Norwegian coastal voyages

Two cruise companies operate the Norwegian coastal voyage route between Bergen and Kirkenes: Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages. Both companies follow the same route and offer similar excursions. Your travel date will determine which company you sail with.

Hurtigruten has been operating along the Norwegian coast since 1893. Its fleet combines classic and expedition-style ships, offering half-board (breakfast buffet and dinner served at the table). Lunch is available at an extra cost. Menus feature local ingredients and traditional coastal dishes. Hurtigruten operates 7 of the 11 ships on the traditional coastal voyage route.

Havila Voyages began service in 2021 with new, environmentally focused ships featuring modern Scandinavian design and spacious cabins. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) is included, with all meals served at the table. Menus are based on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Havila operates 4 of the 11 ships, offering fewer departures than Hurtigruten.

The northbound route starts in Bergen and takes 6 nights / 7 days to reach Kirkenes. Sometimes referred to as the ‘cultural’ stretch, the northbound route stops in cities such as Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø during the daytime. On the northbound journey the ships make a detour to the Geirangerfjord between June and August, or to the Hjørundfjord in September and October.

Day-by-day timetable for the northbound cruise.

The southbound route starts in Kirkenes and takes 5 nights / 6 days to reach Bergen. It is often called the ‘nature’ stretch since it passes the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands during the daytime. Other highlights that can be experienced on the southbound route include the picturesque Raftsundet strait, the Helgeland coast, Torghatten mountain and unique excursions such as breakfast at the North Cape (in summer), a midnight concert in Tromsø and a boat tour of the UNESCO-listed Vega islands. 

Day-by-day timetable for the southbound cruise.

Both stretches have their charm and unique character. To help you decide which stretch you prefer, we recommend looking at the shore excursions offered.

Hurtigruten: The Hurtigruten fleet operating on the coastal voyage route consists of seven ships, while Havila operates the remaining four. Together they offer daily departures along the Norwegian coast.

The facilities on the Hurtigruten ships are the same, but the choice of colours, materials and design means that each ship retains its own character. They have large, comfortable lounges providing good views, fully licensed restaurants, cafés and bars and souvenir shops that also sell a selection of toiletries. The newest ships offer more varied dining venues as well as conference facilities. Wi-Fi is available on all the ships.

Havila: The newer coastal express consists of a fleet of four ships. The interior décor of the ships is inspired by the sea, sky, mountains and glaciers, and traditional dishes from local towns along the route are served on board.

Each ship offers two inviting restaurants, a cosy café, a panoramic bar with stunning views – as well as an outdoor bar that adds an extra touch of charm to your journey (weather permitting). A souvenir shops sells a selection of toiletries and other last-minute needs.

Hurtigruten and Havila ships operate on a set schedule and carry goods, vehicles and passengers between ports. You may notice some noise and vibration during the loading/unloading of goods. This will vary depending on the location of your cabin and the type of ship.

A complete overview of included services is specified near the bottom of each tour page.

Please note that Hurtigruten and Havila operate with dynamic pricing. The price of the cruise can therefore vary (please refer to the next question below). Early booking is recommended.

Both Havila and Hurtigruten use dynamic pricing: the price of a cruise fluctuates based on the remaining capacity of a particular departure at the time of booking. Therefore, early booking is recommended. 

The tour price shown is based on Hurtigruten’s starting price for the selected departure. Please contact us for an offer. Or, if you choose to submit your booking request directly, we will contact you should the price of your departure be higher than published. 

Hurtigruten: For cruises consisting of 5 days or more, the choice of cabin is included in the price (subject to availability).
For all shorter cruises, your cabin will be assigned to you upon check-in.

Havila: For cruises consisting of 5 days or more, the choice of cabin can be booked for an additional fee (subject to availability).
For all shorter cruises, your cabin will be assigned to you upon check-in.

Since we offer tours throughout the Nordic and Baltic countries, we are unable to meet travellers in person. But rest assured that you are set for a stress-free experience: You will receive detailed instructions to guide you to each destination, and we are available by phone and email during office hours and via our emergency phone outside of office hours in case you require any urgent assistance.  

Airport transfers are not included in the tour price, as public transport options in most locations are affordable, easy and efficient. Our travel documents include details on how to navigate every step of the journey, including to/from the airport.

However, in cases where it is impossible or complicated to travel by public transport, transfers are included. Please refer to the ‘services included’ section of each tour (located near the bottom of the tour page).

It is also possible to use the Hurtigruten or Havila airport shuttle (additional costs apply).

It is possible to book excursions directly on board. However, to reserve your spot, we recommend booking in advance – especially for those activities with limited space, such as RIB safaris, etc. Bus excursions usually do not sell out. Authentic Scandinavia sells the excursions for the same price as they are sold on board (small price differences may occur due to the exchange rate).

