Hurtigruten is no exception.

There is no single price. The price of your Hurtigruten trip will depend on a few factors. One factor is the question of your travel route. For example there is a large difference if you do the complete postal route (12 days) or just one part of it.

The second important factor is your choice of cabin. Often there are worlds between the cheaper category cabins and the more expensive suites. In addition, the onshore excursions also cost extra, which can be quite pricey. Of course, there are also large differences here: Some do without them completely and others book a lot of onshore trips.

And last but not least, you also need to get to Norway somehow (Bergen in this particular case). Whether or not you find a good deal will also affect the overall price. 

Roughly speaking, the price for the stretch from Bergen-Kirkenes (i.e. the postal route one way) is around 1,500 euros per person (fully catered, excluding onshore trips).

Some things should always be packed – regardless of season – for a Hurtigruten trip to Norway. This includes:

• Enough warm clothes (e.g. thermal shirts, fleece shirts, long sleeved shirts, warm sweaters, long trousers; we recommend an onion look – i.e. many thin layers that are as warm as possible.)
• Jacket (If just one, then this needs to be rain and wind proof.)
• Beanie & gloves
• Waterproof, comfortable shoes with good grip
• Rainproof trousers (We found these to be practical e.g. while kayaking but may not be necessary if you are not planning these kind of trips.)
• Backpack (ideally waterproof)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimsuit or swim shorts (for the spa pool)
• Ear plugs (if you are sensitive to noise – the ship is still docking and departing during the night. 
• And of course, very important: Camera & enough memory cards (and a rainproof case for it)

What you can leave at home with a clear conscious are your fancy clothes. You practically never wear chic clothing or even suits onboard (maybe with the exception of New Year). Concentrate your efforts on selecting clothing that is comfortable and functional.

In summer you can also take sandals and a few lighter clothing items with you. Although on our trip we wore long trousers throughout because it was too fresh otherwise. We would have been more pleased with an additional thick sweater.

In winter it’s definitely worth it to have shoes with a good profile. Some even swear by spikes because it can be quite slippery in the towns. You should definitely also bring a warm winter jacket.

Disclaimer: Invitation & Affiliate Links

We were invited by Hurtigruten to travel on this dream trip – thank you very much! Of course, this does not influence our honest opinions.

This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Tell us: Have you already been on a Hurtigruten trip? What did your travel route look like? Let us know your experiences. We look forward to your additional tips in the comments.

You might also be interested in this

Hurtigruten: The Best and Most Adventurous Excursions

Best of Tromsø (Norway): Top Things to Do & Our Travel Tips

4 responses.

Thank you for the informative posts – we are travelling on MS Richard With in February on the BKB and cannot wait!

Amazing, have a great trip and enjoy the northern lights! :)

Your Blog is excellent. We had a taste of the Hurtigruten expedition in 2018 doing the 2 day round trip from Tromso-Svolvaer-Tromso to experience the midnight sun from another perspective. It was amazing. Next year my friend and I are doing the Classic 12 day Voyage, so have found your Blog interesting. This time its in autumn to see the Northern Lights. Some great tips as well as much info that we have found during our research. We are saddened to see the Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral in Tromso and Breakfast at Nordkapp are not available. Thankyou for sharing your experience

Hello Dianne, Thank you so much for your comment! Autumn is surely an amazing season, wow. :) Are you sure that there is no Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral in autumn? (It’s only on the southbound route I guess.) We wish you a memorable trip! Fingers crossed for Northern Lights. :) All the best Kathi & Romeo

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Privacy Policy

• Bucket List
• Cruise and Stay
• Entertainment
• Expedition Cruises
• History and Culture
• River Cruising
• Sustainability
• Wildlife Cruises
• Adults Only
• All-Inclusive
• Food and Drink
• Ultra-Luxury
• News and Interviews
• United States
• United Kingdom
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• GDPR and Privacy Policy

Hurtigruten Coastal Express: Your guide to historic Norwegian cruise line

Hurtigruten Coastal Express sails the length of the spectacular Norwegian coastline offering Northern Lights cruises, Midnight Sun sailings and more.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express is a historic way to explore the coast of Norway and has plenty to offer travelers wishing to visit the country in depth.

