 From daily journeys through majestic fjords to world cruises from the Arctic to Antarctica |
|
|
In 1893, Captain Richard With sailed Norway’s western coast from Vesteralen to Hammerfest in three days. This was a remarkable achievement at the time and the daily coastal service that was the result revolutionaized communications and industry along Norway’s coast. From this early time the operators of the Norwegian Coastal Voyage recognized the tourist potential of cruise travel. What better way to experience the Land of the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights? Such remote wonders as the magnificent Lofoten Islands with their red and gold cabins, brilliant white sand beaches, and "lynx foot" peaks, the Trollfjord with its narrow rocky gateway, and Finnmark with its wild, austere landscape and indigenous Sami people all now readily accessible to travelers. The history of Norwegian cruise travel has evolved to the point where today, thousands of people come from across the globe to sail what has been called "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage" and to explore Norway's coastal communities and meet their inhabitants (they're easy to chat with; just about everyone in Norway speaks fluent English). There's the added charm of traveling on vessels that, while affording all the comforts of a cruise ship, still carry cargo to 34 ports of call every day, all year round. Equally quaint is the occasional arrival of a local, hopping a ride from one coastal town to another. Norway's majestic, unspoilt landscape has earned it the ranking of the world's top vacation destination by National Geographic Traveler magazine. And the Hurtigruten heads the Lonely Planet Guide's Blue List for classic voyages. Yes, this is indeed a trip for sophisticated travelers, for those who have experienced the best the world has to offer. Which may be why passengers so often end up making lasting friendships with those they meet on board. Daily departures are available year-round. Each one-way voyage calls at 34 ports. Those called at during the day on the northbound voyage are called at during the night on the southbound voyage, and vice versa. Stops vary in duration from anywhere between 45 minutes up to 6 hours. You can choose from: |
|
1) A Cruise-Only option from a 6-day one-way southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen, $1,699 - $2,299 standard side-facing double cabin per person, depending on the season (June - July sailings being the most expensive); a 7-day one-way northbound voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, $1,799 - $2,599; a 12-day roundtrip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, $2,699 - $3,799. All voyages include accommodation in a select cabin category on board, three meals daily shipboard: buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, and set menu dinner. |
 |
|
2) A Coastal Value Package, any of the three voyage versions packaged with transatlantic flights, two nights hotel accommodations and transfers. Plus, the special 15-day Grand Norway package even includes a scenic trip on the Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen. Select cabin on board and three meals daily (buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, and set menu dinner), as well as port charges. Not included: fuel surcharges, optional shore excursions and gratuities. Norwegian Holiday - 9-day program, from $1,964 standard side-facing double cabin per person, depending on the season (June - July sailings being the most expensive).
Day 2: Arrive in Oslo, transfer to your hotel, day at leisure, overnight. Day 3: Transfer to the airport, fly to Kirkenes, overnight Days 4-7: On your southbound coastal voyage. Day 8: Disembark in Bergen, at leisure, overnight. Day 9: Depart Bergen on your flight back home. Highlights of Norway - 10-day program, from $2,178.
Day 2: Arrive in Bergen, transfer to your hotel, day at leisure, overnight. Day 3: Tour the city, embark on your vessel. Day 4-8: Norwegian Coastal Voyage, northbound. Day 9: Disembark in Kirkenes, fly to Oslo, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon & Evening at your leisure. Day 10: Return to the Oslo airport for your transatlantic flight back home. Grand Norway - 15-day program, from $2,534.
Day 2: Day 2: Arrive in Oslo, transfer to your hotel, day at leisure, overnight. Day 3: Morning train to Bergen, embark on the ship. Day 4-13: On your roundtrip coastal voyage. Day 14: Disembark in Bergen, overnight. Day 15: Transfer to the airport, return transatlantic flight home.
 Millennium ship 3) Personalize Your Vacations - Enrich your voyage by taking part in the extensive excursions program. With these enlightening, exciting and eventful trips ashore, the true diversity of Norway's landscape, history and culture becomes apparent. Most excursions can be pre-booked, only the few remaining spots will be available on board. |
 |
Enhance your sense of culture, discovery, and adventure by adding the optional pre- and post-cruise excursions or explorations in Bergen, Flam Kirkenes, Oslo Trondheim Rorois and Voss to your Norwegian vacation program. <- Trondheim, old capital of Norway |
 |
|
Northern Lights Voyages The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon caused by electrically charged solar particles passing into the Earth’s atmosphere. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, which means 'dawn of the north', the Aurora can appear abruptly, filling the sky at an incredible speed with great arcs appearing as ghostly wisps of green, yellow, red and violet dance above the horizon, before disappearing again. There is no better way to experience the Northern Lights than by sailing through the sheltered coastal waters, on board a ship from the Norwegian Coastal Voyage (known in Norway as Hurtigruten) Fleet with the Aurora Borealis set against a dark sky, free from artificial light. While these trips provide a great opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis, it is in their very nature that this experience can never be guaranteed. Many travelers consider the Aurora to be simply "the icing on the cake" of an already remarkable holiday in the Arctic. |
 |
As you sail through the Arctic twilight, you become one with the peaceful atmosphere that descends around you. Clusters of houses glow like embers along the coastline, small towns become cozy refuges as the ship pulls into harbor to welcome new passengers on board, and the backdrop of snow-clad mountains reflects the polar light. |
|
