Now that’s a successful trip – when you come on board the MS Kong Harald hoping to see the Aurora Borealis – and they become a bonus to an already exceptional voyage. The coastline, the magnificent blue hour of winter, the small towns along the way – providing endless beauty. Crew and company taking great care of passengers. Fresh local food deliciously prepared. Who needs the lights – Oh not quite!
The Hurtigruten line (or as we now know – phonetically – Hootagroooten) has a long history in Norway beginning its life in 1893. Still today it carries the post, cargo, and people along the coast of Norway throughout the year. This was important to know as passengers, as it can mean last-minute changes in itinerary – for us it made it feel authentic and local.
We are not great cruisers, this is one of two or three in our lifetime so the pros and cons were debated at length, and in hindsight, this was an excellent choice. More than a ferry – not as glitzy as the large cruise ships.
Pre-trip the ship and our cabins were carefully chosen in discussion with Hurtigruten and reading reviews: smaller ship (MS Kong Harald), cabin midship, a porthole, and no walkway outside our window. Excellent advice.
On that first night after leaving the Bergen harbour lights late at night slept to gently rocking and woke the next morning to snow-capped mountains either side of us and a clear view out our porthole. Our trip had begun.
In choosing Hurtigruten their apparent serious commitment to social responsibility and environment protection was another bonus for me. While this ship is not currently hybrid it is about to be refitted, as are other ships in the fleet. The company has committed to a Corporate Social Responsibility policy.
Examples onboard included resource-saving initiatives that also support local communities. Food is bought from towns along the way. No single-use plastics. Incentives for passengers not to have rooms serviced each day – along with a company commitment to not reduce staff because of this saving. And further – by making a donation to their foundation based on effort saved.
Educational movies and lectures enhanced our understanding of initiatives and the need to preserve the coastal environment, wildlife and nature. Hurtigruten also has a strong stated equal opportunity and gender equality policy in employment. The company appears to be committed to, and is walking the talk of corporate social responsibility!
The skill of the Norwegian crew made the journey exceptional – from the Captain through to everyone we met – and the many we did not. Watching the ship docking and anchored was balletic.
Watching the ship brought into a narrow passage and turn tightly under a darkening sky was thrilling and skilled.
Seeing the restaurant crew preparing and serving meals gracefully on a rolling sea – incredible.
Serving local food, especially fresh fish and serving it perfectly cooked to a large dining room of guests was impressive.
Daily the Expedition team, of just three, enthused and energised us, guided hikes, provided us with information and a whole lotta fun. Watching them present to 2 rooms simultaneously in 4 languages was incredible and comedic.
Prior to the trip, we read reviews that said it was boring, something we were looking forward to after our travelling adventures this year – not so – some days we said: “I wanna be bored”!!!
Over the course of our 12-day adventure we sailed through narrow straits, crossed the Arctic circle, sailed into movie-like scenery, rocked and rolled across open seas, experienced the beautiful blue hour, learned about Sami culture, local art and music, along with the history of the coastal regions we travelled through. Oh – and saw the elusive Aurora Borealis.
It was an advantage having someone else on Aurora watch. I well remember in the Shetlands last year wondering how I would know they were up there in the middle of the night if I was asleep in our little cottage. This way a voice over the intercom did all the work for us.
Photography was a whole other story despite all the tips, reading, settings, preparation – it was no easy task on a rolling boat and cloudy sky, with tripods walking the decks of their own accord.
Weighing up our travelling lifestyle with the high cost of travelling in Norway we opted to strike out on our own and not participate in many excursions. Weakening to include a Husky sled ride, a local hike at midnight in Kristiansund and a midnight concert in the Arctic Hotel in Tromsø. Chris was sorely tempted by the trip into the Fjord to see the sea eagles but AUD$460 per person was a bit daunting for a brief trip.
While the list of excursions was extensive and sounded amazing we did not feel left out or missing out as we strode off the boat on our self-guided-get-lost walks.
At the end of 12 days, we wonder how we will know what to do now after disembarking. We have been expertly transported, fed, cared for, educated, entertained and so much more – now we have to fend for ourselves again. Post Note – we got ourselves to the wrong hotel on a blustery rainy cold day and then set the alarm an hour later than we should to catch the train – that’s how we manage after 12 days of no need to think!
#mskongharald #hurtigruten
More on our voyage:
And Suddenly They Were Across the Sky seeing the Northern Lights
Northbound on the Norwegia Coast our highlights Bergen to Kirkenes
