Hurtigruten: new routes on the Coastal Express
The iconic Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten unveils 2 new itineraries in an adventurous maritime version of the famous Orient Express.
Already a fixture of daily life in Norway since 1893 is Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express route, which carries everything from people to essentials to mail, connecting 34 coastal communities.
Coastal Express Hurtigruten
In honor of its 130th anniversary, Hurtigruten has decided to debut new routes and excursions, such as the Svalbard Express and the North Cape Express. From June 2023 it will historically intensify its coastal voyages with extended port visits from Bergen to Svalbard during the summer and from Oslo to Honningsvåg in the winter.
Indeed, the most interesting addition to these new routes will be extended port visits. Instead of the typical itinerary, travelers will enjoy half- and full-day visits, averaging seven hours at each port. For example, there will be no shortage of Longyearbyen in Svalbard, travel along the Atlantic Road, and ride the Romsdalen cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of Norway’s mountain ranges.
Atlantic road
Passengers will board MS Trollfjord, a completely renovated ship with the addition of suites featuring Scandinavian wood furniture, neutral tones and traditional double beds. This will give the ship a more elegant and refined appeal and give guests a premium experience.
MS Trollfjord cabina
Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway said, “Our new Svalbard Express combines the best of one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, Norway, with the uniqueness of Svalbard, the northernmost inhabited place on Earth. Building on our 130-year history along the Norwegian coast, we will renew MS Trollfjord into an exclusive product in one of the world’s most famous cruise regions.”
MS Trollfjord
But the surprises do not end there. On the culinary side, the upper deck will include an open glass kitchen, perfect for Norwegian cooking classes along with a whiskey tasting room. In the afternoon, tea will be served in the Espolin Johnson Lounge under a historic work of art.
Through its Culinary Ambassador program, Hurtigruten guests can then enjoy Norwegian dishes by choosing from an all-day bistro, a contemporary buffet area, or a fine a la carte restaurant with large windows. After dinner, there will be no shortage of live entertainment with breathtaking views of the fjords in the new two-story circular bar in the Two-story Observation lounge.
Felin says, “Whether it’s enjoying hot drinks in a Sami shepherd’s tent or deep-sea fishing aboard a traditional Norwegian cutter, travelers will develop strong bonds with local communities along our routes creating unforgettable experiences.”
Be sure to visit our Cruising Journal site for lots of Hurtigruten news, tips and reviews.
