Hurtigruten Re-Launches the Svalbard Express, Starts Up North Cape Express from Oslo

Next year marks the 130th anniversary of Norwegian coastal route Hurtigruten’s first voyage. Now, Hurtigruten relaunches the historical Svalbard Express from mainland Norway to Longyearbyen in Svalbard. In addition, Hurtigruten will start up a new North Cape express with regular sailings from Oslo to the North Cape.

The Svalbard Express was last operational in the period of 1968 to 1982, and it will sail again from June 2023. The route goes from Bergen, Norway to Svalbard during the summer season. The North Cape Express will go from Oslo and Bergen to Honningsvåg near North Cape during the winter season.

MS Trollfjord is the vessel selected to visit local communities along the coast and provide guests with special memories from both voyages.

The Svalbard route will operate from May to September as of 2023, whereas the winter route between Oslo and North Cape will operate from October to April. The North Cape Express will visit several ports that are not part of the traditional coastal voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes. The Svalbard Express, will a.o. visit Træna, Lofoten, Senja and Bjørnøya [Bear Island] on its way to Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard.

“We are also most pleased that we can hire more than 100 new people for our crew, including chefs, waiters, sailors and machine operators, says Hurtigruten Norway CEO Hedda Felin.