Highlights of a Hurtigruten mail boat cruise in Norway
Classic Hurtigruten cruises run south to north (and vice versa) between the charming city of Bergen and the town of Kirkenes in northern Norway, sailing alongside the beautiful Norwegian fjords. It runs year-round and crosses the Arctic Circle, making this voyage ideal for experiencing the midnight sun in summer or for enjoying a Hurtigruten northern lights winter cruise.
A one-way Hurtigruten post boat cruise covering the full route takes around 6 or 7 days and the voyage stops at 34 ports of call.
Here are just a few of the things you can experience on coastal Hurtigruten cruises in Norway:
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Walk around the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund and admire its beautiful architecture.
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Sail up the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, past tumbling waterfalls.
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Stroll past the colourful wharf houses in Trondheim, the ancient former capital of Norway.
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See the beautiful Lofoten Islands, famous for its jagged peaks and quaint fishing villages.
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Visit lively Tromsø, "The Paris of the North”, and visit its uniquely-shaped Arctic Cathedral.
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Enjoy amazing views from the cliffs at North Cape, mainland Europe's northernmost point.
What’s more, Hurtigruten ships -- such as the MS Trollfjord, for example -- are equipped with many of the amenities of large cruise liners, such as outdoor hot tubs, a fitness room, different dining rooms and outdoor panorama lounges for viewing sea eagles. You also have your choice of different cabin options and exciting guided shore excursions when booking a Nordic Visitor Hurtigruten tour.
Customisations for a Hurtigruten post boat voyage
The best thing about Hurtigruten postal ferry cruises in Norway is the hop-on, hop-off style of travel. You can opt to embark and disembark at ports other than Bergen or Kirkenes, so you can enjoy a shorter cruise in addition to travel by car or train.
A most popular addition to Hurtigruten cruises in Norway is the Norway in a Nutshell® train journey, which connects Oslo to Bergen via the Flåm Railway. Give yourself at least 8 days in Norway if you wish to enjoy a train-cruise combo trip. We can also customise any itinerary to include trips to neighbouring Scandinavian countries.
Hurtigruten is much-loved for its heritage, but it’s also possible to travel the same route on a modern Havila ship. Ask your travel consultant about exploring Norway on a Havila voyage.
— COASTAL VOYAGES
Quick facts about Hurtigruten
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Hurtigruten was founded in 1893 to transport cargo, mail and passengers between coastal towns
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In the old days, Norway’s fjords made road travel difficult and sometimes dangerous
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Hurtigruten means “fast route” in Norwegian
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Today the cruise line is considered a leader in the “slow travel” movement