Trip Report: Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Cruise
Dec 18th, 2018, 06:07 AM
#21
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thanks Menachem (todah rabah?) I'd already figured out I should do that if nothing else to coordinate with airlines and make sure we hit the places we want to see in daylight. It looks like all their ships do that route, but that the ships are somewhat different. Does anyone have a favorite? and how far in advance would you recommend buying the tickets?
Dec 18th, 2018, 11:51 AM
#22
Thank you so much for the great trip report, Songdoc. I suffer from terrible sea sickness so it's probably not for me but I have friends who are going in the New Year and I think I will print it out for them so they know what to expect.
Dec 18th, 2018, 12:46 PM
#23
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Ann, most of the time you wouldn't have a problem. The ship crosses jjust two areas of open sea, the rest is sheltered by the islands.
The first time I went it was pretty rough and they chnged the dining times accordingly but people didn't get sick. That was on the Vesteralen, one of the oldest ships, but with a better bow shape according to some.
The ships are stabilised, and if you get a mid-deck cabin you won't notice the movement much.
The last time we went, also on the Kong Harald we had a force 10 gale. We walked around the deck as we did every eveing and slept like babies. Some people weren't even aware there had been a gale!
There is a hospital onboard and they sell seasick pills and bands in the shop!
Don't be put off, it is great for solo travellers.
The first time I went it was pretty rough and they chnged the dining times accordingly but people didn't get sick. That was on the Vesteralen, one of the oldest ships, but with a better bow shape according to some.
The ships are stabilised, and if you get a mid-deck cabin you won't notice the movement much.
The last time we went, also on the Kong Harald we had a force 10 gale. We walked around the deck as we did every eveing and slept like babies. Some people weren't even aware there had been a gale!
There is a hospital onboard and they sell seasick pills and bands in the shop!
Don't be put off, it is great for solo travellers.
Dec 18th, 2018, 07:28 PM
#24
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I heard that too about Vesterålen. I sailed on the Polarlys and on Kong Harald.
On the Hurtigruten site you can also book by ship. There are aficionados for the oldest ships in the fleet, Lofoten and Nordstjernen. Doing part of the route on Lofoten is something I'd really like to do.
https://global.hurtigruten.com/ships/ms-lofoten/
On the Hurtigruten site you can also book by ship. There are aficionados for the oldest ships in the fleet, Lofoten and Nordstjernen. Doing part of the route on Lofoten is something I'd really like to do.
https://global.hurtigruten.com/ships/ms-lofoten/
Dec 22nd, 2018, 01:52 PM
#26
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so I'm looking at the schedules, but it seems that a number of the ports are mentioned twice in one schedule - does that mean the ship goes to other destinations and then circles back? I'm confused
Dec 22nd, 2018, 07:34 PM
#27
Original Poster
If you are looking at an itinerary that goes up and back down (or vice versa) it's very likely you will stop at the same port twice -- but my guess is that only one time would be in daylight. You can see a list of the hours you will be in each port if you click on the sailing plan in each itinerary. The 6- and 7-day itineraries only go in one direction. The 11- & 12-day voyages circle back.
I did 7 days and wished I had done a longer one.
I did 7 days and wished I had done a longer one.
Dec 22nd, 2018, 10:10 PM
#28
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Hurtigruten is set up so any given port has daily arrivals of one ship going north and one ship going south. Whether you go north or south determines which ports you'll see by daylight.
(Although night time arrivals can be interesting too. On my first trip Kirkenes - Bergen, we arrived in Batsfjord late at night for about 40 minutes. Was still awake, so I got out to watch the off-loading. A car, some Ikea stuff. Two people, a couple, rushed off the ship, there was another couple waiting on shore. All hugged and started an animated conversation for half an hour, then goodbyes and the passengers got back on board. Next day I asked the wife about what had happened: turned out they knew each other from college. The Batsfjord couple had moved away to Batsfjord and this was their reunion.)
(Although night time arrivals can be interesting too. On my first trip Kirkenes - Bergen, we arrived in Batsfjord late at night for about 40 minutes. Was still awake, so I got out to watch the off-loading. A car, some Ikea stuff. Two people, a couple, rushed off the ship, there was another couple waiting on shore. All hugged and started an animated conversation for half an hour, then goodbyes and the passengers got back on board. Next day I asked the wife about what had happened: turned out they knew each other from college. The Batsfjord couple had moved away to Batsfjord and this was their reunion.)
