Winter cruises
with Hurtigruten

Winter cruises in Norway

Would you like to explore the world's second-longest coastline? With Norway's Coastal Express, Hurtigruten, you can discover thousands of kilometres of the Norwegian coast in just seven days, even in winter!

Hurtigruten also has a special Northern Lights Promise: if you travel during the aurora season and don’t see the green lightshow from the ship, you'll receive a complimentary six or seven-day voyage!

How about celebrating Christmas or New Year's Eve on board Hurtigruten! Visit local Christmas markets at various ports of call and immerse yourself in Norwegian traditions with plenty of festive food and activities on board.

Hurtigruten's ships sail between Bergen on the west coast of Norway and Kirkenes at the northern tip. If that doesn’t sound exciting enough, just wait – it also calls at historic and picturesque destinations including Ålesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Lofoten, Tromsø, Hammerfest, and the iconic North Cape.

However, the route may vary due to changing weather conditions along the sea route – but that only adds to the adventure!

A Norwegian winter cruise is very safe, thanks to the experienced crew on board (and travel sickness tablets are available if the sea feels a little rough).

Another thing you should keep in mind on a winter cruise is that the climate varies quite a bit from one end of Norway to the other. Be sure to pack plenty of warm and windproof clothing, and sturdy shoes if you plan on exploring different parts of the country. Wool is highly valued by Norwegians for its warmth and breathability.

You can easily buy clothes in all the major cities in Norway and on board Hurtigruten. Find more in-depth information about winter clothing here.

Uniting Norwegians near and far

Norway's vast coastline was once a barrier rather than a connector, with countless remote and isolated communities where it could take months for mail to arrive. This all changed when Hurtigruten could finally connect people from near and far.

It all started when the Norwegian government wished to find a safe and efficient way to transport fish to the south, so that it could be exported to Southern Europe. The challenges at the time included dangerous reefs and a lack of lighthouses and nautical maps, meaning that sailing in the dark wasn't an option.

Both a cruise ship and a local cargo shipper

In 1893, Captain Richard Bernhard With from Stokmarknes established a steam ship company and started mapping the coast with the help of Anders Holte, an experienced sailor. Thanks to their efforts, it was finally possible for ships to navigate the coast at night.

With was awarded the government tender, and in 1893 DS Vesterålen completed its maiden voyage from Trondheim to Hammerfest, calling at nine ports on the way. Post could now be delivered within days instead of weeks, and people finally had the freedom to travel.

It didn't take long before the ships calling at port became a daily occurrence and the route was soon extended to Bergen and Kirkenes. Businesses flourished. To this day, Hurtigruten still collects fresh produce from local ports along the coast, and transports goods and locals from port to port, providing a crucial sea link for local communities.

Learn more at the Hurtigruten Museum in With's hometown, Stokmarknes!

A gastronomic journey through Norway

Hurtigruten isn't just known for transport and scenic views – it's also a floating culinary delight!

Winter might seem like a dull season for local food, but did you know that Norwegian seafood is actually at its best during this time of year?

Enjoy everything from sweet and buttery shellfish, delicious salmon, salty clipfish and stockfish, majestic king crab, delicate Arctic char and exotic sea urchin. All pure ingredients with fantastic flavours.

There's also a very unique fish worth trying at this time of year.

"My favourite Norwegian ingredient is skrei (Atlantic cod). It's an absolutely fantastic fish and it's pretty cool that it's only available at a certain time each year, making it even more exclusive," says Frank Kristoffersen, head chef on Hurtigruten's MS Polarlys.

This rich and luxurious white fish only spawns between January and April in Northern Norway, and Norwegians love to serve it on special occasions.

Norway's Coastal Kitchen has been a culinary concept on Hurtigruten for over a decade. The aim is to immerse people in all the amazing food that Norway has to offer, whilst also supporting local food production. The menu on board changes with the seasons, highlighting each ingredient at its prime.

"We're constantly travelling up and down the coast, which means that we can source extremely fresh produce from all the regions along the way and serve it directly to our guests," explains head chef Kristoffersen.

Aside from seafood, there’s a myriad of other treats to try. Indulge in wild, Norwegian reindeer meat, free-range lamb, flavourful, award-winning cheeses, juicy berries, and a range of ice cream. Don’t just travel up the coast—taste it too!

P.S. If you can't wait until your next trip, you can try making Hurtigruten's halibut recipe at home!

Time for an excursion

With Hurtigruten, you don’t have to worry about the travel itinerary at all, as the crew will expertly guide you to quaint seaside towns and historic cities. However, you can get closer to nature and Norwegian culture than ever before on an exciting shore excursion.

The expedition team on board is happy to help you choose your next adventure. You have the freedom to explore each port of call by yourself, book a guided tour, or try a brand new activity.

The first major port after Bergen is Ålesund. Check out the famous Art Nouveau architecture on a guided walking tour, or learn more about the life under the surface at Atlanterhavsparken, one of the largest and most unique aquariums in Northern Europe.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can explore the city from a new perspective by kayaking through the stunning Brosundet Canal. Go back in time on a trip to Alnes Lighthouse, or hop on a vintage ship to the Hjørundfjord for a delicious meal at a 16th century farm.

In the heart of Norway, you'll find the charming city of Trondheim, where you can join a guided tour and visit the famous Nidaros Cathedral. If you can't get enough of kayaking, you can also explore Trondheim on a journey down the Nidelva river in the city centre.

The further north you go, the more exotic the nature becomes. Discover Bodø on an arctic coastal walk or go on an exhilarating boat trip to the world’s strongest maelstrom, Saltstraumen.

Try an authentic Viking meal and witness traditional rituals at the Lofotr Viking Museum or go horse riding on the beach at Gimsøy!

Delve into Polar history in Tromsø or seek adventure by dogsledding, snowshoeing or taking a cross country skiing lesson.

At the northern tip of Norway, you can visit the North Cape, tour cosy fishing villages, go on a king crab safari, pet huskies, go hiking, ride a snowmobile and visit an ice hotel.

You might even see some whales from your Hurtigruten ship as you're making your way up the coast (if they're shy, you can always go on a whale safari with local experts).