Original voyages
Original voyages are a different kind of cruise experience. A historic lifeline, we've been sailing the Coastal Express route, steady as the tides, since 1893. Our iconic ships call at 34 picturesque ports between Bergen and Kirkenes over 12 days, all year round.
But it's never just about the schedule or the number of stops. It's about feeling the true pulse of everyday life as it unfolds along ‘The World's Most Beautiful Voyage’. People getting on and off. Cargo being loaded and unloaded. The seasons coming and going. On an Original voyage, you don't just cruise Norway's coast. You live it.
Most Original voyages include full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) using locally sourced ingredients from Norway's Coastal Kitchen. You’ll also have access to the ship’s facilities (hot tub, sauna and fitness room) and lectures run by our Expedition Team.
Exact inclusions depend on your fare type:
Basic – Our lowest price. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Your cabin and dining time will be assigned to you. (Available on selected sailings only.)
Select – Includes everything in Basic, plus the ability to choose your own cabin number and dining time, along with complimentary tea, filter coffee and Wi-Fi. (Suites can only be booked on this fare.)
Drinks (beyond tea and coffee on Select), excursions, flights and transfers are not included and can be added separately.
Note these fares do not apply to short voyages or port-to-port sailings.
Excursions are not included in your fare, but can be booked for an additional cost either online or when you’re on board. With 70+ excursions available across the Coastal Express route – from guided walks and cathedral tours to snowmobile adventures and sea eagle safaris – there's plenty to suit all interests and budgets. Browse all Original excursions
We have a seven-strong fleet of ships sailing the Coastal Express route: MS Kong Harald, MS Nordlys, MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp, MS Polarlys, MS Richard With and MS Vesterålen. Each ship has similar facilities – including hot tubs, sauna and restaurants – but each has its own distinct character and feel.
The exception is MS Vesterålen, our classic coastal ship, which offers a more intimate onboard experience with a simpler range of facilities.
Check-in
Check-in times vary by embarkation port. For Bergen, check-in is from 15:30–20:00; for Kirkenes, 11:00–12:15; and for Tromsø (northbound), 14:15–18:00. For all other ports, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the ship's arrival. Note that check-in closes 15–20 minutes before the ship's departure.
Check-out
Normal check-out from cabins is at 12.00. It is possible to buy a later check-out at the reception if it is available (NOK 300 for 1-3 hours; an additional NOK 100 per hour for more than 3 hours).
Ports with earlier check-out:
Bergen: 10.00
Kirkenes: 08.00
Trondheim: 08.00
Tromsø: 20.00
Yes, all passengers must attend a mandatory safety briefing before boarding. In Bergen, these happen in the guest lounge of the Hurtigruten terminal at 16:15, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15, 18:45, 19:15 (19:30 during summer) and 19:40. After attending, a “Hurtigruten” sticker will be placed on your boarding card as confirmation. If you happen to miss the briefing, you will be able to watch the safety film after the ship’s information meeting.
If you are boarding in Kirkenes, the safety video is shown on board in the conference room at 12:45.
In all other ports, you will receive a safety information note at check-in, so you can familiarise yourself with the essential guidance before coming on board.
Yes, but it depends which fare you are travelling on.
Basic fare or a port-to-port sailing: we’ll assign your cabin number for you.
Select fare: you can choose your cabin number free of charge on full voyages. On half voyages, you can select a cabin number for an additional fee.
Suite guests: you can choose your cabin number free of charge, regardless of voyage length.
Yes, each ship has a select number of cabins that can accommodate a baby crib. This will replace one of the beds in your cabin and costs NOK 200. Availability varies by ship, so we recommend contacting our Customer Service Centre to book one in advance.
MS Kong Harald: 6
MS Midnatsol: 6
MS Nordkapp: 5
MS Nordlys: 3
MS Nordnorge: 3
MS Polarlys: 3
MS Richard With: 3
MS Trollfjord: 2
MS Vesterålen: 4
Your voyage is full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served in our main restaurant, Torget. Beverages are limited to tap water, coffee and tea; other drinks can be purchased separately.
There are three restaurants and one café on board. Opening hours vary from ship to ship, but are generally open as follows:
Torget: Meaning “marketplace” in Norwegian, our main restaurant offers a variety in its menus for all three daily meals. Open: 07:30-11:00 (buffet), 12:00-14:00 (buffet), 18:00-21.30 (plated 3-course meal).
Brygga: Our bistro serves easy-to-eat yet satisfying dishes such as fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and burgers. Open: 12:00-21:30.
Multe: Enjoy coffee, freshly baked pastries, open sandwiches and local ice cream in our onboard bakery and cafe. Open: 10:00-17:30.
Kysten: Dine in style at our à la carte restaurant, serving set menus using the finest ingredients the Norwegian coast has to offer. Open: 18:00-21:00.
Your safety and wellbeing are important to us. All of our ships have crew members trained in first aid and emergency medical response who are available to assist in the event of an illness or injury on board.
Our vessels do not routinely carry doctors. However, our Signature fleet carries a qualified nurse on board.
Please note that our onboard medical capabilities are intended to provide first aid and emergency assistance and are not a substitute for hospital or specialist medical care ashore. Most ports we visit have pharmacies available, allowing guests to obtain common medications and healthcare supplies during their voyage.
Serious medical situations, evacuation or transfer to shore-based healthcare facilities will be arranged when necessary.