Hurtigruten introduced expedition teams on sailings along the Norwegian coast with three ships in 2016 (MS Nordkapp, MS Nordlys and MS Nordnorge). In 2017, we'll have a total of seven expedition ships with dedicated expedition teams on board, a group of experienced people who will make sure you get the most out of your sailing along the Norwegian coast. From 1 April 2017, the additional ships with onboard expedition teams will be MS Richard With, MS Kong Harald, MS Polarlys and a limited programme on MS Spitsbergen when she is sailing the Norwegian coast. 

From 1 April 2018, the Expedition Teams will be present on 9 of 11 ships along the coast, all except MS Lofoten and MS Vesterålen. Read more about the 2018/19 season here.

The Adventure Begins

Imagine being on deck surrounded by a group of people bursting with excitement in anticipation of what the day will bring. Enjoy the sight of crystal clear waters stretching and bending down the fjord, surrounded by majestic mountaintops. And then, suddenly, the expedition leader asks you to come ashore.

The adventure has begun.

With Hurtigruten you can now join expeditions along Norway’s rugged coast. A custom made program containing lectures and presentations, special on board activities both inside and out on deck, as well as several hikes are available on seven of our ships. On each of these ships you will find a dedicated expedition team put on board for one single reason: To help you get the most exciting journey ever.

The Expedition Teams: Exploring in expert hands

Hurtigruten’s expedition team will give you interesting lectures on subjects such as biology, history, geology and science. They are not just skilled lecturers; they are your hosts on board and on land. 

All members of the expedition team are focused on eco-friendly tourism in polar areas. They will take you on hikes while letting you know how to get the most out of your experience without leaving too much of a mark behind you. They are handpicked for their local expertise and specific knowledge in relevant fields.

They are also known for their enthusiasm, curiosity and love for the areas we visit. Our expedition team consists of modern day explorers who love sharing stories, interpreting what we see and leading us to all the best spots.

Special hikes and Norwegian "friluftsliv"

Norwegians are known for their obsession with the outdoors. No matter if we work in an office or actually have our daily work outside, we want to get outside as soon as we can. It is in our blood. We would like to inspire this by offering a hiking package for the outdoors.

The focus here is not to be lectured on a local history and other facts. It is on the hike itself, reaching a view point or a point of interest. We focus more on the silence and ambience of being “outdoors”, feeling, smelling, just being in the moment. Some of these hikes are physically demanding, so a good physical condition is required. The terrain will be variable, sometimes slippery and uneven.

Facts about the Hiking Pass:

1. Hikes you have access to with the hiking pass are adjusted by season and are weather dependent
2. With our hiking pass you have access to a minimum of 4 hikes during a full round trip
3. A "Hiking kit" containing backpack, map, water bottle and energy bar is sold on board
4. The hikes will be carried out with your expedition team and sometimes in cooperation with local suppliers
5. The hikes are first and foremost guided in English
6. The hikes are physically demanding - a level 4 on our scale, which requires a good physical condition
7. The hiking pass can be pre-ordered or bought on board

Please note single hikes may also be purchased on board.