If the Hurtigruten name is not familiar to you, you may remember its former name, Norwegian Coastal Voyage, as it was better known. But today the line uses only one name, and that is Hurtigruten.
Hurtigruten (Norwegian for “fast route”) operates a fleet of 15 ships of varying types and sizes. The Hurtigruten fleet includes 15 ships, broken down into five different classes or categories. Their newest ships are the ones in the “Millennium Class,” and these are the largest ones in the fleet. They are also the most modern, having internet cafes, as well as 24-hour buffets, Jacuzzis, and swimming pools. They also have advanced propulsion systems which allow the ships to cover more ground in a shorter period of time, as well as more elaborate staterooms, including several suites with balconies.
One of the most unique ships in the entire Hurtigruten fleet is their new deluxe “Expedition Ship,” the 318-passenger MS Fram. This ship was built exclusively for exploring Greenland. A second ship, the 100-passenger Polar Star, is also an expedition ship, but this one is rated ice class 1A which means that it can navigate ice-filled waters, thus enabling passengers to visit remote parts of the world.
A Hurtigruten cruise passenger list will consist primarily of Europeans, many of them independent sorts who like to have total control over their holiday experience; they like to visit remote destinations and do not go in for pretentiousness. Americans are in the minority on these ships and those that seem to like the line are usually well-travelled and sophisticated, and are very comfortable around those of other cultures, such as Europeans. Passenger ages tend to be at the higher end of the range, with very few families.
Hurtigruten has a wide open cruising region. Of course, they have their signature fjord and coastal cruises, and their expedition cruises to Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords.
Prospective passengers should be aware that the ships of Hurtigruten tend to lack the trappings of many modern cruise ships today. For example, one will find no casinos onboard, nor organized activities and entertainment. Rather, Mother Nature will provide all of the entertainment passengers need since these ships tend to cruise to some of the most picturesque regions of the world.
The onboard ambience on all of the Hurtigruten ships is casual. There are absolutely no formal nights, so there is no need to lug along the tuxedo or the floor-length gown.
Service onboard is exemplary, and there is a “no tipping required” policy. What that means is that if you want to tip a crew member, that’s your decision and no one will solicit or expect a tip in return for their services.
Only on the longer, expedition style cruises, such as those to Greenland and the Antarctica region, will tips of $9 per day be added automatically to your onboard account.
Dining is fairly simple on these ships, and the menus generally offer three courses with no alternative selections. What that means is that on any given evening, everyone will enjoy the same appetizer, entrée and dessert.
There is what would be called on a more “Americanised” cruise ship, a Lido café onboard, but it is not free. It is open 24 hours a day, but passengers must pay for any meals they take there. Alcoholic beverage prices are high onboard as well.
Eleven of the Hurtigruten ships are committed on a year-round basis to doing Norwegian coastal itineraries. Passengers have a choice of a six-night northbound, a five-night southbound or an 11-night roundtrip sailing. In the wintertime, one of their ships, the Nordnorge, is repositioned to the Southern Hemisphere where she will sail Antarctic and Chilean Fjord itineraries.
The Fram, of course, has the most interesting and far-ranging itineraries, with summer expeditions to Greenland and Iceland. She also sails a 66-night Arctic-to-Antarctic odyssey, and then does a winter in Antarctica. The Polar Star and Nordstjernen will do summer voyages to Spitsbergen, which is an island located about midway between Norway and the North Pole.
Of all the ships in the Hurtigruten fleet, clearly a voyage on the Fram or the Polar Star would be one for the memory books, a never-to-be-forgotten expedition into the farthest reaches of man’s civilization.
Find out about all the ships in the Hurtigruten fleet