Are you ready to set sail with Hurtigruten?

Hurtigruten - MS Trollfjord in Hjørundfjorden

The Countdown Has Begun!

We're sure you're excited to set sail with Hurtigruten, but the journey starts well before you step onboard.

To help you prepare for a smooth and enjoyable cruise, we've answered some of the most common questions our guests ask. Whether you're managing your booking, completing online check-in, or simply wondering about dress codes, you'll find everything you need to know right here.

We've designed this FAQ to take the stress out of planning, so you can focus on the fun parts, like choosing shore excursions, exploring dining options, or picturing yourself admiring the northern lights. If there's anything you're still unsure about, our team is always here to help.

As your Hurtigruten cruise has been booked through Paramount Cruises, you won't normally be able to access Hurtigruten's My Booking portal. Hurtigruten currently restricts My Booking access to reservations made directly with the cruise line.

Instead, you can find your Paramount Cruises booking information, payments and travel documentation through My Trip. If you'd like to make a change to your booking or add something before departure, our team will be happy to help.

Your final Hurtigruten travel documents will normally be issued approximately 30 to 45 days before departure, once your booking has been paid in full. As you've booked through Paramount Cruises, these documents will be sent to us before being made available to you.

Hurtigruten does not currently offer online cruise check-in. Check-in takes place at the cruise terminal or directly onboard, depending on your embarkation port.

Your exact check-in time depends on whether you're travelling on an Original or Signature voyage and where you're joining the ship, so always check your final travel documents before setting off.

For example, guests beginning an Original Coastal Express voyage in Bergen currently check in at the Jektevik Terminal, while check-in arrangements are different in Kirkenes, Tromsø and other ports. Signature voyage embarkation arrangements also differ by departure port.

Don't cut it fine. Hurtigruten ships operate to a working coastal timetable and cannot wait for guests who arrive late. If you miss the ship, you'll be responsible for arranging and paying for travel to meet it at a later port.

Yes. Hurtigruten has a dedicated Hurtigruten app, and we'd recommend downloading it before you travel.

The app is designed primarily for use once you're onboard. After embarkation you can log in and use it to view your daily programme, onboard activities, restaurant and service information, shore excursions and excursions you've already booked.

It's a particularly useful companion on the Norwegian coast, where the programme can change from day to day depending on your route, weather and the ports you're visiting.

You'll need a valid passport for travel. It must have at least 6 months validity from your date of return to the UK.

Please check the entry requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting, some destinations do require a visa to be organised prior to departure. You can find the latest information at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Hurtigruten offers a fantastic choice of optional shore excursions along the Norwegian coast, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to city tours, wildlife experiences and visits to the North Cape.

Excursions aren't automatically included with either Original or Signature voyages. You can browse available excursions on the Hurtigruten website and submit a request using your Hurtigruten booking reference and passenger details. Your excursion is only confirmed once Hurtigruten has confirmed the request. Excursions can also be booked onboard, subject to availability.

We'd recommend booking any must-do excursions before you travel, particularly popular winter activities and experiences with limited capacity.

This is probably the most important distinction to understand before travelling with Hurtigruten.

Original Voyages follow Hurtigruten's historic Coastal Express route between Bergen and Kirkenes, calling at up to 34 different ports. Some stops last several hours, while others may be only 15 or 30 minutes because the ships continue to perform their traditional role connecting communities along the Norwegian coast.

Signature Voyages are more like a conventional destination-focused cruise. They visit fewer handpicked ports, generally spend longer ashore and include a more extensive onboard programme, alongside a much more inclusive food and drink offering.

It's worth knowing which type you've booked because your dining, drinks, gratuities and overall onboard experience will be different.

On full and half Original Coastal Express voyages, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, with your main meals served in Torget, Hurtigruten's main restaurant.

The exact extras included depend on your fare.

A Select Fare currently adds benefits including complimentary tea and filter coffee, Wi-Fi, the ability to choose your preferred dining time and, on eligible voyages, the option to choose your cabin number.

A Basic Fare includes the essentials such as your accommodation and full-board dining, but has fewer included extras and your cabin and dining arrangements are allocated for you.

Alcoholic drinks, upgraded dining, excursions and other extras can be purchased separately.

Signature Voyages are all-inclusive, so considerably more is included than on the Original Coastal Express.

Your fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, an afternoon snack, a generous selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, an enhanced programme of talks and activities, and gratuities.

Guests staying in suites receive additional benefits including fine dining at Røst, selected cocktails, daily minibar refills and other suite privileges.

Shore excursions, flights and transfers aren't automatically included unless they're specifically shown as part of your Paramount Cruises package.

One of the joys of Hurtigruten is just how relaxed life onboard is.

There is no formal dress code, so you don't need to pack a tuxedo, evening gown or traditional cruise formalwear. Hurtigruten even jokes that guests are welcome to wear their hiking shoes to dinner or slippers to breakfast.

During the day, practical and comfortable clothing is best. In the evening, many guests naturally change into something a little smarter for dinner, but this is entirely optional.

The most important items in your suitcase are clothes suitable for Norway's changeable weather rather than formal eveningwear.

Layers are the key, whatever time of year you're travelling. Norway's weather can change quickly and temperatures can feel very different between sheltered ports, exposed decks and time spent ashore. Hurtigruten recommends building your clothing around layers, with a base layer, warm fleece or insulated mid-layer and waterproof outer layer.

Comfortable, waterproof footwear is particularly useful for shore excursions. During winter, you'll also want warm socks, gloves, a hat and plenty of insulating layers, while sunglasses and sun protection can be useful during the long days of summer.

Our tip, don't assume a summer cruise means you won't need warm clothing. Even under the Midnight Sun, it can feel considerably cooler when you're standing outside on deck watching the scenery late in the evening.

No. Hurtigruten doesn't operate traditional formal nights, gala evenings or themed parties in the way many mainstream cruise lines do.

There's also no conventional programme of casinos, cabaret shows or large-scale production entertainment. Evenings tend to be relaxed, with the focus on the scenery, talks and presentations, informal gatherings and activities connected to the destinations you're visiting.

That doesn't mean nothing special happens onboard. The crew often mark memorable moments during the voyage, including the traditional Arctic Circle crossing ceremony when you sail north into Arctic Norway. Depending on your voyage, you may also find tastings, demonstrations and other activities linked to Norwegian culture and the destinations along the coast.

So leave the dinner jacket at home, but be prepared for a few uniquely Norwegian celebrations.

At most Hurtigruten ports, you should be prepared to carry your own luggage on and off the ship because luggage handling isn't routinely available.

The main exception is Bergen, where luggage can be dropped off during check-in and transferred to the ship for you.

It's another reason not to overpack. Hurtigruten is a relaxed cruise experience and you won't need multiple formal outfits.

Yes, please ensure that you have adequate Travel Insurance in place for your holiday and that your insurance covers cruises and the countries you are travelling to. We’ve partnered with award-winning Travel Insurance Just Travel Cover to help you find the right insurance for your next cruise. At Just Travel Cover you can compare prices from multiple insurers; there’s no age limit and cover for pre-existing medical conditions.

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Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, and all quotes are subject to underwriting criteria.

A detailed overview of the terms and conditions is available on the Hurtigruten website.

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