Hurtigruten will always do its best to meet dietary requests but can not guarantee to do so. It is essential that you advise, in writing, of all special requirements at the time of booking. Clients on strict diets, eg vegans, may find that the food offers limited variety.
Cafeteria and Refreshments
Hot and cold drinks and snacks may be bought in the cafeteria, usually open 24 hours a day. Passengers can purchase a thermo coffee cup with the ship's logo and have as much coffee/tea as they want.
All ships are fully licensed, with a bar on board; the price level is the same as on mainland Norway.
It is safe to drink tap water on board. Ship's purified water and mineral water in bottles, soft drinks, wine and the coffee deal can be purchased on board. Wine packages are also available; these include one bottle of ship's purified water every day.
What to Wear
Dress on board is informal. Although some passengers may choose to change for dinner the dress code is 'smart/casual' rather than formal. The weather in Norway 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. Where necessary, excursions include use of appropriate clothing.
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 fuctuations. Pre-booking of shore excursions is possible until 4 weeks prior to departure. If you choose to pay by credit card, pre-bookings can be made until 2 weeks prior to departure.
Excursions and their contents are subject to maximum/minimum numbers, sailing times and weather and/or local conditions. If pre-booked excursions have to be cancelled, you will get a refund.
Itinerary
Hurtigruten ships are working vessels operating a regular service to a set timetable, as shown in brochures and on our website. The ships carry goods, vehicles and foot passengers between ports, by night and day, as an integral part of Norwegian daily life. Some noise may be experienced during docking and loading/unloading. It may very occasionally be necessary to omit or curtail stops due to weather or other conditions. Some stops may be very short and some are at night.
With the exception of MS Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten, the 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.
Please ensure that you are back on board by sailing time, especially if the ship has arrived late as it may leave as scheduled to make up time. The departure time is advised at the gangway and ships are not able to wait for passengers who are late. If you miss the ship it is your responsibility to make arrangements to rejoin the voyage at the next possible stop or to return home.
Cabins
For bookings with unspecifed cabin grades/numbers, requests for adjacent cabins or accommodation in a specific area of the ship etc cannot be guaranteed. The facilities of the cabins vary between the ships and the various cabin grades. Inside cabins do not have a window. Towels and shower gel are provided and hairdryers are available on all ships except for MS Vesteralen (some cabins), MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen. Tea/coffee making facilities are available in suites only.
On MS Lofoten, MS Nordstjernen and MS Vesteralen some cabins have portholes which might be covered during the winter period. There are no safety deposit boxes in the cabins (except in some suites on MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol) and Hurtigruten cannot accept liability for any loss. Valuables may be handed in at reception to be kept in the ship's safe.
Entertainment
The emphasis is on relaxation and getting away from the commercial entertainment so often a part of conventional cruise programmes. Our aim is to get closer to unique environments and share the experience with fellow passengers. Occasionally some musical entertainment on some stretches of the voyage may be offered but there is no organised entertainment programme (except on Theme Voyages).
Language
Norwegian and English are the official on board languages. The Tour Leader speaks Norwegian, English and German.
Internet
There is an internet cafe on board all ships except MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen. Be aware that the bandwidth is low. Wireless internet will be rolled out on board all ships in 2012.
Shops
There is a shop on board all 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.
Information on Board
The Reception Desk is open 24 hours a day. Each ship has a Tour Leader on board who informs about and sells excursions, issues a daily programme and news bulletin and makes announcements regarding places of interest, disembarkation, etc. Occasionally this service may be carried out by the Reception. All Tour Leaders speak Norwegian, English and German.
Laundry
Laundry rooms with washing machines, dryers and irons are available on all ships except MS Nordstjernen. Tokens may be purchased from reception. On board MS Nordstjernen arrangements for laundry can be made with the crew at a fee.
Electricity
220V AC 2 pin sockets are continental Europe style, and you may need to bring an adapter/converter.
Anouncements
Announcements on board are made in several languages. No public announcements are made at night. If you would like to know about an appearance of the Northern Lights activate the telephone button in your cabin or advise Reception.
Currency in Norway
We suggest that you take a small amount of local currency (Norwegian Kroner-NOK) in cash. Major credit cards are widely accepted except possibly at smaller businesses. You may be asked to provide identifcation when you pay by credit card or exchange money.
Cruise Card and Currency on Board
For your convenience, we offer a Cruise Card system on board all ships. This system allows you to charge all on board purchases to your cruise card. Cruise card accounts can be created at all points of payment on board the ship. We accept VISA, Master-Card, Diners, American Express or cash (NOK, EUR, GBP, USD) as deposit. On your last night on board, an itemised statement will be delivered to your cabin door. The cruise card account needs to be settled by 22:00.
For your convenience, your cruise card charges will be billed automatically to your credit card. Any discrepancies must be reported before disembarkation. This also applies if you want to pay part cash and part credit card. The currency used on board is Norwegian Kroner. Exchange rates are similar to those in a hotel. Please check with the reception for methods of payment.
Gratuity Policy
It is not common practice to tip on Hurtigruten ships on the coastal voyage, but if you feel that individual crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, this is entirely at your discretion.
Smoking
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. It is not permitted when the ships are in port. To show respect for the environment, please use the provided ashtrays. Throwing cigarette ends overboard is strictly prohibited. Smoking in the cabin is prohibited and fined with NOK 1.500.
Wheelchair Users/Disabled Passengers
With the exception of MS Lofoten and MS Nordstjernen, all of our ships have elevators/lifts and at least one wheelchair accessible cabin for disabled passengers. Please contact our reservations department for further information and advise us at the time of booking if special transfers need to be arranged. Guests who require a wheelchair must bring their own foldable wheelchair and travel with a companion who is able to assist them. There is a ramp in all ports, but, as working ships, no designated crew member will be able to assist. NB: Airlines usually do not allow wet battery wheelchairs on aircraft.
Excursions are not suitable for passengers with electric wheelchairs although some are possible with a manual, foldable chair. Please contact the Tour Leader on board who will be able to advise which excursions are suitable. Drivers and guides are not permitted to lift wheelchairs or passengers at any time.