May 8-19, 2016 | May 19-30, 2016 | May 30 – June 10, 2016
June 10-21, 2016 | June 21 – July 2, 2016| July 2-13, 2016
July 13-24, 2016 | July 24 – Aug 4, 2016
Aug 4-15, 2016 | Aug 15-26, 2016 | Aug 26 – Sep 6, 2016
We offer the lowest fares on Hurtigruten cruises worldwide! Request a quote now. Call us or fill out the form below.
View the MS Spitsbergen Brochure HERE
The new MS Spitsbergen will visit 5 breath-taking fjords including Holandsfjord (northbound,) Lyngenfjord (northbound,) Bergsfjord (southbound,) Trollfjord (twice north and southbound,) and Geirangerfjord (northbound with excursion.) And because MS Spitsbergen is not on the “working ships” route like the rest of the fleet, there will be no port stops during the night. This exclusive itinerary featuring an intensive “best of Norway’s fjords” route adds flexibility for hikes and wildlife viewing.
Summer is the most popular time of the year to explore Norway’s coast. The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon found in latitudes north of the Arctic Circle during the summer months, where the sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours a day.
MS Spitsbergen will also operate as an Expedition Ship with a full expedition team and educational program onboard including expert lecturers and daily discussions and access to specialty hikes with the expedition team. You’ll feel like an explorer in the Arctic wilderness.
On board MS Spitsbergen you can look forward to tasting food from Norway’s Coastal Kitchen, where the he food is always fresh, distinctive, and full of variety. While visiting 28 ports, we have an exceptional opportunity to get fresh produce from local suppliers every day.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Bergen, Gateway to the Fjords
Bergen was founded in 1070 A.D., and was the capital of Norway for over 200 years. The Bryggen district – an historic UNESCO World Heritage Site – is just one example of how much local character and history remains in this charming city. Take a stroll around this compact city, spend some time in one of the outdoor cafés or restaurants, enjoy a trip on the Fløibanen funicular (a cable tram), or visit the fish market. After embarkation, it’s time for a tasty dinner buffet made with the best ingredients from the coast while we sail north from Bergen along the Hjeltefjord.
Day 2 Ålesund and Geirangerfjord
Admire the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord before we pass the West Cape, then venture into open sea during our voyage. Next up: the spectacular, UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord.
The optional Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass Excursion (for all June – August departures) begins with a drive up Ørneveien with its magnificent views. Enjoy a picturesque ferry ride from the beautiful Eidsdalen Lake then off to the stark, wild, high-alpine areas. One of the many highlights is the series of 11 hairpin turns down the winding Trollstigen Pass. The excursion ends with a dinner in Molde before returning to our ship.
After Geiranger, we visit Ålesund, a town renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.
Optional shore excursions:
Geiranger with Trollstigen Pass
Ålesund Aquarium & Mount Aksla
Art Nouveau Walk
Day 3 Trondheim, The Medieval Capital
Founded in 997 A.D., Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city. Enjoy the views from Gamle Bybrua (the Old Town Bridge) dating back to 1861 and the restored wooden buildings of the Bakkland district. Trondheim is also the home of Nidaros Cathedral – Norway’s only Gothic-style cathedral and the burial place of St. Olav, Norway’s patron saint. There’s also the Ringve Museum of Musical History – a beautiful manor house surrounded by a wonderful botanical garden, with fantastic views of both the city and the fjord.
In May, we offer an optional excursion where you can see the sights of Trondheim by bicycle. In summer, you can enjoy a kayak excursion on the river Nid.
Optional shore excursions:
Nidaros Cathedral & Ringve Museum
Cycling in Trondheim
Kayaking on the River Nid
Day 4 The Arctic Circle and Lofoten Islands
The Arctic Circle marks the border to the Arctic region. In summer, this means 24-hour daylight – sometimes called the midnight sun. If you are sailing in Arctic waters for the first time, the captain will make sure that the occasion is a memorable one when you participate in the Arctic Circle ceremony on deck.
The Lofoten Islands will charm you with their small, picturesque fishing villages and bohemian atmosphere. The majestic granite cliffs and white, sandy beaches you’ll find here are breathtaking. Take a stroll between the stockfish racks and rorbuer (traditional fisherman’s huts). Join a historical journey to the Lofotr Viking Museum on an overland trip between Stamsund and Svolvær. We are invited into the chieftain’s house: A full-size reconstruction of a longhouse features artifacts dating back to the Viking age. The chieftain and the lady of the house invite you to join them for a real Viking feast in the banquet hall, giving you a taste of the Viking age, complete with traditional food, drinks, costumes, singing, and dancing.
Optional shore excursions:
Svartisen Glacier
RIB-Safari to Saltstraumen
Lofotr Viking Feast Summer
Day 5 Tromsø and Arctic Excitement
Get ready for a day full of exciting optional activities, whatever the season!
Whale watching – These astonishing marine mammals graze at the edge of the vast, deep basin by Andenes, resurfacing to breathe. Watch for young kittiwakes as we sail through the scenic and narrow Sundsvollsundet. After several hours on the open sea, we re-join the Hurtigruten ship at Finnsnes, just in time for lunch!
