Hurtigruten
PremiumSee how Hurtigruten describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1The original Norwegian coastal voyage, sailing Bergen-Kirkenes since 1893, with ports only small ships reach and stops from 10 minutes to several hours.
- 2Two products: full-board Original Coastal Express voyages, and all-inclusive Signature voyages (drinks and gratuities included) to Svalbard, the North Cape and the fjords.
- 3Norway's Coastal Kitchen menus sourced from about 70 local farms, fisheries and bakeries; free Wi-Fi on every ship.
- 4Northern Lights Promise: a free Coastal Express voyage if the aurora isn't recorded on qualifying winter sailings.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line90 days before departure
Balance due 90 days before departure (no second invoice is sent). If a payment is late, Hurtigruten may cancel the booking, keep the deposit and charge the cancellation fee.
Applies to: Bookings made in North America with Hurtigruten Americas, Inc. (General Terms and Conditions effective for bookings made as of November 1, 2024)
The Payments FAQ says the final due date can't be extended; extras added within 90 days of departure must be paid immediately. Travel documents are sent once full payment is received.
Deposit
Per cruise lineSources differ
Hurtigruten's pages differ on when the deposit is due. The North America Terms say a non-refundable 25% deposit 'shall be paid when you book'; the Payments FAQ says the 25% deposit 'must be paid within 7 days of booking'. We show the Terms.General Terms and Conditions (PDF) Payments FAQ25% non-refundable deposit at booking (full payment if booking within 90 days)
Bookings made 90 days or more before departure: a non-refundable 25% deposit is paid when you book. Bookings made less than 90 days before departure: full payment at booking. Special promotions may require full payment at booking.
Applies to: Bookings made in North America with Hurtigruten Americas, Inc. (General Terms and Conditions effective for bookings made as of November 1, 2024)
The Payments FAQ says the 25% deposit must be paid within 7 days of booking. Cards accepted for bookings: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, UnionPay, JCB and American Express; bank or wire transfer. Checks are no longer accepted from September 1, 2026. Advance payments are covered by the USTOA $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise line90+ days 25%; 60-89 days 50%; 30-59 days 75%; under 30 days 100%. Bookings under US$1,340 non-refundable.
Cancellation in writing by the person who made the booking; it counts from the day Hurtigruten receives it. Fees as a % of the total package cost: 90 days or more before departure 25%; 60-89 days 50%; 30-59 days 75%; less than 30 days 100%. Bookings costing less than US$1,340 (including taxes and charges) are non-refundable. No refund for no-shows or early disembarkation. Name change or transfer to another person: US$50 per change, allowed until 15 days before departure; other changes: US$50 per change.
Applies to: Bookings made in North America with Hurtigruten Americas, Inc. (General Terms and Conditions effective for bookings made as of November 1, 2024)
Air booked through Hurtigruten follows the airline's rules; Hurtigruten-booked ground transfers are non-refundable. If the price rises by more than 10%, the guest may cancel with a full refund. The fee schedule in the Terms PDF has a stray first row ('Total package cost | 100%') that reads as the table heading; the four day bands match the Refunds FAQ.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Not customary on Original (Coastal Express) voyages: optional tip boxes at Reception and in the restaurants. Included on Signature voyages.Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Same as other cabins (no suite gratuity rule)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Original (Coastal Express): not included; drinks are bought on board or as a drinks package. Signature: select beer, wine and spirits included in Flora, Brasserie Árran and the 1893 Bar.Per cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Not included on Original voyages. On Signature voyages, cocktails and premium drinks are included for suite guests; others can buy the Signature Cocktail Package (price not published).Per cruise line
- Soda package
- Original: not included (tea, filter coffee and water only). Signature: included.Per cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Tea and filter coffee included on Original and Signature voyages; coffees and pastries in the Multe café on Coastal Express ships cost extra (prices not published).Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included on all ships (slow in remote areas; not for streaming). Basic-fare and port-to-port guests must join 1893 Ambassador (free) to use it.Per cruise line
Sources differ
