Since 1893, the legendary postal ships of Hurtigruten have been plowing the waters along the Norwegian coast on the fast route. 1,250 nautical miles lie between Bergen, the starting port, and Kirkenes, the turnaround point, almost at the border with Russia. Each tour stops at 34 ports, in summer as well as in winter, by day and by night, in the light of the midnight sun or in the darkness of the polar night. With beautiful regularity, at a constant speed of 16 knots, the ships transport cargo and passengers to the far north and back. However, Hurtigruten is not just a regular means of transportation, a scheduled service like those found in countries with extensive coastlines. It is still referred to in Norway as the lifeline of the north or the vital nerve of the country. Until 2001, the ferry service even bore the official designation of National Road No. 1.