Last edited by menachem; Dec 22nd, 2018 at 10:21 PM.
Dec 26th, 2018, 08:23 AM
#29
Thank you for this wonderful trip report. I have been considering a Hurtigruten cruise for some time now. I recall reading that one of the ship had some simple activities for kids older than 7 years old, so I have been waiting for my oldest to catch up. I don't enjoy "regular" cruise such as Carnival but the Hurtigruten seems like a perfect fit for me.
Dec 26th, 2018, 11:53 AM
#30
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ToujoursVoyager: I wasn't aware of any activities for kids on the ship, but I didn't ask because I don't have children. There might have been boxed games. There are also many shore excursions that (I think) would work well for kids, such as a farm visit, and a visit to where huskies are raised.
On a side note ... we met some of the nicest people and have been emailing with couples from Germany and Switzerland.
On a side note ... we met some of the nicest people and have been emailing with couples from Germany and Switzerland.
Dec 26th, 2018, 09:53 PM
#31
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Thank you for this wonderful trip report. I have been considering a Hurtigruten cruise for some time now. I recall reading that one of the ship had some simple activities for kids older than 7 years old, so I have been waiting for my oldest to catch up. I don't enjoy "regular" cruise such as Carnival but the Hurtigruten seems like a perfect fit for me.
Your child will be pretty bored, then. Simple activities: doing a puzzle or playing a board game.
Dec 27th, 2018, 04:34 AM
#32
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Thanks for a great trip report Songdoc. The Hurtigruten cruise has been on my wish list for some time as I have never got above Alesund and winter is actually a time of the year I have been considering, so it was great to see how much you enjoyed it.
Dec 27th, 2018, 10:40 AM
#33
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Tuojoursvoyager
We had our the 10 year old son with us on the cruise, the entertainment is limited for kids and yes as Songdoc there are plenty of board games which we found good fun with strangers.
For children who are comfortable with life at a slower pace, reading etc. It should be a problem and again as Songdoc posts, the opportunities for activity excursions are good.
Affect a time your pace on board gains a slow rhythm : get up, long breakfast, walk round the boat, quick shore visit, laze around, lunch, laze around etc etc.
In the end, the journey is about stunning scenery, the shore visits, the Aurora and the relaxation.
We had our the 10 year old son with us on the cruise, the entertainment is limited for kids and yes as Songdoc there are plenty of board games which we found good fun with strangers.
For children who are comfortable with life at a slower pace, reading etc. It should be a problem and again as Songdoc posts, the opportunities for activity excursions are good.
Affect a time your pace on board gains a slow rhythm : get up, long breakfast, walk round the boat, quick shore visit, laze around, lunch, laze around etc etc.
In the end, the journey is about stunning scenery, the shore visits, the Aurora and the relaxation.
Dec 27th, 2018, 12:25 PM
#34
ToujoursVoyager: I wasn't aware of any activities for kids on the ship, but I didn't ask because I don't have children. There might have been boxed games. There are also many shore excursions that (I think) would work well for kids, such as a farm visit, and a visit to where huskies are raised.
On a side note ... we met some of the nicest people and have been emailing with couples from Germany and Switzerland.
On a side note ... we met some of the nicest people and have been emailing with couples from Germany and Switzerland.
The Young Explorers Program:https://www.hurtigruten.com/inspirat...orers-program/
Dec 27th, 2018, 01:36 PM
#35
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I really enjoyed your report and beautiful pictures, Songdoc! We were thinking of doing a Hurtigruten Cruise and your report certainly makes me want to start researching again. Glad your trip was such a success!
Dec 28th, 2018, 04:06 AM
#37
Tuojoursvoyager
We had our the 10 year old son with us on the cruise, the entertainment is limited for kids and yes as Songdoc there are plenty of board games which we found good fun with strangers.
For children who are comfortable with life at a slower pace, reading etc. It should be a problem and again as Songdoc posts, the opportunities for activity excursions are good.
Affect a time your pace on board gains a slow rhythm : get up, long breakfast, walk round the boat, quick shore visit, laze around, lunch, laze around etc etc.
In the end, the journey is about stunning scenery, the shore visits, the Aurora and the relaxation.
