Holland America Line vs Hurtigruten Coastal Express

The core difference

Holland America Line and Hurtigruten Coastal Express both attract mature travellers to Northern European waters, and their Norwegian Fjords programmes create a superficial overlap that prompts many Australians to ask how they compare. The answer is straightforward: these are entirely different products serving overlapping geographies but fundamentally different needs.

Holland America is a heritage ocean cruise line — founded in 1873, steeped in Dutch maritime tradition, and operating 11 ships across four classes carrying between 1,432 and 2,668 passengers. The fleet sails globally, from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, and extended world voyages. Onboard, Holland America delivers Music Walk venues with live blues, rock, and piano; speciality restaurants with Culinary Council chef partnerships; America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows; a casino on every ship; production shows on the World Stage; and cabin categories ranging from 143-square-foot insides to the 1,290-square-foot Pinnacle Suite. The line caters predominantly to travellers aged 55 and over who want quality, enrichment, and a classic cruise experience with smart-casual elegance.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express is a working mail and passenger route that has connected Norwegian coastal communities since 1893. Seven ships operate on a single route between Bergen and Kirkenes — 2,500 nautical miles, 34 ports, 12 days. The ships carry cargo, mail, and local Norwegians alongside international tourists. There is no casino, no spa, no pool, no entertainment programme, and no enrichment lectures. The dining is a single restaurant serving included Norwegian meals. The experience is the Norwegian coastline — fjords, fishing villages, the Lofoten Islands, the Arctic Circle, and the Northern Lights in winter. Hurtigruten is not a cruise. It is scenic transport with comfortable accommodation.

The comparison is relevant because both serve the Norwegian Fjords — one of the most requested Northern European itineraries. But the experience of sailing Norway on Holland America versus Hurtigruten is the difference between watching a documentary about Norway in a comfortable cinema and walking through Norway itself.

What is actually included

The inclusions comparison highlights the product gap between a premium cruise line and a working coastal service.

Holland America includes in the base fare: stateroom accommodation; main Dining Room meals; Lido Market buffet; casual dining at Grand Dutch Cafe, Dive-In, and New York Pizza; afternoon tea; 24-hour room service with a basic menu; fitness centre and pool access; World Stage productions and live music; America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows; EXC Talks and destination programming; and BBC Earth In Concert screenings.

Holland America does not include: gratuities (US$17 per person per day); alcoholic beverages; speciality dining surcharges (US$29–$55 per person plus 18 per cent service fee); Wi-Fi; thermal suite access; shore excursions; and the Have It All package (approximately US$55 per day) that bundles drinks, one to three speciality dining evenings, Wi-Fi, and a shore excursion credit.

Hurtigruten includes in the fare: cabin accommodation; breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant; access to panoramic lounges and observation decks; port calls at all 34 scheduled stops; and the Northern Lights Promise on winter sailings of 11 days or more.

Hurtigruten does not include: alcoholic beverages; Wi-Fi; shore excursions; entertainment (none exists); spa facilities (none exist); and gratuities.

Both lines exclude drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions from base fares. But Holland America at least offers these as bookable options — beverage packages, the Have It All bundle, and a full shore excursion programme. Hurtigruten charges for drinks and Wi-Fi but has no entertainment to sell, no spa to access, and a limited excursion programme. The practical difference is that Holland America gives you choices to make; Hurtigruten gives you a window to look through.

Dining and culinary experience

The dining comparison illustrates the gap between a premium cruise kitchen and an honest Norwegian galley.

Holland America’s dining offers variety and culinary ambition. The main Dining Room serves a rotating multi-course menu each evening. Speciality restaurants carry surcharges: Pinnacle Grill steakhouse (US$46 dinner); Rudi’s Sel de Mer Mediterranean bistro (US$55); Canaletto Italian (US$29); Tamarind pan-Asian (US$35); and Nami Sushi Japanese omakase (US$55). The Culinary Council — led by Rudi Sodamin with Jonnie Boer, Andy Matsuda, and Jacques Torres — brings genuine celebrity-chef credibility. America’s Test Kitchen delivers live cooking shows and hands-on workshops fleet-wide. Grand Dutch Cafe serves complimentary Dutch heritage fare. The Have It All package includes one to three speciality dining evenings. Club Orange, at US$15 to $25 per day, adds a dedicated restaurant and enhanced breakfast. The variety is substantial — 8 to 10 dining venues on Pinnacle-class ships.

