Hurtigruten: Our Cruise Line Guide

The back story

Route: Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen, 12 days, 34 ports northbound and 33 southbound (hurtigruten.com, Oct 2026) · Fleet: 9 ships: MS Trollfjord and Midnatsol (Signature); Vesterålen, Richard With, Kong Harald, Nordlys, Nordkapp, Nordnorge, Polarlys (hurtigruten.com) · Guests per ship: 274 (Vesterålen) to 590 (Richard With, Nordkapp) (hurtigruten.com) · Since: 1893 (hurtigruten.com) · What’s included: Original: three meals a day; Signature: all-inclusive food and drink (hurtigruten.com)

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   Hurtigruten: the back story

   Hurtigruten·

   Since 1893, ships carrying post, cargo, cars and people up and down the Norwegian coast: the Coastal Express, 34 ports from Bergen to Kirkenes and back.

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The fleet

Who it suits. On a budget: A Polar Inside cabin on an Original voyage, or a short port-to-port section of the coast. Mid-range: An Arctic Superior cabin on the full 12-day Coastal Express, adding the Kysten dining upgrade. Luxury: An Expedition Suite on an all-inclusive Signature voyage on MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol, with Røst included.

1. M

   500 guests

   MS Trollfjord

   Hurtigruten·Signature ship·€€€

   Hurtigruten’s first Signature ship, named after a small but spectacular fjord in the Vesterålen islands.

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2. M

   570 guests

   MS Midnatsol

   Hurtigruten·Signature ship·€€€

   Previously MS Maud, the latest addition to Hurtigruten’s all-inclusive Signature fleet.

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3. M

   274 guests

   MS Vesterålen

   Hurtigruten·Original ship·€€€

   The classic coastal ship, refurbished in 2025 and named after Hurtigruten’s first steamship of 1893.

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4. M

   590 guests

   MS Richard With

   Hurtigruten·Original ship · hybrid·€€€

   A hybrid coastal ship named after Hurtigruten’s founder.

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5. M

   577 guests

   MS Kong Harald

   Hurtigruten·Original ship · hybrid·€€€

   A hybrid coastal ship named for a Norwegian monarch who was a seasoned sailor.

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6. M

   505 guests

   MS Nordlys

   Hurtigruten·Original ship · hybrid·€€€

   A modern hybrid ship whose name and interiors are inspired by the Northern Lights.

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7. M

   452–590 guests

   MS Nordkapp, MS Nordnorge and MS Polarlys

   Hurtigruten·Original ships·€€€

   Three coastal ships named for the North Cape, northern Norway and the polar light.

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The suites

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   Upper decks

   Expedition Suites

   Hurtigruten·Signature suites·€€€

   Hurtigruten’s most premium rooms, on the upper decks: Grand Suites, Owner’s Suites, Suites or Mini Suites, depending on the ship.

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2. A

   Quieter decks

   Arctic Superior cabins

   Hurtigruten·Cabin category·€€€

   A step up from the Polar cabins, on the middle or upper decks, with large windows or portholes.

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Dining on board

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   Meals included

   Torget

   Hurtigruten·Main restaurant · Original·€€€

   The main restaurant on Original ships, “marketplace” in Norwegian, serving all three daily meals.

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2. K

   Upgrade

   Kysten

   Hurtigruten·À la carte · Original·€€€

   “The Coast”, the à la carte restaurant on Original ships, cooked by the most skilled chefs aboard.

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3. B

   Casual

   Brygga

   Hurtigruten·Bistro · Original·€€€

   The bistro on Original ships, “wharf” in Norwegian: salads, pizzas and crowd-pleasers with a Nordic twist.

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4. R

   Included for suites

   Røst

   Hurtigruten·Fine dining · Signature·€€€€

   The Signature ships’ fine-dining restaurant, a homage to fish and the stockfish Norway was built on.

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5. B

   Sámi-inspired

   Brasserie Árran

   Hurtigruten·Brasserie · Signature·€€€

   Named after the fire at the heart of a Sámi lavvo tent: traditional Norwegian cooking with a twist.

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   New menu nightly

   Flora

   Hurtigruten·Main restaurant · Signature·€€€

   The Signature ships’ main restaurant, inspired by Norway’s herbs, berries and mushrooms.

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Spa and wellness

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   Hot tubs on deck

   Hurtigruten wellness

   Hurtigruten·Wellness·€€€

   Gym, sauna and outdoor hot tubs for watching the coast go by.

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Life on board

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   Bookable excursions

   Expedition Team and excursions

   Hurtigruten·Enrichment

   Lectures by the Expedition Team, and optional excursions from Sámi reindeer herders to husky sleds.

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2. H

   Aged undersea

   Havets Bobler

   Hurtigruten·Signature drink

   Hurtigruten’s own sparkling wine, made with Rathfinny in Sussex and aged more than 30 metres under the Norwegian Sea.

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Where it sails

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   12 days, 34 ports

   The Coastal Express

   Hurtigruten·Original voyage

   Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen in 12 days, all year: 34 ports northbound, 33 southbound.

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2. S

   All-inclusive

   Svalbard Line and North Cape Line

   Hurtigruten·Signature voyages

   All-inclusive Signature routes: 15 days from Bergen to Svalbard in summer, and a winter voyage from Oslo to the North Cape.

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What’s included and how to book

1. W

   Original or Signature

   What the Hurtigruten fare includes

   Hurtigruten·Inclusions

   Original: breakfast, lunch and dinner in Torget, plus tea, coffee and water. Signature: all meals, a drinks package and enhanced guiding.

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2. N

   Winter voyages

   Northern Lights Promise

   Hurtigruten·Guarantee

   On voyages of 11 days or more departing 20 September – 31 March, no aurora means a 6- or 7-day voyage at no charge.

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