Hurtigruten's pages differ on Wi-Fi for port-to-port travellers. The Life on board FAQ says Basic-fare and port-to-port guests must register with the 1893 Ambassador program to use the complimentary Wi-Fi; the Cabins FAQ says cabin Wi-Fi is 'not available port-to-port guests'. Both say Wi-Fi is free on cruise fares. We show the Life on board FAQ.Life on board FAQ Cabins and suites FAQ - Wi-Fi (premium)
- No paid Wi-Fi tier publishedPer cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Original: full board in Torget included; Kysten à la carte and Brygga bistro cost extra (food and drink packages sold). Signature: Flora and Brasserie Árran included; Røst fine dining included for suite guests and sold as an onboard upgrade to others.Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not published by the cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Fitness room and sauna on every ship, free (6am-10pm); no fitness classes publishedPer cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- No spa. Sauna, fitness room and outdoor hot tubs (all ships except MS Trollfjord) are free.Per cruise line
- Air program
- Flights can be booked with Hurtigruten as part of a package (flights, hotels, transfers). Hurtigruten-booked air gets the Assured Arrival Program: rebooking to the next flight or next port if a flight is disrupted.Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Extra: shore excursions (70+ on the Coastal Express), drinks on Original voyages, transfers and flights. Small fees are in NOK: self-service laundry NOK 30 a load, late cabin check-out NOK 300 for 1-3 hours, crib NOK 200 (Original FAQ) or NOK 130 (Signature FAQ), pets NOK 200 a night, cabin cleaning after smoking NOK 1,500.Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Hurtigruten at booking and bring your own wheelchair; accessible cabins can be booked online or through the Customer Service Center (limited, book early). Scooter users must book an accessible cabin and give the scooter's details. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Most public areas step-free from the central lift; at least two accessible public toilets per ship; a few accessible cabins per ship with wider doorways and automatic doors. Some outdoor decks have raised thresholds. Wheelchair users are asked to travel with a companion; crew can't provide personal care. No excursions designed for wheelchair users. Per cruise line
- Blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing
- Blind guests welcome with a travel companion; hearing-impaired guests welcome without assistance (tell Hurtigruten at booking and check in at Reception). Lectures are not subtitled. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Guide dogs travel free and may go in all public areas except restaurants; a pet cabin must be booked. Therapy dogs count as pets. Pets are allowed on Original ships only (not MS Trollfjord or MS Midnatsol). Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Crew are trained in first aid and emergency medical response; onboard care is first aid and emergency help only, not hospital or specialist care, and serious cases are transferred ashore. Guests must manage their own daily needs. Most ports have pharmacies. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryPolar Inside and Polar Outside (8-13 m²)
Per cruise linePolar Inside: 8-12 m², no window, twin, single or triple layouts. Polar Outside: 8-13 m², window or small porthole (some face the walking deck or have restricted views).
midArctic Superior (10-22 m²)
Per cruise line10-22 m², window or large porthole (most with sea views), double or twin beds, tea and coffee facilities; usually on middle or upper decks.
topExpedition Suites (16-45 m²; Grand, Owner's, Suite or Mini Suite by ship)
Per cruise line16-45 m², king bed, balcony or large windows, seating area, priority check-in, welcome sparkling wine. Original: Norwegian wool sweater (full voyages). Signature: all meals in Røst, unlimited cocktails and premium drinks, daily minibar refills, turndown, clothing package and NOK 2,500 onboard credit (full voyages).
Loyalty program
1893 Ambassador (free; Level 1 and Level 2)Per cruise line
- 1Level 1 — Free sign-up
- 2Level 2 — After sailing 3 or more consecutive nights (upgraded 24 hours after travel)
Guests may say
“1893 Ambassador”, “1893 Ambassador Loyalty Program”, “Ambassador Program”
None published. HX Explorers (HX Expeditions) is a different program run by a separate company; Hurtigruten's pages don't say that either counts toward the other.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Not included. Public-transport transfers (Bergen, Oslo, Tromsø) and chartered buses (Kirkenes, Longyearbyen) can be added when booking online or later through the Customer Service Center; flights, hotels and transfers can also be booked as a package with the voyage. Changes or cancellations follow the package's terms.
