FAQ: The Coastal Express

We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Passport and visas

All guests must present a valid passport with a validity of six months post-voyage when they check-in to a voyage. A valid passport is required for both The North Cape Express and The Svalbard Express. You will not be permitted to disembark the ship without one.

All guests should obtain up-to-date advice on passport and visa requirements from the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the destination or country(ies) through which you are traveling.  

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations or health requirements for traveling to Norway, but it is the responsibility of all passengers to check and make sure they comply with any health requirements at the time of travel. For the most up-to-date guidance, check the Norwegian Institute for Public Health website.

We suggest you consult your doctor or relevant health authorities about any precautions you should take with regard to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).

Prohibited items

Hurtigruten complies with ISPS regulations (International Ship and Port Security System) so all luggage is inspected by X-ray/metal detector upon arrival at the port facility or ship. These regulations also include hand baggage scans in all ports of call throughout the course of your voyage.

The below list is not exhaustive. The SSO/Captain are authorized to make a professional judgment as to the legality of any item declared, detected, or discovered on board. 

Prohibited items include:

• Illegal drugs, narcotics, and illegal substances

• All firearms including replicas imitations, non-firing weapons, starting pistols and their components (including but not limited to the following items: Guns, operational or replicas, ammunition of all types, BB Guns, Compressed Air Guns, including Paint Ball Guns, Flare Guns, Gun Lighters, Gun/Firearms Parts, Pellet Guns, Spear Guns, Starter Pistols, Realistic Replicas of Firearms)

• All explosives and replicas (including, but are not limited to, the following items: Blasting Caps, Dynamite, Fireworks, Pyrotechnics, Hand Grenades, Plastic Explosives, Bomb Making Components, Gun Powder)

• Pointed weapons and sharp objects (including, but not limited to, the following items: throwing stars, flick- or gravity knifes, daggers, knifes or scissors with blade longer than 7 cm (including folding pocket knives), open razors, Spears or Spears gun, archery equipment, crossbows, crossbow bolts and long bow arrows, sabers, swords, Skean Dhus or Kirpans, axes)

• Blunt weapons (including, but not limited to the following items: knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, clubs, coshes, batons, flails or nunchaku and other items adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon)

• Restraining Devices (including, but not limited to the following items: handcuffs, leg or head restraining straps)

• High voltage stun devices and items containing incapacitating substances (including, but not limited to the following items: tasers, gas guns, tear gas spray, mace, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable, poison)

• Flammable substances unless carried in limited quantities (including, but not limited to the following items: petrol, methylated spirits, lighter fuel, paints, thinners, large batteries, etc)

• Candles or incense

• Compressed gas tanks, bottles, cylinders (including, but not limited to the following items: dive tanks, propane tanks, large aerosol cans)

• Items containing heating elements (including, but not limited to the following items: Immersion Heaters, Heating blankets, infrared heaters, flat irons, water heaters, coffee machines, etc)

• Remote-controlled or independent flying devices (including, but not limited to the following items: drones, toys, kites of any kind)

• Self-balancing hover boards, air wheels, scooters, Segways

• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), ham radios, satellite phones, transformers, laser and laser pointers, signaling jamming devices

Despite our unwavering commitment to sticking to our sailing schedule, the Norwegian coastal weather, known for its unpredictability, often has other plans. Our paramount concern is your safety, and we prioritize it above all else. Consequently, we maintain a vigilant watch on the ever-changing conditions, which can include the challenges posed by choppy waters or the shroud of thick fog.

In the event that nature's plans interferes with ours, rest assured that we stand ready to make real-time adjustments. Whether it entails tweaking our itinerary to ensure smooth sailing or taking the precautionary step of canceling onshore excursions at a moment's notice, your safety remains our guiding principle throughout your voyage.

Much like the ever-changing weather along the Norwegian coast, we can't guarantee the specific wildlife encounters you'll experience during your voyage with us. The wildlife you encounter is influenced by various factors, including the season, migration patterns, and even a dash of luck.

The unpredictability of nature and wildlife along the Norwegian coast is what makes these surprise encounters truly extraordinary. Each journey is a unique adventure, filled with opportunities to witness magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, from majestic whales breaching the surface to vibrant sea eagles soaring above.

Our cruises give you the chance to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Norwegian wildlife, where every moment is exhilarating and unscripted.

You can choose your cabin grade and cabin number at no extra charge (subject to availability). 

Please note that cabins on decks with access to outside areas may sometimes have an obstructed view and/or have other passengers walking past their window. Some cabins may experience some noise and vibration during docking and loading of goods. This varies depending on the location of your cabin.

Please ask our reservations team for advice on the best cabin location for you. 

Check-in

In Bergen, embarkation is from 4:00 p.m., with departure at 8:30 p.m. 

Check-out

Normal check-out from cabins is at 12:00 p.m. It is possible to buy a later check-out at the reception if it is available:

• NOK 300 for 1-3 hours

• An additional NOK 100 per hour for more than 3 hours

Ports with earlier check-out:

• Bergen (at 10:00 a.m.)

• Kirkenes (at 8:00 a.m.)

• Trondheim (at 8:00 a.m.)

• Tromsø (southbound - at 8:00 p.m.)

Our ships are equipped with a dedicated Coastal Experience Team, ready to enhance your voyage with an array of enriching activities. From engaging lectures and captivating presentations to photography workshops and exciting offshore hikes and excursions, our expert team is here to make your journey unforgettable.

Feel free to reach out to them for insights on the remarkable wildlife, fascinating ports, intriguing points of interest, and the rich heritage you'll encounter during your cruise. Your adventure awaits!

Norwegian Kroner (NOK) is the onboard currency. Most major currencies may be exchanged on board. Visa, American Express and MasterCard are all accepted.

To streamline your expenses, you can easily obtain a cruise card, which can be used to cover additional expenses and settled at the conclusion of your voyage.

Indulge in our diverse array of plant-based dining options available for both lunch and dinner. We take great care to accommodate special dietary needs and address food allergies when informed in advance. To ensure a delightful dining experience, please make it a priority to communicate any food allergies you may have at the time of booking. Your well-being and culinary satisfaction are of utmost importance to us.

Although some passengers choose to change for dinner, the dress code is casual rather than formal.

• See our packing list recommendations 

Please note that the use of passenger-operated drones is strictly prohibited during your voyage. This policy is in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests on board. Drones can pose potential safety risks, disrupt sensitive wildlife, and compromise the personal security of fellow travelers.

Our onboard sockets are designed for 220v/50Hz AC power and are of the two-pin Continental type. If necessary, we recommend that you bring your own adapters to ensure compatibility with your devices.

To ensure a smooth departure, please be prepared for boarding at least 15 minutes prior to departure time at all ports. If you are embarking in Bergen, please arrive at the terminal no later than 30 minutes before departure.

While ashore, you'll have the freedom to explore the captivating ports we visit at your own pace. Our sailing plan is available. We kindly ask that you return to the ship promptly, especially if it has experienced any delays, to adhere to our schedule. Departure times will always be clearly displayed at the gangway.

Please be aware that the ship cannot wait for late arrivals. If you miss your ship, you will be responsible for arranging and covering the cost of transportation to the next scheduled port.

Indulge in a culinary journey at our main restaurant, Torget, open for three delectable meals a day. Begin your day with a sumptuous breakfast served from 7am, featuring a delightful spread of hot options and a buffet teeming with fresh bread, fruits, yogurts, eggs, pancakes, smoothies, and juices. At 12pm, savor à la carte selections crafted from the finest seasonal ingredients, and in the evening, delight in a three-course à la carte dinner starting at 6pm. Our menu caters to diverse tastes, offering a range of plant-based options for both lunch and dinner.

For an exceptional taste of Arctic fine dining, journey to Kysten, where our Culinary Ambassadors have thoughtfully curated the menu. Alternatively, for a more relaxed dining experience, Brygga, our onboard bistro, awaits with a mouthwatering menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas.

Indulge your sweet tooth at Multe, our onboard bakery, where you can relish waffles adorned with generous dollops of whipped cream or ice cream.

• Discover more about the restaurants and sample menus onboard The Coastal Express

While it's not customary to tip on our ships, we appreciate your recognition of exceptional service. Tip boxes and envelopes are conveniently placed in the restaurant for those who wish to show their appreciation to our dedicated crew members.

We provide complimentary Wi-Fi aboard our ships. Please be aware that signal strength may vary in different areas of the ship. Since our voyages take you through remote regions of Norway, internet speeds may also be slower, making it less suitable for streaming services.

While we do not have a doctor or pharmacy on board, our trained officers are equipped to provide emergency medical assistance. Our ships are also in proximity to land for urgent medical needs.

We prioritize good hand hygiene and request all guests to regularly wash or sanitize their hands, especially before meals. Hand sanitizer stations are conveniently placed throughout the ship.

Our air-conditioning systems ensure a continuous supply of fresh air; we do not recycle air.

To ensure your well-being, it is recommended to have personal travel/health insurance. If you rely on medication, please bring an ample supply to cover any unforeseen delays, although they are rare. We recommend carrying your medication in your hand luggage, with clear labeling and usage instructions.

Our official onboard languages are Norwegian and English. Additionally, some of our Coastal Experience Team members, reception staff, and service crew are proficient in German. On MS Richard With, you'll also find team members who speak French.

For your convenience, many of our excursions are guided in two or three languages. If you'd like more details, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Coastal Experience Team or the Tour Leader on board.

We offer onboard laundry facilities equipped with washing machines, dryers, and irons on all our ships. You can conveniently purchase tokens for these facilities at the reception.

Hot tubs can be found on all ships except MS Vesterålen and MS Trollfjord. All ships have fitness rooms.

Luggage handling is not part of the cost. If you are embarking or disembarking at the Hurtigruten Terminal in Bergen, our team will assist you with your luggage. For all other ports, you are kindly requested to manage your own luggage during embarkation and disembarkation.

All our ships feature at least one wheelchair-accessible cabin, ensuring comfortable accommodations for all travelers with accessibility needs.

