Hurtigruten has extended the suspension of its operations worldwide in response to the continuing global coronavirus outbreak.
“The 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 temporary,” says Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam, in a statement.
Hurtigruten has not had any confirmed or suspected cases on any ships.
As of now, all expedition cruises will be suspended until May 12. In addition to already cancelled cruises, this includes the MS Fridtjof Nansen’s departure from Hamburg, Germany April 29 as well as MS Spitsbergen’s departure from Longyearbyen May 6.
In addition, Hurtigruten’s Alaska expedition cruise season will be postponed to July due to new travel restrictions from Canadian authorities. This means that the May 17, May 31, Jun 12, Jun 24 and July 1 MS Roald Amundsen Alaska departures will be cancelled.
Operations on the Norwegian coast will be suspended through May 20. As of now, the first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be on May 21.
In agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, Hurtigruten has deployed two ships in an amended domestic schedule. The newly upgraded MS Richard With and MS Vesterålen is bringing critical supplies and goods to local Norwegian communities hit hard by travel restrictions.
“There is nothing we would love more than welcome our guests back to explore the world with us as soon as the situation allows for it,” adds Skjeldam.
In light of the situation, Hurtigruten has introduced a flexible rebooking policy. Those voyages that were canceled 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 July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.
Even though they are not affected by the temporary suspension of operations, guests booked on voyages through September 30, 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 July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
For more details about Hurtigruten’s suspension of operations, click here.
For more information, visit Recommend’s Coronavirus Updates Center at recommend.com/coronavirus.
