From Hurtigruten (Norwegian Coastal Voyage), this working passenger ship was built in 1982, then enlarged in 1989 and further modernized in 1995.
She is a 6,257-ton ship that takes up to 312 passengers from Bergen, Norway to 35 ports on the Norwegian coast as far north as Kirkenes. Compared to the newer ships, this one is more workaday, with fewer amenities and is much less cruiselike.
The historic coastal route has operated since 1893 tying southern Norway to the north with its more remote access and off-shore islands.
Officers and staff are Norwegian, and passengers are mostly European, with Germans and British passengers predominating. Few Americans will likely be aboard as the package tour companies tend to use the newer and larger ships in this service. In the summer, the boats get crowded with the backpack set on school holidays.
Though passengers may disembark at any port, many view these vessels as cruise ships and hop on in Bergen for 12-day round-trips. One-way segments are popular and can be combined with rail, coach and air travel.
Time in port, geared to cargo and mail handling, varies from 15 minutes to several hours, and a courier arranges shore excursions to the North Cape, the Russian border and inland fjords. A multitour package is available or they may be booked singly onboard. Most passengers come for the round-the-clock daylight of mid-May through July, but viewing the northern lights early in the year is also popular. Passengers should prepare for rough seas, as several passages traverse open waters.
Public rooms have some art reflecting Norway's seagoing heritage, but not so much as with the newest ships. The observation lounge in the dome at the top of the ship affords nearly 360-degree views. Another favorite spot is the quiet forward-facing lounge, best for reading on a rainy day. The ship has a 24-hour cafeteria for port-to-port passengers, while one-way and round-trip cruise passengers have all meals included. Service ranges from friendly to frosty.
Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while dinner is served from a set menu at reserved tables. The fresh Norwegian fare emphasizes seafood, with lunch the most popular and varied meal. Good conversation, terrific scenery, and watching cargo move comprise most of the entertainment, but elaborate events mark her crossing the Arctic Circle. Cabins are functional with twin beds, one folding away and the other becoming a sofa. Some have portholes, some windows and others are inside without views.
This mid-generation class of two eventually will be replaced with new and much larger ships. There is no other service quite like the Hurtigruten, but the Alaska Marine Highway would be the closest equivalent.
