I Sailed on Hurtigruten's Inaugural Galapagos Cruise Here's What It Was Like
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Tour leaders on board all voyages assist with practical, cruise-planning details, but these are not traditional cruises. The extensive shore excursion program also focuses on nature, with popular options including husky dog sledding, guided hikes and hunting the northern lights. (Hurtigruten is so confident passengers will see the aurora borealis between late September through March on voyages of 11 days or more that it offers a free week-long voyage if the northern lights are not sighted). It has since evolved to combine a vital transport link with cruise experience for overseas visitors that want to enjoy the beauty of the Norwegian fjords, islands and coastal scenery. As ships hug the coastline there is always something to see, plus the opportunities to time voyages to coincide with the summer spectacle of the midnight sun and winter northern lights. We did the 12 day coastal trip, Bergen- Kirkenes- Bergen, it was the experience of a lifetime.
while you are on the Hurtigruten ship
Fridtjof Nansen Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Fridtjof Nansen Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:49:31 GMT [source]
The walls were thin, and I could definitely hear my next-door neighbors' midnight conversations, but ultimately, I wasn't in my room that much—I was out exploring, of course—so it wasn't an issue. Tipping is neither required nor expected, though it is allowed if you feel you have received particularly good personal service from a crew member. Among the newer ships, Finnmarken has a swimming pool; Midnatsol, Trollfjord, and Fram have hot tubs. There is an Internet café on board all ships except MS Vesterålen, Lofoten,Nordstjernen, and Polar Star. This was a cruise along the coast of Norway, not to Antarctica. And I’m not Hurtigruten, so you’re criticizing the wrong person.
Hurtigruten Expeditions
In keeping with this spirit of exploration and adventure, Hurtigruten Expeditions has named several of its ships after Norway’s most celebrated explorers. Europeans make up the larger number of passengers, but often there’s a minority of Americans. Travelers who find this kind of cruising attractive tend to be independent—comfortable controlling their vacation experience and perfectly content enjoying spectacular scenery and visiting picturesque communities mostly on their own. All ships except MS Lofoten,Nordstjernen, and Vesterålen have a small fitness center on board.
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Following an assessment of 400 ships, Scope ESG Analysis—the leading European provider of environmental, social, and governance analysis—named the Nansen the safest and most sustainable cruise ship in the world. Of course, the first obstacle standing between giant tortoises and me was testing requirements. I knew that the many testing cubicles installed in the airport's parking lot would ensure fast and efficient testing. TheHurtigruten cruises – or really any cruises – are not for those on a very tightbudget.
What to Expect on Board
After the call handler spoke to their team leader I got a call back to say I was out on Fram and price matched and it was all sorted. I was about ready to alter my review below on this company after they agreed to price match but then they broke this promise after a cabin was allocated. The exact quote was ‘this request was denied by our revenue department’. My dream trip might be cancelled but I won’t have to deal with this shambles anymore.
There are two dinner seatings, and the three-course dinners allow no individual selection—everyone on a given evening will have the same appetizer, entrée, and dessert. While the line does its best to meet special dietary requirements, all requests for special meals must be made well in advance of departure. Liquor, wine, and beer, priced in Norwegian kroner, are expensive. Their firststop was up high to get a magnificent view onto the fjord. They got off the busin a flat place, but a path led up the mountain. Some of the participants,including my husband, headed up that path for an unobstructed view.
The menu, too, has a Nordic influence as many of the ship’s suppliers are based in Norway. A reindeer carpaccio starter and grilled Greenland halibut were a couple of my favorite dishes. Many of the other people in line with me were also there to receive a test before traveling; most could not be tested that day, throwing their travel plans in disarray. The experience was undoubtedly disappointing and highlighted the realities of how destabilizing the lack of testing availability is for travel. Luckily, I received my results in 36 hours and could board my flight.
The first one sailed the route north once a week starting in 1893, billing itself as Hurtigruten, which means “fast route.” It moved up and down the coast, delivering mail and cargo to isolated villages along the way. Within a few years of the company’s launch of the first steamship route, it added a second steamship for travel to Spitsbergen, for adventurers. Super ship, super friendly crew and a wonderful experience. It’s a fabulous experience with no entertainment but plenty to see and do.
Not exactly a trip report, but an honest review of Hurtigruten Coastal Express
It had, as far as I saw, just one single bed with a sofa opposite it, which, I assume, opens into a bed. In a way, this style is better than ours because it offers a place to sit. Next are the Artic superior cabins like ours, which are on the higher floors.
This long fjord is famous for its dramatically steep sides and bridalveil waterfalls. I know I keep using this word, but it was truly breathtaking. By the way, vegetarian options are available for all meals, as well as gluten-free or fishless.
While we were asked to provide a negative PCR test before boarding the ship, we did not need one to leave the islands. While some larger cruise ships, like Viking, have PCR laboratory testing available onboard, Hurtigruten ships can not yet provide certified test results. However, they expect to have this capability in the future.
The line also banned non-essential single-use plastics in 2018, and provides a complimentary reusable water bottle to all guests for use at water refill stations around the ship. Soap, shampoo, lotion and other shower products are provided in refillable containers instead of individual bottles. When it comes to cuisine, the line offers full menus of plant-based dishes, and sources local ingredients as much as possible to benefit both the environment and local communities. In February, I sailed the new Western Galapagos itinerary, which includes two nights in Quito (with a day trip to Cotopaxi National Park) before a flight to the island of Baltra, where guests transfer to the Santa Cruz II for a four-night cruise. After quickly getting checked into my cabin, lunch was served while the ship transited to the north shore of Santa Cruz — and by mid-afternoon, I was boarding a Zodiac bound for a hike to “Dragon Hill,” known for its population of land iguanas. They’ve also enabled fleet-wide shore-power connectivity to eliminate emissions while in port and were the first cruise company to phase out single-use plastics onboard.
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