Top of the World Cruises - Hurtigruten Passenger Favorite

Nordnorge - Hurtigruten

Award-winning Hurtigruten, which has run voyages along the Norwegian coast since 1893, reveals that once again, the North Cape – the northernmost point on the European continent – was the best-selling spot for shore excursions in 2011.  Last year, nearly 57,000 guests visited the site on Hurtigruten’s “North Cape” and “Breakfast at the North Cape” excursions, and the “North Cape” tour was officially the company’s top-seller. 

The Top 10 Excursions for 2011 were as follows:

•     The North Cape – Hunningsvåg: A stop 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean
•     Midnight Concert in Tromsø: A visit to the “Arctic Cathedral,” Tromsdalen Church
•     The Arctic Capital Tromsø: A tour of the largest town above the Arctic Circle
•     A Taste of Vesterålen: A sampling of Viking history accompanied by breathtaking scenery
•     Lofoten Islands: An exploration of a region known for aquaculture, agriculture and art
•     Geiranger Panorama 2: A journey up the “Eagle Road” and down the Trollstigen Road
•     The Russian Border – Kirkenes: An excursion to the place where East meets West
•     Breakfast at the North Cape: An early-morning adventure at the top of the world
•     Glacier Adventure – Svartisen: A trip to Norway’s second largest glacier
•     Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral: A sightseeing experience in Norway’s first capital

    On the top-ranking “North Cape” tour, offered on Hurtigruten’s northbound Bergen-Kirkenes sailings, guests cross the 71st parallel – something few people can claim – and take in the sub-Arctic landscape as they make their way to the North Cape Plateau. This part of the world is known as “Finnmark,” and it combines Sami, Russian and Finnish cultures.  Summer visitors may see grazing reindeer and Sami camps, and winter visitors’ bus may follow a snow plow up the final eight miles to reach the plateau, which rises more than 1,000 feet above the Arctic Ocean.  Once there, guests eagerly brace themselves against the winds to stand beside the iconic North Cape globe for photographic evidence that they have literally stood at the top of the world.  Guests on the “Breakfast at the North Cape” tour, offered on Hurtigruten’s southbound travels, have the opportunity to greet the day in this beautiful setting.  On their way back to their ship, participants meet a Sami family and their reindeer, then ultimately rejoin the ship in Hammerfest, the world’s northernmost town.

    Tromsø, which is Norway’s biggest city north of the Arctic Circle, also offers excursions that are popular among voyage guests.  “The Midnight Concert in the Arctic Cathedral,” which drew nearly 20,000 guests to Tromsdalen Church in 2011, was Hurtigruten’s second best-selling excursion last year; the “Arctic Capital Tromsø”   excursion, which  attracted more than 18,000 participants last year, was the company’s third best-selling tour.  Hurtigruten guests must be on to something, as Tromsø was recently named the top cruise destination for 2012 by Frommer’s.  On the midnight concert tour, offered on southbound trips, guests enter an elegant church filled with candlelight and Norwegian folk music; on the capital tour, offered on the northbound route, guests get a grand tour of “The Paris of the North.”  A highlight of this excursion is a visit to the Polaria Centre, an educational facility that features an aquarium, displays and a panorama theater.  It’s a good place to learn about the Northern Lights and the polar bears and seals that are at home here in the tundra.  Other excursions in Tromsø offered by Hurtigruten include opportunities to ride a dog sled, visit with 250 huskies (without sledding) or gain a better understanding of the history of polar expeditions.

    Hurtigruten offers approximately 45 excursions in the 34 ports it visits on its sailings between Bergen and Kirkenes.  Guests can choose activities that suit their individual interests and taste for adventure – from embarking on a glacier adventure in Svartisen or participating in a Viking feast in Stamsund-Svolvaer on the northbound route, to taking a scooter expedition in Lapland or enjoying a day of sightseeing in Bergen on the southbound route.

    Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations – including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen – as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring.  The company’s fleet of 14 intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Norway's Hurtigruten Prepares to Celebrate 120th Anniversary

Hurtigruten's Nordnorge is a typical Norewgian Coastal cruiser

Hurtigruten is commemorating the 120th anniversary of its six to 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages – long known by the epithet bestowed by Lonely Planet -- “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage” -- with enhanced offerings focusing on music, culture and culinary and detailed in a new 2013 Norway Brochure.  A staple of Norwegian culture since 1893, Hurtigruten’s fleet of modern ships offers a unique glimpse into Norwegian culture as they transport guests and locals alike along Norway’s spectacular west coast, stopping at 34 ports of call between the cultural center of Bergen and Kirkenes, high above the Arctic Circle.

    The new brochure details the extraordinary voyage and land opportunities available in 2013 – local culinary specialties, Viking history and myth, the Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights, stunning fjords and rare glimpses of wildlife, to name a few – as well as an exciting array of more than 45 optional excursions to help personalize the voyage for each guest.  Travelers booking by Sept. 30, 2012 are rewarded with an early booking discount of up to 25%; some limitations may apply.  Members of the 1893 Ambassador Club, a free loyalty club for guests who have sailed a minimum of three nights on any Hurtigruten ship in the past, receive a 5% discount on the voyage fare as well as a range of other exclusive benefits.

