Hurtigruten Highlights Small-Ship Voyages Along Norway’s Coast
The 12-day Coastal Express links Bergen and Kirkenes, visiting 34 ports while carrying passengers and goods.
Hurtigruten is promoting its long-running Norwegian coastal service, which the company has operated since 1893. Its purpose-built ships accommodate no more than 500 passengers and are designed to navigate narrow straits and use shallow docks inaccessible to larger cruise vessels.
The classic Coastal Express covers about 2,500 nautical miles on a 12-day round trip between Bergen and Kirkenes. The itinerary calls at 34 coastal ports while transporting both travelers and goods. Stops include Trøndelag, Ålesund and Stokmarknes, the birthplace of the Coastal Express and home of the Hurtigruten Museum.
Travelers can choose from more than 130 optional excursions along the route, including hiking, cultural and wildlife activities. Hurtigruten also offers a northern lights promise on qualifying voyages from Sept. 20 through March 31. Guests sailing the Norwegian coast for at least 11 days who do not see the aurora, as confirmed by ship deck officers, receive a complimentary sailing on a select coastal itinerary.
On board, Hurtigruten says its Norway’s Coastal Kitchen program obtains up to 80% of its ingredients from local farms, bakeries and coastal fisheries. The products include fish, meat and cheese sourced along the Norwegian shoreline.