The expansion follows that of the cruise line recent launch announcement year-round expedition cruises the Galapagos Islands from the beginning of 2022. In addition to the first African expedition cruises, Hurtigruten will also introduce a number of travel routes to the Canary Islands and Madeira for the 22/23 season.
“2022 will be one of the most adventurous years for Hurtigruten Expeditions. We start the year with our Galapagos operations in January and will be introducing our first African cruises by the end of the year, adding new unique destinations to ours Caribbean and South American expedition cruises and strengthens our global position, “said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.
“We know that our guests want to explore many different parts of the world and our ambition is to offer the most exciting travel destinations in the world that are best explored on our little ships. With the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, we offer a truly unique and remote destination that lends itself to an expedition adventure like no other, “said Lassesen.
The Hurtigruten Expedition’s first Africa adventure starts on November 27, 2022, and will be the first in a series of expedition cruises that you will visit Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands. As one of the most pristine travel destinations in the world, the Bissagos Islands offer guests a combination of distinctive wildlife and varied landscapes as they spend four days exploring the 88-island archipelago, home to hippos, dolphins, crocodiles, sea turtles, and 500 manatees is bird species.
Guests will explore Cape Verde and the Bissagos aboard the hugely popular MS Svalbard, the best small cruise ship at the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2018. With fewer than 200 guests, the small expedition cruise ship entered service in 2016 and offers an intimate and exclusive environment on board. The ship also features the Hurtigruten Expedition’s state-of-the-art science center. The industry leading science program spans a wide range of Citizen Science Research projects that guests can participate in during their trip.
Cape Verde offers a significantly different landscape than the Bissagos. The Hurtigruten Expedition itineraries spend four full days visiting ports and destinations that no other cruise ship includes. The ten rugged volcanic islands that make up the country offer a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences. In addition to colonial churches, palatial mansions, and old fortresses in many towns and cities spread across the archipelago, the islands are also a bird watcher’s haven with many migratory and endemic species crossing the islands. Other wildlife include whales, dolphins and sea turtles.
The itinerary also includes a day in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, the smallest country on the mainland Africa. All cruises out Dakar include land-based adventures as part of the itinerary. Before leaving, guests explore the impressive island of Gorée, experience the colorful colonial houses, baobabs and palm trees and immerse themselves in the dark history of this former slave island. A city tour through Dakar is included on disembarkation day, where guests experience the charming, multi-faceted city, discover their historical moments and drive along the Corniche.
The new Africa cruises of the Hurtigruten Expedition are starting Dakar on November 27th, 9th of December and 21., 2022, and January 2nd and 14, 2023.
While the Canary Islands and Madeira are well-known tourist destinations among European travelers, the Hurtigruten Expedition cruises will show a different side of these islands and focus on great hiking, national parks and cultural walking tours. Wildlife includes whales, dolphins, and various birds. Madeira is also home to endemic and invasive plant species. An optional excursion allows guests to identify and remove invasive species with a local naturalist. The five 10-day crossings to the Canary Islands and Madeira in November 2022 and January to March 2023.
To book, please visit Hurtigruten.com, call 866.552.0371 or contact your preferred travel agent.
For more information, please contact:
Lindström is different
Head of PR & Communication, America
646.944.9029
[email protected]
Please visit the Hurtigruten online media center here, where you can download high-resolution images and videos and view our press release archive.
About Hurtigruten Expeditions – the world’s leading exploration tour operator
Hurtigruten Expeditions is the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line. With sustainability and exploration in focus, we offer great adventures on small ships – and take you to some of the most spectacular areas on our planet.
If we trace our roots back to the great explorers and the golden age of exploration, curiosity, a sense of adventure, the love of our planet and the art of exploration are deeply ingrained in our DNA.
With Hurtigruten Expeditions you can join fellow explorers on adventures in over 30 countries and more than 250 destinations, including Antarctic, Alaska, Galapagos Islands, Northwest Passage, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, British Islands, South America, Caribbean, and more.
The Hurtigruten Expedition fleet, consisting of seven small, tailor-made ships, includes the world’s first cruise ships with battery hybrid propulsion – and a host of environmentally friendly technologies that enable more sustainable exploration.
SOURCE Hurtigruten
