Norwegian Coastal Express

Your voyage in Norway

Dear guest, Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We are as excited as you are about your voyage along the Norwegian coast. This will be a grand ad- venture discovering what is considered to be the world’s most beautiful coastline.

In this document, you will find important information about what you need to do before you go, what we recommend you pack, the experience Contents while on board, and what to expect. What to pack 2 Clicking on the underlined links in the document will take you to our Practical information 3 website, where you can find further details. Please make sure that you Step into our office 4 have an Internet connection to link to our website. Closer to the 5 Norwegian coast You will receive one more email from us approximately 2–4 weeks Alongside locals 6 before your departure. This will confirm your itinerary and flights. Discover wildlife 7 We very much look forward to welcoming you on board. Please feel free Sustainability/ 8 A culinary journey to contact us if you have any questions:

Reservations: 1 (888) 351-4346 Email: [email protected] Web: hurtigruten.com/norwegian-coastal-express/ Frequently asked questions »

Kind regards, FOLLOW US Your Hurtigruten team

PHOTOS:AGURTXANE CONCELLON/RUNE KONGSRO/MERLE KLEIN/SIMON SKREDDERNES/ØRJAN BERTELSEN/JAN LILLEHAMRE/TRYM IVAR BERGSMO/SHUTTERSTOCK/PER LILLEHAGEN/OLE MARTIN WOLD/HURTIGRUTEN

1 What to pack

The four seasons in Norway are very distinct, In addition to your “ordinary” packing here are the packing tips for each season. list (toiletries and necessary basic clothes), we recommend these items for your voyage:

Winter – wrap up warm Summer – Summer attire Binoculars It can get very cold along the coast Summer weather along the coast Warm underlayers and mid layers during winter, so we recommend can be changeable, so in addition you pack base and mid layers, as to t-shirts, shorts, and sandals, it’s Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen well as a thick winter jacket, a hat, wise to pack a warm sweater, light A camera (in a waterproof bag) gloves, wool sweater, scarf, winter jacket (water-resistant), a thin hat A memory card with a large capacity boots, and pull-on spikes (cram- and gloves, and hiking shoes. Wind and water-resistant pants pons) (for sale on board). Passport (also applies to Scandinavi Fall – lots of layers an citizens) Spring – cover all bases While the sun may be shining, you Worn-in walking boots to use As you are likely to encounter three can also expect cooler weather outdoors seasons when sailing in spring, it’s during the fall months. Make sure Swimwear for use in our on-deck pool important to pack well and layer to pack thin layers and some warm and hot tubs up. We advise bringing a woolen clothes – a wool sweater, wind and A pair of casual shoes for use onboard sweater, warm socks, a thick scarf, waterproof jacket and pants, a hat, winter boots, warm, waterproof gloves, and light hiking boots. pants and jacket, a hat, and gloves.

What to bring on your trip to Norway »

2 Travel documentation

Need to know what the required formalities are, or review your travel documents? For your convenience, we have gathered all information about travel documentation in one place.

Travel documentation »

Hurtigruten ships have been a fixture on the Norwegian coast since 1893. Today, our ships sail to the Arctic and Antarctica, and many destinations in between. On each ship you will find modern facilities careful- ly blended with true character.

Discover our fleet »

Practical Your adventure information is safe with us

Wish to be more The essence of Norway’s appeal is remarka- We care deeply about your safety, health bly simple: this is one of the most beautiful and wellbeing. This is as true now as it prepared? countries on Earth. Find out why on this has always been ever since we first began We have collected a variety of practical page, where we feature a collection of inspi- sailing in 1893, perhaps even more so. information you might want to know before rational articles about what to see and what We’ve introduced several new procedures your travels along the Norwegian coast with to expect when travelling in Norway. throughout all our ships, designed to keep Hurtigruten. you safe.

Practical information » Inspirational travel guide » Our safety policy »

3 Your active adventure

Experts on the Norwegian coast will be by your side as part of your sailing with us, showing you their home and sharing their stories with you.

