Two journeys,130 years in the making

WORDS: Ocean Road Magazine Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied - Hurtigruten

Imagine opening the curtains of your cabin aboard a newly refurbished cruise ship to see the Northern Lights dance across the night sky on a pinch-yourself Norwegian voyage of a lifetime

HURTIGRUTEN Norwegian Coastal Express will celebrate 130 years of serving as Norway’s coastal lifeline in 2023 with two extraordinary sailings aboard the newly refurbished MS Trollfjord.

The voyages will venture deep into the Arctic Circle, deliver vital supplies to coastal villages and create memories to last a lifetime.

The first Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express to sail from Oslo, Norway’s buzzing capital, the history-making North Cape Express will venture to Norway’s oldest lighthouse at Lindesnes, the country’s southernmost point, and set course for the most northerly, North Cape, in the snow-covered reaches of 71 degrees north.

 

Across a 16-day full voyage, it will also take in exceptional destinations such as Bergen, Tromsø and Stokmarknes, while Norway’s famously stunning fjords and dramatic cliffs ride abreast. Opening the curtains of your cabin to see the Northern Lights dance across the night sky is a magic, pinch-yourself travelling moment that you will remember for a lifetime.

The Svalbard Express reflects Hurtigruten’s love of bold adventure. An iconic route that previously existed between 1968 and 1982, the edge of the world is the destination for this 16-day full journey, which also takes in the majestic coastline of mainland Norway, and where it will be possible top bask in 24 hours of sunshine thanks to the Midnight Sun.

Daily excursions are available to explore these incredible locations if you are able to tear yourself away from life aboard the freshly renovated MS Trollfjord, a restoration using the finest in materials and ship craftsmanship.

Standing near the northern edge of Norway and looking out over the Barents Sea, under the polar night sky, is a truly special experience. Add the ethereal Northern Lights dancing in the sky above and you’ve got a sight you’ll never forget.

MS Trollfjord

Life aboard Hurtigruten’s ships has come a long way from humble beginnings 130 years ago.

This is especially the case when it comes to the MS Trollfjord, which is undergoing an extensive refurbishment that will have these 135m, 16-tonne ships ready come spring 2023.

The Trollfjord’s style of décor is classic, timeless and unique in Hurtigruten’s fleet. Small details and flourishes aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia, harking back to a golden era of exclusive small-ship sailing.

Starting from the top, the two-storey observation lounge is the best place to take in uninhibited views of some of this planet’s most stunning landscapes. Come here at night and see the Northern Lights dance across the sky, taking in nature’s show with a drink in hand from the Panorama Bar.

These views are also available from Polar Outside, Expedition Suites and Arctic Superior Cabins. Snuggling under the covers as the magic of the Norwegian coast unfolds in front of you is an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

There are sleeping options to meet all needs, from comfy cabins through to exceptional suites with private balconies, ensuite bathtubs and unmatched luxury.

Moving through the body of the ship, where locally sourced natural materials such as wood and stone feature heavily, we find a panoramic sauna and fitness room and a photography area.

A purpose-built lecture hall plays host as the ship’s Coastal Experience Team delivers thought-provoking lectures on an eclectic range of topics.

Eating and drinking

While many things have changed since Hurtigruten’s first voyage 130 years ago, Norwegian cuisine is marked in the way it has stuck to its roots.

Many of the values of traditional Norwegian cuisine are still present in Hurtigruten’s on-board dining, with short-travelled, homegrown produce one of the key elements.

Guests on the MS Trollfjord will feel a sense of place, sailing past the fjords that provide fresh fish, the slopes that reared the lamb and the mountains that grow the herbs that are incorporated into on-board dishes. Coastal cuisine show-kitchen demonstration dishes are an on-board experience, where experienced chefs talk diners through the specifics of fare such as seaweed and skrei.

The main on-board restaurant is a celebration of traditional methods and fresh ingredients, with added modern flair in a menu that adapts according to in-season ingredients. The Brasserie offers hearty favourites bursting with flavour alongside takeaway options that can be enjoyed in your cabin.

The à la carte restaurant is the premiere option on board; a sublime fine-dining experience where you can craft your own culinary adventure. Seafood is the specialty here. Think hand-plucked scallops, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth Arctic char, freshly harvested oysters and juicy crayfish, with knowledgeable sommeliers on hand to talk you through the perfect wine and dish combination.

Then there is the Panorama Bar, where a signature cocktail or a local beer or gin is paired with the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky or Svalbard’s magical white swathed beauty.

Honningsvåg is the gateway to the North Cape, the famed ‘northernmost point of Europe’. The plateau stands 307m above the sea, 1000 miles south of the geographical North Pole. Take a moment to gaze out across the sea from the top of the soaring cliffs, watching the waves crash against the rocks below.

 

Get under the skin of Norway

Hurtigruten’s identity is based around exploration. This is a theme that continues through the experiences of guests, with excursions readily available on the Northern Cape Express and Svalbard Express.

And as good as life is on board, you don’t want to miss these incredible opportunities.

On the Svalbard Express, journey to the edge of the world and take in pure air of the far, far north. Longyearbyen is the world’s northernmost settlement, and there are awe-inspiring landscapes that seem to surround you everywhere you go.

Wildlife lovers will love excursions to spot the extraordinary and unique set of beasts and birds that inhabit the remote archipelago.

On the North Cape Express, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Honningsvåg visits the North Cape, the most northern point of mainland Europe. Standing near the northern edge of Norway and looking out over the Barents Sea, under the polar night sky, is a truly special experience. Add the ethereal Northern Lights dancing in the sky above and you’ve got a sight you’ll never forget.

Guests can visit the charming coastal villages of colour (architecturally and in character) dotted throughout the coast of mainland Norway. Peeling back the layers of these idyllic destinations is like getting to know a new friend. There’s also the opportunity to meet an indigenous Sámi family and learn about their way of life.

For the adventurous, there is fishing for the legendary King Crab, the chance to feel the crunch beneath your snowshoes as you hike across ice plains, dog sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling and more.

Call 1300 299 506 or visit www.hurtigruten.com.au to book.