Niche Cruise Lines

Hurtigruten

120 years of coastal voyages

The coastline between Bergen and Kirkenes is over 1,490 miles long, and in the 19th Century almost all of it was home to rich fishing grounds. The maritime maps were unreliable and there were only a few lighthouses, especially in the north. This important seaway was lined with perilous reefs, small islands and narrow inlets, and it was essential that a safe trade route be established to link the southern and northern regions of Norway.

Hurtigruten

When the Norwegian government decided to create a connection between the north and the south, Richard With and his friend Anders Holthe took on the challenge of thoroughly mapping the seas along the coastline. In 1893, Captain Richard Withs steamer, DS Vesteraalen, was brought into regular service along the coast of Norway, and Hurtigruten was established. The service offered several weekly departures, first from Trondheim to Hammerfest and later from Bergen to Kirkenes in only seven days. He called this important connection Hurtigruten (the fast route).

120 years later, we still carry freight and passengers. Our captains use their extensive maritime expertise to ensure that guests and goods are safely carried from port to port. Today, as then, the Hurtigruten ships are a part of Norwegian coastal life. One of the fleets 11 ships departs Bergen daily, sailing to Kirkenes and back in 12 days at an average speed of 15 knots.

Destinations - Hurtigruten Cruises:

Antarctica | Arctic | Europe | Greenland | Norway

Ships Detail:

Quark Expeditions

Polar Experts Since 1991
Since 1991, Quark Expeditions has specialized in expedition cruising to the Arctic and Antarctica, in ships with ice-strengthened hulls or in icebreakers. Polar travelers will enjoy unparalleled technical expertise, leadership and passion for expedition trips to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Our first voyage - The Transpolar Bridge Cruise - began July 27, 1991, in Murmansk, Russia. The ship was the nuclear powered icebreaker Sovetskiy Soyuz, an older sister of 50 Years of Victory. She sailed across the top of the world via Franz Josef Land, the North Pole, the New Siberian Islands, the Wrangel Island area and the Chukotka Peninsula. That first group of adventurers disembarked in Provideniya. Our second adventure began in that same city on August 18, 1991.

Our Ships: Polar Adventure Ships and Icebreakers
We have the largest and most diverse fleet of adventure ships in the Antarctic and Arctic. Travelers choose from more departures and a greater variety of itineraries than is available anywhere else. Within the fleet is the only nuclear-powered icebreaker - 50 Years of Victory - sailing to the North Pole. Every ship is equipped with Zodiacs - inflatable landing craft - for shore transfers and ocean-level cruising.

Our Polar Adventure Ships are platforms for optional sea-kayaking, camping, mountaineering and cross-country skiing. Their small size enables them to sail channels and bays through which our icebreakers cannot sail. The ability to get close to landscapes and wildlife make these vessels extraordinary base camps for photographers.

None of our vessels carries more than 128 travelers from around the world - Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America and Africa. All share a preference for travel to remote wilderness areas accompanied by Expedition Team members eager to share their knowledge and love for the Arctic and Antarctica.

Ships Detail:

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Cruises is the only home porting cruise operator in Greece and the preeminent cruise line for the Greek Islands and Turkey.

The Celestyal logo evokes the sea, the sun and the wind which reflects the company’s commitment to its Hellenic roots The Eastern Mediterranean is their home, and is the only cruise line that gives its passengers an authentic Greek cruise experience. Their smaller, cozy vessels give access to a number of harbors inaccessible to larger ships, which means they can bring passengers to many of the region’s smaller islands, the little jewels of the Aegean.

A Celestyal Cruise engages all five senses and offers guests the unique opportunity to visit legendary archeological sites, to enjoy music by authentic Greek musicians and singers, to taste delicious, homemade Greek cuisine, and to sample outstanding Greek wines and spirits.

Celestyal Cruises is a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a worldwide cruise industry alliance that promotes a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. It’s operations are now certified in accordance with ISO standards: this relates to the entire spectrum of cruise ship management including technical, hotel and crew management.

You are invited to inhale the aromas of Greece and Turkey, to travel into the past…to live “Kalimera” with Celestyal Cruises.

Destinations - Louis Cruises:

Mediterranean

Ships Detail:

DESTINATIONS

Cruise ships sail to exotic destinations all over the world. Each port of call offers its own distinct blend of history, culture, scenic beauty, geography, adventure and activities. This is one of the unique benefits of a cruise vacation - you unpack once and the cruise ship will take you away from one exotic port of call to another. As a matter of fact, you sleep in one city and wake up in another!