Hurtigruten cruises

JennyP

Me again. Got great advice about Iceland so thought I'd pick your brains about Norwegian cruises.

It's my 50th this year so I want a special year and seeing the Northern lights is top of my list.

We're going to book a few days in Iceland but I also fancy cruising up the coast of Norway.

The cruise itself looks good value but the daily excursions are really expensive. We aren't ones for organised tours and prefer doing our own thing. I've never been on a cruise but my mum says in the past she's just got off the ship and looked round places on her own. Does anyone know how feasible this is on a Hurtigruten cruise? I wonder how long it stops in each place or if it moves on quite quickly. If that's the case, might we be better with another company like Fred Olsen? Would they stop for longer in places?

It's quite hard to ascertain online and personal experiences would be appreciated!

TadleyBaggie

Looking at this:

https://www.cruisemapper.com/?imo=9233258

It looks like they visit several ports each day, so must have a very limited time at each.

Shimrod

JennyP wrote: »

We're going to book a few days in Iceland but I also fancy cruising up the coast of Norway.

The cruise itself looks good value but the daily excursions are really expensive. We aren't ones for organised tours and prefer doing our own thing. I've never been on a cruise but my mum says in the past she's just got off the ship and looked round places on her own. Does anyone know how feasible this is on a Hurtigruten cruise? I wonder how long it stops in each place or if it moves on quite quickly. If that's the case, might we be better with another company like Fred Olsen? Would they stop for longer in places?

It's quite hard to ascertain online and personal experiences would be appreciated!

I've not been on a Norwegian cruise with Hurtigruten, but you have to remember that this is also a working ferry. It stops at 34 places if you do the full trip ( https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/practical-information/port-to-port/ ) so some of those stops are going to be too brief to get off.


I know a couple of people who have been as a holiday and they have enjoyed the trip. You might want to book their excursions to ensure you are back on board at the right time. Check out reviews at cruise critic (https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/hurtigruten-cruises/cl/) and the forums at the same website for excursion guidance. don't forget you will up past Bronnoysund before you are north enough for a chance to see the lights which is half the cruise gone. If the lights is the main attraction, I would be inclined to spend the cash on a two centre Norwegian holiday - Tromso and somewhere else. Have a look a Wideroe for internal flights.

daveyjp

Its a ferry not a cruise, older ships are basic, newer ships have better facilities, but none are close to a modern cruise ship,

You call at ports day and night. On the full round trip ports visited at night in one direction are visited during the day on the return, but of course it may be dark or light for both visits depending on the port and time of year!

At some you alight, do your trip and then catch the ferry at a port further along the route.

As you say the extras are expensive, as will be any drinks on board. On shore drinks are £10+ a pint for beer, £30 minimum for a bottle of wine.

If you want see the fjords I'd recommend a traditional cruise. Its the cheapest way to see Norway.

shykins

as others have said Hurtigruten are a ferry so do frequent stops in Norway with short stops

we have cruised Norway with Cruise and Maritime and had approx 8 hours at most ports where for the most part we got off and did our own thing. Excursions were fairly expensive but then Norway is expensive

as a side not we also did the Northern Lights with them and were very lucky and saw them 5 nights out of a 14 night cruise

JennyP

Normal cruise it is then!
All really helpful advice, thank you!

getmore4less

Marella do Norway from Newcastle during the year(not northern light time)
They are all inclusive if you like a drink.

North cape in June is a good trip.

PompeyPete

getmore4less wrote: »

Marella do Norway from Newcastle during the year(not northern light time)
They are all inclusive if you like a drink.

Marella used to be Thomson.

I really enjoy the relaxed vibe on their cruises.....our last one was a Transatlantic repositioning cruise last November on EXPLORER. Adults Only, All-Inclusive, tips included.....excellent vfm.

JennyP

We don't drink so not sure all-inclusive is for us. I would just be jealous of all the drinkers (I can't drink for medical reasons!)

shykins

Forgot to say Cruise & Maritime also adults only and can upgrade to various drinks packages from soft drink one to everything included one

we went in february and the views were amazing but it was flipping cold!!!

JennyP

shykins wrote: »

Forgot to say Cruise & Maritime also adults only and can upgrade to various drinks packages from soft drink one to everything included one

we went in february and the views were amazing but it was flipping cold!!!

My mum and her friend are going on a Cruise and Maritime cruise in about two weeks! Her friend normally does Fred Olsen and Mum has cruised but forget which company. Good to know they're ok! They didn't buy a drinks package as neither drinks much. Mum might have one soft drink a day but normally has tea (by bucketload!) and water!