Hurtigruten operates a single restaurant serving three included meals daily. Breakfast is a Scandinavian buffet. Lunch offers soups, salads, and hot dishes. Dinner is a set menu changing daily to reflect coastal regions. The standout is the Arctic Menu on northern sailings — fresh king crab, stockfish, reindeer, and other Arctic specialities. A small cafe serves light snacks and paid beverages. The food is honest, fresh, and Norwegian. There are no surcharges because there is only one restaurant.

Holland America offers breadth, culinary partnerships, and premium dining options. Hurtigruten offers simplicity and regional authenticity. Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill steak and Nami Sushi omakase are world-class at-sea dining. Hurtigruten’s king crab dinner pulled from Arctic waters that morning is an unreplicable local experience. For food-motivated travellers, Holland America delivers more. For travellers who value local authenticity over culinary theatre, Hurtigruten’s simple approach has its own charm.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation comparison spans premium cruise staterooms and working-vessel cabins.

Holland America’s stateroom range runs from inside cabins at 143 square feet to the Pinnacle Suite at 1,290 square feet. Verandah staterooms (228 to 405 square feet) are the most popular category. Spa Verandah staterooms sit near the Greenhouse Spa with yoga mats and upgraded amenities. Lanai Staterooms on Pinnacle-class ships offer direct Promenade Deck access. Neptune and Pinnacle suites include the Neptune Lounge — a private concierge space with cocktail parties, complimentary laundry, and priority embarkation. The accommodation is well-designed, with quality bedding, adequate storage, and increasingly modern finishes on refurbished ships.

Hurtigruten’s cabins range from compact inside rooms of approximately 60 to 80 square feet to expedition suites of 350 to 450 square feet. The majority are inside or outside rooms without balconies. Seven ships span different eras — some cabins are functional working-vessel spaces; others offer reasonable comfort on refurbished ships. Expect practical furnishings, adequate plumbing, and clean but unpolished design.

The smallest Holland America cabin is more than twice the size of the smallest Hurtigruten cabin. Holland America offers verandahs, suites, and a dedicated suite-class experience. Hurtigruten offers functional rooms on a working vessel. The quality gap in accommodation hardware, design, and amenities is substantial.

Pricing and value

The pricing comparison reflects different product categories at different price points.

Holland America’s directional pricing for a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise (per person): inside cabin from approximately US$115 to $150 per night; verandah from approximately US$175 to $230 per night. Add the Have It All package at US$55 per day for drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion credit. A verandah with Have It All reaches approximately US$230 to $285 per night.

Hurtigruten’s directional pricing for the full 12-day round trip: inside cabin from approximately GBP 100 per person per night; outside from approximately GBP 125 per night; suite from approximately GBP 210 per night. Meals are included; everything else is additional.

Holland America costs roughly twice Hurtigruten for comparable cabin types. The gap narrows when Holland America’s Have It All adds drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion credits that Hurtigruten does not offer at any price. But the products are not comparable — a premium cruise with 8-plus restaurants, live music venues, a casino, and global destination coverage versus a single-route working vessel with basic meals and no amenities.

For Australian travellers, the value equation strongly favours Holland America in practical terms. Holland America deploys from Sydney with AUD pricing — no international flights required. Hurtigruten requires AU$2,500 to $4,000 per person in return flights to Bergen. A Hurtigruten 12-day round trip plus Australian return flights can approach AU$8,000 to $12,000 per person — overlapping with Holland America’s Norwegian Fjords cruise with Have It All package, flights from Australia, and a few nights in a European city before or after.

Spa and wellness

The wellness comparison is defined by Holland America’s infrastructure and Hurtigruten’s absence.

