THE SHIP
Our journey starts in a week, Better Get Packing!!
NORTH CAPE EXPRESS is the original voyage connecting Norway’s local communities and has been the heart and soul of the Norwegian coast since 1893.
USA has “The Mother Road” Route 66. Japan has the Shinkansen bullet train. Europe has the Orient Express and the Trans Siberian Railroad. For Norway, we have Hurtigruten’s The North Cape Express. The original Norwegian coastal voyage, the sailing of this famous route that began all over 130 years ago by the Hurtigruten founder, Captain Richard With.
For over 130 years, the Hurtigruten fleet of ships has faithfully served the people of the Norwegian coast every year, every season, every week, through sun, snow, and storms. Bringing food, vehicles, medicine, letters, and loved ones from near and far, connecting the nation together.
The North Cape Express has been described by many as the World’s Most Beautiful Voyage. In 12 days we sail to 34 ports big and small, covering 2,500 nautical miles from southwestern Norway to the Arctic Norwegian border and back. As we are sailing in Winter it will be the realm of the mesmerizing Northern Lights. We will average 6 ports a day, with port calls day and night, staying from 10 minutes to 4 hours.
We will sail from Bergen, across the Arctic Circle, up to Kirkenes, and back.
The dining on Hurtigruten is very special. On a Hurtigruten voyage you won’t just see the Norwegian coast; you’ll taste it too. From our past sailings we learned the great extent Hurtigruten goes to pick from the local pantry, sourcing the finest homegrown produce from the ports we visit.
Hurtigruten is proud to support 50 local farms, bakeries, and producers from across Norway. In the onboard restaurants, we have enjoyed the likes of melt-in-your-mouth cod from Vesterålen, award-winning cheeses from Lofoten, and quality craft beer from Bergen and Tromso.
Hurtigruten places their food waste from the fleet into a specially designed compost reactor in the port of Stamsund in the Lofoten islands. In nearby Myklevik a farm uses this fertilizer to grow new food for Norway and for the ships. It’s a simple, natural way to help local farmers and to keep the food waste as low as possible. KEWL huh!
Then there is Havets Bobler the first wine to be aged in the Norwegian Sea. Produced by a family-run wine estate in Sussex, England. Havets Bobler’s classic cuvée is made in the traditional method from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes. The result is a rich palate of citrus, apricots, and cream. Havets Bobler bottles are submerged in Arctic waters in Northern Norway. The location in the Arctic, usually somewhere between 66 and 77°N, changes each year and is a closely guarded secret in Hurtigruten. It is excellent.
We will be sailing for the third time on the MS Midnatsol.(Same stateroom on all sailings, 736) Previously MS Maud, MS Midnatsol is named after the Midnight Sun, the phenomenon that occurs in northern Norway every summer when the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours.
We have come to enjoy the smaller ships rather than the floating hotels on other cruise lines. Hurtigruten vessels are smaller compared with regular cruise liners, with capacity typically ranging between 500 and 650. The passenger capacity of the MS Midnastol is 500.
Given the smaller size, Hurtigruten ships can explore remote fjords and call at lesser-visited ports that are often not accessible by larger cruise ships. Hurtigruten is not your typical cruise line, their ships offer a more personalized journey, allowing for more scenic and cultural experiences.
We will have access to sauna and fitness room, and outdoor hot tubs.
On the upper decks we find the two level Explorer Lounge with floor to ceiling windows. A perfect place to enjoy the Norwegian coast passing by.
On Deck 6 we find the outdoor walking deck which is semi sheltered. The forward area of Deck 6 is great for viewing wildlife.
Deck 9 has a helo landing pad and is a great location for observing the Northern Lights. There is also a good sized wind protected area where naturalist talks, Arctic Circle Crossing ritual, and BBQ and food presentations are held.
Then there is the lecture hall where daily briefings and presentations are offered by the Expedition Team. Each member of the team has a range of specialized topics in their repertoire, ready to share with you in lectures and presentations on board, on deck, and ashore. We greatly enjoy this aspect of sailing with Hurtigruten.
As of this entry we will be departing in about a week to make this journey. Follow along and share our experience. Yes there will be a quest or two for a fine hotdog.