We had our the 10 year old son with us on the cruise, the entertainment is limited for kids and yes as Songdoc there are plenty of board games which we found good fun with strangers.
For children who are comfortable with life at a slower pace, reading etc. It should be a problem and again as Songdoc posts, the opportunities for activity excursions are good.
Affect a time your pace on board gains a slow rhythm : get up, long breakfast, walk round the boat, quick shore visit, laze around, lunch, laze around etc etc.
In the end, the journey is about stunning scenery, the shore visits, the Aurora and the relaxation.
Dec 28th, 2018, 10:20 AM
#38
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Thank you for the feedback! I do think that my children would be comfortable with life at a slower pace. When we went sailing on a 60 feet sailboat, in the Greek cyclades, they both loved it and still talk about it ! It was a nice routine of getting up, breakfast, swim, read, take pictures of the landscape, lunch, explore one of the island, look at the stars. I could see ourselves enjoying a Hurtigruten cruise.
Jan 10th, 2019, 08:48 AM
#39
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Songdoc,
I was so happy to see your report; it could have been written by me after I take the cruise which will be on 2/8 on the Polarlys. I too have travelled the world and would otherwise never take a cruise but this seems very appealing. Seeing the lights is also on my bucket list. My husband died suddenly 5 months ago and I'm pushing 75 so, if not now, when? I really hope the lights appear. Did you sign up for the aurora alarm that Hurtigruten offers?
I'm traveling by myself and don't generally take tours so your info about Trondheim is very helpful. Question: after the ship docks at Kirkenes (9am), I fly back to Oslo at noon. Hurtigruten offers a tour at Kirkenes to the northern point. Did you take it? Is it a worthwhile site? Can one go there by taxi or public transportation? If I go, would I be able to get to the airport on time (around 11am)? Any feedback and/or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I was so happy to see your report; it could have been written by me after I take the cruise which will be on 2/8 on the Polarlys. I too have travelled the world and would otherwise never take a cruise but this seems very appealing. Seeing the lights is also on my bucket list. My husband died suddenly 5 months ago and I'm pushing 75 so, if not now, when? I really hope the lights appear. Did you sign up for the aurora alarm that Hurtigruten offers?
I'm traveling by myself and don't generally take tours so your info about Trondheim is very helpful. Question: after the ship docks at Kirkenes (9am), I fly back to Oslo at noon. Hurtigruten offers a tour at Kirkenes to the northern point. Did you take it? Is it a worthwhile site? Can one go there by taxi or public transportation? If I go, would I be able to get to the airport on time (around 11am)? Any feedback and/or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Jan 10th, 2019, 08:52 PM
#40
Original Poster
3m3ra...: I'm sorry about your loss. I hope you have a wonderful trip. To answer your questions ...
Yes, I signed up for the aurora alarms -- after I slept through the one weak sighting! There were no alarms -- and no auroras. I'd bet you'll have better luck.
We also docked at 9 am in Kirkenes and I also had a noon flight to Oslo. There wasn't time to take one of the ship's excursions. They would not have allowed time to get to the airport -- which was around thirty minutes by bus. By the way, it was quite a thrill ride on slippery, icy mountain roads.
I believe there were people offering tours from the dock, and maybe with one of them -- or a taxi -- you could see a bit of Kirkenes and/or visit the border (in 90 minutes) then have them drive you to the airport. We had already paid for the transfer from the ship to the airport, so it wasn't an option. I have no idea what is in Kirkenes, or at the most Northern point, but I would have liked to find out!
I hope you love the trip as much as I did. And I hope you see the Northern Lights!
Yes, I signed up for the aurora alarms -- after I slept through the one weak sighting! There were no alarms -- and no auroras. I'd bet you'll have better luck.
We also docked at 9 am in Kirkenes and I also had a noon flight to Oslo. There wasn't time to take one of the ship's excursions. They would not have allowed time to get to the airport -- which was around thirty minutes by bus. By the way, it was quite a thrill ride on slippery, icy mountain roads.
I believe there were people offering tours from the dock, and maybe with one of them -- or a taxi -- you could see a bit of Kirkenes and/or visit the border (in 90 minutes) then have them drive you to the airport. We had already paid for the transfer from the ship to the airport, so it wasn't an option. I have no idea what is in Kirkenes, or at the most Northern point, but I would have liked to find out!
I hope you love the trip as much as I did. And I hope you see the Northern Lights!
