Hurtigruten is offering passengers booked on coastal voyage cruises a morning flight from Gatwick to Bergen with Norwegian from next month.
The flight will be launched on October 25 and means passengers no longer have to fly out a day early for their cruise and stay overnight in Bergen. At the moment, Norwegian flies from the UK to Bergen only in the evening and SAS has direct flights in the afternoon.
Hurtigruten sales and marketing manager Kathryn Beadle said the cruiseline has been trying to secure a direct morning flight to Bergen to connect with ship departures for many years.
She said: “At a time when value for money is paramount, this flight will mean there is no need for an additional night in a hotel before the voyage, therefore saving costs. It also provides additional capacity into and out of Bergen to meet demand.”
Hurtigruten said sales for next year’s cruises are up 12% on last year since 2010 went on sale in June.
The new flight will mean Norwegian will be flying between Gatwick and Bergen on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The morning service will depart at 10.55am, arriving 2pm. The return flight will depart at 9.20am and arrive in London at 10.25am.