Hurtigruten has announced a gradual restart of operations from mid-June as the company extends its pause of operations until 15 June.

The cruise line’s Norway coastal voyages are due to resume first, with first planned departure being on MS Finnmarken from Bergen on 16 June.

Following this, the expedition cruise line has said that it will make decisions for each and every voyage individually and will update all booked guests on any changes that will affect their voyage no later than three weeks (21 days) before the scheduled ship’s departure.

Hurtigruten says it plans to gradually restart expedition cruises in areas where restrictions are lifted, “where and when we believe it is safe”.

CEO Daniel Skjeldam says: “We are two months into what is a truly extraordinary situation. In one way or another, the consequences of the pandemic impact us all,

“There is still a lot of uncertainty in what the next weeks and months will bring. However, we do see international restrictions gradually being lifted. Step by step, the pandemic is being brought under control. Businesses are re-opening and everyday life is slowly getting back to a degree of normality.”

He added: “Gradually restarting operations within Norwegian waters are natural first steps towards a normalisation for us.

“The size and scale of our step-by-step restart is dependent on national and international travel restrictions, government support and other external factors outside of our control. But we are eager to welcome guests onboard our ships again.”

Hurtigruten also plans to gradually restart Arctic expedition cruises this summer, according to Skjeldam “in areas where restrictions are lifted – where and when we believe it is safe”.

Hurtigruten has imposed strict measures and protocols to combat the spread of coronavirus and plans to implement more.

Skjeldam said: “In total, we will implement hundreds of small and larger measures to keep our guests and crew safe and healthy. Some of them are transitory, some will be permanent.

“But from even stricter hygiene protocols to reduced guest capacity to allow social distancing, this will give you a safer voyage without impacting the experience.”

The expedition cruise line has introduced a flexible rebooking policy, offering free rebooking for all guests on all voyages departing before  30 September.

Guests are offered rebooking and a future discount of 10 per cent, to any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coastal – in 2020 or 2021.

For full policy and rebooking options, visit Hurtigruten’s dedicated information page.