Live Voyage Preview: Nowegian Winter with Hurtigruten

It’s called “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage” for good reason: a journey along the spectacular Norwegian coastline is without parallel. Since 1893, the ships of Hurtigruten have been transporting passengers, guests, cargo and supplies to some of the most remote and seldom-seen ports in Norway.

And in a few short weeks, we’ll take you there with our next Live Voyage Report!

Dog sledding in Kirkenes, Norway – one of the many winter-themed excursions available to Hurtigruten guests. Photo courtesy of Hurtigruten

Beginning February 19, 2013, come along with us as we travel to Bergen, Norway for a weeklong voyage north up the Norwegian coast to the remote port of Kirkenes aboard Hurtigruten’s 2003-built MS Midnatsol. Along the way, we’ll call on the Norwegian ports of Alesund, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø, and Honningsvag – and 29 other ports!

Perhaps I should explain: the Midnatsol - meaning “Midnight Sun” – is like the other nine ships in Hurtigruten’s coastal fleet: part cruise ship, part necessary transportation link. I don’t like to use the word ferry, as for many people, that word has negative connotations. Instead, Hurtigruten’s ships are far more passenger vessel than ferry, yet still perform the same essential service. They have connected many remote communities in Norway since Hurtigruten founder Richard With inaugurated the first service in 1893 aboard the DS Vesteraalen.  In fact, Hurtigruten’s name itself means “the fast route.”

The beautiful MS Midnatsol was constructed in 2003. She can carry up to 1,000 guests and even has space for 45 cars onboard. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia / Creative Commons

But for me, the real draw of this weeklong voyage is the opportunity to truly experience Norway during the winter months; something I’ve wanted to do since my first visit to the country in August 2009. While the Polar Night ended at the North Cape (at 71°N latitude) at the end of January, daylight hours this far north are still restricted at this time of year, totalling barely six full hours in Kirkenes.

Of course, this allows for more opportunities to witness the stunning Northern Lights, which can still be seen in February thanks to the changing conditions present in the atmosphere and the relatively long nights.

Plenty of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, like these in the Panorama Lounge, grace the MS Midnatsol. Photo courtesy of Hurtigruten

For me the ships themselves are one of the biggest attractions and Midnatsol is arguably one of the most beautiful in the Hurtigruten fleet. A two-story wall of glass lines her forward-facing Panorama Lounge, while a sweeping six-story atrium flanked by two glass elevators greets guests like me who are embarking for the first time. The interior décor is decidedly Norwegian, with plenty of bold colours and surprisingly elegant touches, like a wood-panelled Salon adorned with vibrant artwork (have a peek at the awesome VR tour here.)

The full itinerary, both here and onboard (calls longer than 60 minutes in duration are in bold):

Now, obviously it won’t be possible for me to physically set foot on all 34 ports on this itinerary – at least, not unless I stay up around the clock. But there’s plenty of ports that I can explore, some of which range from brief 30-minute stops to multi-hour calls.

Unlike other cruise ships, Midnatsol and her fleetmates rarely leave Norway. The crew are Norwegian. The food is Norwegian. Their style is Norwegian. They are inexorably linked to this proud country, and Norwegians are understandably proud of Hurtigruten as well. In fact, Norwegian broadcaster NRK featured an entire sailing aboard the line’s Nordnorge as a constantly-running television programme in June, 2011 titled Hurtigruten: Minutt for Minutt (you can watch the entire 134-hour video on NRK’s website here.)

In 2011, Hurtigruten’s Nordnorge was the subject of a live documentary broadcast by NRK called “Hurtigruten: Minutt for Minutt.” Photo courtesy of Wikipedia / Creative Commons

But to me, one of the most alluring aspects of this voyage is the time of year: winter.  Everyone I know is headed to Mexico or the Caribbean, while I am headed to Norway’s North Cape to experience a taste of a true Norwegian winter. But it’s also a personal accomplishment of sorts. Last month, I rounded South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope at Latitude 34°S. This month, I will stand at the base of the North Cape at Latitude 71°N, the northernmost point in Europe, whisked there by Hurtigruten’s Midnatsol in the timeless tradition that  Richard With pioneered 120 years ago.

And I think that’s pretty darn awesome!

Will we see the Northern Lights of Norway? It’s a possibility! Photo courtesy of Hurtigruten.

Live Coverage of our journey from Bergen to Kirkenes aboard Hurtigruten’s MS Midnatsol begins February 19, 2013!