Hurtigruten hives off expedition cruises from coastal voyagesHurtigruten hives off expedition cruises from coastal voyages

Hurtigruten Expeditions

Chief Commercial Officer Asta Lassesen was appointed CEO of Hurtigruten’s global expedition cruise operations. Hurtigruten Expeditions will operate a fleet of eight vessels serving more than 250 destinations from pole to pole, ranging from the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Norway, Svalbard and British Isles to the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica.

Year-round UK/Germany and full Alaska season

Starting in 2021, the company will operate several new itineraries, including year-round departures from the UK and Germany, and a full Alaska season, which had been planned for 2020.

'As Hurtigruten continues to grow our expedition cruise offering, we will keep doing what we do best: Combining almost 130 years of exploration with cutting-edge innovation and our unparalleled commitment to sustainability to deliver unique experiences in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations,' Lassesen said.

'We go where the big ships can’t, taking you far beyond the ordinary and closer to communities and nature,' she added, 'while exploring the true beauty of our planet in a more sustainable way.'

Hurtigruten Norway

From 2021, Hurtigruten’s coastal operation will consist of seven ships operating under a separate entity, with a CEO to be named.

Hurtigruten has been plying the Norwegian coast continuously since 1893. Its iconic 2,500-nautical-mile voyage between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes on the Russian border combines local travelers, goods and cruisers, visiting and serving 34 communities.

Skeldam reports strong demand from second half 2021

'For [the] second half of 2021 and beyond, we are seeing a strong demand across all markets and all destinations, including the Norwegian coast, the Arctic and Antarctica,' said Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam, who oversees the 15-ship operation.

'The demand reflects our predictions that expedition cruises, with all our advantages such as smaller ships, more flexibility and fewer guests, will prove even more popular post-COVID-19,' he said.

Hurtigruten recently opened sales select 2022/2023 voyages, including Antarctica and the Arctic.