We Recommend
Oslo - Honningsvåg - Oslo (Full-trip)
The North Cape Line – Roundtrip
All-inclusive winter cruise to Norway’s North Cape, chasing the Northern Lights
- October 2026 - December 2027
- 15 days
- 13 Stops
- All meals & unlimited select drinks
Original vs Signature: Which cruise is right for you?
Choosing a Hurtigruten cruise is exciting, but if you're comparing our Original Voyages and Signature Voyages, you may be wondering what the difference is and – crucially – which one is the best fit for you.
The good news is that whichever you choose you’ll be seeing a lot of Norway's most spectacular coastal landscapes. You'll be wowed by dramatic fjords, drop anchor in welcoming coastal communities and get to see the country's ever-changing scenery from the sea. The difference isn't so much what you'll see – it's how you'll experience it.
Original Voyages happen on our authentic working coastal route, connecting 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes – most of which you’ll visit twice if you opt for the full journey. It’s what we call The Coastal Express. With locals hopping on and off, it’s the most cost-effective way to explore the coast with us, and you’ll really feel like a part of everyday life in Norway.
Signature Voyages, on the other hand, offer a slower-paced, all-inclusive cruise with longer stays in places we know you’ll love. The entire experience is a distillation of Norway based on our long experience, and there are added inclusions such as on-deck food demos and cocktail masterclasses. Basically, it’s more akin to a traditional cruise, and your fellow guests will also likely be international visitors.
The difference in a nutshell …
At a glance, these are the main general differences between our two sailing types.
| Route | Food and drink | Time in port | Local travellers and cargo | Onboard Expedition Team | Range of excursions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Original | Along Norway’s coast | All meals included for most guests | 10min - 4hrs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Signature | Along Norway’s coast, plus Svalbard, Oslo and more | Generous all-inclusive food and drinks package | 4hrs - 12hrs | No | Expanded | Yes |
Signature Voyages
Our Signature Voyages are a collection of all-inclusive coastal journeys. If you’re someone who prefers a somewhat slower pace with longer stays ashore, then Signature is probably for you.
Our Signature Voyages are ideal if you ...
Prefer an all-inclusive experience with dining and drinks included.
Enjoy spending longer exploring each stop rather than making frequent short calls.
Appreciate a relaxed, boutique atmosphere with more time to unwind between stops.
Value an enhanced Expedition Team, with more activities and interesting lectures.
Want to focus in on exploring the fjords or travel to Svalbard.
Our itineraries
The collection includes The North Cape Line, The Svalbard Line, The Arctic Line, The Inner Fjords Explorer and The Arctic Circle Explorer. The Line voyages are sailings that go between two points on the map, while Explorer sailings focus on discovering an individual region.
Each itinerary has its own character, but all share the same philosophy: exceptional scenery, carefully selected destinations and the luxury of having more time to experience them in depth.
Signature Voyages are designed as cruise-first experiences. Over the course of your journey, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, boutique-style atmosphere, and a close-knit community will likely form with your fellow guests. Unlike our Original Voyages, you won’t pull into ports during the night, but you will usually wake up somewhere fresh each morning.
Life on board
On a Signature ship, you’ll typically visit just one or two destinations a day, with longer stays that give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Some of the stops are unique to Signature, and they’ve been chosen by us based on our long history of exploring the coast. Whether you choose to join a guided excursion, enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking a fjord or simply wander through a historic harbor, you'll have the time to experience each port more deeply.
On board, everything has been carefully designed to make your voyage as effortless as possible. Your fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner across our Signature restaurants, all celebrating our Norway's Coastal Kitchen philosophy with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A wide choice of selected wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks is also included, allowing you to relax without thinking about the bill at the end of the voyage.
There’s also a larger Expedition Team, offering an expanded program of lectures, presentations and guided activities throughout your journey. From Norwegian history and culture to geology, wildlife and local traditions, they'll give you a deeper understanding of the places you're visiting.
Our Signature Voyages
We Recommend
Bergen - Longyearbyen - Bergen (Full-trip)
The Svalbard Line – Roundtrip
All-inclusive Arctic cruise to Svalbard & back, with fjords, wildlife & Midnight Sun
- May - September 2027
- 15 days
- 14 Stops
- All meals & unlimited select drinks
Bergen – Longyearbyen (Northbound)
The Svalbard Line – North
All-inclusive Arctic cruise north to Svalbard, sailing fjords under the Midnight Sun
- May - September 2027
- 8 days
- 7 Stops
- All meals & unlimited select drinks
Longyearbyen - Bergen (Southbound)
The Svalbard Line - South
All-inclusive cruise from the High Arctic exploring fjords, islands & wildlife
- May - September 2027
- 8 days
- 9 Stops
- All meals & unlimited select drinks
Original Voyages
Since 1893, The Original Coastal Express has been sailing up and down Norway's coastline carrying local passengers, freight and visitors.
Our Original Voyages are ideal if you ...
Want to experience the authentic and original coastal route.
Wish to visit as many coastal communities as possible.
Enjoy seeing everyday life unfold alongside spectacular scenery.