The ship continues to Tromsø for a prolonged stay. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point. On our all-year excursion, ‘The Arctic Capital Tromsø’, you will visit the Polaria center, with an Arctic aquarium, seal pool, educational displays, and a panoramic movie theatre. The tour also includes a stop at the famous Arctic Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece and town landmark.
Meet more than 250 dogsledding huskies and puppies that live at the Wilderness Centre in the off-season. Learn more about dog sled driving and the world’s longest dog sled race, the Iditarod. If you want to experience the peace and tranquility of the sea, why not join us on a kayaking excursion? Paddle in the waters off the coast of Tromsø with the mountains as a stunning backdrop. This is a great way to peacefully travel through these pristine waters and get close to the marine wildlife. Or put on your hiking shoes and follow our Expedition Team on a mountain hike with fantastic views over Tromsø city, the spectacular mountains, and islands.
Optional shore excursions:
The Arctic Capital Tromsø
Scenery and Huskies
Kayaking
Hiking in Tromsø
Day 6 North Cape, Crossing the 71st Parallel
We arrive in Honningsvåg, the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. The optional excursion to the North Cape Plateau puts you at 71° 10’ 21” N, only 1,243 miles from the Geographic North Pole. Standing on top the 1,000-foot North Cape plateau gives you a sublime feeling of being at the end of the world.
Close to the North Cape you find one of the world’s most exciting nature reserves, Gjesværstappan. Take a look at our optional bird-watching safari for more information about what you might see on that excursion.
Continuing north, we sail into the heartland of the indigenous Sámi people. We pass their ancient sacred site, the Finnkirka rock formation. In Kjøllefjord, you have the opportunity to learn more about the Sámi people and explore the wonderful scenery all year-round on our various excursions.
We enjoy a longer stay in Mehamn than the regular Coastal Voyage. It is one of the smallest settlements in Finnmark along our route. Join the Expedition Team for a walk here or explore it on your own.
Optional shore excursions:
The North Cape
Birdwatching Safari
A Taste of Lapland
Day 7 Kirkenes and the Arctic Wilderness
The vistas become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes, just a few miles from the Russian border. This area of coastal Finnmark is one of the most attractive and popular birdwatching areas in the Arctic since it is directly in the path of birds migrating from east to west. The advantageous biotopes combined with the rich resources in the adjacent Arctic Ocean attract myriad species and numbers of birds.
Just after breakfast we arrive in Kirkenes, putting us at 30° East, farther east than Istanbul and St. Petersburg. Kirkenes is Hurtigruten’s turning point, and known as the capital of the Barents region and the gateway to the east. The Russian border is close by, and all the road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. Spending time in Kirkenes gives you an opportunity to take part in some of the adventurous activities offered in this Arctic environment. Depending on the season, there are several different ways to make a visit to the Russian border. You can either go by bus, enjoy a riverboat safari, or an action-filled trip on ATV/quad-bike. Other optional excursions in Kirkenes include a king crab expedition in spring and a mountain hike with huskies in summer.
Leaving Kirkenes, you’ve only seen half of what the coast has to offer. Prepare yourself for many new experiences. In the late afternoon the ship docks in Vardø again, Norway’s easternmost port. We continue along the Varanger Peninsula during the evening.
Optional shore excursions:
The Russian Border
Riverboat to the Russian Border
King Crab Expedition, Kirkenes
Mountain Walk With Husky
ATV/Quad Safari to the Russian Border
Day 8 North Cape and Lyngenfjord, or Bergsfjord and Tromsø
In Honningsvåg, you can enjoy an excursion and breakfast at the North Cape while discovering hidden parts of Finnmark or join a mountain hike with our Expedition Team in summer.
Today we will also visit Hammerfest, which was Norway’s polar capital, acting as a base for hunting expeditions to the High Arctic. See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise measurement of the globe.
We continue south, crossing open waters as we sail towards Tromsø. During the month of May we sail through the beautiful Lyngenfjord, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Lyngen Alps. Here you might get a taste of freshly-caught prawns on deck. In June through August we will sail through the scenic Bergsfjorden.
As we arrive in the charming city of Tromsø, known as ‘the Paris of the North,’ you may choose attend the Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral, or you can check out one of the town’s many friendly pubs.
Optional Shore Excursions:
Breakfast at the North Cape
The Northernmost Town in the World
Midnight Concert at the Arctic Cathedral
Reindeer Spotting in the Summer Night
Hiking in Hammerfest
Day 9 A Full Day in Vesterålen and Lofoten
The daylight sailing through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many of our guests. The region is renowned for its natural beauty with its steep mountains, wild nature, and small picturesque fishing villages. This day also offers several exciting excursions that will make you feel like a natural-born explorer.
We arrive at Harstad this morning, where you have the opportunity to participate in one of the classics in Hurtigruten’s excursion program: A Taste of Vesterålen. Those who choose to stay on board can enjoy the views as we sail toward the Risøyrenna. This shallow channel is only 23 feet deep, and the sand banks are visible through the clear, green water. Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery you will see during your coastal voyage. We continue via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 120 years ago.