Temperatures along the Norwegian coast in winter usually vary between 2°C and -10°C. Summer temperatures vary between 10°C and 25°C depending on the latitude. Read more about the weather.

All vessels are equipped with stabilisers for smoother sailing. On the Norwegian coast the ships only enter the open sea for a few hours on a few occasions. Most of the time the ships sail between mainland Norway and the coastal islands where the sea is generally calmer.

If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend that you bring seasickness pills. If you have ever experienced motion sickness when traveling by car, plane or on amusement park rides, you may be more susceptible to seasickness while on board. Seasickness pills can also be purchased on board.

Bring practical, warm and windproof clothing for going out on deck. During autumn and winter, bring long (wool) underwear, warm socks, a scarf, gloves and a warm hat. Smart but casual clothes are worn on board. There is no need to dress formally at dinner; jeans and a nice shirt are sufficient. The only exception is for cruises over Christmas and New Year's, when you might want to dress up a bit. Sturdy footwear is vital for excursions. Do not forget to bring your binoculars and camera as well as your sunglasses (also during winter).

You can bring up to 50 kg of luggage on board, but please do not bring more than you can carry yourself, since there is no luggage handling service. You must store your luggage in your cabin or in the luggage room (at your own risk). 

Yes, there is a tour leader on board all year round who speaks English (and often additional languages). The tour leader can assist you with information and the booking of excursions and transfers. On some departures these services are managed by the reception.

On board you will also find the expedition team offering interesting lectures inside the ship as well as out on the sun deck, making this an exciting and educational journey. Topics vary depending on the season and route. The expedition team host a lecture programme and evening gatherings daily. Out on deck you can participate in lecture sessions to learn more about nature, culture and other phenomena you encounter along the coast. In addition, the expedition team will introduce you to the uniquely Norwegian notion of friluftsliv (outdoor life), and encourage you take part in friluftsliv hikes and activities during the journey.

The emphasis on board is on relaxation and getting away from the commercial entertainment that is so often a part of conventional cruises. Hurtigruten and Havila's aim is to get closer to the unique local environments and share the experience with the passengers.

Hurtigruten and Havila offer some onboard activities, demonstrations and lectures by the expedition team. The activities that take place inside the vessels and outside on deck will vary depending on the season and area you are sailing in, for example Arctic Circle ‘baptism’ or a King Crab presentation (as opposed to shuffleboard, bingo and the like). You are invited to join all of these activities; they will be announced in the day-to-day programmes. 

Musical entertainment on some stretches of the voyage may be offered in the bar area.

On the Norwegian coastal voyages, ships do not leave territorial waters and are rarely far from land. There is no doctor or pharmacy on board and medical assistance is available at ports or, in an emergency, by helicopter. 

If you are prone to seasickness, we suggest you carry medication with you. Some tablets are available on board for sale, but they may not be appropriate for every passenger.

There is generally good coverage for mobile telephones.

All ships with have a Wi-Fi network on board.

The electric current supplied in the power sockets on board the ship is the 220-volt AC standard and requires a 2-pin continental-type plug. If you need power adapters or converters you can buy one in the shop on board the ship.

Laundry rooms with washing machines, dryers and irons are available on all ships. On Hurtigruten tokens can be purchased from reception. On Havila the laundry facilities are free of charge.

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. It is not permitted when the ships are in port and taking on fuel. Smoking in the cabin is prohibited and subject to a fine.

The currency used on board is Norwegian Kroner. All major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard and American Express) are accepted. Please note that a PIN code is required when paying with your personal credit card.

Hurtigruten offer a cruise card system, allowing you to charge all onboard purchases to your cruise card. All services will be billed at the end of the trip. 

At Havila all purchases will be charged to your cabin number. You will pay at check-out at the end of the tour.

The cabin facilities vary between ships and various cabin grades. Towels and shower gel/liquid soap are provided in all cabins. Most of the ships have hair dryers in all cabins. If not, you may borrow one from the reception. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are available on Hurtigruten only in Arctic Superior cabins and Expedition Suites. Havila has tea-/coffee-making facilities in all cabins (except interior cabins).

Hurtigruten and Havila cannot accept liability for any loss. Valuables may be handed in at reception to be kept in the ship’s safe.

Check-in will take place inside the ship in the reception area in all ports except Bergen, where there is a terminal.

The times for checking out of cabins are according to the ship’s timetable. Upon arrival in Bergen, Kirkenes and Trondheim (southbound), special rules apply:

• Cabins for departure from Bergen are available from 18:00 hrs.
• Check-out on arrival in Kirkenes is before 8:00 hrs.
• Check-out on arrival in Trondheim (southbound) is before 8:00 hrs.
• Check-out on arrival in Bergen is before 10:00 hrs.

Yes, children up to 15 years receive a reduction of 50% on the adult rate.

Yes, this is always recommended.