Hurtigruten Cruises

Top Reasons To Choose Hurtigruten Cruises

• Hurtigruten is truly not your regular cruise. You won't spend time at formal events or themed gatherings. But you can enjoy some amazing scenery. For example, if you want to see the Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis) in Norway, Hurtigruten will do its best to help you realize this goal.
• The food is excellent on Hurtigruten cruises. Ship travelers can enjoy a buffet breakfast and lunch while the menu for dinner is posted early in the morning. Although the menu for dinner is set, you can ask about a reasonable alternative without difficulty.
• Hurtigruten staff members are both friendly and helpful, whether they are part of the cleaning crew or serving staff. They also speak more than one language – English, Norwegian, and German are the usual languages spoken.
• If you want a cruise without the frills and want to see some dramatic scenery, you won't be disappointed by the ferry-type cruises offered by Hurtigruten. Because a Hurtigruten vessel is a working ship in Norway, and therefore makes deliveries, you will indeed experience a unique sailing adventure. 
• Hurtigruten cruises give you more opportunities to see the scenery and chat with other passengers. The focus is on the destination and communication. If you want a more hands-on cruise experience, this travel adventure will give you a new perspective about seeing the sights and how you spend your time.
• Tours are well-organized. You can go on walking excursions as well as coach trips. If you take a cruise along Norway's coast, the guides can provide you with a lot of interesting details. You will learn a great deal about each locale's history and culture.
• You can see destinations that you cannot see on larger cruise ships. Because Hurtigruten ships make deliveries to villages, you can see sights that you would not be able to visit on a larger cruise vessel.
• Passengers receive a safety briefing before they board their ship.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hurtigruten Cruises

• What is Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise?

  The cruise company is so certain that you will see the Aurora Borealis on Norway cruises in the winter that they promise a free cruise if you don't see the lights.

• When is the Northern Lights season?

  The Northern Lights season runs from October through March when there is less sunlight. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis appear above the Arctic Circle. Therefore, any cruises planned in the far north from October to March will provide you with the best opportunity for experiencing the phenomenon. 

• What does an expedition cruise to South Georgia, the Falklands, and Antarctica feature?

  This cruise usually takes place for 23 days and begins in Buenos Aries. Cruise-goers will see an abundance of wildlife, including penguins, seals, whales, and birds. Adventurers can also hike, ice-cruise, and kayak in Antarctica, the Falklands, and South Georgia. In addition, guests can go ashore on one of the remote beaches and spend a night in a tent. Cruise guests can view vast numbers of king penguins in South Georgia as well.

• What do you see when you visit Greenland on a Hurtigruten cruise?

  This expedition cruise is a summer cruise with itineraries in June and July. Cruise guests explore Greenland's west coast around Disko Bay. This Arctic cruise adventure allows you to see glaciers and icebergs up-close. You can also learn more about the people who live in Greenland as well as the Inuit culture. Travelers visit the Ilulissat Icefjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• How many passengers do Hurtigruten ships hold?

  Hurtigruten's purpose-built ships are designed to accommodate 200 to 500 guests.

• Who leads the expedition cruise journeys for groups?

  Expedition cruises are led by travel experts, which are passionate about adventure travel who wish to share their knowledge about a specific locale.

• What do your expedition or group tours include?

  For this type of trip, all meals are included as well as snacks and coffee. The service is friendly and relaxed – no butler services. Organized offshore activities may include nature exploration, cultural events, or hiking, depending on the voyage's destination. Boots and walking poles are provided when required. Participants also receive an expedition jacket on voyages. Packages include the services of a professional expedition photographer, logbook, and all onboard activities.

• How are cruise types for Hurtigruten classified?

  You can select from one of two cruise types when taking a Hurtigruten cruise. You can either select an expedition cruise to one of the various locations, including the Arctic and Antarctica, or a cruise that runs along the coast of Norway.

• Besides Norway, do Hurtigruten cruise ships travel to other Scandinavian cruise destinations, such as Iceland?

  Yes. Cruises are featured for the "land of fire and ice," with Reykjavik, Iceland being one of the stops. You will experience the entire coast of Iceland and do some whale watching as well.

• What makes Hurtigruten different?

  Hurtigruten offers Norway coastal cruises and expedition cruises on purpose-built working ships. Therefore, these ships ferry people from one port to the next, and cruise-goers get involved in active excursions. If you want to see the Arctic and Antarctic scenery or explore the coasts in destinations, such Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Scotland, your no-frills journey will give you the chance to truly realize the best in a remote cruise journey or adventure travel cruise.

Travel Protection Options on Hurtigruten Cruises

An illness, accident, or unexpected situation can arise before or during any vacation. Such an event might cause you to cut short your voyage or cause your trip to be cancelled altogether. Because a cruise is a significant investment, Hurtigruten offers insurance to protect their passengers from financial loss in the event of an emergency. Details and prices vary, as do coverage limits and exclusions. If you decide to purchase insurance, you will have two options: Hurtigruten's plan or the plan offered by our independent insurance provider.

Dining on Hurtigruten Cruises

Meal prices:
• Breakfast NOK 165
• Lunch buffet NOK 345
• Dinner NOK 445
• Child discount: 50 % for all children under 16 years
The usual meal times are:
• Breakfast from 07.30 to 10.00 (open seating)
• Lunch from 12.00/13.00 (open seating)
• Dinner times vary according to the itinerary. Typically, dinner starts at 18:00, and there will be a variety of
seating options available (times advised on board).

