Hurtigruten Celebrates Anniversaries of Polar Heros Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amunsen

In honor of the anniversaries of two national events – polar explorer, scientist and humanist Fridtjof Nansen’s birth, and polar hero and pioneer aviator Roald Amundsen’s historic trek to the South Pole – the Norwegian Government has declared 2011 the Year of Nansen-Amundsen.

Hurtigruten, which was established in the same year that Fridtjof Nansen set off into the Arctic Ocean in his newly built vessel Fram, is celebrating the monumental year with four unique itineraries honoring their legacies.

First, a centenary celebration onboard the MS Fram, named after Nansen’s famous ship, on Dec. 14 the day Amundsen and his men reached the South Pole, during the Chilean Fjords and Antarctica voyage; the Climate Voyage; the special Polar Bears, Islands and Fjords voyage following in the path of Nansen and finally the Ice Breakers theme cruise.

Hurtigruten's Europe

Migrating towards the coasts and waterways of Europe, the MS Fram sets course to enjoy the spring and autumn exploring some of the richest historic settings in the northern hemisphere.

Enjoy the spring traveling on our Western Europe Voyage, where you can explore the most enchanting ports on the Atlantic coast.

Celebrate Easter in the Norwegian fjords on a special voyage covering ports off the traditional Coastal Voyage including Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Stavanger. Or join us on a voyage to some of the most captivating historic cities in the Baltic Sea. From St. Petersburg and Helsinki to Estonia and Bornholm, our 11-day Baltic
journey recaptures something of the golden glories of a maritime
tradition that spanned generations.


In the fall, cross the North Sea to explore the wild and rugged beauty of
the Hebrides, before continuing to visit the remote Isles of Scilly
and a number of the other fascinating coastal communities that lie
along the west and south coast of the British Isles.

During your voyage enjoy shore landings and excursions by our Polarcirkel Boats. These smaller nimble boats give you greater access to areas of special
interest and beauty.

Book now and save up to 20% off the retail rate.

Discover the Aurora Borealis

Check out this stunning time lapse video of the Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights, over Tromso, Norway

http://vimeo.com/16917950


Discover the Northern Lights for yourself on an exhilarating wintertime Norwegian Coastal Voyage aboard Hurtigruten. Plus, learn how to photograph the Northern Lights during your cruise on our special Digital Photography adventure!

Book now and save up to 15% off with our Early Booking discount.

MV Fram makes pioneer expedition landing

MV Fram, under the command of Captain Arild Hårvik, made a fantastic pioneer landing in the Magelland Strait, Chile yesterday. After departure Punta Arenas, Fram headed for Magdalene Island, home for more than 200.000 Magellan Penguins. According to Expedition Leader Karin Strand, guests came crying in joy back to the ship after the pre-breakfast expedition landing.

We thank the Expedition Team Members Verena Meraldi and John Chardine for excellent pictures of the charming penguins.

Read more at: http://mvfram.blogspot.com/

Itinerary Change - Polar Encounters

Newsflash: the itinerary, duration and departure dates for the Polar Encounters voyage is now revised. Going forward there will be a 6 and 9-day version of the Polar Encounters expedition giving you more opportunity to see the island of Spitsbergen.

Plus, book now and save 10% with our Early booking discount. And if you book a 6-day expedition now, we'll give you a free upgrade!

The traditional fisheries in Northern Norway

This music video is a very good historic document of how the traditional Lofoten fisheries is done. On a winter voyage with Hurtigruten through the Lofoten Islands in the period of the fisheries (January to April) you may experience this yourself. The lyrics is Norwegian and is about Fish and Potatoes.

Norway Ranks #1 on Prosperity List!

Norway leads the 2010 list ranking the prosperity of 110 of the world's nations by the London analytical center Legatum Institute.

Norway also topped the 2009 rankings.

"The Prosperity Index seeks to understand how economic fundamentals, health, freedom, governance, safety, education, entrepreneurial opportunity, and social capital influence a country's economic growth and the happiness of its citizens," the group says.

Hurtigruten's classic Norwegian Coastal Voyages offers the most authentic way to see Norway along the 1,250 mile fjord filled west coast. Come discover for yourself why Norway continues to top the Prosperity Index.