NRK to make program about retiring MS Nordstjernen

The oldest ship in Hurtigruten's fleet is the MS Nordstjernen. Most Hurtigruten fans will know that the old lady is set to sail her last voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, in March 2012. Hurtigruten got world wide attention last summer when NRK (Norwegian state television) broadcasted five days live television from MS Nordnorge's beautiful voyage along the Norwegian coastline.

Now, to mark the last voyage of MS Nordstjernen, NRK is going to make a televison program about this veteran ship. A documentary with old footage and newer stuff to. Maybe we will get more information about MS Nordstjernen's travelling ghost? 

You might think that its strange that a televison company would use so much money and resources on Hurtigruten? After all, Hurtigruten has gotten fantastic booking respons from the attention. Well, the case is that last years five days Hurtigruten program, brought NRKs viewer statistics through the roof! So, this "partnership" is a win-win situation.

If you want to book a voyage on the last trip with MS Nordstjernen, you have to hurry. Hurtigruten is reporting that a lot of the ships relatively few cabins already have been booked, and that just a few are still available. Actually, a lot of the cabins have been booked by "Hurtigruten frequent travellers" who want to take part in MS Nordstjernen's last voyage. It sure will be sad to say farewell to this ship. Amazingly, she's been sailing since the mid 1950ties!

(Picture borrowed from Hurtigruten.)

A last word of consolation for you, if you love this veteran ship: before retiring completely from Hurtigruten she will sail a last season on Spitsbergen!

Hurtigruten 365 - life aboard the MS Midnatsol

In 2006 NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Company) made av TV series about Hurtigruten. It was called "Hurtigruten 365" and consists of 20 episodes, where you can follow the crew aboard the MS Midnatsol. Ever wondered what life is like working on one of Hurtigruten's ships? Now you can find out.

All of these episodes can be viewed on NRK's website, but I'm not sure if access is limited to Norwegian viewers only, or if the episodes are available for everybody (please leave a comment if you're not from Norway and can/can't see the episodes). The language is Norwegian of course. Anyway, follow this link to Hurtigruten 365 and check it out! (Click on "Se episodene her".)

(Picture borrowed from Hurtigruten.)

NRK to broadcast live from Hurtigruten's voyage from Bergen til Kirkenes!

(Photo borrowed from Hurtigruten.)

Norwegian broadcasting company NRK has set aside five days of it's schedule to broadcast live from Hurtigruten's ship MS Nordnorge's voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes. 


This beautiful journey along Norway's magnificent coastline has already been an experience of a lifetiem for thousands of passengers from around the world.

As the Hurtigruten ships sail north and pass the Arctic Circle, the panorama of the Norwegian coastline is clearly visible even through the night. As you might know, the sun doesn't set during the summer months, and the midnight sun shines almost as bright as the day.

For many, a trip to Norway and travelling with Hurtigruten is a dream. A dream that really should be fulfilled! Until such a realization (and for some days between 16 and 22 June) you can follow Hurtigruten's MS Nordnorge on its journey from Bergen to Kirkenes. Watch in full screen!

Update 22 June: The live broadcast is now over, what a few days it has been! MS Nordnorge has been greeted by cheering people in small and larger communities and towns. NRK's broadcast became a national event, which also received considerable attention abroad! Below you can see some of what you can experience with Hurtigruten.

NRK paying for massive advertising campaign for Hurtigruten

The headline of this post may be a bit exaggerated, but on the 15th of January 2011 NRK (the Norwegian Broadcasting Company) announced that it will make a five-day continuous live broadcast from one of the Hurtigruten's ships sailing along the Norwegian coast. The national TV-channel NRK2 has cleared space on its television schedule, and for five days (8040 minutes) the viewers all over the world (it will be broadcasted on the Internet as well) will get a unique insight into what Hurtigruten can offer, cruising along the 2500 nautical miles of spectacular Norwegian nature.

NRK has earlier made a similar broadcast with NSB's (Norways biggest train company) route between Oslo and Bergen. This broadcast was supprisingly a big success. There is no doubt that this will show Hurtigruten's product in a unique way for potensial guests from all over the world.

The value of such a live broadcast on a national TV-channel, one can only speculate about. But it is no doubt that the broadcast and media discussion around this will be worth millions in advertising money for Hurtigruten. Also, the ripple effects of this project is important for the tourism industry in Norway, and perhaps especially for the tourism businesses that are highly dependent on Hurtigruten and its passengers.