Norway Northern Lights via Hurtigruten

Norway Northern Lights via Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten Cruise Northern Lights Europe

Hurtigruten market their 12 day cruise along the coast of Norway as “the world’s most beautiful voyage”.  It certainly is a scenic voyage, departing from Bergen and travelling over 2,500 nautical miles to the Top of the World at the North Cape then returning slowly back South down the coast to Bergen.

The voyage crosses the Arctic Circle twice and visits 34 Nordic ports along the way.

If you travel in the Winter season, there is a guarantee of a free cruise if you don’t see the Northern Lights en route.

The World's Most Beautiful Voyage Norway Itinerary
GO TO START OF TRIP

Best time to travel

Travelling through Norway in the Winter time is a completely different experience from travelling in the Summer.  It is cold – very cold!  The days are also short.  The main reason to go in the Winter time is, of course, to see the Northern Lights.  Hurtigruten’s free cruise guarantee if they fail to appear on your voyage is a good insurance policy.  Your chances of seeing the lights is high anyway, of course, or they wouldn’t be offering a guarantee!  You do have to bear in mind that you might have to be prepared to get up in the middle of the night if called (you have the option twhether to be disturbed or not!).

Travelling in the Winter brings other benefits too though.  You can try out snow shoeing, go husky dog sledding or just go walking in the snow and admire the beautiful scenery as the snow clings to the fir trees and the sun catches on ice crystals.

I have travelled to Norway in the Summer time too and I think it is definitely worth doing both trips to appreciate the difference that the season makes.

Highlights of "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage"

  1. Seeing the Northern Lights – several times
  2. Walking in Snowshoes through deep snow
  3. Crossing the Arctic Circle
  4. The Snow Hotel at Kirkenes
  5. Seeing the twinkly lights of Tromsø from above
Tromsø by night
TWINKLY LIGHTS OF TROMSØ
Norwegian snowshoeing
IT'S TIME FOR SNOWSHOES
Snow Hotel Kirkenes
THE SNOW HOTEL KIRKENES

My Packing List

View my packing list on this post:

PACKING LIST

The dress code on Hurtigruten is very relaxed and informal.  There is no need to dress for dinner as you do on larger cruise ships.

You have to accept that there is a long time travelling between ports on a voyage like this – so definitely pack a good book – or two – and any travel games etc. that you enjoy.

Seasickness medication is also advisable, I am sorry to have to tell you.

Foodie Firsts

The Hurtigruten Line takes local cuisine very seriously and works hard to offer passengers a tempting selection of regional produce.  Some of the highlights we enjoyed from the hard working coastal kitchen on board during our voyage were:

  • Carpaccio of clip fish
  • Salted leg of lamb
  • Caremalised apples with local Skjenning ice cream
  • Inderøysodd
  • Tykkmelk Pudding
  • Himmeltind goat’s cheese
  • Finbiff (reindeer)

How to Photograph the Northern Lights

To get my shots of the Northern Lights, I had my camera set on a tripod with a wide angle lens, aperture F4, iso 400 (could have gone higher?) and the lens on manual focus set to infinity.  I let the camera find its own shutter speed (not confident enough to set it on full manual yet!).

Hurtigruten Cruise Northern Lights
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Fascinating Facts

If you are into your facts and figures, search for “Fascinating Facts” to learn more about Norway.

WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?

Useful Websites

THE NORWEGIAN TREKKING ASSOCIATION
THE SNOW HOTEL KIRKENES

Learning the Lingo

Friluftsliv – The thrill of being out in nature and enjoying the outdoors with all your senses.

Snøskoene – Snowshoes

Tusen Takk – Thank you very much!

Tips for Travellers

TIPS FOR FUTURE TRAVELLERS

Read my full trip to Norway's Northern Lights via Hurtigruten

The World's Most Beautiful Voyage Norway Itinerary

The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage – Hurtigruten Norway itinerary

Tomorrow, we embark on “the world’s most beautiful voyage” on the Hurtigruten line, departing from Bergen and travelling over 2,500 nautical miles to the Top of the World at the North Cape.  We hope to see the Northern Lights (there is a guarantee of a free cruise of you don’t) en route and then retrace our steps slowly back South down the coast to Bergen.  

The voyage will last a total of 12 days, crosses the Arctic Circle twice and visits 34 Nordic ports along the way.

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Norway, Europe
Seasickness on Hurtigruten Lowlight Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have

Seasickness on Hurtigruten – The Lowlight

Gale force winds were blowing all day today meaning that the ship was rocking about a lot leaving many people feeling nauseous – including me.  The on board shop was doing. roaring trade in sea sickness tablets – even the crew were taking them. The decks were closed, which meant you couldn’t even get a breath of air.  Everything began to feel very claustrophobic.  Unfortunately, seasickness on Hurtigruten is something you may well have to put up with if the weather is rough – which it often is – so come prepared!

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Europe, Norway