malawijay Posted February 25, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 25, 2018 My mom and I are planning a Norwegian coast sailing on Hurtigruten in December in search of the Northern Lights, and I'd like some feedback on the northbound or southbound voyage. We already know about the Hurtigruten experience and that it isn't a standard "cruise." I'm mainly looking for feedback based on ports of call. As I understand it, the same ports are called on both directions, but daytime calls in one direction are nighttime calls in the other, so excursions are different. Thanks for any feedback from your Hurtigruten experiences! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted February 25, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 25, 2018 If you Google Hurtigruten Schedule, you should be able to find the NB and SB order of ports, and also the actual times, so you'll know day/night. A similar search for Excursions should get you the NB and SB list, but note that these vary by time of year, sometimes considerably. If you browse these, then you'll have an idea of which appeal to you, and which direction/season might best fit your interests. We are heading out next week for one of their Astronomy Packages, but that was an afterthought once we noticed it. We hope to maximize the chance of seeing Northern Lights, so we are doing the RT. But the thought of that beautiful coastal scenery, and a relaxing 12 days... "priceless" as they say. :) GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted February 25, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 25, 2018 I’m doing North bound January next year. As GeezerCouple is saying it might depend if you want specific excursions or see specific venues. Please note that excursions are different north and south bound. Check sailing schedule and possible excursions. Just post your questions. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted February 25, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 25, 2018 some links to useful information Hurtigruten Sailing Plan ORDER FORM EXCURSIONS Arrival and Departure Information Handbook for voyages before 31 March 2018 Handbook for voyages after 31 March 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smbruner Posted February 27, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 27, 2018 We did the round trip this February and there are way more exciting excursions on the North Bound than when we went South. By the way, most of the sightings of the Northern Lights were once we got above the Arctic Circle and usually about 11:00 PM. If you begin your journey up north you might see the lights before you even board - if you are away from the lights of the cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombat34 Posted February 27, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 27, 2018 We are just back from completing the round trip voyage. The longer stops at the bigger towns (eg Trondheim, Alesund, Tromso) were on the northbound run during the daytime and there were more excursions on the northbound leg, but it's all down to what you are looking to experience. It's an amazing trip whichever route you decide! We got to see the northern lights on five nights out of six above the arctic circle and they would sometimes start soon after dark...5.30pm was the earliest and it caused the dining room to empty when they were announced! We would highly recommend you invest in some under-shoe removable crampons. In many ports, the conditions underfoot were treacherous and they were a life saver in terms of making getting around easier. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted February 27, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 27, 2018 We are just back from completing the round trip voyage. The longer stops at the bigger towns (eg Trondheim, Alesund, Tromso) were on the northbound run during the daytime and there were more excursions on the northbound leg, but it's all down to what you are looking to experience. It's an amazing trip whichever route you decide! We got to see the northern lights on five nights out of six above the arctic circle and they would sometimes start soon after dark...5.30pm was the earliest and it caused the dining room to empty when they were announced! We would highly recommend you invest in some under-shoe removable crampons. In many ports, the conditions underfoot were treacherous and they were a life saver in terms of making getting around easier. Hope this helps. Thanks! Our local REI suggested that we bring the crampons and just keep them in the box, so IF we were fortunate and didn't need them, we could return them. Can't beat that for service! GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitl Posted March 5, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Having done the trip in both directions, we would choose northbound if we were to go again. The long stays in ports northbound are in the ports that you might want to spend more time in. Whichever direction you choose, you will miss something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawijay Posted March 10, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thanks for your input everyone! After reviewing the choices with my mom, I let her choose and, well, we're doing the roundtrip after all! (I think it came down to her not wanted to spend the night in the Snow Hotel.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted March 10, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Thank you for the update. Good choice. Now you have to pick a ship. Have a wonderful journey. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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