Prefer the flexibility of shorter voyages or port-to-port travel.
Are looking for the most affordable way to sail Norway's coast.
Our itineraries
Some people call it a ferry, but it’s more than that, much more! It's part of everyday life along the coast, connecting communities large and small while offering our international guests an authentic way to experience the best of Norway.
As we sail from Bergen to Kirkenes, we visit 34 ports, and each one is different. Modern cities, remote fishing villages, dramatic fjords and Arctic landscapes all become part of the adventure. Many port calls are brief, and some take place in the middle of the night, giving the voyage its distinctive rhythm as local life unfolds around you. But don’t worry, we stop for longer at many stops such as Tromsø, Trondheim and Ålesund, giving you ample time to explore or go on one of our optional excursions.
Life on board
On board, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. And the food is excellent – if we say so ourselves – showcasing our Norway's Coastal Kitchen philosophy. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and producers along the route, with fresh produce coming on board at around 15 ports throughout the voyage. Drinks packages are available as an optional extra, if that’s what you want. Also, each ship features a gourmet à la carte restaurant called Kysten, which you can book as a supplement if you want to really treat yourself.
On The Coastal Express, which people sometimes call the BKB route (Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen), most people choose the full 12-day round voyage. This way you get to visit nearly all the ports twice, stopping at different times depending on the direction of travel.
But if 12 days seems like too long, you can also just travel one-way northbound or southbound, as well as on other shorter journeys. You might even choose to join for shorter port-to-port journeys between coastal stops. This flexibility makes The Coastal Express a popular choice for both international visitors and local people travelling along the coast.
Authentically Norwegian
Each Original Voyage is operated by Hurtigruten's fleet of purpose-built coastal ships, designed to navigate Norway's sheltered waterways while bringing you closer to the coastline than many larger vessels. That’s the beauty of Hurtigruten. We reach the parts of Norway that most normal cruise companies can’t get to.
One of the defining features of The Coastal Express is its rhythm. Because the ships continue to serve the communities along Norway's coast, you'll experience life as it happens. Local passengers come and go, cargo is loaded and unloaded, and every port has its own character. Some calls last only a few minutes, while others give you time to explore ashore or join an optional excursion.
This working heritage gives the voyage a distinctly authentic atmosphere. Rather than feeling separate from the places you visit, you'll feel drawn into daily life of the coast, travelling alongside the people who live there. That’s why you’ll always get a warm welcome when you step ashore. You might even see people waving Norwegian flags as we sail past – we’re part of the community!
Our Original Voyages
Popular
Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen (Full-trip)
The Coastal Express – Roundtrip
The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893
- Regular departures
- 12 days
- 34 Stops
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Which Hurtigruten cruise to choose
Our two types of cruises will both show you the best of Norway, but they're designed for different styles of travel.
Choose Signature if you...
Prefer an all-inclusive trip.
Enjoy spending longer exploring each destination.
Appreciate a relaxed pace and enhanced onboard experiences.
Want to sail The North Cape Line or The Svalbard Line.
Choose Original if you...
Want to experience Norway's famous working coastal route.
Love visiting lots of different ports.
Enjoy seeing everyday Norwegian coastal life.
Value flexibility and a lower starting price.
The bottom line
Still can’t decide? Original Voyages let you experience the authentic rhythm of Norway's working coastline, while Signature offers a slower, all-inclusive journey with more time to explore. Many guests return to experience both, discovering a different way to see Norway each time.
Frequently asked questions
Does Signature cost more than Original?
In general, yes. But if you value all-inclusive dining and drinks, longer stays ashore and a more premium onboard experience, you might find Signature well worth the additional cost. On the other hand, if your priority is seeing as much of Norway as possible while experiencing the famous working coastal route, the Original Coastal Express offers exceptional value.
Can I combine an Original and Signature voyage?
Yes. You can choose to combine the two on separate journeys, allowing you to experience Norway's coastline in different ways. For example, you could travel on an Original Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and then travel south again from Tromsø to Oslo on The North Cape Line – South.
Which ships operate on Original and Signature voyages?
The Original Coastal Express is operated by Hurtigruten's fleet of 7 coastal ships. Signature voyages currently sail aboard MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol. In addition, MS Finnmarken sails from Hamburg on The North Cape Line.
Are excursions included?
No. Excursions are optional on both products and must be booked separately. Some similar excursions are offered on both Signature and Original, but they tend to be longer on Signature. You can book them once on board, but we advise booking them in advance of your voyage in case they fill up.
Do both categories include meals?
Yes. Original Voyages include breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Signature Voyages are all-inclusive, including meals and a wide choice of selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Which is better for seeing the Northern Lights?
Both offer excellent opportunities during the Northern Lights season (late September to early April). The North Cape Line is specifically designed as a winter Signature Voyage, while the Original Coastal Express operates year-round and spends longer north of the Arctic Circle on its full Bergen–Kirkenes route.
Which is better for the Midnight Sun?
Both are excellent during summer. The Original Coastal Express visits a greater number of Arctic communities, while The Svalbard Line offers the unique opportunity to experience the Midnight Sun as far north as the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.