New Year's Eve 2025 among the Norwegian Fjords: cruising with the Coastal Express

The Norwegian cruise aboard the Coastal Express along the scenic coast and fjords of Norway is universally considered one of the most enchanting journeys in the world, especially when experienced during the last night of the year to celebrate an unconventional, romantic, and unforgettable New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve among the Norwegian fjords? Here's everything you need to know to organize a wonderful cruise.

The Norwegian fjords represent one of the most fascinating natural landscapes on the planet, with dark sea tongues winding between steep mountains, green islets, and colorful houses.

There are over 1,000 fjords throughout the country to explore, each with its unique features for close contact with the enchanting Norwegian landscape.

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To experience this travel adventure on New Year's Eve with a cruise along the fjords of the Norwegian coast, nothing beats the iconic ships of the Coastal Express (Hurtigruten in Norwegian) in red, black, and white that have navigated the waters along the coast for over 100 years, providing a valuable service for freight delivery and passenger transport to over 30 ports, most of which are rarely reached by commercial operators or cruise ships.

The Coastal Express/Hurtigruten has a long and illustrious history. Its Norwegian meaning of "express route" refers to the original use of the route to facilitate the transport of goods between the two ends of the country, whereas today, it is synonymous with a pleasant and relaxed style of travel along the western and northern coast of Norway between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes, deep in the Arctic north.

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The approximately 1,255 kilometers of coastline between the two destinations is dotted with spectacular fjords, historic towns, seabirds, and incomparable marine life and, at certain times of the year, the mesmerizing display of the aurora borealis.

The original Coastal Express route consists of a 6-day one-way journey or a 12-day round trip, going from Bergen to Kirkenes near the Russian border, through over 100 fjords and 34 stops along the way, with most northern ports visited at night being revisited during the day on the way south, allowing the discovery of majestic fjords, mountains, cosmopolitan cities, market towns, and isolated villages.

During the voyage, Coastal Express passengers can see a wide diversity of landscapes and experience new emotions and experiences, thanks to significant climatic and temperature changes along the coast that take the ships from the temperate regions of the southern coast to the wild and desolate highlands of Finnmark.

At higher latitudes, the seasons are marked by more drastic changes in daylight hours and the intensity of the color range.

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The ports of call vary in size and purpose. Some belong to tiny island communities that rely on Hurtigruten ships for food, mail, and other essential supplies and personal transport needs.

Others are home to much larger communities whose wealth is due to their history in the fishing, shipbuilding, or mining industries.

Bergen, at the start of the journey, is perhaps the most well-known location, with its Hanseatic mercantile history, museums, shops, and galleries, and the funicular that offers spectacular rides to the summit of Mount Fløyen.

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It is the second largest city in the country and is a place of cultural, historical, and natural wonders.

Known as the "Gateway to the Fjords," it is positioned on the southern coastline like a fishing village with colorful wooden houses, trendy restaurants, and shops lining the Bryggen wharf, a former dock that has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Its vibrant fish market, funicular, and the spectacular fjords of Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord make it one of the most interesting destinations in Norway.

The stop at the charming Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, rebuilt after a devastating fire in the early 20th century, allows visitors to see a stunning aquarium built on the coast.

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The fairytale landscapes of Geiranger are considered among the most beautiful fjords in Norway and the world, so much so that they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides, the Geirangerfjord is adorned with impressive waterfalls and some of the panoramic hiking trails that overlook the cliffs of mountains plunging into the sea and powerful waterfalls like the iconic Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil.

Trondheim is home to one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Europe, Nidaros, and features a large number of picturesque wooden buildings, including the magnificent Stiftsgården palace.

Worth a visit are also the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago within the Arctic Circle boasting stunning natural landscapes with towering mountains, rugged shorelines, pristine waterways, and picturesque colorful fishing villages illuminated by Arctic light during the day or the aurora borealis at night, enveloping everything in a unique atmosphere.

Here you can visit the main port village of Svolvær, go birdwatching, sail on the icy waters off Unstad, and admire the rorbuer stilt houses built along the waterfront.

Harstad is the ideal place to taste the best herring in Norway, while Hammerfest is the northernmost city in the world that, despite this, remains mostly ice-free, thanks to the warming effects of the nearby Gulf Stream.

Another highlight of the journey is at Honningsvåg, the gateway to North Cape, the northernmost point of the European continent and a rugged cliff that plunges into the Arctic Ocean. In winter, endless stretches of snow cover a landscape of treeless plains, picturesque fishing villages, and reindeer.

Kirkenes is the turnaround point where the coastal journey turns back south to Bergen and is located just 10 kilometers from the Russian border.

During the journey north through the Arctic Circle and toward the beginning of a new year, passengers, accommodated in a wide selection of comfortable cabins, have the opportunity to observe the scenery unfolding outside through large windows or a distinctive porthole.

Some suites even benefit from a private balcony. The vistas set the tone for the journey itself, which aims to transport passengers away from their hectic lives on land to immerse themselves in unique landscapes.

Life on board is relaxed and friendly, the cuisine is in traditional Norwegian style, and all passengers will discover that there is a culture of sharing travel experiences with their fellow voyagers, with the pride of being part of a historical tradition.

Moreover, on board, travelers can learn about Norwegian mythology, Viking history, World War II, and contemporary issues through architecture and maritime museums.

To add further interest to the journey, all the ships are also working vessels.

Their regular stops at the 34 ports along the route offer the curious passenger the opportunity to observe the loading and unloading of cargo while admiring the port areas. Many of the smaller ports of call will not be announced, but passengers can disembark for quick stops of 15 to 30 minutes.

Longer stops allow passengers to book excursions and expeditions in Lapland, on glaciers in Bodø, dog sledding in Tromsø, and king crab fishing in Kirkenes.

Each cruise ship in the Hurtigruten fleet has a distinct style and character, ensuring that no two journeys are ever the same. To guarantee that passengers have a spectacular view of the aurora borealis while aboard their ship, the Coastal Express offers a guarantee of a second trip free if the lights are not sighted during the first journey.

For more information, visit the official website.