Hurtigruten Cruises

The journey you take on Hurtigruten cruises doesn't just take you along Norway's amazing coastline, it also takes you on a culinary journey that focuses not only on delicious food, but also on sourcing sustainable, fresh and local ingredients. No matter whether you choose to eat a three course, sit down meal or a more casual dining experience, you can expect authentic Norwegian cuisine lovingly prepared by some of the most passionate chefs at sea.

Some of the restaurants onboard Hurtigruten's fleet include:

• Kysten- at this a la carte restaurant, no two days are the same when it comes to sitting down for your meal. Serving everything from free-range reindeer meat to the freshest seafood, your taste buds are in for a treat.
• Torget- this main restaurant on each ship serves breakfast, lunch and dinner which feature an array of Norwegian specialities.
• Brygga Bistro- if you're after a café style snack, this bistro-style restaurant serves pizza, sandwiches, burgers and steaks, as well as a range of tempting sweet treats.

While there may not be any onboard shows during your Hurtigruten cruise, this doesn't mean that there's no entertainment. With floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the ships, guests can sit back with a drink in hand and marvel at the incredible views across the sea and the coastline of some of Norway's most breathtaking locations.

In addition, for those moments when the Northern Lights makes an appearance, the observation deck is the place to be, offering unrivalled, front seat views of one of the world's most beautiful sights.

Although Hurtigruten are more than happy to welcome cruisers of all ages, they do not provide child care, kids clubs or specific family activities onboard, although much of what is on offer can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. It’s also worth noting that, for safety reasons, younger children will only be able to participate in select shore excursions. These details depend on the itinerary and activities planned, which can vary from sailing to sailing.

Sailing to some of the most fascinating parts of the world, guests can expect to be staring up in awe at the Northern Lights, enjoying the stunning curved landscape of the Fjords, and more with a Hurtigruten cruise. These incredible opportunities are what makes each cruise aboard one of Hurtigruten’s incredible ships a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

While cruising Norway, you’ll have the chance to capture the most incredible views – so, be sure your camera has plenty of memory, as you’ll want to remember these moments. On the traditional ‘coastal express’ routes, which often start in Bergen, the picturesque voyages will immerse you into Norwegian culture and give you a chance to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of places like Kristiansund, Batsfjord and Alesund. You can find out more about the top 5 accessible Norwegian cruise ports right here.

Excursions

Not only do Hurtigruten Cruises explore some wonderful destinations, they offer a range of exciting excursions for you to experience. From enjoying the incredible scenery of the Lofoten Islands on a horse to dog sledding through the snow in Norway. Some of the amazing excursions you can experience include Art Nouveau Walk, Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla, Nidaros Cathedral and Ringve Museum, and Scenery and huskies tour.

If you're looking to stretch your legs, you'll find some of the best cruise destinations for walking and hiking enthusiasts on these itineraries, too!

Rather than flashy entertainment, Hurtigruten likes to ensure that guests can choose to enjoy their cruise at their own pace when onboard the ships. During sea days or after a day of shore excursions, onboard activities include ship bridge visits, painting activities and expert talks covering the science and history of the regions sailed. There are also quizzes, a ship library and an opportunity to tour the onboard art.

In addition, guests can choose to let off some energy at the ships' gyms and sweat our their stresses with a trip to the sauna before taking in the incredible ocean views and rugged Norwegian coastline from the warm waters of a hot tub on deck.

Dress code

On a Hurtigruten cruise, your comfort is paramount and a casual dress code is employed throughout – even during the Captain’s welcoming drinks. For shore excursions, functional clothing is advised – making the most of each destination is important, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes is definitely a good idea at the very least.