The world’s leading expedition cruise line, Hurtigruten Expeditions, is adding another new region to its ever-growing list of destinations: Russia, and particularly the White Sea in Russia’s far north. This unique itinerary follows the recent additions of expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands, the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde in Western Africa, and the Canary Islands and Madeira Islands, which will all launch in 2022.
Hurtigruten Expeditions founded expedition cruising in 1896, and did the first expedition cruises the Russian Arctic more than 100 years ago.
Hurtigruten Expeditions’ new 17-day Expedition Cruise to the White Sea – Norway and Russia Adventure itinerary will depart Bergen, Norway, on October 6, 2022, and sail north along the Norwegian coast and include several of the country’s highlights: stunning fjords, the mesmerizing Lofoten Islands, visiting settlements rich in fishing traditions and Sami history, and the North Cape, the northernmost point of the European mainland.
Then follows seven days in Russia, traveling to one of the least visited parts of the country. The itinerary combines modern-day Russian cities and historic ports with expedition landings, coming ashore at rarely visited and isolated villages on the shores of the White Sea. The trip also includes visiting the fascinating Solovetsky Islands, one of Northern Russia’s iconic sights. As always, Hurtigruten Expeditions’ onboard expert team will give guests an insight into the history and culture of the places they visit.
Among the many highlights of this new itinerary, guests will be able to soak up Russian culture and history in two of its most northern cities. They will see old Soviet-era monuments and learn about the wartime and maritime past in Murmansk before taking in the beautifully preserved architecture of Arkhangelsk, the cultural and historical capital of Russia’s north.
Guests will explore Norway and Russia on board the popular MS Spitsbergen, which was named Best small cruise ship in Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice awards 2018. With only 180 guests on board, she provides a uniquely intimate and exclusive setting onboard. MS Spitsbergen also features a variety of expedition equipment, as we all as Hurtigruten Expedition’s signature state-of-the-art Science Center. The industry-leading Science Program includes a wide range of Citizen Science research projects that guests are encouraged to participate in during their trip.
Besides the new itinerary for Russia’s White Sea, MS Spitsbergen will also offer a 23-day Grand Expedition cruise from Tromsø, Norway, to Lisbon, Portugal. The journey can be cut to a smaller trip departing from Hamburg, Germany, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, or Dover, the United Kingdom, to Lisbon. The ship then continues to serve Western Africa’s waters from November of 2022 to March of 2023. It will operate sailings to the Canary Islands and Madeira Islands, and the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde from Dakar, Senegal.
To book, please visit Hurtigruten.com, call 866.552.0371 or contact your preferred travel agent.