Nature offers some of the greatest opportunities to see wildlife along Norwegian shores, and there is an exciting range of winter activities available, both on land and on board the ships. Opportunities include spotting animated pods of Orca, snuggling up warm in an ice hotel, being led by huskies on an unforgettable dog-sledge safari, or venturing through ice caves in the realm of the polar bear. For those who have a passion for wildlife three Themed Programs are available on selected dates during the winter months: 7-day Alta Igloo Hotel, $2,759 - $2,999, standard side-facing double cabin per person, 9-day Sami Encounters, $3,729 - $4,139 and 7-day Killer Whale Safari, $2,439 - $2,749. |
| The Orcinus Orca is the largest member of the dolphin family and easily recognizable with its black and white underside. The name “killer whale” was coined by the sailors who witnessed them hunting seals off the coast of Iceland and Greenland many years ago. Despite their foreboding title there is, to date, no record of an Orca ever attacking a human being. |
|
Reminiscent of classic steamers, two of the remaining traditional ships, the Lofoten & Nordstjernen, are the most intimate in the fleet, accommodating fewer than 200 passengers each. Offering these themed programs as well as shorter fjord trips, which can nicely complement your main, coastal voyage. |
 |
Traditional ship
|
General Information The fleet is comprised of the following four types of ships: |
 Standard double cabin, typical for all ships |
Millennium ships: Finnmarken, Midnatsol & Trollfjord 643-674 berths Length: 136-138 m Gross tonnage: 15,000 Contemporary ships: Kong Harald, Nordkapp, Nordlys, Nordnorge, Polarlys & Richard With Built in the 90s 464-490 berths Length: 122-123 m Gross tonnage: 12,000 Mid-generation ships: Lyngen & Vesteralen Built in the 80s 312 berths Length: 109 m Gross tonnage: 6,257 Traditional ships: Lofoten & Nordstjernen Built: 1960/4 (Renovated: 2000/3) Berths: 164/171 Length: 87 m Gross tonnage: 2,568/2,661 |
|
Clothing The weather can change from day to day, even from hour to hour. In the northern part of the country, winter temperatures are normally between 20F and 35F, summer temperatures between 40F and 60F and between 50F and 70F in the southern parts. Take warm practical clothing to wear on deck and good footwear is vital for excursions ashore. Otherwise, on board the ship, dress smart but casual. Elevators All ships have elevators and some cabins have been equipped to accommodate disabled passengers. |
   Millennium ship, with one of its deluxe suites (top) |
  Contemporary ship under the midnight sun (above), and in port, loading cargo (below). 
|
Meal Times The usual meal times in the ship’s dining room are: buffet breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00, buffet lunch at 13:00 and set menu dinner at 19:00. During the peak summer months, there are several sittings, the times of which will be provided upon embarkation. The ships also have cafeterias that are open around the clock and sell drinks as well as hot and cold meals. Documents & Medical Information A valid passport is required to enter Norway. While a visa is not required for visits shorter than three months. There is no age limit. Even though the ships carry more than 12 passengers, due to the short distances between the ports of call, there is no doctor on board. |
|
Reservations To make a reservation a Maris Registration Form and a $600 pp deposit are required. Checks, money orders, credit cards and wire transfers are accepted forms of payment. Any changes of confirmed reservations are subject to a $75 fee pp. The balance of the fare is due 70 days before departure. Cancellation fees are as follows: more than 60 days before departure, loss of deposit; 30 - 59 days 25%; no refund will be made within the last 30 days. Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. Please contact us through our website page Inquiries. |
|
Norwegian Climate and Seasons Thanks to its sparsely populated mountainous landscape, and breathtaking fjorded coastline, Norway remains one of the great natural wonders of the world. Sculpted by the glaciers of the Ice Age, it is a fascinating mixture of modern civilisation and untamed wilderness. Whatever the season, you will gather a stock of heart-warming memories to last forever - and you are sure to want to return to experience other seasons, as they cast their ever-changing light on this timeless world of natural beauty. When planning the best time to take your coastal voyage it is important to consider the following: Spring As spring brings new flowers and raises the temperatures, the longer warmer days bring a softer landscape bursting with life and colour. On early spring departures you can enjoy the contrasts between spring landscapes in the south, and the north where winter is still reluctant to relinquish its grip. Summer Summer is the most popular time and a voyage to the Land of the Midnight Sun gives you maximum time to enjoy the spectacular scenery with 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle. Especially in the South the temperatures can be quite hot, but even in the North you can enjoy long, warm summer evenings. The ships are busy and passenger numbers swelled by Norwegian students enjoying their summer vacation. Land of the Midnight Sun The Arctic Circle is an invisible line circling the earth at 66° 33' north. It is the southernmost point at which the Midnight Sun shines for 24 hours at least one day of the year, when the sun never rises or sets. This occurs at 23° 27' from the North pole due to the angle between the sun and the earth's orbits at the equator. The Midnight Sun can be seen at different times on the route to and from the Arctic Circle from Mid May to late July. For the rest of Norway this also means extra daylight hours and long summer evenings. North Cape....14 May - 29 July Hammerfest...16 May - 27 July Tromsø...20 May - 27 July Boda...04 June - 08 July As you cross the circle you will see Hestmannen Island to the west; and the Svartisen Glacier and Melfjord to the east. The landmark of the circle is the specially built globe on Vikingen Island to the west. Late Summer & Autumn Autumn arrives early in Norway and from late August you can enjoy the changing colours of the landscape while still experiencing summer temperatures and fewer passengers. Northern Lights You are most likely to experience the Northern Lights during the winter months between November and February above the Arctic Circle. However, if conditions are favourable, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on departures in late September. Hours of Daylight
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||