The International Cruise Council Australasia has welcomed another cruise line to its ranks – the Norwegian operator Hurtigruten.

Cruise Council General Manager Brett Jardine said Hurtigruten’s membership in Australia reflected growing interest in a broader range of cruises and destinations.

“Today’s travellers are becoming more adventurous in the cruises they choose and there is an increasing appetite for unspoilt destinations offered by specialist cruise lines like Hurtigruten,” Mr Jardine said.

“Through their Cruise Council membership, Hurtigruten will be able to make more travel agents aware of the wide range of cruises they offer.”

Hurtigruten began services more than 100 years ago, transporting mail, cargo and passengers along the Norwegian coastline.

Since 1993, the cruise line has introduced a fleet of custom designed vessels to take passengers on cruises along the spectacular coastal waters of Norway and the Arctic as well as to the remote lands of Spitsbergen and Greenland and the southern oceans off Antarctica.

Hurtigruten is represented in Australia by Discover the World Marketing.

Commenting on the membership, Discover the World Marketing Country Director Australia Birgit Eisbrenner said the cruise line was keen to educate more travel agents about the itineraries offered by its fleet of 14 ships.

“Australians and New Zealanders are known for their love of travel and we have seen increasing bookings from this market in recent years. We believe our Cruise Council membership will help us raise the profile of Hurtigruten and build sales even further,” Ms Eisbrenner said.