Here’s everything you need to know about the cruise line and its exciting cruises.

What is Hurtigruten Coastal Express?

Hurtigruten was founded back in 1893 by Captain Richard With. His ship, the DS Vesteraalen, followed a route along the coast of Norway , providing a fast connection between Trondheim and Tromsø or Hammerfest (depending on the season). Fun fact, the words “hurtig ruten” means “the fast route”!

This maritime link linked remote Norwegian communities, enabling the transportation of mail, goods and passengers. The route, known as the Coastal Express, marked the beginning of Hurtigruten’s legacy, and it is still in use today.

What is the Norwegian Coastal Express route?

The Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express journey along the coast now commences in the southern city of Bergen, extends beyond the Arctic Circle, reaches Kirkenes, and then returns. It takes 12 days in total and covers approximately 2,500 nautical miles.

Expect to take in Norway’s renowned fjords, complete with picturesque farms and quaint fishing villages; the mountains and legends of the Helgeland Coast; and the enchanting Lofoten and Vesterålen islands.

The Coastal Express offers three different vacation experiences: The Original Coastal Express, The North Cape Express and The Svalbard Express.

The Original Coastal Express: Ideal for those who want to travel on the historic route, available year-round, allowing you to sail with locals who use the ship for their port-to-port journeys.

The North Cape Express: This route takes you to experience the Northern Lights and includes visits to some of Norway’s northernmost and southernmost ports. It offers delicious food and various activities, sailing to and from Oslo.

The Svalbard Express: Venturing into the Arctic Circle, this option is based on Hurtigruten’s original journey to Svalbard. It’s designed for those who wish to immerse themselves in Norwegian culture and witness the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun.’

Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Express FAQs

Can you hop on and off hurtigruten.

During the journey, your Hurtigruten ship stops at 34 coastal communities, ranging from large to small, both day and night. You’ll anchor in villages and towns for durations of 10 to 45 minutes, while the vessel will call at cities for several hours.

However, there’s plenty of flexibility with Hurtigruten and one of the standout features of the line is its “hop-on, hop-off” approach. Whether you’re new to cruising or have limited time to spare, you can embark on only a portion of the coastal voyage.

Passengers can opt for a seven-day northbound journey from Bergen to Kirkenes or a six-day southbound voyage on another. Additionally, Hurtigruten provides shorter two to five-day expeditions and the option for specific port-to-port bookings, too.

Furthermore, with ships sailing throughout the year, you can travel whenever suits you, in any of Norway’s four picturesque seasons.

What are Hurtigruten cabins like?

As with standard cruise lines, Hurtigruten has a range of cabins for travelers to choose from depending on group size and budget.

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express cabins

Polar Inside: Hurtigruten Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. They all include bathrooms with showers and toilets. Some have single beds, which can also serve as sofas, while others offer double beds or bunk beds. None of these cabins have windows.

Polar Outside: Hurtigruten Polar Outside cabins are located on the lower decks and come with private bathrooms. These cabins also have single beds, some of which convert into sofas, or bunk beds.

Arctic Superior: Hurtigruten Arctic Superior cabins on the upper and middle decks offer relaxation and comfort. These cabins feature bathrooms with showers and toilets, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. All cabins come with double beds.

Expedition Suite: The brand’s most luxurious cabins on the upper deck are the Hurtigruten Expedition Suites. These cabins include double beds, seating areas with TVs, and bathrooms with showers and toilets. Some suites offer additional amenities. Suite guests will also receive a welcome gift in their cabin.

Note, if you’re on a Select or Platinum fare, you can pick your cabin grade and number at no extra cost, depending on availability. However, for guests traveling between Bergen and Kirkenes or Kirkenes and Bergen on a Select fare, there’s a fee for selecting a specific cabin number. For guests on a Basic fare, your cabin grade and number will be assigned to you at the onboard check-in.

