MS Vesterålen

How far in advance can I book excursions?

Excursions can be booked for Coastal Express departures through 30 March 2026 and Signature voyages through 30 April 2026. Please note, for voyages beyond the dates listed above excursions are typically bookable 180 days before your departure, and we'll send you an email with excursion details after bookings open. Please keep in mind that not all excursions may be available at that time; some may be added later.

Can I book an excursion on board?

If an excursion is not fully booked, any remaining slots will be available for purchase on board through your Expedition Team. These will be charged in Norwegian Kroner at your ship’s exchange rate.

However, to ensure yourself a spot, we recommend booking in advance.

I am an 1893 Ambassador. Do I get a discount when booking excursions?

Yes, 1893 Ambassadors get a 5% discount on all excursions (booked pre-travel or on board).

Do all excursions start and end in the same port?

No, we offer several overland excursions that start in one port and end in another. Transport is included in these to ensure you are escorted back to the ship on time.

Can I cancel/change my excursion?

Excursions can be cancelled up to 14 days before your departure without charge. Any cancellations made after this time are non-refundable.

It is also possible to change on to another excursion up to 14 days before your departure, but only if the price of that excursion exceeds that of your original booking.

Can I do more than one excursion a day?

Yes, on many days it is possible to do more than one excursion. On The Coastal Express, we often visit more than one port a day, meaning that you can do several trips. In Lofoten, for example, you could join a bus tour of Harstad in the morning, enjoy lunch on board the ship, and then embark on a Sea Eagle safari in the afternoon.

In some ports, it is also possible to do more than one excursion. You can find more details on which trips are combinable on each excursion page.

How fit do I need to be to join an excursion?

Each of our excursions has a rating to illustrate the level of fitness required. There are four categories, with 1 being the easiest and 4 the most difficult.

Level 1 = Easy: suitable for most

Excursions at this level are physically undemanding and suitable for most people. Level 2 = Moderate: some mobility needed

Excursions in this category involve a small amount of physical activity, but on easy terrain with few major challenges. Level 3 = Active: good mobility needed

Excursions in this category are more active and involve outdoor pursuits that require a decent level of fitness. You may be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. They are not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Level 4 = Challenging: good mobility and fitness needed

These are our most challenging excursions, and require a good level of fitness. They may involve hiking or biking on uneven terrain and may also require specialist equipment. You would be expected to carry your own backpack and equipment. Excursions in this category are not suitable for those with limited mobility. 

We provide complimentary Wi-Fi aboard all our ships, though signal strength may vary in different areas. We sail through remote regions of Norway, so internet speeds may be slower and less suitable for streaming services.

Note: If you have booked a Basic fare or a port-to-port sailing, please make sure you are registered with our 1893 Ambassador Loyalty Programme to access the complimentary Wi-Fi.

Gluten-free and allergy-specific meals can be arranged. Just contact our Customer Service Centre with your dietary requirements at least two weeks before departure so the ship can prepare accordingly.

We can also provide halal products on request. However, we are unable to offer genuine kosher meals.

Please note that our kitchens do not have dedicated allergen-free preparation areas. While we take great care to avoid cross-contamination, guests with severe allergies should be aware that allergens are handled in the same space.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

We offer a range of plant-based dishes at lunch and dinner, suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

If you have any dietary requirements or food allergies, please contact our Customer Service Centre at least two weeks before departure so the ship’s team can prepare accordingly. This helps ensure the best possible dining experience during your voyage.

We Norwegians are down-to-earth people. We don’t believe in dress codes on board. Wear your hiking shoes to dinner or your slippers to breakfast. It’s up to you. Just leave spikes off indoors and keep your shoes on in restaurants and the bar for safety.

English and Norwegian are the official languages, and are used for all announcements and lectures. Written information, such as menus and daily programme, are also available in German and French.

It is a safety requirement that all Hurtigruten passengers attend a compulsory safety briefing in Bergen and Kirkenes before the ship leaves port. After embarkation, the crew will greet you and conduct the mandatory safety brief at intervals. This will last between 10-15 minutes.

The briefing will include a demonstration of how to put on a life jacket and the instructions to be followed in the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency during the voyage. The briefing is compulsory for all passengers including those who have travelled with Hurtigruten before. There will be an opportunity to ask questions if you have any concerns.

Please familiarise yourself with the emergency procedures as shown in the cabins (there is a diagram on the cabin door and in public areas), and ask at reception if in doubt. In many ports, there may be a good deal of activity on the quay with cars joining/leaving the ships and/or goods being loaded or unloaded. Please be alert to such traffic when embarking and disembarking.

Take care during winter months when it is icy underfoot, particularly on the outside decks and when disembarking the ship or alighting from coaches. Ice spikes and other winter clothing can be purchased in the ships store. Do not carry large amounts of cash and keep valuable items, including mobile phones and cameras, out of sight.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. However, all forms of smoking are strictly forbidden even in designated areas when the ship is in port and refuelling. The crew will advise guests when this is the case.

A cleaning fee of approximately NOK 1500 will be charged for smoking in the cabin. This is to cover the cost of washing bedding and curtains to bring the cabin back to a non-smoking standard.

