Global expedition cruise line Hurtigruten has announced to extend the temporary suspension of operations from pole to pole due to the continuing coronavirus breakdown.
Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said: ?The situation is affecting virtually everyone in one way or another. Hurtigruten is no exception. This is a setback for us, for the local communities we work with and for our guests.?
?Seeing our ships laying idle for a prolonged period of time instead of exploring is difficult. 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?, Skjeldam added.
All Hurtigruten expedition cruises will be suspended until May 12. In addition, Hurtigruten?s Alaska expedition cruise season will be postponed to July due to new travel restrictions from Canadian authorities. Operations on the Norwegian coast will be suspended till May?20 and the first scheduled round trip departure from Bergen will be on May 21.??
In agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, Hurtigruten has deployed two ships in an amended domestic schedule for bringing critical supplies and goods to local?Norwegian?communities.?
Flexible rebooking policy
Hurtigruten has introduced a flexible rebooking policy too. Guests who have their voyages cancelled because of the temporary suspension of operations are offered a Hurtigruten Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 125% of amounts paid (including fees). They will get a 10% discount on any future Hurtigruten cruise - Expedition or Norwegian Coast - from July 1 2020 to December 31 2021.
Even though they are not affected by the temporary suspension of operations, guests booked on voyages through September 30 2020 are offered rebooking, without any rebooking fee and a future discount of 10%, to any future Hurtigruten cruise - Expedition or Norwegian Coastal - for departures between July 1 2020 and December 31 2021.