Holland America’s Greenhouse Spa & Salon operates on all 11 ships. The thermal suite includes a hydrotherapy pool with specialty jets, heated ceramic loungers, steam rooms, dry sauna, and ocean-view windows. A day pass costs approximately US$49; a voyage pass runs US$149 to $299. The fitness centre and basic classes are complimentary. Speciality classes (spinning, yoga, Pilates) carry surcharges. Spa treatments range from US$100 to $300 depending on service.

Hurtigruten has no spa facilities. Some ships have basic exercise equipment. The wellness experience is the Arctic air and the coastal scenery.

For travellers who value spa access, Holland America is the only option. The Greenhouse Spa’s hydrotherapy pool and heated loungers are a quality facility, though the daily pass fee means it is not complimentary.

Entertainment and enrichment

The entertainment comparison reveals one of the starkest contrasts between any two products on this site.

Holland America delivers the best live music at sea. The Music Walk concept is a genuine differentiator — B.B. King’s Blues Club with an eight-piece band, Rolling Stone Rock Room with classic rock, and Billboard Onboard interactive piano bar on Pinnacle-class ships create a lively evening circuit. The World Stage hosts productions with 270-degree LED screens and BBC Earth In Concert wildlife films with live orchestral soundtrack. A full casino operates nightly. America’s Test Kitchen cooking shows are genuinely popular. EXC enrichment talks and destination programming provide intellectual content. The entertainment programme serves morning to midnight.

Hurtigruten has no entertainment. No theatre, no shows, no live music, no casino, no lectures, no enrichment programme. Occasional scenic commentary accompanies key passages. Guests watch the scenery, read, photograph the coastline, and retire early. The entertainment is Norway.

The gap could not be wider. Holland America’s Music Walk — particularly B.B. King’s Blues Club — generates genuine evening energy. Hurtigruten’s panoramic lounge generates genuine evening stillness. Both have their devotees, and many experienced travellers appreciate both experiences at different times. But anyone expecting evening entertainment on Hurtigruten will be disappointed, and anyone hoping for quiet contemplation on a Music Walk evening will need to find a quieter corner of the ship.

Holland America’s enrichment programme — America’s Test Kitchen, EXC Talks, destination speakers, and BBC Earth partnerships — provides cultural content that Hurtigruten does not attempt. For travellers who want their scenery contextualised by expert lectures and cooking demonstrations, Holland America delivers. For travellers who trust the scenery to speak for itself, Hurtigruten’s unmediated experience has purity.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet and destination comparison reveals fundamentally different ambitions and scales.

Holland America operates 11 ships across four classes, sailing the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Caribbean, Australia, Asia, and extended world voyages. Norwegian Fjords itineraries depart from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and other Northern European homeports with 7 to 14-day programmes covering Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, Stavanger, and Flam. Three ships deploy to Northern Europe each summer. Alaska, with over 75 years of heritage and up to six ships, is Holland America’s crown jewel. The 133-day Grand World Voyage covers six continents. The fleet spans 27 years of shipbuilding from Volendam (1999) to Rotterdam (2021).

Hurtigruten Coastal Express operates seven ships on one route. Bergen to Kirkenes and back, 34 ports, 12 days, every day of the year since 1893. The programme is a single Norwegian coastal route — 2,500 nautical miles in one country.

For travellers who want Norwegian scenery as one part of a broader cruising programme, Holland America offers Norway alongside Alaska, the Mediterranean, Australia, and the world. For travellers whose primary interest is the full Norwegian coastal route — every fjord, every fishing village, every Arctic port — Hurtigruten’s 34-stop itinerary is unmatched by anything Holland America or any other cruise line offers.

