Laura Gonzalez

Vacation Artisans Travel Agency

Chasing The Northern Lights Hurtigruten Cruise

Mar 15, 2025 to Mar 25, 2025
Join us as we set sail on Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald March 15-25, 2025
 
Norway’s appeal is remarkably simple: It is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Join Vacation Artisans on an 11-day adventure that is unmistakably Norwegian, across almost 2,500 nautical miles of spectacular coastal scenery. Along the route, you can choose to participate in more than 90 excursions, and take part in hikes and activities led by our onboard expedition teams.
 
  • Discover the main sights of our scenic route of Norway’s entire coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains
  • Spend half of your Norwegian cruise in the Arctic. During winter voyages, this maximizes your chances of seeing the Northern Lights
  • Stay active by joining our exciting and adventurous sea- and land-based excursions, take your pick from all optional hikes and the full list of available optional seasonal excursions to enhance your coastal experience
  • Onboard expedition teams enhance your experience with exciting activities and interpret the cultural and natural treasures

 

To travel on a Hurtigruten ship is to be a part of a long tradition of connecting Norway's coastal towns and villages. The ships are working vessels, carrying goods, vehicles and passengers, night and day. This service has been integral to Norwegian Life since our first voyage in 1893. Today our ships are as much a feature of the Norwegian landscape as the fjords and waters they navigate.

 

What's included in this trip:

  • 11-day voyage in the cabin category of your choice

  • Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from Norway’s Coastal Kitchen

  • Norwegian- and English-speaking Coastal Experience Team

  • Engaging onboard activities and lectures

  • Onboard lectures and presentations on Norway’s history, biology, geography, geology, and culture

  • Introductory photo presentation, camera adjustment and tips and tricks, photo and film footage from the voyage

  • A welcome event and daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come

  • Presentations about the ports we visit

  • Presentation of excursion programs

  • Point of interest presentations on deck

  •  Captain’s dinner and a farewell event

 

What's not included:

  1. Flights
  2. Transfers
  3. Pre or Post cruise stay
  4. Travel Insurance
 
While not included, all of the above can be added at the time of booking or at a later date. Insurance, while not required, is highly recommended.
 
 

Itinerary:

While cruising Norway’s coastline, many of the ports we visit by night northbound are revisited by day southbound, allowing you to discover various fjords, mountains, cities, towns, and villages. You also have our full range of available optional seasonal excursions to tailor each day of your journey the way you want.
  • Day 1 (Bergen): Your voyage starts in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 A.D., Bergen boasts architecture influenced by the prosperous 14th-century German trading organization, the Hanseatic League.
  • Day 2 (Florø - Mold): Enjoy an early morning in the Nordfjord, near Torvik. Then we’ll sail past the West Cape for our approach to Ålesund. Sail through idyllic fjords, past islets, and skerries to the stylish town of Ålesund and its distinctive Art Nouveau architecture.
  • Day 3 (Kristiansund - Rørvik): This section of the voyage brings us to the Trøndelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements. Visit Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s most famous church, and stroll through the charming Bakklandet district in the old Viking city of Trondheim.
  • Day 4 (Brønnøysund – Svolvær): We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up. You’re now in the realm of winter’s Northern Lights.
  • Day 5 (Stokmarknes – Skjer vøy): We dock in Harstad just after 7 a.m. Feel free to have a peaceful early morning stroll around town. Explore the city of Tromsø, the Arctic capital, or enjoy an optional seasonal excursion such as skiing, kayaking, dog sledding, or cruising on a silent, electric boat.
  • Day 6 (Øksfjord – Berlevåg): The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya early in the morning. Welcome to Troms & Finn- mark, Sámi country, where the fjords make way for tundra, the bird cliffs of Honningsvåg and the spectacular North Cape at the top of Europe.
  • Day 7 (Båtsfjord – Kirkenes – Berlevåg): We call at Båtsfjord and Vardø during the night, before docking at Vadsø early in the morning. Kirkenes, a short distance from the Russian border, marks your turning point. Ports that were passed at night northbound are now visited during the day southbound.
  • Day 8 (Mehamn – Tromsø): We make stops at Mehamn and Kjøllefjord during the night before early-morning visits to Honningsvåg and Havøysund. Visit Hammerfest, home to the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column. Take in the views of the Lyngen Alps before arriving in Tromsø to enjoy an optional midnight concert.
  • Day 9 (Tromsø – Stamsund): On this day, you’ll be exploring the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, true highlights of our scenic Norwegian route. See the unspoiled beauty of the fabled Vesterålen and Lofoten islands. Admire the dramatic scenery from out on deck or on an optional excursion.
  • Day 10 (Bodø – Rørvik): The ship will call at Bodø in the wee hours of the morning and then at Ørnes at 7 a.m. Then, we’ll cross over the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. We’ll commemorate the moment with the time-honored tradition of tasting a spoonful of good ol’ Norwegian cod liver oil! The stunning Helgeland coast awaits, including the Seven Sisters mountain range and Torghatten Mountain, pierced by a natural tunnel. 
  • Day 11 (Trondheim): The ship arrives in Trondheim early in the morning. It’ll be time to say your goodbyes to the new-found friends you made on board, including the Captain, crew, and fellow guests. 
 
 

Booking Conditions and Pricing Details:

  • All guests must present a valid passport with a validity of six months post-voyage when they check-in to a voyage
  • Pricing is based on Double Occupancy
  • Singles and Triples are available on request, but fill quickly and are not guaranteed. Book as Double Occupancy
  • A non-refundable 25% deposit and planning fee is required at the time of booking
  • Full payment is due by October 4, 2025

 

In the case of credit cards, please note that Hurtigruten is a Norwegian company and payments are processed in Norway. Even though payment processing is in USD, some credit card companies may charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are strictly a revenue source for the credit card companies and Hurtigruten does not receive any portion or benefit from these fees. Please check with your credit card company to find out if they charge fees on USD transactions processed outside of the USA. Not all credit card companies charge these fees.

 

Cancellation Policy:

  • All cancellations must be received in writing.
  • Name changes, on cruise portion only are available before 90 days of the voyage, with a minimum of $75 fee.
  • 190 days prior to departure, non-refundable deposit
  • 190-100 days prior to departure, 50% cancelation fee
  • 99-70 days prior to departure, 75% cancelation fee
  • less than 69 days prior to departure, 100% cancelation fee

  • No refund will be made for cancellations received within 60 days of sailing, no shows, or for guests who do not complete their cruise. 

 

Cancellation charges are calculated based on total fares paid to Hurtigruten for all trip components. No refund will be made for passengers who do not show up for the cruise or who do not complete their cruise. Cancellation charges will apply notwithstanding that the company is able to rebook the cabin in question. The passenger must submit a claim for refund, in writing, within 20 days of the actual termination date of the voyage in question, failing which the refund claim shall be barred. 

Partial cancellation will result in the application of the above penalties to the persons who have cancelled and the remaining passengers being charged the applicable prices for the revised number of passengers in the cabin. 

Available Packages

Lower Deck Interior (I2)
Unavailable as of August 30, 2024

$2,736.00
Deposit: $684.00 per person

Unavailable
These comfortable, standard inside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa.
Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy.
 

Lower Deck with Porthole Window (L2)
Unavailable as of August 30, 2024

$3,201.00
Deposit: $801.00 per person

Unavailable
These comfortable, outside cabins for up to two people on the lower deck have separate beds, one of which converts into a sofa. The cabins have portholes, some with limited or no view.
Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy.