Norway History

It's hard to imagine that until the late nineteenth century, there was no way for people to enjoy a Norway travel vacation, no daily, year-round ship service along Norway's western coast. In fact, it took as long as three weeks in the summer and five months in the winter just to send a letter from Trondheim in the center of the country, to Hammerfest above the Arctic Circle! If it took that long for a letter, it's no surprise that sharing Norway history with anxious vacationers was an impossibility. The coast had few lighthouses and there were only two marine charts of the route, which made it difficult to navigate, especially amidst the many islands and skerries in the dark, sometimes stormy, winter months.

Norway history tells us that the national steamship advisor called for an express ship service between Trondheim and Hammerfest and Captain Richard answered the charge. He'd often sailed the route, and with his pilots, kept notes on courses, speeds, and times. So on the morning of July 2, 1893, he set off in the steamship Vesteralen, and three days later reached Hammerfest. Norway history was made! This arrival sparked a revolution in Norwegian communications, finally connecting coastal inhabitants and industries to the rest of the world. By 1898, the cruise travel route had been lengthened to start at Bergen in the south, extending northward to Kirkenes, far above the Arctic Circle.

From the early time in the history of cruise ships, the operators of the Norwegian Coastal Voyage recognized the tourist potential of cruise travel. What better way to experience the Land of the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights? Such remote wonders as the ravishing Lofoten Islands with their red and gold cabins, brilliant white sand beaches, and "lynx foot" peaks could be explored.. Finally, the Trollfjord with its narrow rocky gateway was enjoyed. At last, Finnmark's wild, austere landscape and indigenous Sámi people were readily accessible to travelers. This was truly vacation history!

The history of Norwegian cruise ship travel has evolved to the point where today, thousands of people come from across the globe to sail what has been called "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage." These travelers are invited on a rich journey of Norway's coastal communities, Norway culture and their inhabitants. (They're easy to chat with since just about everyone in Norway speaks fluent English!) Plus there's the added charm of traveling on vessels that, while affording all the comforts of a cruise ship, still carry cargo to 34 ports of call every day, all the year round. Equally quaint is the occasional arrival of a local, hopping a ride from one coastal town to another.

Yet there is nothing work-a-day about a Hurtigruten cruise to Norway. Every day is like history in the making. Passengers are dazzled by an ever-changing landscape of sapphire fjords and snow-capped peaks, quaint farms nestled amidst verdant hills and bustling fishing villages hugging the rugged coast. Many of our travelers choose to venture inland to see historic sites and unusual museums. By the time their vacation is over, they will have experienced Norwegian history from the Vikings to modern times.

Norway's majestic, unspoiled landscape has earned it the ranking of the world's top vacation destination by National Geographic Traveler magazine. And Hurtigruten heads the Lonely Planet Guide's Blue List for classic voyages. Any account of the history of cruise ships to Norway surely includes our unmatched cruising adventures. This is indeed a trip for sophisticated travelers, for those who wish to experience the best the world has to offer from a truly unique vantage point.

Hurtigruten explorations including independent Norwegian fjord adventures and Norway cruises await. Request a brochure or contact a travel agent. Embark on a journey of exploration, adventure and luxury with Hurtigruten, authentic voyages to pristine lands.