After a successful return to ocean cruising last month, expedition line Hurtigruten will ramp up operations with 14 ships sailing by September.
Hurtigruten, the world’s first line to restart ocean cruising in Norway on June 16, will launch several new itineraries around the British Isles on its first hybrid ship, MS Roald Amundsen in September.
There will be a series of exclusive British Isles itineraries visiting remote and off-the-beaten destinations such as the Isles of Scilly, Fowey, Rathlin Island, Fortwilliam, Oban, Fishguard and Waterford in September. MS Roald Amundsen is scheduled to depart from Portsmouth, Liverpool and Glasgow.
As part of its rebound strategy, the line will restart its Arctic expedition cruises on two ships – the battery-hybrid powered MS Roald Amundsen and MS Spitsbergen – offering six to 15-day voyages on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard in mid-July.
Hurtigruten will also add seven ships to sail the “world’s most beautiful voyage” on the legendary Bergen to Kirkenes route in Norway in August and September. This is in addition to the four ships which are currently cruising the Norwegian coast.
“As travel restrictions are lifted, we are now entering the next phase of our step-by-step return to full operation,” said Hurtigruten CEO, Daniel Skjeldam.
“We wanted to make sure guests can enjoy the British Isles like never before, visiting remote isles, seeing rugged nature and amazing wildlife, enjoying charming coastal cities, towns and villages while avoiding mass tourism crowds,” he said.
The line’s newest battery-hybrid powered MS Fridtjof Nansen will continue to offer 14-night itineraries to the Norwegian coast exploring fjords, glaciers, bird cliffs, narrow inlets under the Midnight Sun, all the way to the iconic North Cape through to September.
“We offer German and international guests two distinct and unique ways of exploring Norway. Expedition cruises departing from Hamburg and the original voyages along the Norwegian coast. This summer, we will have the fjords all to ourselves. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of the Norwegian coast.
“We are seeing a strong demand across all markets and all destinations, including the Norwegian coast, the Arctic and Antarctica. The demand reflects our predictions that small ship cruising, with all our advantages such as more flexibility and fewer guests, will prove even more popular post COVID-19,” added Mr Skjeldam.
Next year, Hurtigruten will offer year-round expedition cruises departing from Dover and Hamburg to Norway, Southern Scandinavia and the British Isles.
For more information visit hurtigruten.com.au