Where each line excels

Holland America Line excels in:

• Live music and evening entertainment. B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard deliver the best live music at sea. The casino, World Stage shows, and BBC Earth In Concert add evening variety.
• Global destination coverage. Eleven ships covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Caribbean, Australia, Asia, and world voyages — vastly broader than Hurtigruten’s single route.
• Alaska expertise. Over 75 years, up to six ships, Glacier Bay permits, and the deepest Alaska programme in the industry.
• Culinary variety. Pinnacle Grill, Nami Sushi, Tamarind, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and America’s Test Kitchen deliver a dining programme Hurtigruten cannot approach.
• Australian accessibility. Sydney deployments, AUD pricing, Carnival Australia office support, and a two-ship Australian programme expanding for 2026/27.
• Accommodation range. From 143-square-foot insides to the 1,290-square-foot Pinnacle Suite, with Neptune Lounge suite-class benefits.
• Loyalty programme. The five-tier Mariner Society provides escalating benefits for frequent cruisers.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express excels in:

• The Norwegian coastal route. Thirty-four ports in 12 days — the most comprehensive Norwegian coastal experience available. No cruise line replicates this depth.
• Northern Lights viewing. Winter sailings above the Arctic Circle with the Northern Lights Promise guarantee — a free return voyage if the aurora does not appear.
• Authentic working-vessel character. Cargo, mail, and local passengers create an atmosphere no purpose-built cruise ship can replicate.
• Scenic immersion. The Lofoten Islands, Trollfjord, Geirangerfjord (summer), the Arctic Circle crossing, and 34 port calls provide continuous, unmediated Norwegian scenery.
• Affordability. Starting from approximately GBP 100 per night with included meals — a fraction of Holland America’s Norwegian Fjords pricing.
• Year-round daily departures. One ship departs Bergen northbound and one departs Kirkenes southbound every day of the year.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Holland America

35-Day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation (Noordam, departing November 2026). A full loop of the Australian coast with overnights in Fremantle and Hobart. Holland America’s signature Australian offering — no flights required.

7-Night Norwegian Fjords (ex-Amsterdam or Copenhagen, multiple ships). Bergen, Geiranger, Alesund, and Stavanger on a premium ship with Music Walk entertainment, speciality dining, and comfortable accommodation. Accessible from Australia via Amsterdam or Copenhagen with one-stop flights.

14-Day Great Alaska Explorer (Noordam, roundtrip Seattle). Holland America’s crown jewel destination with Glacier Bay permits and 75 years of regional expertise. Fly-cruise packages available through the Australian office.

133-Day Grand World Voyage (Volendam, roundtrip Fort Lauderdale). Fifty-one ports across six continents. Bookable in segments for Australians who cannot commit to the full voyage.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express

12-Day Classic Round Voyage (Bergen to Kirkenes to Bergen). The definitive Norwegian coastal experience — both directions, all 34 ports, the full 2,500 nautical miles. If making the trip from Australia, this is the voyage to do.

6 or 7-Day Northern Lights Voyage (northbound, October to March). The condensed winter option with the Arctic Circle crossing, Tromso, the North Cape, and the Northern Lights Promise.

Port-to-Port Segments. Shorter sections — Bergen to Alesund, Tromso to Kirkenes — bookable for Australians incorporating Hurtigruten into a broader Scandinavian holiday.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Holland America

Rotterdam — The best introduction to Holland America. The newest Pinnacle-class ship (2021) with the full Music Walk, World Stage with 270-degree LED screens, and the most refined public spaces in the fleet.

Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam — The other two Pinnacle-class ships offering the same amenities as Rotterdam. Both highly rated for food and service.

Noordam — The primary Australian-season ship. Vista-class (2006) with solid fundamentals, deploying from Sydney for 2026/27 alongside Westerdam.

Avoid Volendam or Zaandam as a first Holland America experience — at 25-plus years old, they do not represent the line at its best.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express

MS Trollfjord — The largest and most modern vessel. Best for first-time Hurtigruten travellers wanting the most comfortable experience.

MS Vesteralen — The smallest and most characterful. Recently refurbished. Best for those seeking authentic working-vessel atmosphere.

Any ship — The route is identical on every vessel. Choose on departure date and cabin availability.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian relevance of these two products differs dramatically, and this distinction drives the practical choice for most Australian travellers.

Holland America has substantial and growing Australian presence. Noordam deploys to Sydney each season with 14 to 35-day itineraries. Westerdam joins for 2026/27, doubling the Australian capacity to 26 itineraries. The Australian office at 171 Clarence Street in Sydney, operating under the Carnival Australia umbrella, provides AUD pricing, local sales support, and agent booking infrastructure via the POLAR Online system. Fly-cruise packages for Alaska and European itineraries are bookable through the Australian office. The 35-day Legendary Australia Circumnavigation and 14-day Australia and New Zealand itineraries are standout domestic offerings.

