Hurtigruten Will Take You Where You’ve Never Been Before
TierOne Travel offers the best of the best to its clients, whether on an Alaska cruise or an African safari. We provide incredible service, travel insights, expertise and industry knowledge. And to help us ensure you have the best possible experience, we hand pick suppliers from around the world. Hurtigruten – a world leader in exploration travel – is among those suppliers that meet our high standard of delivering excellence.
Hurtigruten is known for its incredible expeditions to remote areas and hard-to-reach locations. Its Alaska cruise options are incredible. You are guaranteed to be immersed in spectacular scenery. You will also be privileged to see wildlife such as bears, wolves and eagles in their natural habitat, along with marine life such as whales, seals and walruses.
“Hurtigruten cruises are really for people who want to get off the beaten path and have authentic experiences,” says TierOne Travel specialist Murray Gudmundson. “Clients who have travelled with Hurtigruten describe it as a safari at sea.”
Why should I chose Hurtigruten for an Alaska cruise?
Hurtigruten has a solid reputation and has been around for more than 125 years. The company started with a steam ship service that provided a link to northern and southern Norway. They’ve been pushing boundaries since 1893. Today, in addition to Norway, they lead eco-friendly expeditions in Alaska, Greenland, Svalbard, Arctic Canada, Iceland, South America, Caribbean, Russia, Northwest Passage and the Seventh Continent of Antarctica.
What sets them apart from other cruise lines is their focus on the environment and education. When you take an Alaska cruise with Hurtigruten, you embark on a mission of learning and personal growth.
Hurtigruten is committed to learning
Each expedition team at Hurtigruten is made up of highly knowledgeable and experienced people who take the time to share what they know with the passengers. Every cruise ship has a Science Centre where passengers can mingle with staff and crew and learn more about the places they are visiting. The aim is for guests to not only enjoy their surroundings, but also to understand the nature, wildlife, culture and history of their destinations. They even have a Young Explorers’ Programme available for youth aged 6-12 years of age.
The Science Centre is well equipped with video screens, computers, touch screens, high-tech gadgets and other science equipment such as microscopes. There is also a library, lounge area and lecture spaces where they host workshops on a variety of topics such as biology and photography.
Hurtigruten ships have their own staff photographers. They offer photography workshops to help passengers take the best photos and videos possible. They even make their photos/videos available online in an Expedition Log. So, if photography is not your forte, you will still have amazing memories of your Alaska cruise to look back on for years to come.
Is there more than one Alaska cruise to choose from?
Hurtigruten currently has three variations of Alaska cruise expeditions – 2020 and 2021 dates are available. To book ahead and ensure you receive the best service and get any special offers, contact a TierOne Travel specialist.
- Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands: Begin in Vancouver, BC, and end in Nome, Alaska, before flying back to Vancouver. Spend 18 days exploring the Inside Passage between British Columbia and Alaska. Be on the lookout for dolphins, porpoises, orcas and whales that frequent the protected inland waters. Visit Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world, and take in an Alaskan Lumberjack show. Enjoy a stopover in Sitka, which is set among snow-capped mountains with rich wildlife all around. Dock at Icy Strait Point and get a glimpse into life in a native settlement. Become enchanted with the Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Spot orcas in the Gulf of Alaska. Visit Kodiak Island and Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park. Discover brown bears in Katmai National Park. Revel in the bird lovers’ paradise of St. Paul – the Galapagos of the North. And end your adventure in Nome, Alaska, where gold was first discovered in 1898.
The Alaska cruise itineraries are planned with precision
- Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture (Northbound): Begin in Vancouver, BC, and end in Anchorage, Alaska. This 14-day journey will take you to the most scenic fjords and glaciers in the Alaskan wilderness. Experience endless waterfalls and the bluest glaciers you will ever see. Explore the northernmost rainforest in the world and spot incredible wildlife. Visit Alaska’s Hubbard Glacier and Prince William Sound all in one voyage.
- Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture (Southbound): Begin in Anchorage, Alaska, and end in Vancouver, BC. Over a 14-day period, experience the highlights of the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. Explore the largest tidewater glacier in North America – the Hubbard Glacier. Spend time whale-watching and spotting rich Alaskan wildlife. And discover the amazing cultural diversity of Alaskan towns and villages.
What kind of wildlife and marine life will I see?
The wildlife and marine life you might get to see on your Alaska cruise are plenty. For bird lovers, you will find bald eagles, puffins, elders, ravens, snow owls and swans … to name a few. Land mammals range from brown and black bears, moose and caribou, to mountain goats, sheep, muskox and wolves. Marine life can include beluga whales, humpback whales, killer whales, polar bears, harbour seals, sea otters, porpoises and dolphins.
Hurtigruten staff are well known for the respect they have for the environment and its animals. You will discover their passion for protecting Arctic wildlife. All land excursions are kept small – approximately 25 people in each group – and you will be encouraged to observe wildlife at a distance. Hurtigruten holds itself to high standards of sustainability and animal ethics.
What can I expect aboard the Alaska cruise ship?
All of Hurtigruten’s Alaska cruise expeditions are aboard the MS Roald Amundsen. It is named after the first person who crossed the Antarctica to reach the South Pole. The ship was introduced to the fleet in 2019. With a passenger capacity of 500, it is one of Hurtigruten’s largest vessels. What makes it really stand out, though, is its environmentally sustainable technology.
Sailing with electric propulsion, the MS Roald Amundsen is able to fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20%. It’s the first of several hybrid ships that Hurtigruten plans to add to its fleet in the future as a means of leading the way in environmental sustainability.
Cabins are extremely comfortable with queen size beds, complete with fine linens and soft duvets. The interiors all have a Scandanavian design and 50% of the cabins have private balconies. Some suites feature outdoor hot tubs as well.
The MS Roald Amudsen boasts a two-level, indoor/outdoor observation deck as well as an Explorer Lounge where guests can mingle with officers. There is a large gym, public hot tub, sauna, infinity pool and wellness centre.
Ample buffets with locally-sourced food
There are three restaurants onboard, all serving fresh local food that showcases the Nordic and Norwegian heritage of Hurtigruten. Aune is the main dining hall where guests have a wide menu to choose from including vegetarian options. Fredheim serves casual international cuisine and is available at flexible times. And Lindstrom is a fine dining a la carte restaurant for suite guests, although other passengers can purchase meals. Room service is available for Arctic Superior and suite cabins.
What should I bring on my Alaska cruise?
When you embark on an Alaska cruise with Hurtigruten you will receive a complementary expedition jacket, which is wind and water resistant. It was developed for and by explorers. You will also get a reusable aluminum water bottle.
Before you embark on your journey, Hurtigruten will send you a detailed list of what to bring. In general, it will include the following:
- Binoculars
- Camera and memory card
- Comfortable everyday shoes
- Wool sweater or fleece (shorts, etc. in the summer)
- Passport and/or ID card
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear
- Credit cards
- Hiking shoes – with spikes in the winter
- Trekking pole(s)
- Wind and waterproof jacket (complimentary jacket included) and trousers
- Mid layer jacket
- Woollen underwear
- Rubber boots (you can borrow from Hurtigruten) and winter boots with a good grip in winter months.
If you feel like it’s time to explore something new such as an Alaska cruise with Hurtigruten, contact one of our TierOne travel specialists! They have extensive experience in life-changing travel and will be able to craft something that is suited to your unique needs. One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer” – Anonymous