NORWAY? YES, WAY
Hurtigruten pays tribute to more than a century of service and the people that made them a success with celebrations on and off-ship.
The company’s CEO, Hedda Felin, says that they will bring together the old and the new in the year-long celebration, with freshly improved hybrid ships, anniversary dinners, historical lectures and incredible excursions.
“To celebrate the famous Coastal Express’ first 130 years of service we will pay tribute to those who came before us, as well as the coastal towns that they served and those we continue to serve today,” said Felin.
“On July 2, 1893, Captain Richard With and the steamer DS Vesteraalen set off on the Norwegian Coastal Express’ first voyage, which was the world’s first transatlantic passenger ship. We have been the original coastal journey since then, offering a unique opportunity to see the Norwegian coast first-hand, just as generations of Norwegians have done before us.
“We are proud to be the first coastal voyage,” added Felin. about the meat’s provenance. You can drink beer made from water sourced in Trollfjord, gin brewed in the clear fjords of Tromsø, and a wide selection of Norwegian aquavit.
The Show Kitchen is the place to learn how to fillet cod, halibut or salmon and guests can enjoy a barbecue on deck.
Foodies can join excursion dinners to feast on dishes based on the day’s excursions while learning more about the produce from the chef.
RETURN OF THE EXPRESS
The Svalbard Express is a nostalgic voyage back to the northernmost reaches of the world, bathed in the ever-changing light of the midnight sun. It is a great way to connect with the stories, people and the wild beauty of Norway’s coast.
Hurtigruten started the first regular summer sailing to the remote Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in 1968, becoming a lifeline for its community until 1982. Back then, the route was one of the most reliable
links the remote settlements on Svalbard had to mainland Norway.
The Svalbard Express again offers an opportunity to experience the far-flung feel of the High Arctic, aglow in the magical midnight sun.
Guests will follow the footsteps of the pioneering explorers, scientists, and sailors who have made the voyage to Svalbard over the centuries, as well as seeing some of the most magnificent scenery and wildlife in the world. Highlights include majestic fjords, remote hamlets splashed with red fisherman cabins and mountain ranges that tower above the sea. And if you’re lucky, a polar bear might wander into view as it prowls the coastline.
The 16-day full voyage takes in UNESCO World Heritage sites, hip city centres, tiny fishing villages, and inaccessible islands surrounded by towering sea cliffs teeming with birds. It crosses the Arctic Circle and visits the northernmost point of Europe, sailing across the Barents Sea to the polar barrens of Svalbard.
On board MS Trollfjord, the Svalbard Express itinerary handles essential cargo and sails where other cruise ships don’t, just as Hurtigruten has done for 130 years.
The voyage also immerses guests in Norway’s coastline and islands with excursions led by passionate locals, along with contemporary twists on cabin décor and menus inspired by the 1960s.
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
Amazing experiences await – guests can discover the flavours of the coast at one of Norway’s most talked-about dining destinations in the Vesterålen archipelago. Guests can also paddle a kayak across the pristine waters of the
Bergsfjorden or hike to Torghatten Mountain, which has a hole right through its centre, and hear the legend about the spurned troll that pierced its peak.
You can plunge into the stories and livelihoods that have nourished the Norwegian coast for centuries, at scientific research centres, restaurants and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The North Pole Expedition Museum is a great place to visit and you can take a guided tour of the Amundsen Monument, dedicated to one of the greatest polar explorers of all time. Passengers can also explore towns populated by scientific researchers, help clean up a whitesand beach on Lofoten before taking a dip in the sea, and fish in Traena, which is one of Norway’s oldest fishing villages.
Wildlife spotting includes sea eagles, little auks, puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, and northern fulmars flying over the dramatic, inaccessible island of Bjørnøya (also known as Bear Island).
Aboard the ship, you can learn about Bjørnøya’s history through polar history lectures.
In Svalbard, look out for walruses basking in the sun and you may also spot beluga whales on this wonderful Arctic adventure.
“WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE FIRST COASTAL VOYAGE.” HEDDA FELIN