As part of our commitment to safety, all passengers are required to attend a mandatory safety briefing in Bergen and Kirkenes before the ship's departure. Once on board, our attentive crew will conduct additional safety briefings at intervals during the voyage. These briefings, lasting approximately 10-15 minutes, are compulsory for all guests, even those who have sailed with us before.

During the briefing, you'll receive instructions on how to properly don a life jacket and guidance on emergency procedures in the unlikely event of an evacuation or other onboard emergencies. Our crew will be available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

To further enhance your awareness of emergency procedures, we've provided diagrams in your cabins and throughout public areas. If you ever have any doubts, our reception staff will be more than happy to assist you.

Additionally, please exercise caution when embarking and disembarking at ports, as there may be vehicular activity on the quay involving cars loading or unloading goods. Your safety is our utmost priority.

All our ships feature onboard shops offering a curated selection of premium products. You'll find high-end Norwegian clothing brands, outdoor equipment tailored for excursions and hikes, a variety of gifts, and souvenirs. Additionally, we offer a convenient selection of toiletries for purchase.

For a seamless experience and to avoid disappointment, we highly recommend pre-booking your excursions to secure your spot. You can reserve these adventures up to four weeks before your departure.

Any remaining excursion slots will be available for purchase on board, and charges will be in Norwegian Kroner at the ship's exchange rate.

Please keep in mind that all excursions are subject to change, as weather and sea conditions can impact their feasibility. Additionally, some excursions may have minimum or maximum participant requirements.

• See all excursions

Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, is only permitted in designated outdoor areas on the ship's decks. However, it's crucial to note that all forms of smoking are strictly prohibited, even in designated areas, when the ship is in port or during refueling. Our crew will inform guests when these restrictions are in effect.

Please be aware that a cleaning fee of approximately NOK 1500 will be applied for smoking inside the cabin. This fee covers the cost of cleaning bedding and curtains to restore the cabin to a smoke-free standard.

Most cruise line pricing, including ours, are structured for double occupancy, with two guests sharing one cabin. Solo travelers are welcome but are typically required to pay a solo traveler supplement, which is a percentage of the cabin rate.

However, at Hurtigruten, we frequently feature promotions with no single supplement. For the latest deals and offers, please visit our special offers page.

Traveling solo means you'll enjoy the privacy of having an entire cabin to yourself, without sharing with another traveler.

All our ships except for the for the MS Nordtjernen are fitted with stabilizers to ensure a smoother sailing experience. However, it's important to note that in adverse weather conditions, including high winds and waves, some degree of ship motion may still be experienced.

We recommend pre-booking a spot on the car deck. You can show up on the day, but there's no guarantee we'll have a free space.

Please be ready to drive on board at 6:00 pm in Bergen and no later than one hour before departure in Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø and Kirkenes. For all other ports, please arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure. 

In most ports, you park your car, walk on to the ship, check in, and then return to your vehicle. Our crew will then inform you when it’s your turn to drive on board. In Bergen, please walk into the terminal and check in.  

We ask guests embarking at ports where we dock for 15 minutes or less to drive onto the ship before checking in. A member of our car deck crew will hand you a transit card. Please show this card to reception staff during check-in. Check our sailing plan to see how long we stay in each port.

Please provide reception staff with the following information during check-in: 

• License plate number 

• Type of vehicle 

• Color of vehicle 

You will receive your vehicle access pass during check in, which must be shown to the crew on the car deck.

In Bergen, there is  a car park near the terminal marked with ‘Kystruten and FjordLine’.  

In Trondheim and Bodø, there is a car park close to the pier. 

In Tromsø, vehicles must be parked in public car park near the terminal building.  

In Kirkenes, there's a marked parking lane on the pier. 

Our smaller ports do not usually feature a car park. However, you can park in a suitable place close to the pier.  

Please note: The order vehicles enter the ship depends on their port of disembarkation. You’ll receive further information during check-in.   

In many ports, our crew can drive your vehicle on and off the ship. However, please note that we cannot guarantee this service. 

Yes, except for our seasonal stops in Geirangerfjord in summer and Hjørundfjord in autumn, as we don’t dock in these two locations. Instead, we anchor offshore, and guests are brought on board by tender boats. 

The following dimensions apply to vehicles: 

For safety reasons, we will not be able to board vehicles with LPG or CNG gas. This applies even if the tank is empty.

Unfortunately, no caravans or trailers are allowed on board. 

Guests must take any luggage they need with them for the trip and embark via the terminal in Bergen and via the Hurtigruten pier in the other ports. Luggage must not be transported through car decks.

Please be aware that luggage handling is not included in your voyage, unless embarking or disembarking the ship at the terminal in Bergen. You’ll need to carry your own luggage on and off the ship at all other ports. 

No, as guests aren’t allowed on the car deck while the ship is sailing. Therefore, please take the luggage you require from your vehicle and board via the terminal in Bergen and via the pier in other ports.  

The car deck only opens when the ship is docked. Therefore, you can enjoy the views right up until we reach land. The crew will show you to your vehicle, and you can start your engine when notified.

Please note: On southbound sailings, the crew drive all vehicles off the ship in Trondheim due to the early hour (6:30 am) of our arrival. You can collect your keys in reception.