Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey – Episode 2: Life in the Arctic
In the second leg of her journey along Norway’s coast, Lorraine crosses into the Arctic Circle. With impossibly narrow fjords and reindeer herders to sea eagles and seaweed foraging, this is life on Norway’s wild northern edge.
Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey, brought to you by Channel 4 and Hurtigruten, follows her voyage – mostly aboard our ships – along Norway’s spectacular coastline.
Here, we take you behind the scenes of Episode 2 of Lorraine’s journey – from encounters with orcas and sea eagles to farm-to-fork dining in the Arctic Circle – and show how you can experience the sights and flavours of the Arctic archipelagos of Vesterålen and Lofoten for yourself. It’s easier than you might think.
Embark on your own Norwegian odyssey
Trace Lorraine's Arctic journey on The Coastal Express, sail all-inclusive in search of the Northern Lights on The North Cape Line, or experience the same flavours on our Culinary Voyage. For a limited time, save up to 30% on select sailings until 2027.
Episode 2: Above the Arctic Circle
Lorraine heads north into the Arctic, where the sun barely sets in summer nor rises in winter. Her journey is filled with unexpected encounters – from orca sightings off the ship’s deck to the thrill of sailing into Trollfjord, one of Norway’s most dramatic inlets.
In Vesterålen, she visits Halvar Ellingsen's Arctic farm where food is grown and served with zero waste, and meets Biret, a Sámi reindeer herder.
In Lofoten, she squeezes into Trollfjord and wades into the strong currents of the Norwegian Sea to harvest seaweed with two pioneering entrepreneurs.
This is an episode full of awe, laughter and connection, ending with a long-awaited sea eagle sighting that moves Lorraine to tears. It’s also a snapshot of northern Norway’s sustainable food culture, rooted in season, place and tradition.
Where did Lorraine go in Episode 2?
Vesterålen
The quiet archipelago of Vesterålen is a land of wide skies, wild coasts and tight-knit communities – and a place that’s close to our heart as the home of our founder.
It’s here that Lorraine has a massage from a baby goat, meets a playful reindeer, and chats with Sámi reindeer herder Biret about how tradition, identity and nature are deeply interwoven for the Sámi people.
Visit Vesterålen on:
The Coastal Express – calls at Sortland and Stokmarknes
The North Cape Line – calls at Stokmarknes
Trollfjord
As she hops across the strait separating Vesterålen and the Lofoten Islands on board our ship MS Polarlys, Lorraine sails into dramatic Trollfjord – a narrow, granite-lined fjord steeped in legend.
The U-turn performed at the end of the fjord, flanked by towering cliffs, is always an incredibly skilled feat of seamanship!
Sail into Trollfjord (when conditions allow) on:
Lofoten Islands
Further north, Lorraine arrives in Svolvær, the unofficial capital of Lofoten. She joins a sea eagle safari – just like our Lofoten RIB & Sea Eagle Adventure – to spot one of the world’s largest birds of prey.
The moment the eagles appear is emotional, raw and unforgettable.
Visit Lofoten on:
The Coastal Express – calls at Stamsund and Svolvær
The North Cape Line – calls at Svolvær
Culinary Voyage – spend the night in Stamsund
Watch: Steering through Trollfjord
Step onto the bridge with Lorraine as she helps guide our ship through Trollfjord — one of the narrowest and most dramatic fjords in Norway.
When I think of Norway, I think of this!
Where did Lorraine eat in Episode 2?
From Arctic farms to ocean foraging, Lorraine’s second episode is packed with flavour. Food isn’t just on the table – it’s part of the landscape, traditions and stories she uncovers along the way.
Fine dining at Kvitnes Gård
In Vesterålen, Lorraine visits Arctic chef Halvar Ellingsen at his remote farm and restaurant, Kvitnes Gård, which you can visit on our Culinary Voyage. Everything served here is grown or sourced within the Arctic Circle – from pickled lamb neck and scallops pulled out of the fjord to milk straight from the farm’s goats.
Halvar’s restaurant is a source of inspiration for Norway’s Coastal Kitchen, the award-winning local and seasonal concept behind our onboard restaurants. Halvar is even one of our Culinary Ambassadors, bringing traditional Nordic cooking techniques to the dishes he has created especially for Hurtigruten.
A taste of Sámi tradition
Lorraine shares a fire-side meal in a lavvu (a traditional Sámi dwelling, a little like a tipi) with Sámi reindeer herder Biret. As they chat about Sámi food, identity and the importance of respecting the land, Biret explains how reindeer is a central ingredient in Sámi cuisine, used nose-to-tail across generations.
Biret is the sister of Máret Rávdná Buljo, our Sámi Culinary Ambassador. You can try several of Máret’s creations in Árran, our Sámi-inspired restaurant on Signature voyages, as well as in all three restaurants on Original voyages. Don't miss the chance to try her dishes, like salmon, ember bread, cloudberries, and truffle seaweed, and her lingonberry porridge with whipped cream and toasted barley grains.
Seaweed fresh from the Arctic
In Svolvær, Lorraine joins Angelita and Tamara, the founders of Lofoten Seaweed, to harvest seaweed straight from the icy ocean.
The pair supply chefs all over Norway – including those on our ships – and show Lorraine how seaweed can be transformed into everything from seasoning to snacks and soap. It’s local, sustainable and surprisingly tasty.
Ready to explore the Norwegian coastline for yourself?
From Trollfjord to the Lofoten Islands, you can explore the same coastline Lorraine fell in love with on a Hurtigruten cruise of your choice.
12-day Coastal Express (Year-round; Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen)
15-day North Cape Line (September-April; Oslo-Tromsø-Oslo)
7-day Culinary Voyage (September-October; Bergen-Tromsø)
Coming up next time...
In the final episode of Lorraine Kelly's Norwegian Odyssey, Lorraine heads deeper into Arctic Norway, following in the footsteps of polar explorers, trying her hand at fishing and dog sledding, and searching for the Northern Lights.
Episode 3 airs at 8pm on 29 January on Channel 4. Stream Episodes 1 and 2 on Channel 4 now.
In case you missed it
Episode 1: Journey into the fjords
Lorraine begins her voyage in the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, before setting sail into the fjords – a landscape of towering cliffs, still waters and centuries-old stories.