Is food included on Hurtigruten Coastal Express?

Yes, full-board set-menu dining is available to all passengers sailing on Classic Voyages. The Basic fare upwards includes all three daily meals in the main restaurant, with pre-allocated meal times. More flexibility is offered with higher fares.

What is dining like on Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express?

Each Hurtigruten ship has three dining options: a main restaurant, a bistro-style eatery, and a fine-dining à la carte restaurant. These venues all focus on serving authentic local cuisine and boast large windows from which you can admire the view!

Hurtigruten Coastal Express restaurants

Torget Main restaurant, Torget, offers a diverse menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, curated by head chef Øistein Nilsen. Meals here are included in your cruise fare.

Kysten Kysten is a stylish à la carte restaurant with a modern, elegant ambiance, serving dishes crafted from the finest coastal ingredients such as seaweed and kelp, extra tender reindeer and juicy scallops with local butter and wild herb. Dining at Kysten is included for suite guests but extra for non-suite travelers.

Brygga Named after ‘wharf’ in Norwegian, Brygga offers quick and tasty meals like salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and gourmet burgers, including its renowned shrimp sandwich. An extra charge applies to dining here.

Multe Multe, the onboard bakery, serves open sandwiches, fresh smoothies, coffee, and Lofoten ice cream with classic and Norwegian-inspired flavours, like brown cheese (brunost). An extra charge applies to eating here.

Are drinks included on Hurtigruten?

This depends on your fare. The Select fare includes complimentary tea and coffee while Platinum includes a full drinks package with your full-board dining, as well as all dinners à la carte at Kysten, the onboard fine-dining restaurant. Basic does not comprise beverages.

What bars are on Hurtigruten Norway Coastal Express?

The Explorer Bar serves premium coffee, organic teas, hot chocolate, fruit juices, various Norwegian beers, red, white, and rosé wine and a collection of Norwegian aquavit.

Are Hurtigruten excursions worth it?

Hurtigruten Coastal Express provides a wide range of optional excursions, from hikes, kayaking and cycling tours to cathedral visits, art walks and brewery visits.

Hurtigruten suggests booking your excursions ahead of time to secure your spot. You can reserve them up to four weeks before your departure.

If any excursion spots are still available, you can purchase them onboard using Norwegian Kroner at the ship’s exchange rate.

Please be aware that all excursions are subject to change due to weather and sea conditions, which may affect their feasibility. Additionally, some excursions may have minimum or maximum participant requirements.

Are gratuities included on Hurtigruten cruises?

Tipping is not included and is not a usual practice on Hurtigruten ships. The line states that if you wish to acknowledge outstanding service by crew members, you’ll find tip boxes with envelopes in the restaurant.

Is Wi-Fi included on Hurtigruten Coastal Express?

Yes, Hurtigruten provides free Wi-Fi. Guests with a Basic fare will need to register on the free 1893 Ambassador loyalty program for access, which comes with discounts and benefits. Note the Wi-Fi signal varies across the ship, and in remote Norwegian regions it may have slower speeds unsuitable for streaming.

What shops are on Hurtigruten ships?

Onboard all Hurtigruten ships there is a shop with a wide range of clothes (including high-quality knitwear), souvenirs and gift items, as well as a small selection of toiletries.

Are toiletries provided on Hurtigruten cruises?

You’ll find towels and shower gel/liquid soap in all cabins. Most ships also provide hair dryers in every cabin. If not, you can request one from the reception.

Is a Norwegian fjords cruise worth it?

Norwegian fjords cruises are a must for any avid traveller thanks to the region’s fairytale-worthy landscapes and unforgettable experiences on offer.

Where in the world to cruise by season – complete travel guide

Where to go on vacation is an exciting topic to tackle – there’s such a wide, beautiful world out there jam-packed with possibilities.

Win a free P&O Cruises vacation to the Norwegian fjords

Win a free cruise to Norway in our latest competition as Sailawaze teams up with Bolsover Cruise Club to bring you one whopper of a prize.

