Hurtigruten are true experts when it comes to cruising to Norway, Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and Europe.
From the Norwegian Fjords to the Northern Lights, spotting polar bears in Spitsbergen to playing football with an Inuit community in Greenland; Kathryn Beadle, Hurtigruten’s Managing Director, shares her insider guide to cruising the Norwegian way.
What’s the best thing about a Hurtigruten cruise?
A Hurtigruten Voyage is the best way to experience authentic Norway. Our ships operate 364 days a year and provide a vital link between cities, towns and hamlets, carrying passengers, freight and guests since 1893. We visit 34 stops along the coastline taking passengers to fjords, waterways and ports that other ships cannot reach. There is no better way to enjoy the truly Norwegian way of life than on the original Norwegian Coastal Voyage.
What’s your top cruise for the winter?
The majority of customers who travel with us in the winter do so to hopefully fulfil a lifetime wish and this is to experience the phenomenon of the Northern Lights. Our ships travel beyond the Arctic Circle where the probability of experiencing the lights are increased. Along with fun excursions like dog or reindeer sledging, the opportunity to sleep in an ice hotel and the magical light at this time of year all adds up to a unique experience.
And the summer?
Guests who travel with us in the summer do so because they can pack so much into day light hours, as come June the sun does not set! We have 11 ships that operate along the coast daily, the biggest of which are still small compared to other cruise lines – carrying a maximum of 1000 passengers. Therefore we are able in the summer to enter some of the smaller fjords that our competitors cannot reach. These offer truly breathtaking and spectacular scenery.
What’s your favourite Norwegian food experience?
All our food is sourced fresh locally. I would have trouble selecting one favourite so normally if a buffet is on the menu this affords me the opportunity to indulge my passion for seafood and not to mention the delicious desserts, I have been known to go back a few times to replenish my plate!
And your favourite place in Norway and why?
It’s difficult to pick just one place, we start our voyages in Bergen and head north to Kirkenes on the Russian border and the towns hamlets that we visit are very diverse. However, we are introducing a new fjord on the 01st of September 2013 which we will visit until the 31stof October and it is truly breath taking and spectacular. It is called the Hjorundfjord, we trialled the experience during October this year and the feedback from guests, crew and staff has been phenomenal.
Hjorundfjord
Any top tips for first time cruisers?
Hurtigruten is not a traditional cruise line, our entertainment is not on board it is outside the window. We travel to remote areas and the dynamics on our ships are continually changing as the local people use us for short trips between ports. We are very much a true Norwegian experience. My number one tip is to ensure that you understand the ‘personality’ of the cruise line that you are travelling with and that it fits your needs.
Most breathtaking scenery you’ve seen on a Hurtigruten cruise?
The most breathtaking scenery we offer is in Antarctica. You really are at the end of the earth. An endless white wilderness, mountains and glaciers offer dramatic scenery and penguins, sea lions and whales offer you hours of entertainment. If you are lucky enough to visit you truly appreciate the privilege of experiencing the planet’s last untouched continent.
Antarctica
What’s the top experience for cruises to:
Norway… our most popular excursion is to the North Cape. This is the most northerly point in Europe, a plateau that rises 307 meters above the Arctic Ocean. In the summer you may come across grazing herds of reindeer and in the winter the snow ploughs clear a path for you to reach the plateau.
Europe… We only offer European trips when our expedition ship The Fram is repositioning from either the North or South Poles. One of our most popular trips is a round Britain trip which starts by Tower Bridge on the river Thames and then visits ports in Scotland, Ireland, the South of England.
Antartica… I don’t think you can pick one top experience as Antarctica truly is a very unique experience no matter what voyage you choose. The privilege to experience the haunting scenery, enjoy the diverse wildlife is without doubt a trip of a lifetime.
Greenland… along with the spectacular experience of witnessing icebergs up close and personal another top experience is meeting the local people. The Inuit community welcome us on The Fram as we visit various towns in Greenland, another top experience is the football match that crew and passengers challenge the locals to – to date we have not won one game!
Svalbard/Spitsbergen… As you would expect the top experience has to be seeing polar bears in their natural habitat. We haven’t had a trip yet where polar bears have not been sighted.
Have you seen the Northern Lights? If so tell us about your favourite sighting…
The first time I saw the lights I was eating dinner on the ship when the captain announced that they were out. I abandoned my meal but although there was a wisp of green across the sky I was rather disappointed. I returned to my meal only for another announcement to be made. Again I grabbed my coat went outside and this time I had an hour of the most spectacular show. Anyone who has experienced the Auroras Borealis will tell you that it is impossible to put into words this amazing natural phenomenon.
And any tips you have for first time light hunters?
The further north you go the more opportunity you have of seeing them. Also avoid towns, as light pollution obscures the lights, which is where sighting them on a ship is perfect as the captain turns out the lights for viewing.
Best wildlife spotting from a Hurtigruten cruise?
Many times whilst travelling along the coast I have been captivated as a sea eagle swoops down or a school of dolphins follow the ship but the thousands upon thousands of penguins that you see in Antarctica of various species truly is something else. We have a rule that guests are not allowed to get within 5 metres of the wildlife, fortunately the animals haven’t read the same rule book and penguins will quite happily come right up to our guests along with elephant seals and other wonderful creatures.
And finally, any facts or trivia you would like to share with us?
Hurtigruten is 120 years old in 2013 and still delivers the mail along the coast as well as bringing fresh seafood south and vegetables and other goods North. Hurtigruten when translated means ‘fast route’. And of Norway’s eight sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, four of them can be seen with Hurtigruten: Bryggen in Burgen, the Vega Islands, the Geirangerfjord and the Meridian Column in Hammerfest.
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