To Russia with love on Hurtigruten, well nearly!

Hurtigruten embarkation in Bergen, Norway

So as the story goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do, so does this mean when in Norway do as the Norwegians do, Hurtigruten certainly hopes so!

Some of you will say well what is Hurtigruten, other will already know, but in essence it a small fleet of about 14 cruise ships which operate in the main around the coastal waters and fjords of Norway. In addition to be being cruise ships they operate as local ferries taking the locals, their animals and cars on their day to day business.

So you can get the 12 day Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, see the map below which is virtually in Russia and then back, with trips and scenery on the way.

In fact its possible on some days to get off in 1 port, do their excursion and rejoin the ship later that day when its visited maybe another 1 or 2 ports on the way!

 

Now I have seen the fjords, but the majority of modern cruise ships sail up the fjord to the port then back to open sea before going onto the next port, not here most of the time you will be moving up through the labyrinth of coastal waterways.

Something very different, and just added to my list of things I want to do.