No guidebook, website, or mobile app for several years, perhaps coming Amateur photographers will be can replace the human connection from the same country as you. Learn pleased to know that Coastal Experts of having one of our Coastal Experts about what drew them to Norway and also run a photography program on point out places on the coast that to work on the Original Norwegian board. Certified by Canon, the short, are special to them. Through their Coastal Express voyage. See the coast informal course is designed to give hands-on experience in Norway and through their eyes as they offer details you the tips you need to capture the along the Norwegian coast, you’ll gain about life here and share interesting coast in all its glory, including how to insight and learn about about these anecdotes about their experiences shoot the illustrious Northern Lights landscapes, culture, and way of life. with Norwegian culture. (should they occur).

From near and far Enriching your experience Dedicated to what they do and to the Many of our Coastal Experts are local Coastal Experts enhance your cruise Norwegian coast, Coastal Experts add Norwegians, born and raised on the with in-depth knowledge of the local an intimate and personal perspective coast and elsewhere in Norway. They culture, nature, geology, and history. to your journey. Their passion is pal- can tell you their childhood memories This is knowledge they’ve built up pable, whether they’re on deck talking of our ships, what our service means over years. Their repertoire includes about points of interest or telling to their coastal community, and a range of specialized and well-re- animated stories over a beverage at an maybe how they’ve had generations of searched topics. They are ready to evening gatherings. their family connected to us, either as share these with you in lectures and crew or as passengers. Other Coastal presentations on board, on deck, and Meet our Coastal Experts » Experts may have lived in Norway ashore.

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Closer to the Norwegian coast

Discover some of the highlights you might experience on your voyage along the Norwegian coast. Our ships are uniquely designed to explore the Norwegian coastline in the most comfortable way. Whichever season you choose to sail with us, our voyages offer an exhilarating means of getting close to nature – and to Norway.

The fjords The Arctic Circle North Cape Lofoten Finnkirka The fjords formed The magic number About 2102 km from the and Vesterålen Finnkirka is a dramat- when the glaciers of 66° 33’ marks this line, North Pole, you will find Lofoten is a group of ic cathedral-shaped the Ice Age retreated. the Arctic Circle, north one of Norway’s most islands in Nordland sea cliff. This unusual Norway is fortunate of which the midnight popular attractions. County, while Vest- creation of nature is an enough to have a warm sun shines. Above the At 71°10’21’’, North erålen lies just north ancient sacrificial site sea current running line, you can see the Cape is known as the of Lofoten. These for the indigenous along its coastline. As sun 24 hours a day northernmost point neighbouring archi- Sámi tribes. a result, the fjords are throughout the summer on the European pelagos offer some of virtually ice free – and - or the Northern Lights main-land. the most incredible ready to be explored. in the winter, weather scenery on the planet. permitting.

Coastal highlights »

Did you know?

2008 was the year X is the length of 9 miles from the Rus- 2 is the number In 1980’s Norway Norway awarded a Norway’s coastline. sian border is the town of official forms of introduced the use knighthood to a king It’s impossible to of Kirkenes. Kirkenes written Norwegian: of salmon as a sushi penguin Brigadier Sir measure how long it is actually as far east bokmål and nynorsk. ingredient to Japan. Nils Olav III. really is. as Cairo.

5 Alongside locals

At the core of our existence and our history are people. We are here for those who live along Norway’s coast and for you who come to experience its authentic, everyday life.

