An Immersive Arctic Cruise On Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line
by David Nikel · ForbesExploring a remote Arctic research settlement with guards armed for unexpected—yet possible—polar bear encounters, cruising past towering glaciers, and hiking remote mountain trails are typically the domain of small expedition cruises.
Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line, however, offers a unique chance to experience the Norwegian Arctic in both comfort and style. Although not a budget trip, it comes with a smaller price tag than many luxury expedition cruises.
Launched recently, the Svalbard Line takes travelers on an immersive journey through the delights of Norway's islands and coastline, and into the Arctic wilderness.
Aboard the former coastal ferry MS Trollfjord—reimagined for this voyage—passengers will be treated to day-long views, fine dining, and a focus on cultural enrichment, all illuminated by the glow of the midnight sun. Here’s what to expect on the Svalbard Line.
A Deeper Svalbard Experience
This isn’t the only cruise to visit Svalbard, but it’s one of the few to spend time exploring the Arctic landscape beyond a visit to Longyearbyen.
An early morning arrival into the Isfjord is interrupted by a detour into a side fjord to sail past the Russian mining settlement Barentsburg and see the striking Grønfjordbreane glaciers that are visible beyond the end of the bay.
Longyearbyen—considered the world’s northernmost permanently inhabited town—serves as the turnaround point for the voyage. Six hours in port allows roundtrip guests to explore the Arctic outpost, visit a wilderness camp, enjoy a beer from the world’s northernmost commercial brewery, or even go inside a former coal mine.
Before leaving Svalbard, Trollfjord makes an early morning call at the tiny research settlement Ny-Ålesund. Only a handful of researchers from all over the world live here but important cultural heritage is preserved and makes for a fascinating few hours.
For example, the Amundsen Mast was used as an anchoring point for airships involved in polar exploration. In 1926, Amundsen’s airship Norge was tethered to this mast before its historic flight across the North Pole to Alaska. The settlement’s small museum tells the story of this and more.
The Best Of Norway’s Coastline
Although the Arctic archipelago understandably gets top billing on the Svalbard Line, it’s far from the only attraction on the itinerary. From the moment the ship sets sail from Bergen, passengers are treated to a never-ending visual feast of Norway’s breathtaking coastal landscapes.
One of the early highlights is the Helgeland coast, home to the towering Seven Sisters mountain range, the subject of ancient Norse legend that is explained by the onboard team during the sail-past.
Farther north, the stunning Lofoten Islands, known for their jagged peaks, sheltered bays, traditional fishing villages, and vibrant birdlife come into sharp focus.
Honningsvåg serves as the gateway to the North Cape. After docking, guests can disembark and take a scenic bus trip to the cape, where they can stand at what feels like the edge of the world, gazing out over the vast ocean from the iconic globe sculpture.
After exploring the North Cape from land, Trollfjord continues its journey, sailing past the towering cliff from the sea before setting sail north for Svalbard.
Small Ports Unique To The Svalbard Line
Hurtigruten has long been known for connecting Norway’s remote coastal communities, offering visitors an authentic experience of Norwegian life.
The Svalbard Line continues this tradition but introduces some intriguing stops that are typically off-limits for most cruise ships, including other Hurtigruten itineraries.
Situated miles out to sea, Træna is one of Norway’s oldest fishing communities, with a history dating back thousands of years. This remote island cluster is known for its dramatic cliffs and the famous cave Kirkhelleren, which shows evidence of human habitation dating back to the Stone Age.
Nestled at the western end of the Lofoten Islands, Reine is often described as one of Norway’s most beautiful villages. Surrounded by towering peaks that plunge into the clear blue fjords, Reine offers a picture-perfect scene with its red and white fishermen’s cabins, known as rorbuer, dotting the shoreline.
Guests have the chance to explore the traditional Lofoten way of life by hiking up Reinebringen for an unparalleled panorama of the islands.
The onboard ‘coastal experience team’ is on hand to explain excursions and independent options in the ports. All fluent in English, they give daily presentations on the upcoming ports, deliver lectures on Norwegian life, and lead hikes to notable landmarks and viewpoints in selected ports.
Delicious Coastal Dining
Norwegian nature takes top-billing on this cruise, but the dining offer runs it a close second.
Hurtigruten has long promoted ‘Norway’s coastal kitchen’ as its dining premise, serving up the best of the sea and the land of Norway’s long coastline on to the plates for its coastal diners. But on Trollfjord, the whole experience is taken to a new level.
Lavish buffets of a quality surpassing most cruise ships are served for breakfast and lunch, while a rotating menu of three-course dinners ensure guests will never go hungry.
There is a focus on fish and seafood, but there are always meat and vegan/vegetarian options available. Expect dishes such as red fish soup, grilled salmon, roasted shoulder of lamb, beetroot bourguignon, and blueberry mousse on a typical menu.
For a change, guests can choose to dine at the Sami-inspired brasserie Àrran at no extra charge, or upgrade to a five-course fine dining experience with wine pairings in Røst.
The dining offer also extends to afternoon treats served in the bar, and demonstrations and tastings hosted by the head chef on the outside deck.
An All-Inclusive Experience
All guests on Trollfjord’s Svalbard Line receive an all-inclusive package including all meals and the majority of drinks, including a great range of craft beers, wines, and Norwegian spirits. Some premium spirits and cocktails are available for an additional charge.
This isn’t a ‘booze cruise’ though, with most guests simply choosing to enjoy a quiet beer or glass of wine while gazing out of the panoramic windows, listening to the live pianist in the evenings.
Of course, an all-inclusive experience in the Norwegian Arctic doesn't come cheap. Departures for the Svalbard Line in 2025 start at $4,867 per person for the full 14-night experience, or $2,920 for just the northbound or southbound leg.
Once the journey is underway, there are few audible complaints about the price.
Considering the all-inclusive onboard offer and the experiences available throughout the trip, Hurtigruten’s Svalbard Line is a good value alternative to a luxury expedition cruise, and a wise upgrade from the Norwegian coastal route for travelers seeking more of a traditional cruise experience.