Full board begins with a buffet dinner on departure from Bergen and ends with brunch on the arrival day
back in Bergen. The food is mainly Norwegian and breakfast is buffet style with a selection of cold meats,
cheese, eggs, cereals, and fruit. Lunch is the famous Cold Table with a choice of fish dishes, cold meats,
salads, a selection of hot dishes, desserts, and fruit. Dinner is a three-course set meal from our coastal menu;
there is not usually a choice of menu. Occasionally the Cold Table may be served in the evening and the set
meal for lunch.

It is safe to drink the tap water on board. Still and sparkling mineral water, soft drinks, and wine can be
purchased in the restaurant. Arctic Superior and Expedition Suites guests have water packages included in
the price of their cabins. Wine packages are only included for Expedition Suites guests, but it is possible to
purchase these packages on board, or upgrade by pre-purchasing the packages before departure.

Specific diets, e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free etc., are generally available if sufficient notice (at least two weeks)
has been given to us in order to advise the ship. All ships are fully licensed; the price level is the same as on
mainland Norway. Restaurant opening hours vary depending on season and number of guests on board.
Further information is available on board.

Tipping Policy on Hurtigruten Cruises

It is not common practice to tip on Hurtigruten ships on the coastal voyage, but if you feel that crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, tip boxes and envelopes are available in the restaurant.

Payments / Refunds on on Hurtigruten Cruises

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Norwegian currency is used on board. Most major currencies can be exchanged. Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Diners Card credit cards are also accepted on board. A cruise card can also be obtained and used for payment and settled at the end of your voyage. (This may be subject to change.) We suggest that guests bring aboard a small amount of local currency (Norwegian Kroner-NOK) in cash. Major credit cards are typically accepted in Norway, although smaller businesses may not accept credit cards. When using credit cards or exchanging money, you may be asked to provide identi?cation.

PAYMENT POLICY

Payment is due immediately for all online bookings which have a total price of less than $1,340, including taxes and additional charges. For all other bookings, payment is due as follows: i. If the booking is made more than 8 weeks prior to departure a deposit of 20 percent of the total is due immediately. The full amount due must be paid at least 8 weeks before departure. ii. If the booking is made less than 8 weeks prior to departure, the full amount is due immediately.

If you fail to make any payment by the date on which it is due under this contract, Hurtigruten reserves the right to cancel the booking, keep the deposit and demand a cancellation fee in accordance with Section 9 below. In the event of special promotions, the total amount may be due immediately at the time of booking. Your travel documents will be sent as soon as Hurtigruten has received payment, normally no later than 4 weeks prior to departure.

PRICES

The fare set forth in this contract is stated in U.S. dollars, is per person based on double occupancy and does not include land arrangements or services, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Hurtigruten. The fare does not include items of a personal nature, including but not limited to, laundry, liquor, beer, or wine. The full and correct price of the trip is given before a booking is confirmed, except as set forth below. The fare does not include taxes, fees, port expenses, and charges imposed by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities. Hurtigruten reserves the right to add certain specified additional charges to the price of your booking such as, for example, a fuel surcharge, in the event that there may be increased costs or if an airline raises rates or imposes surcharges up to 30 days before departure. Hurtigruten reserves the right to collect the fare in effect at the time, and as a condition, of embarkation.

Should prices be reduced as a result of the same changes mentioned above, the price adjustment will be credited to you. In the event of price increases of more than 10 percent, you retain the right to cancel your booking at no charge, with a full refund of all amounts paid. Should you wish to cancel your booking as mentioned above, notification of this must be received by Hurtigruten at the below address, at least 14 days from the date of the new invoice showing the increase in price.

CHANGES TO BOOKING BY CUSTOMER

Changes to bookings are considered cancellations and incur all associated fees pursuant to section 9 of this contract. Minor adjustments to bookings may permitted at Hurtigruten’s sole discretion, such as upgrades in accommodation or the addition of excursions or add-ons. For any such adjustments Hurtigruten allows that are made within 90 days of your scheduled departure date, Hurtigruten reserves the right to charge you an administrative fee of USD $75 per person per adjustment, payment of which shall be a condition of embarkation.

Changes in air travel and other arrangements such as shore excursions may also be subject to change fees and/or increases by the air carrier, for which the customer shall be solely responsible.

CANCELLATION POLICY

You or anyone in the booking have/has the right to cancel the booking at any time. All cancellations must be done in writing by the person who has made the booking. The cancellation is effective on the date that Hurtigruten receives the cancellation request at the address provided in this contract. Please Note: There is no refund on bookings that cost less than $1,340 (including taxes and additional charges).

Cancellation fees are calculated according to the following schedule for all other bookings:

For trips that are based on pre-paid flights, including any airfare we book on your behalf, the airline company’s booking and cancellation rules will apply to the air portion. Any insurance costs will be additional to the agreed price for the booking. The same applies to any connection travel that does not form part of this booking. You will be responsible for all such costs.

There is no refund of any or all of the booking price for customers who do not show up at the pier for embarkation or who disembark prior to the end of their ticketed cruise itinerary. Should the customer’s cabin include several people, partial cancellation will result in the application of the above penalties to the persons who have cancelled and the remaining customers being charged the applicable prices for the revised number of customers in the cabin. If you have to cancel your booking for reasons that are covered by your insurance, you must apply for a refund from your insurance company for the cancellation fee of your own accord. Insurance premiums are not refundable. Cancellation charges are calculated based on total fares paid to Hurtigruten for all trip components. Cancellation charges will apply notwithstanding that Hurtigruten is able to rebook the cabin in question.

Smoking Policy on Hurtigruten Cruises

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. Smoking is not permitted when the ships are in port and not allowed on deck during fueling of the ship in BGO. This will be advised by the staff. To show respect for the environment, please use the provided ashtrays. Throwing cigarette butts overboard is strictly prohibited. Smoking in the cabin is prohibited and subject to a cleaning charge to return the cabin to a non-smoking standard.