Bringing people together The tapestry of life traveling with Norwegians, who also To your delight, you’ll see that the For almost 130 years, our ships have sail with us. Chat with a local entre- Norwegian coast is a maze of moun- been weaving through fjords and in preneur traveling for business, see tains, crisscrossed by thousands of between islands, stitching together multi-generational families on a short fjords and dotted with innumerable the social fabric that has made the holiday, or hear the excited chatter islands. This landscape makes for Norwegian coast what it is today. Lo- of children on a school trip. Don’t be exceptionally beautiful scenery, but cal knitting clubs meet on our ships. surprised to see whole local soccer also makes traveling by land difficult, Romantic couples come aboard to cel- teams traveling on our ships on their especially the higher up in the Arctic ebrate anniversaries. It’s a tradition in way to their games. It’s an entirely you go. As an example, out of the 34 some families to enjoy their Christmas authentic experience. Everything you ports we call at, only three of them link lunch with us. see is real. It is pure, unfiltered life on to the train network. the Norwegian coast—as genuine and People on the coast know the time of honest as it comes. This is where the Original Norwegian day just by the sight of our ships on the Coastal Express shines. We brave all horizon. We have become a household Unmatched intimacy kinds of weather, in all seasons (wind, name in Norway, and our ship colors Sailing with us, you’ll see that the close rain, snow, and storms) and act as a of white, red, and black, are as iconic relationship we share with the coastal lifeline for people living in coastal to Norwegians as red buses are to communities we’ve sustained for communities. We make sure these Londoners and yellow cabs to New generations isn’t something that can coastal communities are no longer Yorkers. Anyone on the coast will have be copied. We’ve grown with these isolated. Instead, they are connected fond stories to tell about us from over communities and have supported one to ports and people along almost the the years. another through the tough times and entire length of the country. And the good times. We’re family. Nothing through your visits, they are connect- Alongside locals can replace that. ed to the rest of the world. For you, our connection to people on the Norwegian coast means you’ll be

6 The wildlife along the Norwegian coast is as varied as the coast itself.

Discover wildlife

Go wild in Norway Iconic animals Every winter and spring, cod migrate Add some of the world’s most magnif- You might see one of Norway’s most in large numbers to the Norwegian icent wildlife to Norway’s stunning beloved animals, the majestic rein- coast, sustaining important liveli- landscape, and you can easily see why deer. As long as their surroundings are hoods for locals. Dry fish production it’s one of the best destinations in the calm and still, they will happily graze and trade still thrives in Norway today, world. From the predatory white- around you and even pose for photos if such as in the Lofoten Islands. tailed eagles that rule the sky to the their Sámi owners are nearby. Norway whales along the coast – Norway is a also has a spectacular array of bird Remember that these are natural wilderness of peerless beauty. species including adorable puffins, habitats, so we can’t guarantee that nicknamed the ‘clowns of the sea’. certain animals will appear during A whale of a time Fifteen different bird of prey species your trip. Mother Nature will do as she On your Norwegian expedition, are found here including the mighty pleases, and no sightings can be set you’ll have a chance to see the exotic white-tailed eagle. in stone. wildlife of the far north from whales to king crab in pristine surroundings. The fish that built Norway The plankton blooms caused by long For more than a thousand years, summer days attract various whale Vikings produced and ate dried cod, species, including pilot, minke, orca, even using it for trade. This makes humpback, and sperm whales. Seeing it Norway’s oldest export. The word these creatures heave their huge skrei comes from the Norse word frames acrobatically out of the water is skreið which means ‘fish that wanders’. always a highlight. And wander it does.

Wildlife in Norway »

7 A culinary journey

A voyage along Norway’s coastline is a culinary journey – one that’s not only delicious but sus- tainable too. Our on-board menu is inspired by “Norway’s coastal kitchen”, and our chefs make full use of the 34 ports we visit to receive de- liveries of fresh produce from local suppliers, both coastal and inland, every single day.

Good food, good karma Local deliveries reduce food miles and opti- mise the use of port facilities. This supports local businesses, creates positive ripple effects in the communities we visit, and promotes more sustainable and seasonal eating.

Loving local food Your exploration isn’t just one of sights and sounds but tastes too. On board our ships you can choose between different menus – all based on fresh, seasonal ingredients. While you’re relaxing on board or enjoying excur- sions, fresh produce is brought directly on board.

Norway’s Coastal Kitchen »

Sustainability

Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, Hurtigruten has integrated sustainability across all of its operation.

Building on over 125 years of exploration experience, Hurtigruten is committed to protecting the wildlife habitats and remote communities that you visit with us. We are taking the lead in preventing degradation by mass tourism and providing experiences without leaving permanent impacts.

We work side by side with local residents to trade, create jobs, and fund conservation initiatives such as beach clean-ups. Using innovative hybrid technology, we are build- ing the world’s greenest fleet of expedition vessels. We were also the first exploration company to ban heavy fuel oil and single-use plastic from all our ships.

Our sustainability goals »

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