Hurtigruten Suspends Cruises Temporarily

In response to the coronavirus outbreak on board MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten has temporarily suspended all expedition sailings on MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Spitsbergen until further notice.

The company reports that 36 crew members and several guests have tested positive for COVID-19 in the outbreak on board the expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen.

Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten, said: “The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is Hurtigruten’s number one priority. We are now focusing all available efforts in taking care of our guests and colleagues. We are working closely with the Norwegian National and Local Health Authorities for follow-up, information, further testing, and infection tracking.”

Skjeldam continued: “In light of the recent increase in new cases of COVID-19 globally, the only responsible choice is to suspend all expedition sailings until we are absolutely confident, we can carry out our operations in line with all requirements from the Authorities and with the even stricter requirements we have set for ourselves.”

The company is currently in the process of reaching out to and informing guests booked on the now cancelled voyages.

It also notes that the decision has no impact on Hurtigruten’s coastal Norway operations.