Norwegian Border to Lofoten
Kirkenes - Hammerfest - Svolvær
A short voyage showing the beauty of Lofoten & Norway's north coast

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A three-day Arctic cruise from Norway’s northeast to the breathtaking beauty of the Lofoten Islands
Discover the stunning Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, often called the most beautiful stretch of Norway's coast, and get to know Arctic Finnmark with visits to Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Tromsø. Travelling from Kirkenes to Svolvær, the emphasis is on the sailing, with only brief port stops. So, if it’s a short cruise amidst Arctic beauty that appeals, this could be the one for you.
The ideal short break
From Norway's eastern border to the Lofoten archipelago
Pristine landscapes and epic seascapes
Explore picture-perfect islands and sail into the spectacular Trollfjord
Discover the real coastal Norway
Share your journey with locals and experience everyday life on the coast and islands
Price from
pp
No meals included
Lowest rate - Sailing November 2025
3 days
17 Ports
Regular departures

Our famous route connecting local communities since 1893
Itinerary
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All Aboard!
Kirkenes
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From the Top of Europe
Hammerfest
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High Peaks and Idyllic Islands
Svolvær
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All Aboard!
- Port: Kirkenes
- Day of voyage: 1
Details
Your voyage begins in the Arctic in the town of Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Norwegian border, but further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul.
WWII history
For those interested in history, the Varanger Museum in Kirkenes has exhibits about the town’s ordeal during WWII; bombed a total of 328 times in four years, making it the most bombed place during the war after Malta.
For more insights into this sombre period, visit the Andersgrotta WWII Bomb Shelter which can house up to 2,500 people underground.
Norway’s northern frontier
In the port of Vardø, you’ll find the star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress, built in 1737. The northernmost fortification of any kind, it remains a part of the military to this day.
We cruise Norway’s coastline to arrive in the small port of Båtsfjord in the evening and then on to Berlevåg. You might be able to make out Mount Tanahorn to the west, or see Kjølnes Lighthouse blinking atop a cliff overlooking the Barents Sea.
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From the Top of Europe
- Port: Hammerfest
- Day of voyage: 2
Details
We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund.
The northernmost city
In the early afternoon, you’ll spend time in Hammerfest, which has the largest population on a list of the world’s northernmost settlements.
See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or take the path behind the town to the viewpoint atop Mount Salen.
Mountains and marine mammals
We continue cruising Norway’s coastline south to Øksfjord and then to Skjervøy, surrounded by mountain peaks. We’ve been docking at this vital fishing port since 1896.
If you’re visiting in winter, you might spot orcas and humpback whales that gather here to feed on herring.
As we make our way to Tromsø, you might also glimpse views of the Lyngen Alps which boast some of the highest peaks in all of Norway.
Midnight magic
We dock at Tromsø just before midnight. In the summer months, you can stroll around the still busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight.
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High Peaks and Idyllic Islands
- Port: Svolvær
- Day of voyage: 3
Details
Today, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, real highlights of our Norway scenic route.
After Finnsnes early in the morning, the ship calls at Harstad where the white-washed Trondenes Church, the world’s northernmost medieval stone church, sits on the peninsula.
Next is our smallest port of call Risøyhamn and then Sortland where the landscape slowly transforms from hills to 1,000-metre-high mountains.
Our birthplace
Stokmarknes is where Captain Richard With began The Coastal Express in 1893. Visit Hurtigrutemuseet, a ship-in-a-bottle building that chronicles our legacy, centred around retired ship MS Finnmarken from 1956.
A ship-sized fjord
Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows. The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them! To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot, then sail back out. Remember to look out for sea eagles here too.
Last stop in Lofoten
We reach Svolvær in the evening, the last stop on your voyage with us. The huge mountain that sits above the town is named the Svolvær Goat due to its supposed resemblance. See if you agree!
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The route
You can drag or zoom in on the map to explore the route in more detail.
What's included
On board, you'll enjoy outstanding food, facilities and hospitality, so you can concentrate on simply enjoying the beauty of Norway.
Cruise with Hurtigruten in an unspecified cabin
Your cabin will be allocated when you check in
Our ships sailing this route(7)
Different ships sail this route depending on your departure date – but you’ll stay on the same ship for the whole voyage.

MS Kong Harald

MS Nordkapp

MS Nordlys

MS Nordnorge

MS Polarlys

MS Richard With

MS Midnatsol

MS Kong Harald
Norway’s reigning monarch, a seasoned sailor, lends his name to this remarkable hybrid vessel.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms
Hybrid ship

Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for two guests
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for two guests
Arctic Superior
Middle deck for two guests
Arctic Superior
Middle deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Lower deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Lower deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Lower deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Lower deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Lower deck for two guests
Polar Outside
Upper deck for two guests
MS Nordkapp
MS Nordkapp is named after the northernmost point on mainland Europe: North Cape (71ºN) - one of the geographical highpoints you can visit on a Hurtigruten voyage.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms
Expedition Suite
Suite
Expedition Suite
SuiteExpedition Suite
Suite
Expedition Suite
Suite
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
MS Nordlys
Both the name and the interior design of this modern hybrid ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms

Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite on upper deck for 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on upper deck
Arctic Superior
Upper decks for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper decks for 2 travellers
MS Nordnorge
MS Nordnorge is aptly named for northern Norway, most of which lies above the Arctic Circle.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms

Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for 2 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
MS Polarlys
Polarlys is Norwegian for `polar light´, and refers to the natural Arctic phenomenon we pursue in winter.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms

Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on upper decks for up to 4 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
Arctic Superior
Upper deck for 2 travellers
MS Richard With
MS Richard With proudly carries the name of Hurtigruten's founder.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Hybrid ship
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms

Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck for 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite for up to 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite for up to 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite for up to 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite for up to 4 people
Expedition Suite
Suite for up to 4 people
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite for up to 4 travellers
Expedition Suite
Mini suite on upper deck
MS Midnatsol
Previously MS Maud, MS Midnatsol is named after the Midnight Sun, the phenomenon that occurs in northern Norway every summer when the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours.
Facilities
Free Wi-Fi
3 restaurants
Expedition Team
Panoramic lounge
Sauna and fitness room
Laundry room
Meeting rooms

Expedition Suite
Owners suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Owners suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Owners suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Grand suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Grand suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Suite on upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on middle or upper deck
Expedition Suite
Mini Suite on middle or upper deck