Hurtigruten provide trips to the high polar regions of Greenland and Spitsbergen. With their explorer ships, you will be taken to some of the world's least travelled regions.
Encompassing the largely unexplored landscapes of the Arctic North, these Explorer itineraries take in the stunning natural beauty of Greenland and Spitsbergen. Here you journey aboard custom designed ships that take you to some of the most ecologically fascinating and scenically diverse landscapes on Earth.
Each of these spectacular adventures is a voyage of discovery, through pristine environments and ever-changing climates that are only accessible by ship. Complemented by informative lectures, exhilarating landings and shore excursions, these unique odysseys will ensure a journey of priceless memories.
We can offer life-affirming experiences close to nature's most spectacular landscapes, genuine cultures, exceptional people, and amazing wildlife. Preserving these resources in their natural, unspoilt condition is a priority so you will always experience the highest environmental awareness on board and ashore.
Hurtigruten's most modern ship whose maiden voyage was in 2007 is the MS Fram. She was named after the wooden exploration ship used by Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries on their voyages to the north and south poles.
Fram was probably the strongest wooden ship ever built, designed for Fridtjof Nansen's 1893 Arctic expedition in which she was supposed to freeze into the Arctic ice sheet and float with it over the North Pole.
Nansen's ambition was to explore the Arctic farther north than anyone else. To successfully achieve this he used a purpose built ship that by its design would be pushed up out of the ice rather than being crushed by it.
A series of voyages that are described in this section of our site follow in the pioneering wake of the great mariners and explorers of yesteryear. All of Hurtigruten's ships are designed and tailored to the regions in which they operate, offering an excellent service in comfortable surroundings with a wide choice of facilities. As an explorer guest you will follow in the wake of polar heroes, discover pristine environments and explore distant shores in the company of like-minded travellers and expert guides.
Spitsbergen
Remote, mysterious and extreme, the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen is the European gateway into the High Arctic; a land forged by ice and wind, ocean and snow that presents a spectacular range of unforgettable adventures.
The kingdom of the majestic polar bear, these frozen landscapes of arctic desert and towering glaciers herald a staggeringly rich diversity of natural and cultural highlights, from the remote mining and research communities that line the rugged coastline, to the spectacular fjords, icebergs and jagged peaks that offer the most breathtaking of backdrops.
These incredible voyages invite you to remarkable towns like Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, and Ny-Ålesund, crossing the 80th Parallel to sail through the rich water of Moffen Island. Beneath skies that echo the cries of countless seabirds, you cross ocean landscapes boasting seal, walrus, whale and polar bear. The use of Polar Cirkel Boats / Zodiacs gives you the possibility to make a wide range of landings which include amazing landscapes and places of historical interest in isolated fjords and bays.
Greenland
Join Hurtigruten's newest ship, MS Fram on a voyage to Greenland, accompanied by distinguished lecturers with an in-depth knowledge of the country.
Greenland is home to some of the most dramatic nature in the world. But how does it influence the people who live there? In Greenland Hurtigruten's relationship with local partners guarantees you one of the most well-informed and insightful experiences possible. Their "safety-first" landings take you close to Greenland's fascinating culture and history - to the settlements, sights and places of genuine historical interest. Magnificent natural surroundings form a spectacular backdrop to your voyage.
