Hurtigruten Norway is marking its 130th birthday in 2023 by offering two new cruises alongside its signature Norwegian Coastal Express. The Svalbard Express and the North Cape Express will launch next June and September, respectively, aboard the fully refurbished MS Trollfjord.
“For almost 130 years, we have been carrying travelers on what is often referred to as ‘the most beautiful voyage in the world’, and no one does the Norwegian coast better than Hurtigruten Norway,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway, in a press statement. “With the Svalbard Express and North Cape Express, we will offer an experience similar to the likes of the Orient Express, combining a premium onboard experience with beautiful scenery, exceptional excursions, and some of the best food on any sea.”
The cruise line is bringing back an old favorite with the Svalbard Express. The company sailed the route from 1968 to 1982. The new Svalbard itinerary takes travelers along the Norwegian coast, stopping at the Lofoten Islands, Vesteralen and the North Cape, among other places, before traveling to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard located halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. There, travelers can visit Longyearbyen—the world’s northernmost inhabited area.
Travelers can opt for the 16-day Svalbard Express full voyage or 10-day one-way journeys either starting or ending in Svalbard. The 10-day options include two nights at a hotel in Longyearbyen, plus excursions to Camp Barentz for a wilderness evening and a boat tour on the hybrid-electric catamaran MS Bard. There are eight departure dates available between June 2023 and September 2023 for the Svalbard Express. Prices start at $4,961 per person, with suites starting at $17,443.
The 15-day North Cape Express from Oslo to Bergen or Bergen to Oslo travels the full breadth of Norway’s coast and marks the cruise line’s first regular service to Oslo. Eight departure dates are being offered both from October 2023 to March 2024 and from September 2023 to March 2024. Prices start at $3,170 per person, with suites starting at $10,419.
Guests can expect upgraded experiences on the new cruises. New offerings include half-or full-day port visits, cooking classes, culinary excursions, wine, beer, champagne and whisky tastings, a cocktail bar, and upgraded dining options including an a la carte restaurant with tasting menus, afternoon tea and takeaway service.
For more information, visit hurtigruten.com.
For more new cruises, click here.
