Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express has introduced more than 60 excursions for its two new itineraries debuting in 2023, the Svalbard Express and North Cape Express.
The Svalbard Expressand North Cape Express itineraries – revealed in June and highlighted below – will offer extended port visits, a first in the company’s 130-year history, allowing for new immersive experiences along Norway’s coast.
The two premium offerings are essentially an upgraded extension of the traditional Coastal Express which connects 34 communities along Norway’s coast.
The Svalbard Express and North Cape Express will offer a combination of half- and full-day port visits, with activities ranging from hiking, kayaking and fishing, to dog sledding and snowmobiling.
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express extends its early bird offer.
Due to popular demand, the early booking offer now incorporates the North Cape Express route.View the details at the bottom – or click here to go to the website.
Hurtigruten says the 63 optional excursions provide a “significantly different experience” for travellers searching for deep exploration.
Hedda Felin, CEO Hurtigruten Norway said the extended port visits will allow travellers to spend more time exploring both land and sea.
“While the fully refurbished MS Trollfjord will serve as a comfortable home base for guests with plenty to offer while onboard, these authentic, local excursions will allow guests to curate their own experience and develop an intimate connection with the destination.
“With the new excursions, travellers will gain knowledge of local culture, nature, geology, and history,” Felin said.
“We have no doubt this new collection of excursions is really going to appeal to Australian and New Zealand travellers,” added Damian Perry, Managing Director, Hurtigruten APAC.
“Our guests tend to be curious and adventurous by their very nature, and now they’ll have even more opportunities to gain unique insights and creating unforgettable memories in each destination, from an Arctic Dip Sauna and Swim experience to the truly awe-inspiring Whale Watching in Arctic Silence, which is an absolute must!” he added.
Svalbard Express (Summer)
With its first departure on 3 June 2023, just one month ahead of Hurtigruten Norway’s 130-year anniversary, the Svalbard Express is a revival of the Coastal Express’ iconic summer cruise to Svalbard, which ended over 50 years ago. On average, guests will have six hours to explore 14 handpicked areas along Norway’s coast and Svalbard, the northernmost community on Earth, all while basking in the Midnight Sun. In addition to an array of optional excursions, the one-way journey (with both northbound and southbound options) includes two nights in Longyearbyen and two excursions: a wilderness evening at Camp Barentz and an adventure aboard the hybrid-electric catamaran MS Bard. Highlights of the new Svalbard Express excursions include:
Fishing in Lofoten. Guests will have an opportunity to soak up the fresh sea air and fish from a traditional 39-foot fishing cutter before cooking and eating their fresh catch on board.
Hiking and Birdwatching in Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve. For over five hours, travellers will hike through the spectacular Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve while keeping an eye out for razorbills, puffins, skuas, gannets, and eagles.
Legends of Torghatten and Brønnøysund. One of Norway’s most iconic places, Torghatten is known for its spectacular hole and the enthralling myths behind it. Travellers will hear enchanting myths and Viking stories while enjoying lefse, a traditional flatbread, over a fire pit.
Kayaking in Lofoten. For a close-up experience of Norway’s charming fishing villages, guests can explore Henningsvær aboard a two-person kayak and learn about the area’s rich history and culture from a local guide.
Træna Culture Walk – Poetry, Art and Heritage. Travellers will see artwork, hear music, and taste local foods as they explore the chapels, cafés, and museums of Husøya, as well as take in spectacular views across the islands of Træna.
Arctic Dip – Sauna & Swim. In this invigorating experience, guests can enjoy a sauna in Træna’s oldest building, a boathouse that stands on the shore, before plunging into the Norwegian Sea.
North Cape Express (Winter)
For the first time ever, Hurtigruten will sail from Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital, with the North Cape Express. Sailings will take place during the Northern Lights season and explore nearly the entire length of Norway’s coast. As with Hurtigruten Norway’s Coastal Express departures from the end of September through the end of March, the company offers its unique Northern Lights guarantee.
With the first North Cape Express departing on 26 September 2023, guests will have an average of six hours in each of the 16 selected ports, fjords, and islands. Highlights of the new North Cape Express excursions include:
North Cape and King Crab Experience. In this six-hour excursion, guests sample King Crab from the Barents Sea – served the traditional way, with soft bread, mayonnaise, and a slice of lemon – in the small village of Sarnes.
Dog Sledding in Alta. An exhilarating ride through a winter wonderland, this excursion takes guests to Alta, home to Europe’s longest dog sled race, for a day of dogsledding. After venturing into the wild, guests can share hot drinks around a crackling wood fire in a laavo, a Sami herdsman’s tent.
Whale Watching in Arctic Silence. Guests cruise silently aboard a specially designed, hybrid-electric boat, ensuring minimal disruption while watching for orca and humpback whales in their natural habitat.
Arctic Ice Fishing. After snowshoeing to an off-the-beaten-track location, adventure-seekers will cut their own whole in the ice and fish before tasting their freshly caught bounty back at the restaurant.
Snowmobiling to the North Cape. Travellers can discover the snow-covered landscape of the Arctic on this four-and-a-half-hour snowmobile adventure to the European mainland’s northernmost point.
Also onboard each new itineraries will offer lectures on Norwegian history, culture, food, nature and wildlife, as well as photography, cooking, handicraft, and art classes.
View all the excursions available on the Svalbard Express and the North Cape Express itineraries here.
Early bird offer extension
Meanwhile, in response to increased demand, Huritgruten Norwegian Coastal Express has extended the sale period of its early bird offer of savings up to $1,200 off per cabin, or an onboard credit of $300 per person.
On the Original Coastal Express, guests can save up to $1,200 per cabin on departures between 1 April and 30 September 2023, when booking by 15 November 2022.
For The Svalbard Express, guests will receive $300 onboard credit* for ALL departures in 2023.
And now, for The North Cape Express, guests will also receive $300 onboard credit* for all 16 departures between September 2023 and March 2024.
* Onboard credit offer is valid until 30 November 2022.
See hurtigruten.com.au/au/early-bird-sale for all the details.
For bookings, visit the agent portal.
