Hurtigruten has extended its temporary suspension of sailings worldwide until 12 May due to continued local and global travel restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hurtigruten has not had any confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus (covid-19) on any of its ships.

Further cancellations as a result of the extension include MS Fridtjof Nansen’s departure from Hamburg, Germany, on 29 April and MS Spitsbergen’s departures from Longyearbyen on 6 May.

Hurtigruten’s Alaska expedition cruise season will be postponed to July due to new travel restrictions from Canadian authorities.

MS Roald Amundsen Alaska departures on 17 May, 31 May, 12 June, 24 June and 1 July will subsequently be cancelled.

Operations on the Norwegian coast have been suspended until 20 May. The first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be with MS Vesterålen on 21 May.

Chief executive Daniel Skjeldam said: “Seeing our ships laying idle for a prolonged period of time instead of exploring is difficult.”

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 are bringing critical supplies and goods to local Norwegian communities hit hard by travel restrictions. 

Skjeldam added: “These are extraordinary and emotional times for the entire Hurtigruten team. But I firmly believe it is the only responsible decision in the extraordinary crisis the world is currently facing.”

Guests who have their voyages cancelled because of the temporary suspension of operations have been offered a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 125 per cent of amounts paid (including fees).

Guests will also rever a 10 per cent discount on any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coast – from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021.

Guests booked on voyages through 30 September 2020 are offered rebooking, without any rebooking fee and a future discount of 10 per cent, to any future Hurtigruten cruise – Expedition or Norwegian Coastal – for departures between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2021.

Visit Hurtigruten’s dedicated page for more information.