Which ports: Main embarkation ports: Bergen and Kirkenes (Coastal Express), Oslo and Tromsø (North Cape Line), Bergen and Longyearbyen (Svalbard Line), Copenhagen and Tromsø (Arctic Line). Geiranger boarding is by tender.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
Not HX: Norway and Svalbard only
Per cruise lineHurtigruten sails only the Norwegian coast and to Svalbard (Signature voyages also start in Oslo and Copenhagen). Antarctica, Alaska and Galápagos expeditions belong to HX Expeditions, which became a separate company in 2025.
Two products: Original and Signature
Per cruise lineOriginal voyages on the Coastal Express sail 12 days round trip Bergen-Kirkenes year-round, calling at 34 ports (some stops 10-15 minutes) with full board but no drinks. Signature voyages (MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol) make longer stops in up to 14 ports and include drinks and gratuities.
Northern Lights Promise
Per cruise lineOn qualifying sailings between 20 September and 31 March, if the ship's officers record no Northern Lights during the voyage, Hurtigruten gives a free 6-day Coastal Express cruise. Agent and voyage pages say voyages of 11+ days and a 6- or 7-day voyage.
Pregnancy limits differ by page
Per cruise lineSources differ
Hurtigruten's pages differ on pregnancy. The North America Terms allow travel only up to the 24th week ('through week 23'); the Medical and safety FAQ allows travel up to 36 weeks with a doctor's note from week 24. Both are shown.General Terms and Conditions (PDF) Medical and safety FAQThe North America Terms don't permit travel more than 23 weeks into a pregnancy. The Help Center FAQ says no restrictions up to 24 weeks, a doctor's note from 24 to 36 weeks, and no travel beyond 36 weeks. Check with Hurtigruten before booking.
No minimum age; child discounts
Per cruise lineGuests of any age can sail; children under 12 must travel with an adult. On Original and Signature cruises children 2-15 get 20% off with one adult or 50% off with two adults in the cabin (under 2 free). There are no kids' clubs.
Onboard currency is the Norwegian krone
Per cruise lineOnboard charges are in NOK on a cruise card, settled by Visa, Mastercard or Diners at the end. American Express is accepted for bookings but not on board (except MS Nordnorge).
Working ships: noise and cargo
Per cruise lineCoastal Express ships carry cargo, post and local passengers; some guests notice engine noise and movement, especially at night and during docking. Cabins on upper and middle decks are quieter.
Port-to-port tickets are not cruises
Per cruise linePort-to-port (ferry-style) tickets include no meals; meal packages can be added. A cabin is required for journeys over 23 hours. Suites can't be booked port-to-port, and they open for sale only 6 months ahead.
No dress code
Per cruise lineThere is no dress code on board, no formal nights, casinos or shows.
Fleet
- Ships
- 8 ships: MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol (Signature voyages); MS Kong Harald, MS Nordkapp, MS Nordlys, MS Nordnorge, MS Polarlys and MS Richard With (Coastal Express)Per cruise line
Sources differ
Hurtigruten's pages differ on fleet size. The Our ships page lists eight ships (MS Trollfjord, MS Midnatsol, MS Kong Harald, MS Nordkapp, MS Nordlys, MS Nordnorge, MS Polarlys and MS Richard With); the About page says '10 ships, including 4 hybrid'; the Original voyages FAQ says 'a seven-strong fleet' and names six ships. We show the Our ships page.Our ships About Hurtigruten Original voyages FAQ - Newest ship
- MS Midnatsol (formerly MS Maud) is the latest addition to the Signature fleet. No new ship has been ordered; the Sea Zero project aims for a first emissions-free ship on the coast by 2030.Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Signature ships: MS Trollfjord (500 guests) and MS Midnatsol (570 guests, formerly MS Maud), Coastal Express ships: MS Kong Harald (1993), MS Nordkapp, MS Nordlys, MS Nordnorge, MS Polarlys and MS Richard With (452-590 guests; four are battery-hybrid)
Where they sail
Last full review: 9 Oct 2026·Last updated: 9 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.