Hurtigruten Launches New Year-round Hybrid Expedition Cruises

Experience the magic of the aurora borealis, the striking sights of small fishing villages nestled against soaring mountains, and the excitement of witnessing jumping whales when you embark on an adventure with Hurtigruten Cruises.

This past September, Hurtigruten, the largest cruise operator in the polar waters and the world leader in exploration travel, announced the launch of their year-round expedition cruises along the Norwegian Coastline!

Hurtigruten, a leader in sustainability within the cruise industry, recently launched the world’s first hybrid electric-powered cruise ship, one part of a three ship series and a US $850 million investment in building the world’s greenest cruise line.

This year Hurtigruten builds on its product offerings by inviting adventurous guests to expand their minds, indulge in their curiosities, and join in on brand new expedition cruises to 34 handpicked ports between Bergen and Kirkenes this 2021 season. “Calling at all of the traditional 34 ports, as we have since 1893, is a legendary way to visit Norway by sea, and represents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get up close to the real Norway,” said Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten CEO.

With departures from Hamberg, Germany; Dover, England; and Bergen, Norway; Hurtigruten’s new year-round cruises feature their richest selection of expedition cruises yet. Combining the magic of the fjords with a wide choice of exciting activities led by the highly skilled onboard expedition teams, superb comfort, and delicious food, Hurtigruten provides a unique atmosphere in which to explore the Norwegian coast. “This is our home, and we take advantage of our unparalleled know-how of nature and culture to offer our guests a unique way to immerse themselves in Norway by sea,” explained Skjeldam.

The 2021 sailing season will be operated by hybrid transformations of the current MS Trollfjord (to be renamed MS Maud after Roald Amundsen’s legendary polar vessel), MS Finnmarken (to be renamed MS Otto Sverdrup after a Norwegian polar pioneer and also one of Hurtigruten’s first captains), and MS Midnatsol (to be renamed MS Eirik Raude after a Norse explorer better known as ‘Eric the Red’ who discovered Greenland and named Iceland), all of which will have also gone through interior renewal. “What could be more appropriate than paying tribute to these exploration icons than to mark that Hurtigruten now has the most extensive expedition cruise offering along the Norwegian coastline,” said Skjeldam.

Each ship will feature Hurtigruten’s signature Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility that features high-tech gadgets, immersive technology and science equipment used to create a fun space where guests can indulge in their curiosities and genuinely feel like an explorer. “These ‘edutainment’ areas will be the onboard headquarters for exploration and learning,” added Skjeldam. Further, coastal guides will enhance the expedition experience via co-exploring activities centred around learning more about Norwegian nature, wildlife, culture, and outdoor living. All this combined with the laidback atmosphere one experiences while aboard a Hurtigruten vessel will bestow passengers with an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience and the chancel to get up close to the real Norway!