By Liam P. Cusack
In addition to onboard festivities on cruises celebrating 130 years of sailing on Norway’s coasts, Hurtigruten is offering a Northern Lights Guarantee again in 2023.
It was July, 1893 when Captain Richard With took the helm of the steamer DS Vesteraalen, the first sailing of the Norwegian Coastal Express. Hurtigruten’s ships remain a lifeline for residents of coastal Norway, and the experience is on the bucket list of many intrepid travelers.
“We will celebrate the iconic Coastal Express’ first 130 years by honoring those who sailed before us, the coastal communities they served, and still serve today. We will bring together the modern and the traditional in this year-long celebration, with newly upgraded hybrid ships, anniversary menus and historical lectures and excursions,” Hurtigruten Norway CEO Hedda Felin said.
On the southbound leg of the round trip between Brønnøysund and Rørvik, the main restaurant on board will serve a special five -course meal of classic Norwegian home cooking. The staples that have been served on board for 130 years, along with modern Norwegian cuisine.
As with all food on board, the anniversary menu will be sourced with fresh local ingredients delivered to the ship en route. Calling at 34 ports creates opportunities to have fresh ingredients delivered to the ships every day. The chefs are collaborating with more than 50 local suppliers along the coast, giving guests a true taste of Norway.
The onboard program will also include special lectures in 2023 about Hurtigruten’s 130 years history, and the special relationship between the iconic ships and the local communities they call on between Bergen and Kirkenes. Other special celebrations will be announced later.
For the celebratory season, Hurtigruten offers more than 70 optional shore excursions between Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the north, including emission free excursions with electrical catamarans and tour buses.
A showcase of Green Technology
In 2023 guests can experience the Norwegian coast on board one of Hurtigruten’s newly upgraded ships, including three hybrid ships powered by brand new low emissions engines and large battery packs.
MS Richard With, named after Hurtigruten’s founder, is currently in a shipyard for a technical makeover. The ship will emerge as a modern hybrid swith large battery packs and brand-new engines this summer. In 2023, MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys will follow as hybrid ships.
All seven coastal ships will also be fitted with modern technology and green upgrades that will cut CO2 emissions by 25 percent and NOx emissions by a massive 80 percent, including shore power connectivity and the use of biofuel.
The Northern Lights Promise:
“We are so confident the Northern Lights will make an appearance on your 12- or 11-day voyage if you travel in the Northern Lights season, that if they do not appear, we will give you another 6 or 7-day trip North or South free of charge.” However, the guarantee is only valid between October and March, the peak Northern Lights season. “Sailing with us – often far away from light pollution – provides some of the best possibilities to view this celestial lightshow, “ Hurtigruten says.
Liam P. Cusack is managing editor of Cruise & Travel Report.
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