2010 The Norwegian Coastal Voyage NORWAY Welcome to Hurtigruten Hurtigruten is renowned for its comprehensive and adventurous voyages. With 117 years of maritime experience and a fleet of thirteen comfortable ships, we offer voyages that go beyond the realms of other liners, providing the best in specialist knowledge and expertise on journeys that exceed expectations and provide an opportunity to encounter environments, wildlife, and people. NORWAY Our ships have been an integral part of Norwegian coastal life for generations, with daily departures from Bergen crossing the Arctic Circle to sail deeper into the heart of this spectacular landscape. Beneath the dazzling brilliance of the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights, these regular sailings call at remote ports almost never visited by com- mercial liners, bringing passengers to isolated communities lying amid a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. 71° N NOR WA Y NORTH CAPE Mehamn Berlevag Honningsvag Batsfjord Havoysund Hammerfest Kjollefjord Vardo CONTENTS Oksfjord Vadso 4–5 The Voyage You’ve Always Dreamed of Kirkenes THEME VOYAGES Tromso Skjervoy RUSSIA 6–7 Connecting Coastal Communities VESTERALEN 44–45 Give Your Journey an Extra Dimension Risoyhamn 8–9 Hurtigruten and National Geographic Finnsnes 46–49 Hurtigruten’s Theme Voyages Sortland 10–11 Discover the Norwegian Fjords Stokmarknes Harstad FINLAND Svolvaer 12–13 Spring—Three Seasons In Five Days PRE- & POST-CRUISE EXCURSIONS Stamsund 14–15 Summer—24-Hour Natural Reading Light & EXPLORATIONS 16–17 Autumn—Experience Stunning Bright Colors Bodo 50–51 Blaze Your Own Trail L O F O T E N 18–19 Winter—A Beautiful and Refreshing Experience 52–55 Pre- & Post-Cruise Excursions & Explorations Ornes 20–-21 Chasing the Elusive Winter LIght 6 6 ° 3 3 ' N A R C T I C C I R C L E WELCOME ABOARD THE NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE Nesna 56–57 Welcome Aboard Sandnessjoen 22-23 Classic Roundtrip, 12-Day Voyage 58–59 Our Cuisine Bronnoysund 24–25 7-Day Northbound Voyage 60–61 Cabins and Amenities Rorvik 26–27 6-Day Southbound Voyage 62–72 Ship Deck Plans 28–29 Once-In-A-Lifetime Excursions Kristiansund 73 General Information & Travel Tips Trondheim Molde 30–33 Northbound Excursions 74 Norwegian Coastal Voyage Sailing Schedule Alesund Roros Torvik 34–35 Southbound Excursions 75 Day by Day Timetable Maloy Geirangerfjord 76 Insurance Floro SWEDEN Sognefjord COASTAL VALUE PACKAGES 77 Voyage Prices Dovre Railway 36–37 Your Own Independent Adventure Vacation NORWAY 78–79 Terms and Conditions Flam Railway Flam Be rge n R 38–39 15-Day Grand Norway Bergen ailw 80 Our Passengers’ Best Photos ay Hardangerfjord 40–41 10-Day Highlights Of Norway Oslo 42–43 9-Day Norwegian Holiday Photo: Andreas Mihatsch Andreas Photo: DENMARK Svolvaer in the summertime. Journey past remarkable scenery, such as Seven Sisters Mountain Get up-close and personal with the undisputed king of birds Glacier adventure to Svartisen CONTENTS 3 Photo: Snorre E. Aske, www.naturkultur.no Aske, E. Snorre Photo: Take time to enjoy Experience the natural, unspoiled beauty of Norway’s coastline with an authentic Hurtigruten voyage. THE VOYAGE YOU’ve Calling at more than 30 ports—many not accessible to other ships—we take you closer to the heart of ALWAYS DREAMED OF Norway on what some call “the World’s Most Beautiful Voyage.” We visit the Trollfjord on every tour during the summer season Wherever the port, we’ll get you there safely Be at one with nature—and each other Enjoy fresh, natural Norwegian cuisine Visit up to 34 enchanting ports on every voyage 5 hurtigruten HISTORY Photo: Hurtigruten ASA Hurtigruten Photo: CONNECTING COASTAL ASA Hurtigruten Photo: COMMUNITIES since 1893 Captain Richard With It all started with the rich fishing grounds along the Norwegian coast. With a seaway that wove its way between dangerous reefs, islands, and inlets, it became imperative by the 19th century to find a safer trade route between the north and south of Norway. Maritime maps were unreliable at that time, and there were only a few lighthouses. When the Norwegian government finally decided to create a new sea connection, Richard With and his friend Anders Holthe took on the job of thoroughly mapping the Norway’s coastal waters. In 1893, Captain With’s steamer DS Finmarken, built in 1912 DS Vesteraalen was brought into regular service along the coast, voyaging from Trondheim to Hammerfest, and later from Bergen HURTIGRUTEN THEN AND NOW to Kirkenes, in just seven days. He called this important new trade and transport connection hurtig ruten—”the fast route.” 1893 twice as many ships as Norway’s German occupiers. 