The globe at the North Cape
The UNESCO-listed Bryggen in Bergen
Historical Bergen
Kayaking in Reine, Lofoten.
You’ll want to keep your camera handy throughout this winter expedition. Sail along the dramatic Norwegian coast into the Arctic Circle up to the North Cape. Whether you’re scanning the skies for the Northern Lights, Arctic wildlife or pristine landscapes, you’ll be thrilled by the sights you see.
Experience picturesque fjords, fishing villages, charming cities and quaint island life along the way. Find out more about coastal Norway from your Expedition Team and enjoy a host of optional winter activities including snowmobiling and even kayaking.
Onboard activities
Landing activities
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Your Norway expedition cruise departs from Hamburg. We'll sail north towards Norway’s beautiful coastline and hunt for the Northern Lights. Our chances of seeing this amazing natural phenomenon increase the further north we go. We exit the Hamburg channel into Cuxhaven, a popular departure point for German seafarers over the centuries. Here, we go alongside to enjoy a special ceremony to celebrate the start of our journey. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Hapag-Halle museum and a performance from a local sea shanty choir.
Spend the day at sea enjoying the amenities aboard MS Otto Sverdrup. Visit the restaurants, hot tubs, sauna and indoor gym. Or relax in the Explorer Bar.
Meet your Expedition Team, who will begin the first of their daily lectures in the well-equipped Science Center. Each member of team has been picked for their extensive knowledge of Norway. Discover more about local folklore, geology or the science behind the Northern Lights.
It's the perfect way to prepare for all the natural wonders that await you as we cruise towards Norway.
Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, Bergen is one of Norway’s most picturesque cities and has retained much of its character and charm. Your included excursion is a funicular railway trip to the summit of Mount Floyen for amazing views over the city. If there’s time, we might even take a short hike in the alpine forest. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14th century. As you explore the city’s cobbled streets, stop by artisanal boutiques and cafés, or pop into a pub for a glass of local Hansa beer.
Today, we'll cruise through the straits and channels of Nordfjorden. The smaller size of our expedition ships means we reach parts of Norway’s spectacular coastline that others can’t. Nestled along the fjord are old fishing communities, such as Loen. We'll take the Loen Skylift to the top of Mount Hoven – climbing over 3,300 feet in just five minutes. The views to Mount Skåla and Lake Lo in the east, and Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland Glacier, and Olden to the south, are unforgettable.
You can also try optional winter activities, including snowshoeing or sledding on the mountain, and maybe even kayaking on the fjord if time and weather allow.
However you spend this time at sea, strolling on deck or enjoying the facilities, don’t miss the scenery of the Strandflaten islands. Local folklore says the Seven Sisters peaks are the petrified bodies of troll sisters caught by the sunrise. Torghatten, a mountain with a hole through the middle, is the troll king’s hat, pierced by an arrow. You’re close to the Arctic now, and your chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase. As daylight hours shorten, you’ll spend more time in the romantic ‘blue hour’, when the sun glowing beneath the horizon creates a beautiful extended twilight.
The approach to the Lofoten Islands is a wall of granite peaks looming on the horizon, punctuated by sheltered bays and untouched beaches. We dock at one of the most frequently photographed landscapes in Norway, the fishing village of Reine. From here, a picturesque sail takes us to Svolvær, where we’ll spend a day among the shops, galleries, eateries, and traditional fishing huts, or rorbuer. After passing the vertical mountain walls of Trollfjorden, you’ll enjoy a frosty glass among the Insta-worthy sculptures of the Magic Ice Bar. There’s also the option to join hiking or snowshoeing excursions.
Directly beneath the active Auroral Zone, Alta is an epicentre for Northern Lights research. We’ll arrive in the afternoon and, if the skies are clear, stay past midnight to watch out for an unforgettable show. You’ll learn more about Alta’s starring role in an included visit to the interactive exhibition at the Northern Lights Cathedral. Its striking titanium-clad outline dominates the skyline. You can also join an optional excursion to the village of Máze on the Kautokeino River. It’s an opportunity to meet and learn from the semi-nomadic Sámi who make a living herding reindeer.
Today we visit the most northerly point on our expedition, starting out with an included excursion. From Honningsvåg, you’ll take a bus ride through small villages and bays. Crossing a mountain plateau, you arrive at the spectacular North Cape. Standing at the edge of the cliff, there’s only the Svalbard Archipelago between you and the North Pole, 1,300 miles away. Later, take a stroll through Honningsvåg to admire the church that was the only building still standing at the end of World War II. And of course, don't forget to keep looking skywards for those first colourful signs of the Aurora.
The winter waters of the Arctic Circle are a feeding ground for humpback whales, so watch out for them as we cruise towards Tromsø.
Your included trip today takes in the Polar Museum, where you’ll learn about the city's hunting and exploration heritage. Or explore the town independently. Visit the Arctic Cathedral with its huge stained glass window, or join friendly locals at Mack Bryggeri, the world’s northernmost brewery.
Tromsø is the centre for Arctic adventure experiences. Enjoy winter activities on optional hiking, dogsledding or snowshoeing excursions.
We arrive back in the fishing village of Reine today. You'll see the now-familiar rorbuer. The breathtaking scenery is a masterpiece of jutting snowcapped mountains, sheltered bays, untouched beaches and fishing villages. If the Northern Lights are active, it will only add to the magic.
Fishing is a way of life for Lofoten's local communities. Discover one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in Norway on an included activity to Å, where you'll visit the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum, and learn how fishing has shaped life here over the centuries.
