Hurtigruten has expanded its Arctic exploration offerings with a new six-day voyage, "Northern Delights: Svalbard and Arctic Norway." Combining the wild nature of the northernmost archipelago in the heart of winter with Norway's legendary Arctic coast, this new winter adventure is now available for booking for the 2026/27 season.
The new itinerary begins with a two-day land program in Svalbard, followed by a flight to mainland Norway to embark on a three-day crossing from Tromsø to Kirkenes. Taking place above the Arctic Circle during winter, far from artificial light, passengers will be in a prime position to witness the spectacular Northern Lights.
“Northern Delights is a journey of discovery through two extraordinary Arctic worlds,” explains Hayley Moore, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the UK and Emerging Markets at Hurtigruten. “Our passengers will experience the untamed wilderness of Svalbard before admiring the spectacular winter scenery of the Norwegian coast. It’s the ultimate voyage for those seeking to experience the magic of winter in the far north.”.
Two Arctic worlds in one trip
- Svalbard – The Gateway to the North Pole (Days 1-3): The journey begins in Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world, just 1,300 km from the North Pole. After checking into the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen, passengers will be immediately immersed in the polar winter. Highlights of the land program include a traditional evening in the wilderness at Camp Barentz, featuring reindeer stew under the polar sky, and a dog sledding safari where travelers can take the reins themselves.
- Connection to mainland Norway and Tromsø (days 3-4): A flight will then take travelers from Spitsbergen to Tromsø. Known as the "gateway to the Arctic," Tromsø offers numerous opportunities for independent exploration before boarding, which will take place on the afternoon of the fourth day.
- Sea voyage to North Cape and Kirkenes (days 4-6): With stops in Skjervøy and Hammerfest, the ship sets course for Honningsvåg and North Cape, where an optional excursion leads directly to the iconic globe monument at the northernmost point of Europe. After passing the historic Sami sacrificial site of Finnkirka and the northernmost lighthouse in mainland Norway, the ship sails along the picturesque Varanger Peninsula. The journey concludes on day six in Kirkenes, the easternmost point of the Original Coastal Express route, where passengers can extend their stay at the renowned Kirkenes Snowhotel.
Hurtigruten sees the new route as a direct response to current travel trends: “Authentic winter experiences have never been more popular with British travelers,” explains Hayley Moore. “With ‘Northern Delights,’ we’ve created an itinerary that truly meets this demand, immersing passengers in the beauty, wilderness, adventure, and uniqueness of the Arctic North, creating a memorable experience that only Hurtigruten can offer.”.
Some of the selected departures for the 2026/27 winter season are:
- December 6, 2026
- January 5, 24 and 31, 2027
- February 2, 16 and 21, 2027
- March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2027
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