Hurtigruten has announced will extend the temporary suspension of operations from pole to pole.
“The [COVID-19] situation is affecting virtually everyone in one way or another. Hurtigruten is no exception. This is a setback for us, for the local communities we work with and for our guests. But the setback is only temporarily,” says Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam.
Hurtigruten has not had any confirmed or suspected cases on any ships. But as a result of the extraordinary situation, Hurtigruten has extended the temporary suspension of operations worldwide.
• All Hurtigruten expedition cruises will be suspended until 12 May 2020. In addition to already cancelled cruises, this includes the MS Fridtjof Nansen’s departure from Hamburg, Germany 29 April 2020 as well as MS Spitsbergen’s departure from Longyearbyen 6 May 2020.
• In addition, Hurtigruten’s Alaska expedition cruise season will be postponed to July due to new travel restrictions from Canadian authorities. This means that 17 May, 31 May, 12 Jun, 24 Jun and 1 July MS Roald Amundsen Alaska departures unfortunately will be cancelled.
• Operations on the Norwegian coast will be suspended through 20 May 2020. As of now, the first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be on 21 May 2020.
“Seeing our ships laying idle for a prolonged period of time instead of exploring is difficult. These are extraordinary and emotional times for the entire Hurtigruten team. But I firmly believe it is the only responsible decision in the extraordinary crisis the world is currently facing,” Skjeldam says.
Flexible rebooking policy
To give explorers the confidence needed for their travel plans in a difficult and uncertain situation, Hurtigruten has introduced a flexible rebooking policy.
Guests who have their voyages cancelled because of the temporary suspension of operations are offered a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 125% of amounts paid (including fees). They will also get a 10% discount on any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coast – from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021.
Guests booked on voyages through 30 September 2020 are offered rebooking, without any rebooking fee and a future discount of 10%, to any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coastal – for departures between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2021.
For full policy and rebooking options, CLICK HERE.
IMAGE” Hurtigruten MS Nordkapp