Become the first to know about win-a-cruise competitions, on-trend vacation inspo and don’t-miss travel advice from the experts.

Ahoy there!

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

Alaska Chevron

The Ultimate Guide to Cruising Alaska

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether you're booking your first voyage or your tenth, narrowing down the best Alaska cruise in 2025 is a complicated task.

Alaska has been a popular cruise destination for decades, and for good reason. Coastal travel is one of the best ways to explore all that the Last Frontier has to offer, from awe-inspiring wildlife encounters to scenic glacier viewings.

Each summer season there seems to be another cruise line sailing Alaskan waters, while the longtime incumbents are relentless in their addition of new itineraries, amenities, and excursions. What looks like an endless buffet of choice can lead to analysis paralysis for many first-time Alaska visitors—even if they’re  veteran cruisers  who have already figured out big questions like their preferred cruise line or favorite ship class.

To narrow down which Alaska cruise is best for you, here are five questions to consider—plus our favorite Alaska cruise itineraries for 2025.

How far in advance should you book an Alaska cruise?

Alaska is a popular destination for  multi-generational groups . Any large group booking multiple cabins or needing more than a couple of spots on shore excursions should start thinking about booking Alaska cruises about a year in advance to secure the best availability for their group size. So too should travelers who have specific non-negotiables on things like stateroom category, ship, or itinerary.

However, that doesn’t mean that last-minute bookers are out of luck. While popular itineraries and cabin categories have a tendency to sell out early (balcony accommodations are particularly sought after for scenic Inside Passage cruising), there’s still often enough inventory left for cruise lines to offer enticing deals for the summer during  the “wave” booking season  from January through March. They’ll even offer last-minute specials right up until the time of sailing, but selection will be limited and the most popular shore excursions will have long wait lists.

Is it better to cruise one-way or roundtrip?

Like almost any choice one makes when booking a cruise, it all comes down to personal taste. Roundtrip cruises offer the convenience of embarking and disembarking at the same port (typically Seattle, Vancouver , or San Francisco), but itineraries are generally limited to Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage.

Visitors wanting to see Alaska’s Interior, Fairbanks, and  Denali National Park , should book a one-way Inside Passage cruise to or from Anchorage (which is served by the cruise ports at Whittier and Seward) and combine it with land-based touring either before or after the cruise. Many cruise lines, including  Holland America Line , Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity offer fully packaged “Cruisetours” that combine a one-way Inside Passage cruise with a rail or motor coach itinerary mainly focused on Denali, but also offering journeys to other parts of South central Alaska.

Luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas, pictured above, offer enticing deals for the summer during “wave season" from January through March.

Is Seward or Whittier a better port for Anchorage?

Each cruise line has its preferred port—Holland America Line and Princess Cruises berth at Whittier. Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas are based out of Seward but will move operations to Whittier upon completion of new berths currently under construction. Most other one-way cruises berth in Seward.

Whittier is closer to Anchorage, and some itineraries even take disembarking passengers directly to Denali or Talkeetna the same day. Whittier is also a convenient port for cruising College Fjord, which most northbound sailings do on the final day before arriving in Whittier. Whittier is, however, a tiny community that is little more than a deep-water port (and a fascinating-but-overlooked local history museum) while Seward is a larger community and regional base for a more diverse collection of tours and activities.

Seward is farther from Anchorage, but the train or coach ride is roughly an extra hour of travel through a spectacular mountain pass on the Kenai Peninsula, then the lines merge near Whittier and the last hour of the journey is the same, hugging the Chugach Mountains alongside Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage.

It’s worth noting that shoreside transportation outside of cruise line-operated transfers can be more limited in Whittier, so passengers embarking there may want to ensure transfers from Anchorage are included in the cruise package. From Seward, travelers wanting to spend a few days exploring Kenai Fjords National Park or one of the wilderness lodges can book Alaska Railroad transfers on its regular scheduled service.

I've been to Alaska before—how can I cruise differently?

