Hurtigruten Voyages with 50 Degrees North
50 Degrees North is a Nordic specialist tour operator with deep experience creating journeys throughout Norway and the wider Nordic region. We offer Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal voyages, including the iconic Coastal Express and Hurtigruten's seasonal Signature voyages.
The Norwegian coast has been Hurtigruten's home since 1893, and today the Coastal Express continues to connect 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes throughout the year. The ships carry travellers alongside locals, cars and cargo, calling at everything from bustling Arctic cities to small fishing villages.
We also work with Havila Voyages on the Norwegian coastal route. Havila's modern coastal ships offer another way to experience the spectacular Norwegian coastline, and we use Havila on our small group Experience the Northern Lights and Chase the Northern Lights Express journeys, combining a coastal voyage with carefully selected Arctic experiences and time in northern Norway.
WHY BOOK A COASTAL VOYAGE WITH 50 DEGREES NORTH?
We know the Nordic region because it is our home and our speciality. Our Destination Specialists have extensive knowledge of Norway and the Norwegian coast, and we can help you choose the right voyage, season, cabin and combination of experiences for your trip.
There are two operators on Norway's coastal route, Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages. This gives us the flexibility to recommend the coastal departure that best suits your journey.
Hurtigruten offers several ways to experience the Norwegian coast. The Coastal Express is the original year-round coastal journey, with northbound, southbound and full-voyage options. Signature voyages offer a different pace, with longer stays in selected ports, more time to explore and an enhanced onboard programme.
We can also help you combine your coastal voyage with time on land. Our Nordic journeys pair coastal voyages with handpicked hotels, scenic rail journeys and Arctic experiences, making it easy to create a more complete Norwegian holiday rather than simply travelling from port to port.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CRUISE
A Hurtigruten voyage is not a conventional large-ship cruise. The Coastal Express ships are designed for Norway's coast, sailing sheltered waterways, narrow straits and fjords that larger ships cannot reach.
The ships call at an average of six ports a day, with stops ranging from around 10 minutes to four hours. This means that the journey remains closely connected to coastal communities and everyday Norwegian life.
On board, the emphasis is on the destination rather than traditional cruise entertainment. You'll find comfortable lounges and observation areas, an Expedition Team providing guiding and lectures, and plenty of opportunities to simply sit back and watch Norway's dramatic coastline unfold.
Dining is also part of the experience. Hurtigruten's Norway's Coastal Kitchen brings local flavours onboard, sourcing ingredients from around 70 local farms, fisheries and bakeries. Food and drink are sourced from communities along the route, with the landscapes outside your window reflected in the food on your plate.
TRAVEL THROUGH EVERY SEASON
One of the great advantages of the Norwegian Coastal voyage is that it operates all year round. Each season offers a completely different experience.
In winter, the coast is transformed by snow, the Polar Night and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
In spring, the days grow longer and the landscape begins to awaken, with snow still covering the mountains in the north.
In summer, northern Norway experiences the Midnight Sun, while the coastline is at its greenest. The northbound Coastal Express also sails into the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord during summer.
In autumn, changing colours and increasingly dark skies create a beautiful atmosphere along the coast, with Hjørundfjord, Urke and Molde included on the seasonal routing.
COASTAL EXPRESS OR SIGNATURE?
Choosing the right Hurtigruten experience depends on how you want to travel.
The Coastal Express is the classic Norwegian coastal journey. It is ideal if you want to experience the rhythm of coastal life, visit many ports and see Norway as the locals do. You can choose a 7-day northbound voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, a 6-day southbound voyage from Kirkenes to Bergen, or the complete 12-day round voyage.
Signature voyages offer a more leisurely experience, with longer stays in carefully selected ports, more time to explore and an enhanced onboard programme. Depending on the voyage, these include all-inclusive dining, drinks and additional activities and guiding from the Expedition Team.
Not sure which is right for you? Talk to our Destination Specialists and we can help you compare the options.
EXPLORE MORE THAN THE COAST
A Hurtigruten voyage can be the centrepiece of a longer Nordic journey. We can combine your time at sea with stays in cities such as Bergen, Oslo and Tromsø, scenic rail journeys, fjord experiences and adventures in northern Norway.
You can also choose from more than 70 seasonal optional excursions along the Coastal Express route, from city tours and cultural experiences to kayaking, hiking, wildlife safaris and RIB adventures. Excursions vary by season and voyage.
Our role is to help you put all the pieces together. With our local Nordic expertise, we can recommend how long to spend on the coast, where to stay before or after your voyage and which land-based experiences are worth adding.
Step aboard and experience Norway from the sea – from the dramatic fjords of the south to the Arctic landscapes around Kirkenes. Whether you're travelling for the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun, Norwegian food, wildlife or simply the extraordinary beauty of the coast, talk to us about creating your Norwegian coastal journey.
