Norway's Coastal Ferry

We hopped a working ferry to sail into the Arctic Circle. Will we see the Northern Lights? Stay tuned.

We’re on a ferry

After a delightful stroll through Bergen, Larry and I grabbed our bags and boarded a Hurtigruten Coastal Express.

This is no ordinary cruise ship—it’s a working ferry that stops at 34 ports up and down the Norwegian coastline.

34 Stops Over 12 Days

Most stops are brief, just long enough to deliver cargo and mail, though one or two each day are long enough for us to hop off and explore. Even then, we have to keep an eye on the time—the ferry operates on a strict schedule and does not wait for stragglers!

“Hurtigruten” translates literally to “the fast (hurtig) route (ruten)” in Norwegian and our ship bears the name of its founder, Richard With. (Despite how it looks, “Richard With” is pronounced more like “Ree-kard Veet” here in Norway.)

A Historic Lifeline

In 1893, Richard With revolutionized travel along Norway’s coast by establishing a continuous route, making it much easier for people and goods to move between the country’s remote communities.

Before this, navigating Norway’s long, skinny coastline was a logistical challenge. Travelers had to switch between multiple ships, making journeys tedious and inefficient. The Coastal Express changed all that, connecting communities and providing a much-needed lifeline for transport.

A Room With a View

Much to our surprise, they upgraded us from an inside cabin to one with a window. We often get inside cabins, so unlike E.M. Forster we’re used to a room without a view. This one, however, is the smallest cabin we’ve ever had. Good thing Larry and I get along so well!

Not only must I turn sideways to reach my side of the bed, but the bathroom is tiny. There’s just enough room to step inside and close the door behind you.

Even so — no complaints from us!

When Larry spotted a 50% off sale for this Coastal Express trip, he jumped at the opportunity. Now here we are, embarking on a journey that promises stunning vistas, a taste of Norway’s food and history, and maybe even some views of the Northern Lights.

Stay tuned

I’ll share more as our voyage continues. Meanwhile, thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this blog, and want to follow our travels, please subscribe to Tui's Travel & Tombstones for new posts.

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