karen11g

6 hours ago, Ausboomers said:

Thank you so much for your positive review. We sail on that ship on 14th Feb. Now I'm really excited to go. 

Very excited for you - have a fantastic trip!

Just returned from an Antarctica Circle Expedition on Hurtigruten's MS Roald Amundsen. I can't say enough positive things about the cruise, the ship, the crew and the cruise line. Some comments:

1. Our cruise was cancelled twice due to Covid. The second time it wasn't cancelled until after we had arrived in South America. We booked with and so dealt with the Norwegian office, and their customer service was stellar throughout. Though we booked our own flights and flew to Chili several days early, we were refunded all sunk costs for our trip to South America for the cancelled cruise - airfare, trip insurance, hotel in Santiago - and rebooked the following season at the price we originally paid back in early 2020.

2. The Roald Amundsen will book up to 500 passengers on cruises to Antarctica. Because only 100 people are allowed on landings at a time, that means you'd expect only one landing per day. Our itinerary included 10 days in Antarctica, so we were good with choosing a trip/ship with one landing per day. However, there were just over 300 passengers on our cruise. Hurtigruten could have chosen to stick with one landing per day, and we wouldn't have complained - it's what we signed up for. They didn't do that. The crew worked hard to give us two experiences every day that weather and seas permitted. Several days we did two landings, other days we did a landing and a Zodiac cruise. Twice we sailed and landed where no Hurtigruten ship had ever been, and the crew's excitement about that enhanced our experience of it even more.

3. The entire crew was fantastic - expedition team, restaurant/kitchen staff, hospitality/cabin staff, officers. They worked hard, but were unfailingly friendly and positive. There was clearly camaraderie among the staff, and the friendly interactions with passengers came across as very genuine. Scientists and naturalists on board were obviously excited about their fields and seemed genuinely thrilled to share their knowledge with us. I kept thinking about how many times they must have given their lectures and answered the same questions, but if they were tired of any of it, they sure didn't let us see it. At every opportunity the crew of the Amundsen went above and beyond.

4. The ship was beautiful and was kept spotlessly clean, our cabin was spacious and well designed, and the food was very good. We were not their top paying customers - we were in a "polar outside" cabin on Deck 5 paying 2019 fares - and we had a stellar experience.

Antarctica is otherworldy, stunning, indescribable. We expected to enjoy an expedition to the 7th continent, but were blown away at every turn. If you're thinking about an expedition cruise, we couldn't recommend Hurtigruten and the MS Roald Amundsen more highly.

I need to add one more "kudo" to Hurtigruten for their customer service.

When our January Antarctica cruise was cancelled and rebooked, the fully paid cruise price was transferred to our new booking for Jan 2023.

The problem was that we need a pre-existing condition coverage waiver with our trip insurance, and you can only get that if you buy trip insurance within a couple of weeks of making the first payment toward your trip. Our first payment toward our (now) 2023 trip was early 2021 (the deposit for what was supposed to be our 2022 trip), and we needed new trip insurance.

Hurtigruten worked with us to cancel our booking and give us a completely new booking at the same price, then refunded us the first cruise's payment, so we could pay from scratch. Our new first payment is now April 2022, so we were able to get the insurance waiver we needed. (Checked with the insurance company first to make sure that would work.)

It's really just an administrative thing, but we appreciate they did this for us and took care of the refund quickly. Again, very impressed.

So wait ... you and Hurtigruten are fighting this hard about $250? I misunderstood that, thought it was the cost of the cruise.

2 hours ago, bones774 said:

they certainly didn't do that with me. After my cruisevwas postponed twice in 2 year span they wanted me to pay in full while Americans were not even allowed into Norway.

BTW- all the staff I spoke with in Seattle office were very nice until I asked for refund, then I was emailed that no refund will be issued.

I know - I've read the other thread, and it sounds so frustrating. It's hard to believe we've been dealing with the same company. I hope you eventually get some satisfaction.

I know you've been pursuing all kinds of avenues, so I doubt if this will help, but this is the link I was given to reach Guest Relations and put in my request: https://global.hurtigruten.com/contact-us/feedback/?_ccid=81997&_ccst=12954&_hrgb=3

As soon as I put in my request, I was given a case number. In a little over three weeks I had my refund. I did have to check back with them once - about two and half weeks after I submitted - but they replied within several days after that.

Wish you good luck with finally getting this settled.

Thank you hallasm - You've cleared up my confusion!

What’s confusing me is the itinerary description of the one called “Astronomy Cruise” doesn’t list the 34-port detail that the other cruises do (how many minutes/hours are spent in each of the 34 ports). It reads like something different, like a cruise with fewer stops.

