At the recent 2023 World Cheese Awards held in Trondheim, Norway, Nidelven Blå, a cheese provided by Hurtigruten’s partner Nidelven Blå and produced by Gangstand Gårdsysteri, was once again crowned the World’s Best Cheese.

Since 2015, Nidelven Blå has been a popular feature aboard Hurtigruten’s Norway’s Coastal Express ships, with a total consumption of 3,863 kilos to date. The cheese is featured in the ship’s main restaurants, including Torget on the Original Coastal Express and Flora on the MS Trollfjord’s Svalbard Express and North Cape Express routes, during breakfast and lunch. Alongside this award-winning cheese, guests can also savor ice cream, sorbet, and other cheeses from Gangstand Gårdsysteri.

Øistein Nilsen, the culinary director of Hurtigruten Norway, expressed pride in their partnership with Gangstand, a key component of their Norwegian Coastal Kitchen concept since 2013. This concept emphasizes local produce along the Norwegian coast, showcasing the best of Norwegian culinary offerings to guests. Nilsen also added further, “Gangstand now has more medals from the World Cheese Awards than the 34 ports a Hurtigruten Coastal Express ship visits during its journey up and down the Norwegian coast.”

Nilsen also pointed out that 80% of the food served onboard is locally sourced, emphasizing their commitment to supporting small-scale local fisheries, farms, butchers, and businesses. This commitment is integral to the guest experience, turning them from tourists into true travelers.

Hurtigruten recently launched its Culinary Ambassador program and the innovative Bubbles of the Sea concept. This concept began last year when 1,700 bottles of sparkling wine were submerged off the Norwegian coast at 112 feet for six months. Following its success, the brand has submerged an additional 4,500 bottles, including standard and magnum-sized bottles, to be enjoyed onboard next year.

CEO Hedda Felin of Hurtigruten expressed his excitement about this unique project, “We believe in bringing a touch of the Arctic to the world of sparkling wine. Our Norwegian coastline is the perfect place to create something truly unique for our valued guests seeking one-of-a-kind experiences.” The Bubbles of the Sea is a Classic Cuvee, 2018 vintage, crafted from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes, embodying the unique character of the Norwegian coastline.