Today you'll visit Norway's coastal heart – an area few experience – Trøndelag, dotted with islands, fjords and skerries. As our ship arrives at the windswept islands, nature will decide where we land and what we do.
Here's where our Expedition Team excels. They will draw on their in-depth knowledge of the area to pick out the most interesting sites we’re able to explore. If conditions are right, you’ll be able to enjoy optional activities like hikes and kayaking trips. Leaving the ship anchored off one of the islands or in a small bay, we’ll use our small expedition boats to take you to our selected landing places, where you’ll be able to explore the local landscape, life and nature.
Your expedition cruise continues to the captivating city of Ålesund, famous for its charming architecture. After a fire razed much of the city to the ground in 1904, it was rebuilt in the fashionable style of the time: Art Nouveau.
Nestled into the rocky coastline is the Atlantic Sea Park, Norway's first marine science centre and today's included activity. You'll find Humboldt penguins, seals and otters.
You can also enjoy a hike to the summit of Mount Aksla for incredible views of the city. Reward yourself with a warm svele – a thick, crescent-shaped savoury pancake – at the top.
You’ll enjoy the views as we sail towards Hardangerfjorden, the second longest fjord in Norway. Its hillside orchards supply apples for award-winning local cider.
Today, you’ll explore either Sunndal or Rosendal, depending on conditions. From Sunndal, near the Bondhus Glacier, you can join an optional hike or kayaking with the Expedition Team. In Rosendal, learn more about the neighbouring Folgefonna Glacier at the village visitors’ centre.
Wherever we land, you’ll want to sample amazing local produce in the cafés. Make sure you try the cider one wine critic described as ‘Nordic champagne’.
We have a relaxing day at sea ahead as we sail back to Hamburg. It's the perfect time to look back on your many adventures and share experiences with new friends in the Explorer Bar.
The Expedition Team will be available if you have more questions about the places you've visited. Catch up on any Citizen Science projects you’ve been involved with in the Science Center, or take one last chance to enjoy facilities like the sauna and gym.
You can also use the time to sort through your multiple memory cards with photos of Arctic scenery, colourful villages and – hopefully – the Northern Lights. And ask our expedition photographer if you need a second opinion.
Our expedition cruise docks in Hamburg. You'll still havel time to enjoy a final breakfast on board before you leave. Why not explore Germany's second biggest city before you head home.
You'll discover most of the city's attractions in the Altstadt, including St Nikolai Memorial and Deichstraße Historic Street. You can also explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chilehaus and the world's largest warehouse complex.
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Onboard Science Programme
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our expedition ships serve as the perfect platform for scientific research; with access to remote regions of the world and onboard experts, we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community - with help from our guests!
We invite our guests to participate in science activities, developing a greater understanding of the region in which they travel, becoming true ambassadors, and returning home to champion the protection of our planet's most fragile ecosystems.
Delivery of our own lecture programme.
Interacting with guests in our Science Centers to reinforce the lecture programme with practical hands-on guest experiences.
Citizen science programme involving guests in programmes for third-party organisations.
Carrying scientific equipment for sample collection on behalf of research institutes.
Hosting scientific personnel on board to conduct collaborative science programmes.
Seabird Distribution with the Antarctic Site Inventory — Surveys throughout the Antarctic Peninsula help scientists understand how seabirds are using different habitats and provide valuable information about their life cycles.
Cloud Observations with the Globe Program — By observing and recording cloud cover timed to NASA satellite fly-overs, guests can help scientists understand how surface and air temperature are affected by cloud cover, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate.
Happywhale — We assist in tracking individual whales throughout our world’s oceans by harnessing the power of whale watching enthusiasts - our guests - expanding our scientific knowledge of their behaviour and distribution.
Sea Leopard Project — A non-profit study aimed at a better understanding of the behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics of leopard seals on the Antarctic Peninsula to promote their conservation and safe human-seal interactions.
Fjord Phyto — Study phytoplankton to better understand how they respond to water temperature changes in the polar regions, providing a key to help mitigate future environmental impacts.
Join the Expedition Team here for a range of lectures, photography workshops, and Citizen Science Projects. The area also features scientific and educational equipment, such as microscopes and interactive maps.
In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here. Learning more about each subject is certain to enhance your expedition experience.
Our Science Programme has one goal: To increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
What the Science Programme is about
Learning from the experts on board
Facilities, equipment and activities
Citizen Science research projects- and how you can contribute
Speaker: Verena Meraldi
Young Explorers Programme
Welcome all young explorers
Young Explorer is a complimentary, year-round programme on selected Hurtigruten ships for curious and active youth aged 6-12 years of age.
The children will learn about other cultures, the importance of nature in our daily lives, and the impact humans have on our delicate and beautiful planet. The Young Explorers’ Programme makes it easier to meet other children on board, bond over common activities and form lasting friendships.
There will be daily onboard activities related to different Young Explorers’ topics. Through the Young Explorers’ Programme, children will get a deeper understanding of nature, climate and culture. Depending on seasons and destinations, they will also be introduced to topics like wildlife, local food, environmental protection and famous explorers. This will give the children a sense of what it is like to be a real explorer in beautiful, untouched surroundings.
All children aged 6 to 12 years are welcome to participate in the Young Explorers’ Programme. At the beginning of the voyage, you will receive more practical details of the programme. Parents/guardians do not participate in Young Explorers’ activities, but depending on the size and variation of the group some parents may be asked to join on an informal basis. The Young Explorer activities will only be offered in English.
It is free of charge to join the Young Explorer Programme. To reserve, please contact our booking office at [email protected] or call +441224980439.
Learn more about what you can experience when going with us
Practical information you need to know
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
Norway
