Interested in cruising Norway but aren’t keen on large ships? Norway’s Hurtigruten could have an ideal solution for you. Check out these intriguing new itineraries that explore the Arctic region and the Norwegian fjords.
Hurtigruten is expanding its “Signature Voyages” concept with a series of new sailings for the 2027–28 autumn and winter seasons, offering travelers more alternatives to the traditional Norwegian coastal route.
The new itineraries will operate on MS Trollfjord, the ship currently used for the North Cape Line and the Svalbard Line.
I sailed northbound on the Svalbard Line last year, and the experience felt markedly different from the classic Bergen–Kirkenes coastal voyage.
These sailings are closer to a small-ship cruise than a working coastal ferry. Unlike typical Hurtigruten ships, there are no local passengers hopping between ports.
Stops are longer. Some departures include overnight stays. And the overall feel is more all-inclusive and immersive, with meals and drinks included under Hurtigruten’s “Norway’s Coastal Kitchen” concept.
The best way to understand the concept? Check out my videos from my trip. This one is about the Svalbard Line experience, but this one is about what to expect from the ship itself:
Three New Signature Routes
The expansion introduces three themed itineraries, all available only during selected spring, autumn and winter months in 2027 and 2028.
Inner Fjords Explorer (Bergen–Ålesund–Bergen) focuses on some of the country’s best-known fjords including the Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord, the Nordfjord and the Lysefjord. The roundtrip from Bergen is designed to go deeper into the fjords, with more time in port and an emphasis on seasonal scenery, whether spring light or autumn colour.
The Arctic Circle Explorer (Tromsø–Honningsvåg–Tromsø) is positioned as a winter voyage in search of the northern lights. Ports include Alta, the North Cape and destinations in Lofoten, with limited departures planned. What I particularly like about this concept is the flexible scenic sailing plan, which increases the chances of the ship being able to find clear skies, and therefore, the northern lights.
The most ambitious addition is The Arctic Lineoperating between Copenhagen and Tromsø in both directions. This 11- or 12-day sailing connects Denmark’s capital with Arctic Norway, combining fjords, Helgeland’s island-studded coastline, Lofoten and extended time north of the Arctic Circle.
Hurtigruten says the route includes up to six nights within the aurora zone on winter departures.
How It Differs From the Classic Coastal Route
For many travellers, Hurtigruten still means the original coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes, which continues to operate as a working service calling at dozens of small communities.
The Signature Voyages are something else entirely. Where the traditional route stops briefly at many ports, these sailings visit fewer destinations but stay longer. The onboard atmosphere also shifts.
With no cargo operations and no short-hop local passengers, the focus moves firmly towards curated excursions, onboard lectures and regional cuisine.
In my experience on the Svalbard Line, that translated into a quieter, more cohesive passenger group and a schedule that allowed time to actually explore rather than simply step ashore for 30 minutes.
A Limited-Season Experiment
Hurtigruten is positioning these new departures as limited-season offerings, available only during selected months in 2027 and 2028. That suggests a degree of experimentation, testing demand for more cruise-style coastal exploration outside the busy summer peak.
It also reflects a broader shift in Norwegian coastal travel. As international interest grows, Hurtigruten seems keen to carve out products that sit somewhere between expedition cruising and the historic coastal express.
For travelers considering Norway in the shoulder or winter seasons, these sailings offer a different way to experience the coast.
Not the everyday rhythm of a working ship serving local communities, but a slower, more immersive journey shaped around scenery, food and time in port.
As someone who has experienced one of these voyages firsthand, the distinction is clear. The Signature concept feels less like transport and more like intention. Whether that appeals will depend on what you want from the Norwegian coast.