Hurtigruten Offers Arctic Awakening and Midnight Sun Concepts This Spring and Summer

 

This spring and summer, Hurtigruten guests can enjoy seasonal activities on the company’s voyages along Norway’s coastline – a route that links 34 ports between the cities of Bergen and Kirkenes. Hurtigruten, celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2013, operates a fleet of 12 ships. The “Arctic Awakening” concept and the “Midnight Sun” voyages and shore excursion programs focus on aspects of Norway’s spring and summer seasons. Rates for “Arctic Awakening” voyages, which depart from April 15 through June 4, are $1,357 to $2,914 per person, double. “Midnight Sun” departures between June and mid-September are available at rates of $1,326 to $3,622 per person, double. Both the Spring Guarantee Cabin Offer and the Summer Guarantee Cabin Offer are available on selected departures and subject to cabin availability.

Aboard the spring concept, “Arctic Awakening,” guests can participate in several winter activities including a snowmobile trip and dog sledging; spring activities focused on sea- and birdlife; and the return of the Midnight Sun. One highlight of this trip is when local fishermen come on board to coach guests through such activities as shelling crabs and the sampling of Norwegian delicacies. Another opportunity is the chance to explore Arctic birdlife. The “Birds of the Arctic” excursion showcases Norway’s Varanger region, which is directly in the east to west migrating path and is the only place in Europe that visitors are likely to spot the rare Stellar’s Eider species.  The “Arctic Awakening” is offered on all Hurtigruten ships and runs through May 31.  

Hurtigruten’s summer season runs from June 1 through Sept. 14. Extended daylight is a natural phenomenon found in the latitudes north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun stays above the horizon 24 hours a day.  The never-ending sunlight highlights the changing coastal landscape of more than 1,500 miles, including the shoreline of the Lofoten archipelago and some of Norway’s UNESCO-listed sites.  Travelers exploring Norway’s coast during this season can enjoy day and night sightseeing during port stops and more than 30 excursion opportunities: sightseeing in Bergen, Norway’s second largest city and home to a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site; the opportunity for guests to meet more than 250 huskies and puppies who spend their winters racing across the snow; and a visit to the North Cape, the northernmost point on the continent. 

Hurtigruten’s Classic Voyages include 12-, 11-, seven- and six-day options:

  • The 12-day” Classic Roundtrip Voyage” provides an opportunity to experience all 34 ports twice (at different times of day or night) and cover more than 2,500 nautical miles.
  • The 11-day “Classic Norwegian Discovery Voyage” crosses the Arctic Circle twice and passes the North Cape.
  • The seven-day “Classic Voyage North” sails the Norwegian coastline’s waters and stops at 34 ports.
  • The six-day “Classic Voyage South” includes the daylight sailing through the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, the Seven Sisters mountain range and the “mountain with the hole,” Torghatten.

For more information, visit www.hurtigruten.us.