Continuing south it looks like we are sailing straight into the mountain wall, but the captain finds an opening and sails through the narrow Raftsund. Now we reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 1.2-miles long and 328-feet wide and surrounded by mountains. The captain might take a detour in here. The steep cliffs hug the ship’s side, and the dramatic landscape will take you to a land of trolls and fairy tales. Bird-watchers, Trollfjord is the realm of the sea eagle. There may be some opportunities to see them onboard, but your best bet is on the optional safari excursion.
Whether you choose to see Lofoten by hiking, horseback, or RIB safari, you’re sure to be entranced by the amazing scenery and local flavor.
Optional Shore Excursions:
A Taste of Vesterålen
Lofoten Islands
Sea Eagle Safari
Lofoten by Horse
RIB Adventure in Lofoten
Day 10 Arctic Circle, Seven Sisters
We cross the Arctic Circle at 66° 33’ N, and celebrate this rite of passage with Arctic traditions out on deck. Stay out on deck as we sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 2,953- and 3,609-feet high, and according to Norwegian folk tales, trolls are turned to stone if they do not hide before the sun rises. This was the unfortunate case for these seven beautiful troll sisters who did not hide in time and were turned into mountains.
We stop at Sandnessjøen, where we’ll have optional excursions to either The Vega Islands – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – or a visit to the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre to learn about Norway’s significant salmon farming industry.
Optional Shore Excursions:
UNESCO Vega Archipelago
Visit the Salmon
Day 11 Trondheim and West Coast Cities
So many guests have told us that they wished they had more time in Trondheim, that we knew we had to include a second visit into this “best of” voyage. Here you’ll have another opportunity to catch the city walk with Nidaros Cathedral.
Back on board, the ship heads out of the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 106-miles long and up to 15.5-miles wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep – up to 1,893-feet deep. After a short sightseeing tour in Kristiansund (a national hub for fishing, shipbuilding, and industry) we continue to Averøy and visit Kvernes Stave Church. As we cross the open sea to Molde, known as the ‘city of roses’, you will notice the steep, gray, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.
Optional Shore Excursions:
Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral
Trondheim City Walk
The Atlantic Road
Day 12 Bergen and the Last Chapter of Our Tale
Before we dock in Bergen there are still a few nautical miles of fascinating scenery ahead of us, such as the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedals Glacier. The fjord widens to the east and forges 56 miles inland to Loen and Olden. The rugged, coastal areas are a striking contrast to the inner-fjord areas where the wind is less fierce and there is less rain. Fertile fruit gardens and the fingers of glaciers stretch out toward glistening lakes and gushing rapids. Both types of landscape have their own distinctive charm and tourists are advised to experience both.
If you want to explore more of Bergen and see its sights and discover its history, you can join the optional Bergen City Sightseeing tour available for purchase on board.
Optional Shore Excursions:
Bergen City Sightseeing
The Lowest Fares Worldwide – BOOK EARLY AND SAVE!
FARES STARTING FROM:
$2,975 per person based on double occupancy in an Inside Cabin
$3,986 per person based on double occupancy in an Outside Cabin (Category O)
Rates (USD) can vary from sailing to sailing and are subject to change. Please contact us for a specific quote.
Additional Discounts:
Child discount: 25 percent
3rd or 4th berth discount: 15 percent
Hurtigruten’s Ambassador repeater discount: 5 percent. Cruise Norway will give you an additional discount above and beyond Hurtigruten’s repeater discount!
We offer the lowest fares on Hurtigruten sailings! Request a quote now. Call us or fill out the form below.
About MS Spitsbergen
With only 102 cabins and a maximum capacity 202 guests, MS Spitsbergen’s maneuverability and size makes her exceptionally suitable for exploring the coast of Norway and bringing Hurtigruten’s guests even closer to nature. She is named after the Arctic crown of Norway – the archipelago of Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of traveling to Spitsbergen, dating back to 1896 with its ‘Sports Route’. After a complete reconstruction, MS Spitsbergen will feature elegant, modern, comfortable public areas and cabins and the decor will reflect the color palette of the sea. The ship is environmentally-friendly and we will continue to make improvements to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. She will also be equipped and adapted for future sailings in polar waters.
For More Information on MS Spitsbergen and the 12-Day “Best of Norwegian Fjords” voyage :
View the MS Spitsbergen Brochure HERE
View the Deck Plan for MS Spitsbergen HERE
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal sailings:
Spring: April 1 – May 31
Summer: June 1 – August 31
Fall: Sept 1 – Oct 31
Winter: Nov. 1 – March 31
For more information:
Norway Voyage Handbook (PDF file)
Shore Excursions (PDF file)
View a map of Hurtigruten’s itinerary in Norway (click here)
Day by Day Timetable – Arrival/Departure Times and Ports (PDF File)
2016 Sailing Schedule by Date/Ship (PDF File)
Read about Hurtigruten Ships (click here)
See a menu and read about local cuisine (click here)