Following the departure of the MS Finnmarken from Bergen last week – marking the world’s first ocean cruise ship to resume sailing – Hurtigruten now has four ships offering guests the Original Coastal Voyage on the Norwegian coast, with MS Midnatsol, MS Richard With and MS Trollfjord all offering sailings from this week.
“Safely sailing the Norwegian fjords in this special time of history, is a tribute to the Hurtigruten legacy and explorer spirit dating back to 1893,” said Damian Perry, Managing Director Hurtigruten Asia Pacific.
“We are very proud to be the first to return to sailing, but we are just as proud that our very careful, cautious approach makes sure the health and safety of our guests, staff and crew is our top priority.”
Hurtigruten coastal sailings are currently open to the Norwegian and Danish domestic market and, following an engaging local campaign encouraging Norwegians to take “a big adventure” with Hurtigruten, locals have jumped at the chance to experience the wonders of their own coastline this summer season.
Life on board
The rich Hurtigruten experience including lectures, shore excursions, and onboard activities continues as before with the addition of social distancing and health and safety requirements. The ships are sailing at low capacity to ensure an even more spacious experience. Even before the global outbreak, Hurtigruten imposed strict health measures and protocols and Hurtigruten has not had any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on any of its ships. Full details of Hurtigruten’s new guest, staff and crew embarkation and onboard health and safety policies can be found here.
“Life aboard is experienced as ‘differently magnificent’,” said Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO, on board the MS Finnmarken last week. “Differently, because our infection control measures are ever-present as they should be. Magnificent, because a virus cannot chance the fact that this is the world’s most beautiful sea voyage – and that we have the very best people available to showcase it.”
More sailings
From next month, Hurtigruten will also offer 8- and 15-day Tromsø – Svalbard – Tromsø expedition cruises on the world’s first hybrid powered expedition ship, the MS Roald Amundsen. Svalbard sailings on the MS Spitsbergen will commence in mid-July. Hurtigruten’s newest hybrid powered ship, the MS Fridtjof Nansen, will also sail the Norwegian coast through the summer season.
Find Norway destination images here: https://bit.ly/NorwayDestinations
.jpg){kind=tracking}