Hurtigruten Coastal Express has no Australian presence. The service operates exclusively on the Norwegian coast. There are no Australian departures, no AUD pricing, no Australian sales office, and no fly-free promotions. Australians must arrange return flights to Bergen — typically AU$2,500 to $4,000 per person — plus accommodation and transfers independently.

For Australians who want Norwegian Fjords, Holland America provides a comfortable, well-supported pathway. Norwegian Fjords itineraries sail from Amsterdam or Copenhagen — both accessible from Australian gateways via one-stop flights. The onboard experience includes speciality dining, Music Walk entertainment, EXC enrichment talks, and comfortable verandah staterooms. Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty programme compounds benefits across multiple voyages.

For Australians who specifically want the full Norwegian coastal route — all 34 ports, the working-vessel experience, the Northern Lights Promise — Hurtigruten is the only way to get it. But the trip requires dedicated planning, independent flights, and significantly more logistical effort than booking a Holland America Norwegian Fjords cruise through the Sydney office.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmospheric comparison captures two very different modes of being at sea.

Holland America’s atmosphere is classic, warm, and gently lively. The ships feel like refined ocean liners — teak promenades, art collections, fresh flowers, and public spaces that reward exploration. Music Walk venues create genuine evening energy. B.B. King’s Blues Club has guests dancing who had no intention of leaving their seats. Gala Nights bring out the dinner jackets. The casino adds a social element. The passenger demographic skews mature — approximately 75 per cent aged 55 and over — but the atmosphere is engaged and sociable. Service is consistently praised, winning Cruise Critic’s “Best Service” award four consecutive years through 2025.

Hurtigruten’s atmosphere is quiet, contemplative, and Norwegian. The panoramic lounges fill with guests watching the coastline in companionable silence. The rhythm is dictated by port arrivals — some as brief as 15 minutes for cargo exchange, others long enough for a shoreside walk. Evenings are early and quiet. The passenger mix is international but weighted toward Northern Europeans. The age range spans from backpackers to retirees, though the majority of international tourists are over 55. The mood is meditative — a ship full of people watching one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines unfold without commentary or distraction.

Holland America offers a curated evening experience. Hurtigruten offers unstructured contemplation. Both appeal to mature travellers, but the mode of engagement is fundamentally different — one rewards participation, the other rewards observation.

The bottom line

Holland America Line and Hurtigruten Coastal Express both serve mature travellers interested in Northern European waters, but they deliver the experience in fundamentally different ways.

Choose Holland America if you want a classic premium ocean cruise with live music, speciality dining, a casino, and global destination coverage. Choose it for Music Walk — the best live music at sea. Choose it for Alaska, where 75 years of heritage make Holland America the undisputed specialist. Choose it for the Australian market infrastructure — Sydney departures, AUD pricing, and a two-ship programme expanding for 2026/27. Choose it for Norwegian Fjords itineraries that deliver major Norwegian ports in premium comfort. Accept that add-ons accumulate, that the fleet spans 27 years with older ships showing their age, and that Norwegian Fjords coverage cannot match Hurtigruten’s 34-port depth.

Choose Hurtigruten if the Norwegian coastal route is the destination — not one destination among many, but the destination. Choose it for 34 ports in 12 days on a working mail route that no cruise line replicates. Choose it for the Northern Lights Promise in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer. Choose it for the authenticity of a service that has run since 1893, carrying mail, cargo, and locals alongside tourists. Accept that the ships are working vessels, the dining is a single restaurant, there is no spa, no entertainment, no casino, and reaching Bergen from Australia requires significant planning and expense.

For most Australian travellers, Holland America is the practical choice. It delivers Norwegian scenery within a premium cruise framework, departing from Australian ports or accessible European homeports with full Australian booking support. Hurtigruten is for the traveller who has decided that the full Norwegian coast is the bucket-list priority — and is willing to travel to Bergen to experience it on a working ship that knows every fjord by name.