Hurtigruten Essential Information

Currency

Norwegian currency is used on board. Most major currencies may be exchanged. Visa, American Express, Master Card and Diners Card are all accepted. A cruise card can be used for payment for extras on most ships and settled at the end of your voyage. On board MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen currently only Visa and Mastercard are accepted. This may be subject to change.

Entertainment

The emphasis on board is on relaxation and getting away from the commercial entertainment which is so often a part of conventional cruises. Our aim is to get closer to unique environments and share the experience with fellow passengers. Musical entertainment on some stretches of the voyage may be offered in the bar area but there is no organised programme. Our theme voyages will be accompanied by lecturers as described.

Information

There will be an information and safety meeting on board on the evening of departure from Bergen and Kirkenes in Norway. You will also receive an information pack. In addition, a daily bulletin will keep you informed during your journey.

Internet

There is an internet café on board all ships except MS Vesterålen, MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen. Access is free of charge.

Laundry

Laundry rooms with washing machines, tumble dryers and irons are available on most ships. Tokens can be purchased at reception. On board MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen arrangements for laundry can be made with the crew.

Dietary requests

Special diets including vegetarian can be catered for if requested in good time. Passengers on strict diets including vegans may find that there is a limited choice.

Porterage

Luggage handling is not included in the cost of your holiday.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in cabins or interior public areas. It is allowed on open deck but prohibited at all times when the ships are in port.

Stabilisers

With the exception of MS Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten our vessels are equipped with stabilisers. On the Norwegian coast the ships enter the open sea, for a few hours, on only a few occasions during the whole voyage. The majority of the time the ships sail between mainland Norway and the coastal islands where the sea is generally calmer.

Tea and Coffee

Except for the suites on the MS Fram, MS Midnatsol and MS Trollfjord cabins do not have tea or coffee making facilities but these are available free of charge in the bar after dinner and available for purchase around the clock.

Telephone

All ships have pay phones and phone cards can be purchased from reception. Private mobile telephones may be used on board although reception may vary.

Tipping

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal voyages has a non-tipping policy. However, if you feel that crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service this is entirely at your discretion. For voyages on board MS Fram you will receive tipping guidelines with your travel documents or on board.

Valuables

Cabins are not equipped with a safety deposit box. Valuables may be handed in at the reception for safe-keeping in the ship’s safe. Hurtigruten Ltd cannot accept liability for the loss of valuables.

Voltage

This is 220 volts AC. You will require a continental 2-pin adaptor. Hairdryers are provided in all cabins except on board MS Lofoten, MS Nordstjernen and some cabins on MS Vesterålen.

What to Wear

On board dress is informal. Although some passengers choose to change for dinner the dress code is casual rather than formal. The weather in most destinations can vary during the course of each voyage or even during the day. To cater for these variations we recommend the layered dress approach that enables you to adapt to changes in temperature, wind and precipitation conditions easily.

For all voyages we advise you to take breathable rain and windproof clothing. A warm hat, gloves, scarf and thermal clothing can be useful, together with thermal underwear, during the winter months. On land where it may be icy, sturdy shoes are important for shore excursions and a walking stick/trekking pole may be useful. You should pack a pair of UV protective sunglasses, even during the winter as the reflections of snow and ice can be harmful to the unprotected eye. An additional list of recommended clothing and equipment is sent on selected departures. Many ships offer a Jacuzzi on board, so take your swimsuit. Where necessary, excursions include use of appropriate clothing.

Suite Service

We are pleased to introduce a range of extras if you book a suite on board one of our ships. They include a welcome present, tea/coffee making facilities in your cabin, an invitation to visit the bridge, complimentary free tea/coffee on board throughout your voyage and late check out. For a fee you also have the option to have breakfast served in your cabin and the use of a minibar.

Meals

The usual meal times are breakfast from 08.00 to 10.00 hours (open sitting); lunch from 13.00 hours (open sitting); dinner from 18.00 hours (set seating). During high season, there may be several sittings, the times of which will be shown on board.

The food is 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; there is not usually a choice of menu. Occasionally a cold table may be served in the evening and the set meal at lunch time. All vessels are fully licensed; the prices on board are the same as in Norway.

Onboard Prices

To help you plan your holiday, the following are average sample prices of some items available on board. Please note that the prices shown are approximate and based on the latest information available to us.

Tea & Coffee: £2.80, Bottled Water: £3.60, Fruit Juice: £2.50, Draught Beer (0.4 litres): £6.60, Glass of Wine: £7.70, Bottle from £37.00

Shopping

There is a shop on board all but the traditional ships. It sells souvenirs, knitwear, books, postcards, postage stamps and a limited supply of toiletries. On MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen this service is handled by the coffee shop.

Shore Excursions

Pre booking excursions, where possible, is recommended as only remaining places will be sold on board. Excursions booked on board will be payable in Norwegian kroner and the price may vary as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. It is not possible to pre-book within 14 days of departure. Excursions and their contents are subject to maximum/minimum numbers and weather/ local conditions.

Working Ships

Our ships function as working ships calling at ports around the clock. You may expect some noise and vibration in a few cabins during loading of goods. This varies depending on the location of your cabin and the type of ship.