Hurtigruten Handy Hints
Our 'helpful hints' guide to your Norwegian Coastal Voyage with Hurtigruten. Many of our Scandinavian staff have travelled on a coastal voyage and offer detailed explanations to how it works on-board.
Departure from Bergen:
In Bergen, the Hurtigruten ships sail from the Jektevik Terminal, Nøstegaten 30, N-5010 Bergen. Taxi drivers will understand if you ask to be taken to the Hurtigruten/Jektevik Terminal and it is sign-posted as such locally.
The map above points to the Hurtigruten Terminal (lowest blue marker) as well as our Director's Choice hotel, Clarion Admiral Bergen. The main tourist area of Bergen is the Bryggen, approx. 20 minutes walk from the terminal (there is a hill to walk over).
The Hurtigruten Guest Lounge is located on the 2nd floor of the terminal and is open from 1:00 p.m. There, you are welcome to enjoy some light refreshments. Complimentary Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and sockets are available. Baggage lockers in various sizes are available in the terminal and can be paid for with credit card.
Hurtigruten arrival hall
The terminal is staffed and open for luggage check-in from 13:00 hrs. Passenger check-in begins at 15:00 hrs and embarkation takes place from 16:00 hrs. Cabins are available from 18:00 hrs but sometimes they can be ready slightly earlier.
During embarkation there are safety meetings about the ship, run them several times before the ship leaves port and also some practical information about the ship (Bergen only). This demonstration plus all other announcements on board during your voyage are in English, Norwegian and German.
Different beverage packages are available for Hurtigruten voyages
Seating area to wait for Hurtigruten embarkation
We recommend that you explore Bergen until embarkation time. Just near the port, heading towards the centre of town, there are some lovely quintessential Bergen back streets to wander. This is less touristy than the Bryggen wharf side of Bergen & very much a real residential area.
Departure from Kirkenes:
There is a Hurtigruten transfer bus that leaves after each flight arriving into Kirkenes. It is a 45-minute transfer to the Hurtigruten terminal. The Southbound Hurtigruten voyage departs approx. 12.30pm. You will receive transfer details for Bergen and Kirkenes from us before your departure.
What to expect on that first night in Bergen:
After embarkation, you will need to activate your keycard with your credit card. You can do this on the reception, cafe, bar, gift shop or restaurant. After this all your purchases on the ship will automatically be charged to your room and you will receive a statement a night before your disembarking. If you don’t wish to use a credit card, you can also pay a bond at the reception, and then pay the final statement before you check out.
With the final statement, if all is in order, you don’t need to do anything, and it will be charged from your card then. If there is anything you need to ask, you can go the reception and they will help you there.
In Bergen, a buffet dinner is served in the evening of departure, usually between 18:00-21:00 with open seating this evening only. Round Voyage and Classic Voyage guests will find their table assignment for the rest of the voyage in the envelope they receive at check-in. You can request a window table on arrival at the check in counter.
An example of the buffet food quality onboard Hurtigruten
Disembarking your Hurtigruten voyage
When disembarking in Bergen, luggage will be delivered to the baggage belt in the terminal. At Kirkenes, luggage will be taken outside of the ship. There is no terminal building at Kirkenes. But you do need to leave your luggage close to the lifts on your deck before midnight that night before. Otherwise you will need to take your luggage with you when you leave the cabin before 8am. There is a good information about this around 9pm the night before.
On the last day of your voyage you will be asked to vacate your cabin a few hours before arrival. Information regarding luggage handling and disembarkation is available on board - note: cabins are promptly cleaned at the end of a voyage.
At Kirkenes, from the Hurtigruten to the airport, there is a direct bus. There is two buses waiting, one to the assorted hotels and one to the airport. The drive to the airport is only about 20 minutes.
Disembarking Hurtigruten voyage in Bergen
Some extras to pack that you might not think of:
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Don't forget your swimming costume & gym clothes. Some of the ships have Jacuzzis on board and most have gyms. They may be closed at times during the winter season or due to the weather conditions.
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Larger, stiffer suitcases may not fit under your bed & there may be limited room in your cabin depending on the class you have booked. There are spots available to store these bags away from your cabin - ask for help on arrival.
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Be sure to bring a pack of cards for playing 500 or Bridge with your fellow travellers. There is little in the way of classic "cruise entertainment" on board so think back on some of the old fashioned ways to pass the time.
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There is reliable Wifi available now on most of the ships. Check with reception if you are having difficulties. A good area to use the laptop and wifi is the ship libraries where you also find some books and games.
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There are towels and shower gel/liquid soap in your room. For the laundry, you may wish to pack a small amount of clothes washing detergent with you. Washing machines and tumble dryers for self-service are available on most ships (not MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen).
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If you are travelling during the Northern lights season, you can turn on an alarm for the lights at your cabin during the night. Be sure to bring light clothing for use inside the ship as the heating is very effective.
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Each afternoon around 4pm, you can collect a program for the next day from the tour desk area. This will tells you times to the excursion, meeting places, meal times and what time arriving and departing each port. You also find deadlines to sign up for the excursions on this, usually a night before if there is any availability left.
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There are good announcements on board. You don’t really need a watch on the ship, just follow the announcements. But if you go exploring each port yourself, please be back on time as the ship will depart on time.