    Hurtigruten presents guests with an ever-changing landscape of small fishing villages in the rugged Lofoten Islands; Art Nouveau Ålesund, the medieval Viking capital of Trondheim; and Norway's "Paris of the North," Tromsø.  A diverse array of optional excursions provides opportunities for customization of the experience, offering an ever deeper understanding of Norwegian culture.  Options for 2013 include a trip to the breathtaking Geiranger Fjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site praised by National Geographic – featuring cascading waterfalls, emerald waters and panoramic views of Ålesund; a journey across the 71st parallel to the North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe and home to grazing reindeer and the indigenous Sami people; and the Lofotr Viking Feast, which immerses guests in Viking culture with a visit to the Viking museum and a real Viking feast, complete with home-brewed mead.  Guests are encouraged to book optional excursions prior to departure as space can be limited.

    For those seeking to combine other travel plans with a Hurtigruten sailing, the recently added port-to-port pricing allows visitors of Norway to create a truly customized vacation experience, choosing the number of days they wish to sail and between what ports.

    Sailing aboard Hurtigruten ships means large, comfortable lounges with panoramic windows and wonderful views from large outdoor decks; open seating for most meals; authentic Norwegian cuisine designed with fresh seasonal ingredients and incredible seafood, complemented by a comprehensive wine list; multilingual tour directors; a range of comfortable cabin choices that includes large suites, some with private balconies; and a friendly and well-informed crew, ready to offer assistance and learned suggestions.

    Fares subject to availability and include accommodation in cabin grade of choice; full board; a selection of complimentary items onboard for suites; International flights, optional excursions, fuel surcharges are additional.

Membership in the 1893 Ambassador Club loyalty is free of charge and its included discounts are for the cruise component only.  Guest who have already cruised can join by visiting www.hurtigruten.us/1893 or calling 877-301-3059; new travelers can join the program while onboard their voyage or after returning home.

    Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring and fall.  The company’s fleet of 14 intimate ships, carrying 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Dive Deep into Norwegian History with Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten invites guests to be immersed in Norwegian culture of old and present during the “Year of Nansen-Amundsen” with the seven-day Ice Breakers Voyage, carving the same path forged by the celebrated maritime pioneers. As the 691-passenger MS Nordkapp wends her way along Norway’s fjord-filled west coast, travelers are privy to the expertise of Scandinavian historian Arne Kertelhein, whose lectures illuminate the history of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, their incredible journeys and the diverse regions visited. An array of optional excursions provide the opportunity to delve deeper into the rich history of each port, from an authentic Viking feast in the largest Viking building ever found to sightseeing among the wooden houses and colorful wharfs of charming Tromso, home to the Gothic-style Nidaros Cathedral. Prices for the Oct. 14 voyage range from $1,550 to $2,949 per person, double. Members of the 1893 Ambassador Club, a loyalty club for those who have sailed on Hurtigruten in the past three years, receive 10% savings as well as a range of complimentary onboard benefits.

While the MS Nordkapp takes in an ever-changing landscape of small fishing villages, bustling towns and islands, guests learn firsthand why the route was named “world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet’s “Bluelist.” Departing Bergen and docking early in the charming Art Nouveau town of Alesund, guests have a chance to explore before continuing north to Trondheim, where Gothic-style architecture reigns supreme. Entering the Arctic Circle, travelers will see the busy town of Bodo and the rugged Lofoten Islands before arriving in Tromso, the gateway to the Arctic, where the stunning Arctic Cathedral and famous Polaria Center sit amid the collection of modern shops and cafes. After stopping in Hammerfest and Honningsvag, the ship calls at its final port of Kirkenes, near the Russian border.

The optional excursions are designed to impart an even deeper understanding of Norway in its guests, including its cities, traditions and people. Among the offerings available are a Viking feast in a genuine Viking banquet hall, complete with live entertainment and home-brewed mead; the Polar History City Walk in Tromso, which explores the history of the largest town in northern Norway with a visit to the Polar Museum and Tromso’s oldest pub, Olhallen; and a visit to Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium, including a diving show, followed by a chance to admire Alesund from the vantage point of Mount Aksla.

Rates include accommodation in cabin grade of choice; all meals on board, including a selection of drinks for those in suites; a wind and water proof jacket; and all aspects of the onboard program, including lectures. Optional excursions, flights and cruise fuel surcharge are additional.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring and fall. The company’s fleet of 12 intimate ships, carrying 100 to 646 passengers, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Buy 6 Nights Get 5 Free! Hurtigruten Unveils Unprecedented Opportunity

June 2010 -- The Norwegian fjords, a highlight of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage, have had awards and honors bestowed on them over the years, most recently by National Geographic Traveler which named it the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations. And Hurtigruten is making it easier to take in these Norway treats (and many others) this fall, offering its 12-day roundtrip Norwegian Coastal Voyage for the price of the seven-day northbound portion - five nights free with the purchase of six. The special, amounting to a 30% discount, must be booked by Sept. 30 and is available for cabins on select sailings -- 22 to be exact -- that depart between Oct. 5 and Dec. 31, 2010. Solo travelers get the same opportunity as there are no single supplement charges for singles cabins during this time period. The voyage takes in Norway's scenic 1,250-mile west coast between the charming Hanseatic port of Bergen and the near-Russian border town of Kirkenes. Further savings are offered to AARP members -- on board cabin credit of up to $100 -- and a 10% fare savings for passengers who sailed on any Hurtigruten ship in the past three years. As comparison, regular 12-day fares range from $2,190 to $3,057 per person, double.

