Hurtigruten - Life on Board

On this page you will find the answers to the questions most commonly asked about the Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage and the travel arrangements. Our sales consultants will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Cabin Numbers

If you book a Classic Round Voyage or a suite on a Select or Platinum fare option, you will usually be able to choose your cabin number free of charge when you make your booking, subject to availability. For other voyages 5 nights or longer, you may have the option to choose your cabin number for a fee, subject to availability. For all shorter voyages, or if you choose not to pay the supplement to choose your cabin, your cabin number will be allocated on embarkation.

Currency

Norwegian currency is used on board. Most major currencies may be exchanged. Visa, American Express, Master Card and Diners Card are all accepted, although the card must be valid for 3 months after the end of your voyage. A cruise card will 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 is subject to change.

Entertainment

The emphasis on board Hurtigruten ships is on relaxation and getting away from the commercial entertainment which is so often a part of conventional cruises. The 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 programme.

The Theme voyages will be accompanied by lecturers as described.

Information

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

Internet

All Hurtigruten ships, except MS Lofoten, offer an internet café on board. In most harbours, mobile/cellular networks (3G) are available if bringing your own PC and a mobile access subscription. There are wireless networks in most public areas to connect laptops, mobile phones, etc. (Complimentary on Select and Platinum fares) Beware that the bandwidth on board is narrow and reception intermittent.

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, e.g. vegetarian food, can be catered for if requested in good time. Passengers on very strict diets, e.g. vegans, may find that the food offers limited variety.

Meals

After embarkation passengers are requested to go to the restaurant to make their table reservation for the voyage. Each Hurtigruten ship has a slightly different practice with regard to meal times. The usual meal times are:

• Breakfast from 07:30 to 10:00 hours (open sitting).
• Lunch from 12:00 to 13:00 hours (open sitting).
• Dinner from 18:30 hours (set sitting).

During the high season, there may be several sittings for dinner. Your sitting will normally be allocated on your first evening with the times of the sittings shown on board. Full board starts with a buffet dinner on the evening of departure from Bergen and ends with a brunch on the arrival day back in Bergen.

The food on board is Norwegian and breakfast is buffet style with a plentiful selection of cold meats, cheese, eggs, bacon as well as cereals, fruit and freshly baked bread. Lunch is the famous 'Cold Table' with a tempting selection of marinated herring dishes, smoked fish, poached fish, cold meats, salads, some hot dishes, as well as desserts and fruit.

Dinner is a three course set meal, where the main course is either meat or fish, generally served with potatoes and vegetables. There is not usually a choice of meal. On occasion, the 'Cold Table' may be served in the evening and the set meal at lunch time.

All Hurtigruten Ships are fully licensed. As the ships sail in Norwegian territorial waters, the prices on board are the same as in Norway.

Porterage

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

Prices

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

Shopping

There is a shop on board all but the traditional ships. They sell 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, whenever possible is recommended as only remaining places will be sold on board. Excursions booked on board will be payable in Norwegian Kroner and prices may vary from those shown on this web site as a result of currency exchange rates, or local changes. It is not possible to pre-book within 14 days of departure. Excursions and their content are subject to maximum/minimum numbers and local weather conditions.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in cabins or in public areas. It is allowed on open deck but prohibited at all times when the ships are in port. There is currently a smoking room on MS Midnatsol, MS Troll fjord and MS Vesterålen which will be closed whilst in port.

Stabilisers

With the exception of MS Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten, all the ships are fully stabilised. However, it is worth noting that the ships enter the open sea on only a few occasions during the whole voyage. These stretches in the open sea last only a few hours. The majority of the time the ship sails between mainland Norway and the coastal islands, where the sea is generally quite calm.

Tea / Coffee

Only the suites on the three newest ships have tea / coffee making facilities. Standard cabins do not offer this facility, however, tea and coffee can be purchased on board around the clock or if you are on Select or Platinum fare options, it is complimentary.

Telephone

All ships have pay phones, and phone cards can be purchased from reception. Private mobile telephones may be used on board. note that the telephone and mobile reception may vary depending on the area of travel.

Tipping

Hurtigruten 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.

Valuables

Cabins are not equipped with a safety deposit box. However, jewellery, money, and other valuables can be handed in at reception for safe-keeping in the ship's safe. Hurtigruten Ltd cannot accept responsibility for the loss of valuables.

Voltage

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

What To Wear

On board Hurtigruten's ships dress is informal. Although some passengers choose to change for dinner, it is 'smart / casual' rather than formal. The weather in most of the 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/trekking pole may be useful. You should pack a pair of UV protective sunglasses, even during 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 out on selected departures. Many ships offer a jacuzzi on board, so take a swim suit.

Where necessary, excursions include use of appropriate clothing.

Working Ships

Hurtigruten ships function as working ships calling at ports around the clock. You can expect some noise and vibration in a few of the cabins during loading of goods. This varies depending on the location of your cabin and the type of ship. Also, noise affects people differently and what may be a problem for one person may not be a problem for others. Please ask our sales consultants for advice on the best cabin location for you.