So you’re saying that’s not the case? It’s actually the same as on the Norwegian site with the 34 ports? Would you mind providing a link to the same cruise on the Norwegian site?

Thank you!

I've read some negative reviews of Hurtigruten customer service, and I'm sorry some have experienced that. But I feel compelled to give another view based on our experience.

We booked through the Norwegian site, so our customer service experience has been with that office. Every contact with anyone from their office has been positive, but I have to call out one person in particular. Several months before the cruise, I emailed Hurtigruten with some questions and a customer service agent named Diana responded. From that point forward, I just replied to the same email if I had a question or concern, and Diana made it a point to respond to me, even though it was a general customer service email address.

We were booked on the Jan 11 MS Roald Amundsen cruise to Antarctica that was cancelled at the last minute due to the Omicron surge. Diana knew we had already flown to Santiago a couple of days before the cruise (I had contacted her to make sure the cruise wasn't going to be cancelled), so she called me to give me the bad news. She had to try several times before reaching me, and she said she wanted to catch me before we got the news via email or text. Very, very kind.

Because we had already embarked on the trip, the money we spent for trip insurance, airfare and the Mandarin Oriental in Santiago were sunk costs. I asked Diana if Hurtigruten would do anything about that, and she said she really couldn't help - we'd have to fill out the "feedback form" on the website. This did not sound good.

However, a couple of weeks later, Guest Relations replied and asked for receipts for those expenses and the information needed to wire funds. Today - the next day - the full amount was deposited into our bank account, about $5,500 USD.

Hurtigruten had no control over Omicron, but they took full responsibility for the last-minute call to cancel. We couldn't be more pleased with our experience and are already looking at a Northern Lights cruise with them in the future.

1 hour ago, hallasm said:

The UK site has a bit more information 

Astronomy Voyage: In search of the Northern Lights

cannot find these voyages at the Norwegian web.

Interesting ... maybe seeing Northern lights isn't as interesting for Norwegians, since it's much more available to them?

Thank you for checking!

Hoping hallasm or someone else knowledgeable can help clear up some confusion for me.

We booked an Antarctica cruise through the Norwegian site at significant savings from the US site, so are looking into possibly doing the same thing for a Northern lights cruise.

The US site has a 12-day, “Astronomy Tour,” (https://www.hurtigruten.com/destinations/norway/astronomy-voyage/),

that I can’t find on the Norwegian site. 

Am I just missing it, or is this just a different name for one of the cruises listed on the .no site? Is anyone familiar with this cruise?

Posted in wrong thread.

2 hours ago, khle said:

Looks like the Amundsen canceled prematurely now for their current sailing - I suspect that the next one will be impacted as well? They are "only" skipping the Falklands (which is still significant).

I wonder whether Hurtigruten made the call or if the Falklands decided the ship couldn’t dock.

1 hour ago, movin12 said:

Yes, I would be interested to know where grayjay heard this.  “Serious media reports”, I can’t find any news on this.  I hope it won’t affect the Jan. 11th cruise.

Looks like there aren't reports in US media yet. Here are two articles from Europe:

https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/koronasmitte-pa-hurtigrutens-ms-_roald-amundsen_-i-antarktis-1.15793641

https://www.vol.no/nyheter/2022/01/03/Koronautbrudd-på-Hurtigruten-25002126.ece

Using Google translate, it seems three passengers tested positive on day 6 of the cruise that departed Dec. 27(?). They and 8 others (some passengers, some crew) who were deemed close contacts were isolated.

Today we got our welcome aboard email from Hurtigruten for Jan 11 cruise, so looks like it's not stopping them.

13 hours ago, Bizmark'sMom said:

This is only a guess...

Considering how picky Chile has been with the forms, any yes answer to anything relating to Covid definitely endangers your entry into the country.  Do everything in your power to make sure you stay healthy and are not exposed. (almost impossible with this new variant, I know)

We’ve been isolating since we came back early from Xmas, no symptoms more than a week later. We’re passing thru Chile on the way to an Antarctic cruise. Just need to pass the Chile gauntlet. By the time we get on the ship, everyone will be vaccinated and have had at least 3 negative PCR tests in the days prior to boarding. I’m glad they’re all being strict, though - it will make everyone safer. We can all do everything we can, but with omicron sounds like it will be what it will be.

Also found a couple of other threads that clarified the answer to my original question: As I understand it, if you test positive within 14 days of arrival, but test negative within 72 hours, if you can upload a positive test from between 14 days and one month before arrival, they’ll assume it’s a resolved infection that PCR is still picking up. Otherwise, no entry. 

