Hurtigruten vs Viking Expedition Cruises

Is Hurtigruten or Viking the right cruise line for me?

Hurtigruten and Viking both hail to Nordic roots and share a passion for informative and enriching cruise journeys. They both focus more on the destination and edutainment than the razzle dazzle and casinos found on contemporary lines. You won’t find butlers, white gloves, or formal nights on either line, and their itineraries cater for education-focused and culturally curious world travellers.

Which ships will suit me best?

Hurtigruten Expedition Ships

Hurtigruten prides themselves in having the ‘greenest fleet’ at sea, and their expedition ships are designed to deliver sustainable adventures. Each ship is different, with some like MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen being custom built with sustainable hybrid technology and others such as MS Maud and MS Otto Sverdrup a reimagination of former Hurtigruten vessels. The interior design captures elements from the ships’ beautiful surrounds and there are stylish Scandinavian touches throughout.

Facilities vary by vessel, but on each guests can enjoy a Science Centre for interactive learning and a jacuzzi for relaxation. MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Otto Sverdrup also offer a pool for guests to use. There are three restaurants on most expedition ships – with the Aune main dining room, Fredheim for casual bites, and a la carte dining in Lindstrom (fees apply). MS Fram has Aune and Lindstrom (but not Fredheim), and MS Spitsbergen has dining options found on the coastal fleet (Torget main restaurant and a bistro for casual bites) even when undertaking expedition sailings.

Staterooms and suites also vary in size and configuration, starting from inside cabins with no windows through to suites. Unlike the coastal fleet, Hurtigruten’s expedition ships offer balcony options. These are generally found in suite categories which offer more spacious accommodation than their coastal counterparts, spanning up to 48 m² (517 ft²) depending on your chosen ship.

Nordstjernen bucks the trend, with fewer facilities than the rest of the expedition fleet. Originally built for Hurtigruten’s coastal sailings, she has since been modernised for Arctic voyages. She is the smallest ship in the fleet and has an emphasis on discovery. She is equipped with a dining room and bar, a café, and a panorama lounge. There are inside and outside cabins to choose from, measuring 5 m² (54 ft²) to 13 m² (140 ft²). Most cabins are equipped with separate beds where one can be converted into a sofa, others offer upper and lower berths. There are also some cabins that do not have private bathrooms and instead share facilities.

Viking Expedition Ships

Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis share an identical design and incorporate signature Viking elements, with Scandinavian décor and an abundance of windows for lots of natural light. As working research vessels, they are equipped with spaces tailored to their expedition journeys. The Hangar is a highlight, with an enclosed marina where guests can board small excursion craft protected from the elements. The Hangar is also home to The Laboratory where scientists will undertake their research throughout the voyage. Both ships will also be equipped with two six-seater submarines to explore the underwater world’s they visit. There is also an auditorium spanning two decks to host lectures and presentations. This space boasts a retractable screen spanning almost the full width of the room, and when not in use, it gives way to floor to ceiling glass windows.

Guests can also expect some familiar venues from the Viking ocean fleet such as the Nordic inspired spa, the Living Room, and the Explorer’s Lounge. There are also three different temperature pools, a fitness centre, and a library. There are six complimentary dining options on board each ship for guests to enjoy, from Italian to Norwegian specialties and regional cuisine from around the world. Guests can also opt to dine in with 24 hour room service.

Offering a very comfortable home base for their adventures, the accommodation on board Viking’s expedition ships is spacious. Options range from 21 m² (222 ft²) Nordic Balcony Staterooms to the Owner’s Suite coming in at 114 m² (1,227 ft²) with a 74 m² (792 ft²) private garden lounge area complete with a hot tub. The entry level staterooms through to the Junior Suites have a Nordic Balcony with floor to ceiling glass with a retractable upper panel. This allows guests to enjoy the views from indoors or convert the space into an al fresco observation area. If guests are looking for a traditional outdoor balcony, they can opt for the Explorer Suite with both a private veranda and a Nordic Balcony, or the Owner’s Suite.

Which shore excursion program is better for me?

Guests will enjoy daily landings and expedition activities included in the cruise fare for both Hurtigruten and Viking. As a standout offering, Viking’s submarine experiences will be complimentary. In some destinations, there are also some optional excursions guests may choose to purchase to further their exploration.

With a focus on education, science, and the environment, both cruise lines also offer travellers the opportunity to be part of scientific programs and research. Hurtigruten expeditions welcome experts in marine biology, arctic survival, oceanography, photography, and more on board to help make your journey an unforgettable experience. Hurtigruten’s Citizen Science Projects involve guests in collaborative programs for third-party organisations. These include tracking individual whales throughout the world’s oceans, surveying seabirds, and observing and recording cloud cover to help scientists understand how surface and air temperatures are affected.

Similarly, Viking has established strong partnerships to elevate their expedition ships to floating learning laboratories. They have joined forces with the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute whose scientists will undertake fieldwork on board and on shore, and ornithologists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will regularly join expedition sailings to conduct field testing and data collection. Every expedition will have over 25 scientists and experts from a range of disciplines to make each journey a rewarding knowledge building experience. Excursions will offer guests the opportunity to participate in fascinating and rewarding scientific fieldwork.