Besides seeing many of the celebrated fjords, Hurtigruten guests enjoy a charming portfolio of 34 ports, including Trondheim, one of the country’s oldest cities and a thriving university town; Tromso, Europe's largest town above the Arctic circle; the Lofoten archipelago, with peaked mountains and villages filled with rust-red fishermen’s cabins; and Alesund, destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style. Those ports that are visited late at night on the northbound leg are visited during the day on the southbound journey - so guests have the opportunity to easily explore every one of them.

Shore excursions range from touring to active explorations: the North Cape, sitting 1,000 feet above the churning Barents Sea and offering a top-of-the-world vista; a visit to the Norway-Russia border station near Kirkenes; a "Taste of Vesterålen" - visits to Harstad, Trondeneshalvoya Peninsula, Hinnoya Island and Sortland; dog-sledding from November on; and a Lofotr Viking Feast with traditional foods, singing and dancing; to name a few. Pre-booking excursions before departure saves guests 5% off the excursion price.Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast.
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Hurtigruten Offers 1/2 Off for Second Passengers On Norwegian Coastal Voyages

June 2010 -- The North Cape beckons, the oft-lauded fjords await, the midnight sun lights the way around the clock, and Hurtigruten makes it easier to take in all these Norway treats (and many more) this summer with a 50% off the companion fare special running through Sept. 13, 2010. Passengers, able to choose from more than 100 departures of the Norwegian Coastal Voyage six-, seven- or 12-day sailings, take in Norway's spectacular fjord-filled, 1,250-mile west coast between the charming Hanseatic port of Bergen and Kirkenes, close to the Russian border. Booking deadline is August 31; combinable offers include AARP on board cabin credit of up to $100 and 10% savings for passengers who sailed on any Hurtigruten ship in the past three years. Regular fares range from $1,632 to $11,621 per person, double.

National Geographic Traveler magazine has placed the Norwegian fjords, a highlight of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage, at the top of its list of the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations - based on its survey done with the National Geographic Center for Sustainable destinations. Besides seeing many of these celebrated fjords, Hurtigruten guests get to visit an eclectic array of ports (34 in all), including Trondheim, one of the country’s oldest cities and a thriving university town; Tromso, Europe's largest town above the Arctic circle; the Lofoten archipelago, with peaked mountains and villages filled with rust-red fishermen’s cabins; and Alesund, destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style.

Shore excursions range from touring to active explorations: the North Cape, sitting 1,000 feet above the churning Barents Sea and offering a top-of-the-world vista; a riverboat safari in Kirkenes; a visit to the UNESCO islands of Vega, where eider ducks are kept as pets; taking in the beauty of the Geirangerfjord, also a UNESCO site; a RIB safari to Saltstraumen to witness the world's most powerful tidal current; an exploration of Lapland; and a Lofotr Viking Feast with traditional foods, singing and dancing; to name a few. Pre-booking excursions before departure saves guests 5% of the excursion price.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast.

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Hurtigruten Norwegian Fjords Voyages

October 2009 -- National Geographic Traveler magazine has placed the Norwegian fjords, a highlight of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage, at the top of its list of the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations - based on its survey undertaken in cooperation with the National Geographic Center for Sustainable destinations. This is the third time in the six-year history of the venerated magazine's "Places Rated" Destination Stewardship survey that the Norwegian fjords have topped the list. This honor follows the 2007 Lofoten Islands' designation as the world's third best island destination - another daily stop on the Coastal Voyage - and reinforces Lonely Planet's "Blue List" description of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage as the "world's most beautiful voyage."

"The integrity and world renown of National Geographic, as well as its global penetration makes this one of the most important awards in travel industry internationally," says Christian Bue Nordahl, Global Brand Manager at Hurtigruten ASA. "The fact that the Norwegian fjords have once again topped the list is an affirmation of the unique natural assets that we possess. We are delighted by the results and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fjord Norway on its success.”

More than 100,000 foreign visitors cruised the fjords and the rest of Norway's spectacular 1,250-mile west coast in 2008, aboard one of Hurtigruten's 11 modern ships that sail these waters daily, year-round. Besides the fjords, Hurtigruten guests get to visit an eclectic array of ports (34 in all), including Trondheim, one of the country’s oldest cities and a thriving university town; Bergen, a charming Hanseatic port; the Lofoten archipelago, with peaked mountains and villages filled with rust-red fishermen’s cabins; and Alesund, destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style.

About the survey: 133 destinations were surveyed by 437 travel experts, and rated based on the following six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management and outlook for the future.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing daily along the Norwegian coast as well as to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen.

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