4 hours ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

Oh no.  I think you are on our cruise originating in Santiago on January 11.

Do you have an at-home test?  We know several people who tested positive with their at-home test and then got a test with results back in 24-48 hours which was negative.

 

Unless you are sick, there is no reason to test.  (Unless you plan to be with at-risk people for New Year's, or for other reasons.)

 

We are trying to self-isolate for the next few weeks.  (Had to go purchase a larger suitcase today.)

Yes we are, and thanks.

We’d test if we developed symptoms, but we haven’t yet. We’re seven days away from second-degree exposure (someone we were with had, the day before, been with someone who tested positive), so feeling less worried. We’ve been isolating since then.

All triple vaxed. This variant ... things changed so quickly. Hope you’re staying safe!

Omicron has been exploding and our exposure over the last few days is pretty likely. We’re triple vaxxed, only spending time with triple vaxxed, but a couple of people we were with have tested positive.

Evidence is omicron spreads easily and has shorter incubation period. Evidence also suggests triple vaxxed people don’t get very sick and get rid of it more quickly if infected.

We have a pretty good chance of a mild infection that comes and goes within 14 days of our cruise. In that case, our answer to questions both for Hurtigruten and our country of departure, Chile, about whether we had a positive test within 14 days will be “yes.”

If we have a negative test within 72 hours of entry into Chile, as required, and a negative test for Hurtigruten before boarding, as required, does anyone know if our “yes” answer on the form could jeopardize our trip?

4 hours ago, AlanCruise said:

The application for the pass originally took a week or two, but has got a lot quicker. You can do that well before you travel.  The C19 form can only be done 48 hours before arrival. When this is approved, and after the PCR test on arrival is confirmed as negative, then the mobility form will be activated.

Yes, the process is confusing and the timing is tricky.

As I understand it from various sources and these boards, the pre-boarding PCR test has to be TAKEN within 72 hours of the flight that brings you into Chile, and the C19 form must be submitted no more than 48 hours before LANDING in Chile. The results of your pre-boarding PCR test are uploaded as part of the C19 form.

If that’s not accurate, can someone please correct it?

8 hours ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

Question about suites.

Did you have free laundry?

I was on this page on the Hurtigruten site a few days ago: 

https://www.hurtigruten.com/our-ships/ms-roald-amundsen/practical-information/

It says laundry is free for suite guests. Would love to be in a suite! We’re hoping for an upgrade to a balcony if the ship is still pretty empty by the Jan 11 sailing.

17 hours ago, cruiseboy243 said:

When I uploaded the document last week, the message I received was that the only reason we will hear anything about the medical forms is if there was an issue. If they were approved, we should not expect to hear from Hurtigruten or Vikrand.

Just double-checked, and all we got was confirmation of the upload. That was several weeks ago, so must have changed the message?
 

We’ll print and bring them with us, but not worried ... figure all is okay. Thanks

2 hours ago, CraigShanklin said:

This is Craig…I’m on board the Roald Amundsen now (2nd cruise of the season) and happy to answer any questions. We only have 179 pax on board.

So glad to hear - you must have made it thru the Chile COVID process! Thanks for posting!

With only 179 on board (!), do you know if they’re allowing cabin upgrades?
 

I asked about upgrading our cabin a couple of months ago, but didn’t get an answer, so assumed they weren’t available.

3 hours ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

We are also on the January 11 itinerary.  We are staying at the Sheraton.

We have decided we are going to self-isolate from December 27 until we leave on January 10.

We do not want to take any chances.  We have waited too long for this trip.  And had too many trips canceled on us.

We are flying in from Atlanta.  How about you?

I realized we're both on the roll call thread, so moved our cruise-specific discussion over there.

Would still like to hear from anyone if they know whether we should expect to hear from Hurtigruten about the medical certificates. I guess not?

Jan 11. You?

I’ll add my thanks - so much helpful information! Safe travels home!

My husband and I uploaded our medical screening forms on Dec. 1 (the one signed by a physician and required by Hurtigruten for Antarctica trips). We both immediately received confirmation emails from Vikrand saying the docs were uploaded. 

Will we hear anything else about these? Should we get something from Hurtigruten saying they were accepted or otherwise indicating our medical forms are good to go?

4 hours ago, cruiseboy243 said:

How long did it take for your PCR results for the test taken in the airport when you landed? Trying to get a general idea of how

FYI, the Chile forum on Tripadvisor is very active with conversations from travelers’ current experiences entering Chile.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g294291-i1357-Chile.html