2005 The first Hurtigruten voyage departs Trondheim for Hammerfest, 1952 Traditional ships the MS Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten start sailing via 11 harbors. Seven new ships have been added since 1949. The entire rebuilt the so-called Nostalgic Routes in Norway in wintertime, alongside ONE OF 11 SHIPS DEPARTS BERGEN DAILY 1898 Hurtigruten fleet now features modern diesel engines. Hurtigruten’s more modern ships. Today, 117 years later, Hurtigruten’s captains still use their exten- The Hurtigruten route expands southward to include Bergen, with 1982 2006 sive maritime expertise to ensure that passengers and goods are three departures a week. As passenger numbers drop, Hurtigruten focuses on cargo. The first The MS Nordstjernen turns 50. The OVDS and TFDS Hurtigruten safely carried from port to port. One in 11 ships departs Bergen 1908 ship with a side hatch, for easy loading and unloading, is added to shipping companies merge to form Hurtigruten ASA. From mid- daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in 11 days, at an average speed Kirkenes, near the Russian border, becomes the northern the fleet. March, the MS Finnmarken is the first Hurtigruten ship to travel with turning point of the coastal voyage. 1993 the new company’s trademark smokestack paint: black with the red of 15 knots. When will we welcome you aboard Hurtigruten? 1925 A new era begins with the June launch of the modern ship MS Kong letter “H.” Hurtigruten ASA now boasts a fleet of 13 ships. The first ship to feature running water in all cabins is added to the Harald. The modernization of Hurtigruten’s fleet will result in 10 new 2007 Hurtigruten fleet. ships being added to the fleet by the end of 2007. In May, a new expedition ship the MS Fram—at the time, the most 1936 2001 modern vessel of its kind—starts service. Hurtigruten debuts a new Daily departures from Bergen begin. More than 230,000 passen- On May 30, the Norwegian government lists the MS Lofoten as a route—worldwide expedition voyages between the Arctic and gers a year sail between a record number of ports aboard national historical monument. Antarctic—aboard the MS Fram. Hurtigruten’s 14 ships. 2002 2008 1937 Two new ships, MS Trollfjord and MS Finnmarken, are launched. Hurtigruten celebrates its 115th birthday. For more than a century, Hurtigruten equips all ships with sonar, an electronic logbook, and 2003 its passenger and cargo ships have connected northern and a radio tracking transmitter. The new MS Midnatsol is launched in Hamburg, Germany—making it southern Norway. 1939–1945 the first Hurtigruten ship ever to be inaugurated outside of Norway. A 2010 Half the Hurtigruten fleet is lost, and a total of 700 passengers are Hurtigruten ship, the MS Nordnorge, travels the southern routes around MS Fram starts sailing to Spitsbergen. killed, during World War II. Ironically, the Allies end up destroying Argentina, Chile, and the Antarctic for the first time ever in winter. MS Trollfjord is one of the most modern ships in our fleet HISTOry 7 hurtigruten GEOTOUriSM 71°N NORTH CAPE NORWAY Meridian Monument, Hammerfest VESTERALEN Rock Art of Alta Photo: Gian-Rico Willy Gian-Rico Photo: L O F O T E N 6 6 ° 3 3 ' N A R C T I C C I R C L E The Vega Archipelago Geotourism & National Geographic Roros Mining Town West Norwegian Fjords Enhancing Urnes Stave Church our Bryggen, Bergen Destinations The Vega Archipelago is one of Norway’s seven World Heritage sites Hurtigruten, in cooperation with the National UNESCO World Heritage sites in Norway from tourism contributes significantly to the survival of a number Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable of destinations along the rugged coast. Paying close attention to About geotourism encouraging local artisans, and celebrating traditional cultures and Destinations, is strengthening our geotourism the environment and local residents’ well-being is fundamental Tourism has become one of the largest, most all-pervasive industries on performing arts. It means preserving and developing local cuisine, to the practice of the sustainable form of tourism that National Earth. We travelers have truly become part of each destination we go program with the goal of developing our based on distinctive local ingredients supplied by local farming and Geographic encourages globally. It is also a natural extension of to, helping to shape the character of the place. When done well, tourism business in a more sustainable way. fishing. It means protecting natural habitats, beautifying and restoring Norway’s decision to become the first European country to sign the can help preserve destinations, educate the public, and bolster economies. neglected places, and enriching poor locations. It means evoking the Geotourism Charter. When done poorly, tourism destroys environmental and cultural distinc - region’s diverse past and its relation to the present. tiveness, promotes great disparities in wealth, and educates no one. To set an even more sustainable course for the future, Hurtigruten Norway has regularly scored at the very top of National Geographic has sought the advice of the National Geographic Society’s Center If you’re a visitor, you can decide, simply by where you open your Traveler’s Index of Destination Stewardship: As a traveler, you can do something about it, while having fun at the for Sustainable Destinations, whose mission focuses on geotourism wallet, what kinds of facilities and activities to encourage.