Cruisers who are veterans at Inside Passage itineraries on the big ships have really only seen a preview of the nooks and crannies of the region.  Indigenous-owned Alaskan Dream Cruises  operates small-ship sailings from Southeast Alaska, getting into the straits and narrows that the big ships won’t fit, and oftentimes determining itineraries by reports of sea life migrations and weather conditions.

Return visitors who still want that big ship experience might try a different category of cruise line. The major operators—Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity—are all premium-tier cruise lines, but the luxury cruise lines have also deployed ships to Alaskan waters in recent years.

Silversea has “Door-to-Door” pricing on  many of its Alaska cruises , meaning the cruise fare includes airfare, hotels, and all transfers—including transfers to the departure airport. Onboard the all-suite ships, there’s butler service in every suite, fine dining, and select shore excursions included. The largest Silversea ship sailing to Alaska also carries just under 600 guests, allowing for port calls at lesser-visited stops like Wrangell, Haines, and Valdez.

Seabourn’s small-ship trips from Vancouver hit major ports on the northbound 7-day sailing, but southbound the Seabourn Quest cruises through portions of the Canadian Inside Passage that are too small for larger ships, calling in Canadian ports like Prince Rupert and Alert Bay on the northern shore of Vancouver Island.

Are there less-crowded alternatives?

HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, the Norwegian expedition operator,  offers sailings between Vancouver and Nome . The itineraries hit the lesser-visited spots on the Inside Passage and the virtually untouristed and volcano-dotted Alaska Peninsula, where guests can spot Brown Bears in Katmai National Park, go bird-watching in St. Paul Island and the uninhabited St. Matthew Island in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and explore the eerie ghost town of Unga.

Closer afield, but no less secluded, is the Prince William Sound Explorer from Uncruise, where guests will depart Whittier and wake up among the glaciers of little-visited Icy Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. Much of the itinerary is “Captain’s choice” based on conditions and sea life movements, but the massive Columbia and Meares glaciers and the Sound communities of Cordova and Valdez—also off the big ship routes—hold prized spots on the itinerary.

Celebrity Cruises has just launched its first-ever Edge Series Alaska itineraries, which sail past the Dawes Glacier (pictured above).

The best Alaska cruises 2025

Alaska cruises have long followed a well-sailed route up the Inside Passage from Seattle or Vancouver, but as many destinations begin to reach capacity, cruise lines have to seek out new ports to call at, or new areas for scenic cruising. Glacier Bay is a popular classic for scenic cruising, but entry permits are limited for environmental reasons, so some cruises take in glaciers at Tracy Arm or Hubbard Glacier instead.

Alaska ports like Juneau are also approaching the limits of its local visitor infrastructure, so less-visited destinations like Wrangell, Kodiak, and the brand-new cruise dock at Klawock are starting to pop up on some cruise itineraries in 2025. Below, see our favorite Alaska cruise itineraries coming up next year.

Oceania Cruises – Wilds of Alaska

Oceania’s Riviera will sail in Alaskan waters for the first time in 2025, and the itineraries are extraordinary. This 12-day itinerary goes beyond the well-beaten Inside Passage, venturing to lesser-visited ports like Kodiak, Homer, and Wrangell—even stopping into the brand-new cruise port at Klawock, on Prince of Wales Islands, for forest-set culinary experiences, whale watching, and exploring the secluded fishing villages of Klawock and Craig with just a few hundred inhabitants. On board, the culinary experiences continue with a host of included-in-the-fare specialty restaurants and a purpose-built demonstration and teaching kitchen where passengers can take intimate cooking classes led by a master chef.

Alaskan Dream Cruises – Alaska’s Glacier Bay & Island Adventure

Alaska’s only Indigenous-owned cruise line is Sitka’s Alaskan Dream Cruises, which offers small-ship journeys in Southeast Alaska, focusing on the nooks and crannies where larger ships are unable to venture. This weeklong sailing between Juneau and Sitka delivers passengers to small, untouched communities like Norwegian fishermen-founded village of Petersburg and tiny Pelican, with just 70 year-round residents before heading to the company’s own Orca Point Lodge for a seafood feast ahead of a full day of scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park .