Every ship has a small self-service laundry room with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. A wash costs 30 NOK (~£2.50) per load, and washing powder is included. You can buy tokens at reception.

We have basic medical facilities on our ships, and crew members are trained to handle medical emergencies. However, there is no doctor on board, so passengers with serious health conditions should prepare accordingly. Our ships stay close to land for urgent medical situations, and there is a hospital room on board for treating minor medical issues.

Hurtigruten’s environmental efforts are tied to our strategic six-point policy;

1. That environmentally-oriented measures are identified and implemented in day-to-day operations.
2. That focus is directed specifically at the marine environment.
3. That we specify requirements for subcontractors and contractual partners.
4. That our communications concerning our own environmental performance are open and complete.
5. That we ensure continuous monitoring and improvement of our environmental work.
6. That we do not leave any permanent traces behind us in vulnerable areas.

As a traveller with Hurtigruten, your contribution to environmental care is welcome. We have garbage sorting aboard all ships, and we encourage you to turn off lights when leaving the cabin and unplug electrical transformers when not in use.

In 2018, we banned all single-use plastic on board our fleet. When ashore, bring your litter back to the vessel or dispose at designated places. We are often near wildlife on our voyages. Please heed the advice of your Tour Leader/Expedition Leader and excursion guide and strive to act in a way that does not alter the wildlife’s natural behaviour.

Can I bring my car on MS Vesterålen?

Yes, you can bring your car on board MS Vesterålen, provided it fits within the ship’s vehicle deck limits and space is available. We recommend reserving vehicle space in advance, as availability is limited and varies by season.

Car capacity:

• September-April: 8 spaces
• May-August: 15 spaces

Maximum vehicle dimensions and weight:

• Length: 540 cm/ 17.7 ft
• Width: 230 cm/ 7.5 ft
• Height: 190 cm/ 6 ft
• Weight: 2800 kg/ 6,173 lbs

Please note that campervans, minivans and trailers cannot be accepted.

Pre-booking

We highly 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.

Arrival at Port

Please be ready to drive on board at 18.00 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.

Check-in

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
• Colour of vehicle

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

Parking & boarding

• 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.

You can bring your vehicle on board at any port, 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.

Restrictions

• For safety reasons, we will not be able to board vehicles with LPG or CNG gas. This applies even if the tank is empty.
• No caravans or trailers are allowed on board.
• 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.

Disembarking

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 (06.30) of our arrival. You can collect your keys in reception. 

You can travel on our ships with your pet. To do so, please book your ticket through our Customer Service Centre on 02045711560. Please note that if you need to book a cabin for your journey, there will be an additional fee of 150 NOK per night for pets.

Can I bring my own food and drink to my cabin?

You’re welcome to bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on board to enjoy in your cabin to enjoy – just keep in mind that outside food and drinks aren’t permitted in the ship’s public areas.

You may also bring up to two unopened bottles of alcohol per person (maximum 1.5 litres each). Simply hand them to Reception when you board, and we’ll keep them safe until the end of your voyage. Alcohol brought on board can’t be enjoyed during the sailing, but it’ll be ready for you once your journey is over.

The onboard currency is Norwegian kroner (NOK). You can pay for all onboard expenses using your cruise card, which will be given to you on check-in. At the end of your cruise, you can settle your bill using the card registered to your account - we accept Visa, Mastercard and Diners Card. Maestro and American Express are not accepted.

Are meals are included in my booking?

Your board basis depends on the voyage and fare you’ve booked.

On sailings on the Original Coastal Express, your voyage is full board, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served in our main restaurant, Torget. Beverages are limited to tap water, coffee and tea at mealtimes; other drinks can be purchased separately.

On our Signature voyages, your experience is all-inclusive. You can choose from breakfast, lunch and dinner in our main restaurant Flora, as well as lunch and dinner in Brasserie Árran. You'll also enjoy unlimited selected drinks served at meals and in the 1893 Bar throughout your voyage.

For short voyages and port-to-port bookings, meals are not included but can be purchased on board, and full-board/half-board packages can also be added for an additional cost by contacting our Customer Service Centre.

Do the cabins on MS Vesterålen include things like hairdryer, tea and coffee and Wi-Fi?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, including in your cabin and shared areas. Most cabins include a hairdryer (or can be borrowed from reception) and basic toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Tea and coffee facilities are included in Arctic Superior cabins and Expedition Suites.

Is MS Vesterålen suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes. MS Vesterålen is suitable for wheelchair users, with step-free access to key public areas and four wheelchair-accessible toilets (on Deck 4, Deck 5 and Deck 7).

Accessible cabins with automatic doors are available but limited (cabins 313 and 317), so we recommend booking early. You can book accessible cabins online or through our Customer Service Centre.

We offer a limited number of accessible cabins on board all our ships. These cabins feature wider doorways, automatic doors and easy access to lifts and public areas.

Accessible cabins can be booked online or through our Customer Service Centre. We recommend booking early, as availability is limited.

• Phone: +47 48 01 80 00
• Email: reception.va@hurtigruten.com