Medical and safety
On our Original ships, there is no doctor or pharmacy on board. However, our officers are trained in first aid and can provide emergency medical assistance.
On our Signature ships MS Trollfjord and MS Midnatsol, a nurse is present at all times and a doctor is on board during for sea crossings between Tromsø and Longyearbyen on The Svalbard Line.
Yes. Please bring enough medication for your entire sailing, plus extra in case of delays.
We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage, properly labelled, and with clear instructions for its use.
If you need to bring a prescription, Norwegian pharmacies require this in paper format with a doctors' signature. Mobile, email or app prescriptions will not be accepted.
Seasickness tablets are available to buy in our onboard shop or at Reception, but we recommend bringing your preferred remedy with you if you are prone to seasickness.
Of course, though there are requirements in place for those nearing their due date:
Up to 24 weeks: no restrictions
24–36 weeks: doctor’s note required to verify fitness to travel at sea
Beyond 36 weeks: travel is not permitted
We recommend consulting your doctor and having appropriate insurance. If you’re in the later stages of your pregnancy, please contact our Customer Service Team before booking.
You must carry your CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine in your hand luggage, label it as medical equipment on your luggage tag, and either bring or purchase your own distilled water, which is available in Bergen at the airport shop or Apotek 1. Please let our Customer Service Team know if you are bringing a CPAP machine on board.
Yes. All passengers must attend a mandatory safety briefing before boarding. Depending on where you get on the ship, this is either completed in the port before boarding (Bergen/Kirkenes) or when you are on ship. See your travel documents or our Arrival and Departure pages for more information.
Your safety is always our top priority. Our ships are built for sailing the Norwegian coast, but weather here can be changeable – especially during the winter months. At times, rough seas or limited visibility may affect your comfort and mobility on board.
For safety reasons, we may adjust our itinerary or cancel excursions, sometimes at short notice. In certain situations, this may also apply to individual guests if conditions mean we’re unable to provide the level of assistance required.
As with any moving vessel, there may be thresholds, steps or uneven surfaces, particularly on outdoor decks. We recommend taking extra care when moving around the ship and travelling with a companion if you feel you may need additional support.
Hurtigruten follows ISPS regulations, so all luggage and hand baggage may be screened by X-ray or metal detector at embarkation and at ports of call. Our Ship Security Officer or Captain may restrict any items deemed unsafe. Prohibited items include:
Some personal electrical appliances with heating elements including kettles, coffee makers, irons, clothes steamers, immersion heaters, portable stoves and toasters, portable washing machines and other household appliances
Illegal drugs and narcotics
Guns, replicas, knives over 7 cm (2.7 in), swords, batons, throwing stars, spears and archery equipment
Fireworks, explosives, petrol, large aerosol cans and flammable liquids
Tasers, tear gas, acids, poisons, candles and incense
Gas cylinders and dive tanks
Drones, remote-controlled flying devices, hoverboards, scooters, Segways, EPIRBs, lasers and signal-jamming devices