Princess Cruises – Ultimate Alaska Solstice

In a departure from the norm, this Princess sailing departs from San Francisco , giving guests a few extra sea days to enjoy the ship before it dives into 11 ports on this 22-day itinerary. Coinciding with Summer Solstice —the longest day of the year, when the sun shines for nearly 24 hours throughout most of Alaska—this sailing is a Glacierpalooza. Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, and College Fjord are all on the itinerary, as well as a good mix of interesting ports such as Valdez, known as the “Switzerland of Alaska”, and Sitka, with its fascinating mix of Indigenous Łingit and Russian heritage.

Holland America Line is one of the large cruise lines operating in Alaska.

Holland America Line – Great Alaska Explorer

Many cruises begin and end in Anchorage, but actually dock in ports at Whittier or Seward. This 14-night Holland America Line sailing actually calls directly in Anchorage on a roundtrip from Vancouver—rare for a ship the size of the MS Nieuw Amsterdam. The early-in-the-season voyage captures Anchorage at its spring-blooming best . While Denali isn’t a focal point for this itinerary, flightseeing tours can be taken from Anchorage. The ship also calls at Kodiak, where guests can board boats for wildlife viewing or fish for king salmon or halibut, before continuing to the scenic glacier cruising and fascinating communities in Southeast Alaska.

Viking – Alaska & The Inside Passage

Viking’s ocean-going ships are a bit of a departure from the norm for Alaska cruises. Designed with clean Nordic lines and the aesthetic of a land-based luxury hotel, these ships are well-suited for understated exploring—you won’t find a casino onboard here. The 11-day itinerary from Vancouver calls at Alaska’s collection of “Greatest Hits” ports like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau, but also overnights in Seward before passengers disembark, giving them a chance to check out rescued wildlife at the fascinating Alaska SeaLife Center or take an excursion in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Celebrity Cruises – Alaska Northbound Glacier

Alaska itineraries have grown most varied in recent years, particularly as ports and scenic cruising spots reach capacity. But this 7-day sailing onboard the recently refreshed Celebrity Summit is almost as traditional as it gets. Departing from Vancouver, it calls at Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau—Southeast Alaska’s three largest communities—before stopping into Icy Straight Point near tiny Hoonah for a day of ziplining and whale-watching (the port operator, the Indigenous-owned Huna Totem Corporation, even guarantees passengers will see whales or they’ll refund the tour price in cash—a guarantee that as of press time they’ve never had to pay out on in two decades of operation). The Celebrity sailing ends with scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and ends its journey in Seward.

Windstar – Alaskan Splendors

Many weeklong Alaska cruises just call in Southeast Alaska and return to ports in Seattle or Vancouver or stop at a limited number of ports before crossing the Gulf of Alaska to Seward or Whittier. This 10-day itinerary on Windstar's Star Seeker calls at all the top spots in the Inside Passage—even calling in Wrangell for trips to see its ancient oceanfront petroglyphs and Haines to see demonstrations by Łingit artisan carvers at the Alaska Indian Arts Center before docking in Seward to disembark passengers wanting to explore Denali and Alaska’s interior.

The Latest Travel News and Advice

Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips

These Are the World's Most Powerful Passports in 2024

The Oldest Country in the World Is This Microstate Tucked Inside Italy

This Rural Region in Spain is Paying Remote Workers $16,000 To Move There

Americans Will Need a ‘Visa’ to Visit Europe Next Year

Recommended

Alyeska Resort

Tutka Bay Lodge

North America Travel Guide

Optional excursions

If you have already booked a voyage, add optional excursions to your booking by inputting your booking reference or selecting your voyage from the drop-down below, and then clicking "Add to Reservation".

Find your voyage

Enter your booking reference or select a voyage from the list

Sign up for our newsletter

Receive special offers, exciting new itineraries and fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox.