richws

May be worth considering asking for refund of payments made (depending on timings of bookings this is probably an option) or cruise voucher and rebooking when NSS offer for period you'd like to travel is available.

NSS is a pretty regular offer (currently available on most coastal sailings to end May 21 so probably not wise to rebook yet.

On 2/6/2021 at 11:09 AM, comcox said:

I am surprised the Hurtigruten is still advertising April sailings from Dover, UK as right now the FCO is sailing no sailings except for ferries.  We are booked for UK sailing in early July and are "on the hook" waiting to see if that one will go.  Fred Olsen has cancelled all sailings thru end of June  and P&O thru end of May.

The UK Hurtigruten website is stating Dover sailings in  March & April are cancelled  https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/practical-information/coronavirus-update/sailings-and-cancellations/

On 1/5/2021 at 10:07 AM, jonikal said:

With the total lockdown now in effect in the UK, it seems highly unlikely that the Maud will be sailing out of Dover as soon as its Apr 14, 2021 departure.  Anyone know of an updated cancellation schedule?

 

" initial MS Maud sailings from Dover now cancelled (dep. 16th & 30th March). Also Otto Sverdrup from Hamburg (dep.9th & 23rd March).

https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/practical-information/coronavirus-update/sailings-and-cancellations/

Yet another voyage with Hurtigruten cancelled 😞

In addition the following are definitely Ice-categorised:

MS Midnatsol (soon to be MS Maud) 1C (As Trollfjord is structurally identical should also be)

MS Nordnorge 1C

MS Nordstjernen 1C

It is also my understanding that all Hurtigruten Ships on Coastal Route are also classified as 1C, including Lofoten which has just ben withdrawn.

21 hours ago, Peggy Sue said:

Hi,

 

We are booked on a September 2021 Norway Coastal cruise.  This will be our first experience with Hurtigruten and hope someone will be able to assist with our questions.  The day we return to the port of Bergen, which I believe is a 2:30 PM arrival time, how long does it usually take for passengers to be able to leave the ship, collect luggage, etc?  We only have experience with the mainstream cruise lines, where you do need to add in at least an hour+ after arrival to plan arrival at your next destination. 

Also, we will be flying from Bergen to Oslo on the day we return to Bergen .. how far is the airport from the cruise pier what type of transportation is available?  Should we make an advance reservation with someone, and if so, any suggestions for a vendor.   We are a party of 3.  

We are from the Boston and Seattle area and we sincerely hope we will be able travel in September and enjoy this cruise.

Thank you for your kind assistance.   

Bergen is certainly worth spending time in and the rail journey to Oslo is well recommended. Having done western part of it I can recommend that.

Re disembarkation & journey to airport:

Disembarkation is by deck (largely as this is the sequence that bags are unloaded in). You collect them from single airport style carousel in terminal. If you're in a rush you can keep your luggage and carry/wheel it off ship yourself.

I have never had issue getting flights from 1700-1730 onwards. Hurtigruten do offer flights so suggest asking them the earliest flights they would offer after a Bergen arrival.

It is worth being aware that whilst airport is pretty close to city/quay the traffic can get (very) busy from mid-afternoon onwards.

If you want to get a cab (as "cheap" as Hurtigruten shuttle for 3 I think) it's worth booking in advance.

Having booked cabs in past they may not be much/any quicker than the shuttle coaches.

Hope this is helpful.

Fair Winds & Weather.

1 hour ago, hallasm said:

I do not exact know the agreement- according to the current schedule at the web Hurtigruten has three ships in operation by start of January, increasing to 5 ships in February and seven by April - no Havila ships expected before April (no information at Havila Voyages web) -  but still Havila has only two ships available for four slots by April.

Yes, you're correct in what the Hurtigruten detailed schedule states but it hasn't been fully updated to reflect the announcements on the "Current sailing plan and cancellations" page updated 11/12/2020 13:05 GMT. January is partially updated but doesn't reflect Vesteralen's inclusion and Feb/Mar not updated at all.

Pretty confusing eh? 🙂

Detail of 3-way agreement is here: https://presse.hurtigruten.no/pressreleases/hurtigruten-norge-oeker-kapasiteten-langs-norskekysten-skal-seile-med-fem-skip-mellom-bergen-og-kirkenes-3055381

Will need Google translate as from Norwegian site.

Hope this clarifies - these are basis of my posts.

2 hours ago, hallasm said:

Looks like Hurtigruten is starting with three ships by January 1st and increasing  to five ships during February and seven ships by April.
Then the four slots available to Havila by April 1st. 
Still waiting to see how Havila will fill the four available slots with the two ships available, assuming Havila will get MS Castor and MS Capella ready by April.

Believe agreement is 5 Hurtigruten Ships on BKB from 1st Jan to end March with no Havila Ships - agreement between Norwegian Government/Hurtigruten & Havila. Possible that Hurtigruten will change which 5 ships are sailing during this period.

January Sailings announced

The dates of January sailings and the ships sailing have been announced:

https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/practical-information/coronavirus-update/sailings-and-cancellations/ 

Hurtigruten say they have emailed all affected customers.

The timetable for the Coastal Voyage has also been amended:

https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/port-to-port/new-sailing-plan/ 

The Norwegian Govmt has agreed with Hurtigruten & Havila that the full Coastal Route will restart from 1st Jan 2021 with 5 Hurtigruten Ships in service until end of March. Havila had previously requested not to start it's contracted 4 slots out of 11 as their ships are not complete as well as COVID situation. So 5 Hurtigruten ships (presumably every other day) will be sailing between Bergen & Honningsvåg. This information not yet reflected on websites. Sailing Plan and ships tbc 

Fair Winds & Weather

15 minutes ago, jonikal said:

 

Are your concerns in reference to Covid as possibly affecting the timing of the planned refurb?  The Maud is anchored offshore, near the MS Trollfjord in the vicinity of Bergen and doesn't seem to be near the Kleven Shipyard which has been used by Hurti in the past. 

 

What is your opinion re the UK Covid numbers and the likelihood they will dissipate sufficiently to allow for the multiple scheduled port stops for our UK sailing?  Obviously the event of a viable vaccine will play a significant role and hopefully it will have been made available to the public by then.  We hope your March sailing goes as planned and look forward to comments from you if you have time to report your opinion of the Maud's reincarnation.

     

Re potential refurb delays: Believe planned start date was not until early January (As Midnatsol was scheduled on last Coastal Voyage dep Dec 28th). just a thought that given ship is not being used (& Hurtigruten refurbs etc have been delayed in past) that they potentially have additional time available.

RE COVID: have little faith in UK Gov Mgmt but a lot in UK Science & Medical Communities. Given current status re availability and approval stages (there are expectations of Medical and care staff being immunised during December) I think there's a decent chance of things being significantly better by April.

56 minutes ago, jonikal said:

Many thanks, Richard.  You have provided more info than anyone at H and from online searches.  It will be interesting to see whether the mid-March renaming takes place.  Do you know what itinerary is scheduled for that sailing? 

Given the amount of advertising and printed Hurti Brochure specific to Maud Sailings from Dover I think it's very unlikely it won't happen. It would do serious damage to Hurtigruten's Brand image in UK, one of their biggest markets.

First 2 planned voyages are "Northern Lights and Fjords Expedition" dep 16th & 30th March; I'm booked on 30th departure. These are followed by 2 UK Cruises. Given current situation I'd hope that the planned refurb can be started early to ensure there are no delays affecting Maud's initial sailings

Whilst you can never be 100% certain, from all indications and published info the refurbishment of Midnatsol will not be structural and limited to "redecoration" prior to the renaming for mid-March. Original plans involved creating extra suites on the upper deck (9) of the Panorama Lounge and adjacent gym but these are no longer to be carried out.

Current passenger cabins on Deck 3 will be "removed" to make space for the tender store & boarding areas and additional crew cabins.

Otherwise I believe all the existing Midnatsol cabins will be the same size for Maud. However the numbers are changing so make sure you (or your TA) are looking at latest deck plans. Layout/facilities within cabins are less certain and probably more subject to change before/during refurb.

I'm quite familiar with Midnatsol & happy to try and answer any questions.

Fair Winds & Weather

Richard

Hurtigruten have just announced on their websites that the Southern Hemisphere voyages have been cancelled for Jan-Apr 2021 - the cruises in Oct-Dec 2020 had previously been cancelled.

https://global.hurtigruten.com/practical-information/coronavirus-update/sailings-and-cancellations/antarctica/ 

7 hours ago, luxecruisers said:

 

We can't make assumptions that a crew member was the source. Non-Norwegian crew members had to get two negative COVID tests before leaving their countries and be put into quarantine before sailing. Articles don't talk about passenger testing; many of the passengers were foreigners. 

Do you have information/a source for statement that "many of the passengers were foreign"? This is not suggested in anything I have read.

On 6/25/2020 at 1:42 AM, GottaKnowWhen said:

We did get an email notice that said there was a change and more information would come. That was two weeks ago, no additional information. I looked at the deck plans, our cabin in the new booking is about one-half the size. I have not contacted them (our booking is via the .NO site, so I assume we need to call Norway to query/complain) but am quite miffed at the change and the lack of information. Oh, and they said, with no details, that they were also changing our itinerary. I booked this trip based on itinerary and ship. Bah.

 

Stan

 

Hi Stan,

Are you sorted now? Live in UK and had early 2021 Voyage cancelled too.

If you haven't got detailed itinerary I can probably help as have been asking lots of questions. What voyage/dates are you booked/replanning for?

Richard

On 6/28/2020 at 9:48 PM, hallasm said:

Here is the link to South Bound voyages

Trollfjord is sailing coastal voyages beginning of 2021 - from May she will sail 12 dats expedition voyages from Bergen.
Kong Harald will also be a good choice.

 

Trollfjord is no longer scheduled to do "Coastal Voyages" in 2021. She will be siling on 12 day voyages from Bergen up Norwegian Coast but with significantly different itinerary (longer stops at fewer ports. They are classified as "Expedition" Cruises with more included and higher prices. If you want to continue with Coastal Itinerary I'd suggest Spitsbergen as closest to Trollfjord in  style ( but much smaller)

On 6/21/2020 at 9:02 PM, LinnieRed said:

We are scheduled for the Magic of the Arctic Winter on 13 February. We were in an Arctic Superior  QJ Category of the Otto Sverdrup, 17 m2. Cabin number 630. We have been assigned an Arctic a superior  P2 Category on the Trollfjord, 10m2, cabin number 646. 

There are 2 QJ cabins (of equivalent size on Trollfjord 640 & 736. They are, however slightly cheaper than P grade as they are limited view. Appreciate the size difference having stayed in QJ on Trollfjord but somebody not knowing ships could've thought they were upgrading you. Check availability of cabins I mention & maybe ask to change to voyage that has those cabins available?

They should have communicated with you, UK customers have received emails re these early 2021 cancellations offering options.

Link to original press article with quotes from Hurtigruten:

https://www.klassekampen.no/article/20190817/ARTICLE/190819971 (Google translate is your friend)

There are Russian Naval Exercises in the High Arctic during the period - no further comment

Both MS Spitsbergen voyages to Franz Josef Land (dep 29/08 & 12/09) have been cancelled at short notice due to Russia refusing sailing permits 

Wifi usually reliable (albeit occasionally interrupted by mountains hiding the satellites!) but often v slow. If you need a reasonably fast connection it'd be worth thinking about getting a 3or4G phone/tablet/mifi service. Norway has very good coverage even in remote areas.

If you're in EU your home country service can probably be used at no additional charge (ie no roaming charges) or you can get a Norwegian SIM on arrival.

Fair Winds & Weather

There are also "Astronomy Voyages" marketed by Hurtigruten UK with professional astronomers aboard who do lectures plus ondeck star & aurora spotting.

I'd recommend these because:

they are timed for best times (in lunar cycle) for seeing auroras and stars

the lectures and on deck gatherings are interesting & enjoyable

they take place on the larger ships which are most stable & with best outdoor viewing areas (& crew more likely to turn deck lights off if there's a good display).

I'd recommend picking one with Dr John Mason.

Fair winds & Weather

Having travelled on both ships I can confirm:

there is a lot more public/viewing/deck space on Trollfjord (more than compensating for number of additional passengers.

I would choose Trollfjord any day (I also like Lofoten the smallest/oldest in fleet so I'm not a "cruise ship" afficienado - Trollfjord is still very Norwegian and characterful despite larger size)

the actual comparison in tonnage/size is TF 16140Gton/2918sqM & KH 11,200GTon/2337sqm

in my experience Trollfjord is quieter, more stable & rolls less

Hope this is helpful.

Fair Winds & Weather

Lots of info on airport to ship but can find nothing on reverse. As we have a 7 PM flight and Hurtigruten told my TA that it would dock at 3 PM or so, I am anxious to know what to expect prior. Tried private transfer companies and can find none. Is there a taxi stand by cruise terminal? Would ship provide any assistance to passengers? Do we need to contact the Bergen Taxi Company ourselves?

Thanks for any help!

Hi again, Thought I'd share current prices I've recently researched (as travelling in November) and an actual flight comparison.

Also forgot to say previously that scheduled arrival time of ship is 1430 not 1500. On previous trips airport bus has usually left before 1455.

If you want to take a cab from Hurtigruten Terminal you will need to pre-book - there are not a line waiting as at airports/stations. Ship's reception should be able to book one for you (did for me once).

Fixed price fares are: Bergen Taxi c.NOK430; Norgestaxi NOK 475/400 depending on day/time); Taxi1 (not current) NOK395. All these have websites.

Hurtigruten Transfer £20/€26 booked in advance. Last local price I can find is NOK170 but suspect higher now. During winter season Hurtigruten state they must be pre-booked as they won't run if no bookings. Think this is very unlikely in reality (for transfer to airport from ship) as many passengers will be going direct to airport.

I also find Hurtigruten booked flights generally more expensive than booking direct but have booked a specific KLM Bergen-Heathrow flight through them this year as cheaper than I could book direct.

When are you doing voyage?

Fair Winds & weather,

Richard

Lots of info on airport to ship but can find nothing on reverse. As we have a 7 PM flight and Hurtigruten told my TA that it would dock at 3 PM or so, I am anxious to know what to expect prior. Tried private transfer companies and can find none. Is there a taxi stand by cruise terminal? Would ship provide any assistance to passengers? Do we need to contact the Bergen Taxi Company ourselves?

Thanks for any help!

Have used Hurtigruten shuttle bus succesfully in order to get flights departing from 1625-1725 at least 4 times - you should have no problems. It is worth being aware that Hurtigruten themselves book passengers for flights from Bergen (as part of guaranteed packages) who are booked on shuttle bus so have self-interest in ensuring passengers can connect with flights. They definitely book passengers onto KLM flights departing 1730 (previously earlier) so this should give some confidence.

Only time I took a cab we met friends who'd taken shuttle bus in departures lounge when we arrived!

Hope this eases concerns