Explore sea, sky with a former NASA astronaut
Kathy Sullivan leads cruise through the Hurtigruten Route
Steeped in history and forged by necessity, the Hurtigruten Route is a legendary Norwegian shipping passage.
Now, however, luxury cruising takes passengers on this journey through 1,500 miles of some of the most spectacular inner-coastal scenery on earth. The Hurtigruten Route was in fact once called the world’s most beautiful voyage.
One of the unique aspects of Hurtigruten’s Norway cruises are the 11 ships providing daily departures from its terminus cities of Bergen and Kirkenes. There is a seemingly limitless selection of departure dates with unique seasonal experiences, from summer’s Midnight Sun to winter’s Northern Lights.
A spring voyage provides more excursion options than any other season—from history walks and kayaking to dogsledding and visiting snow hotels. In the spring, guests can experience three seasons in one journey, travelling from the warmer seasonal climate in the south to winter in the north.
It’s no wonder that for locals, spring is the favourite travel season. As an added bonus, only in spring will you visit the stunning Lyngenfjord, surrounded by majestic mountains and the sight of millions of migrating birds that return to the Arctic Coast.
Departing April 2018, a special six-night or 12-night cruise between Bergen and Kirkenes allows travellers to discover this fascinating landscape with a special onboard guest whose perspective of land, sea, and space is utterly unique.
Former NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan contributes her wide-ranging knowledge of earth science and space travel through lectures and shore excursions during the cruise.
One of the first women selected into the NASA astronaut corps in 1978, Sullivan is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions and the first American woman to walk in space.
Leading up to these achievements, Sullivan studied an earth sciences major at the University of California, completed an exchange program at Norway’s University of Bergen, and received her geology doctorate from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.
In 2004, Sullivan was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Sullivan partnered with Hurtigruten to create a special itinerary for this cruise. Explore UNESCO-listed colourful wharfs dating back to the 14th century in Bergen.
Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Nordfjord. Cross the Arctic Circle and wander through picturesque fishing villages. Sit in on included lectures from Sullivan and learn about what it is like to live in space, our planet as seen by astronauts, the dawn of the new space age, and how we can best manage the fragile Arctic in an age of increasing pressure on the region.
Hurtigruten departs April 5 on a 12-night round trip from Bergen. Alternatively, a sixnight one-way departure is available April 5 from Bergen to Kirkenes or April 10 from Kirkenes to Bergen. Visit Hurtigruten.com for details.