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cruisehandbook

MS SPITSBERGEN CRUISE HANDBOOK2018–2019

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Dear Adventurer 2

Norway 4

Iceland 6

Scotland 8

Orkney Islands 10

Shetland Islands 12

The Faroe Islands 14

Greenland 18

Svalbard 22

Important information 26

Frequently asked questions 27

Life on board MS Spitsbergen 28

Pack like an explorer 36

Our team on board 38

Small boat landings 42

Important phone numbers 43

Maritime expressions 43

MS Spitsbergen deck plan 44

––– Congratulations on booking an extraordinary cruise aboard MS Spitsbergen!

The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen’s success as an explorer is often explained by his thorough preparations before departure. He once said “victory awaits him who has everything in order.” Being true to Amund sen’s heritage of good planning, we encourage you to read this handbook.

This handbook includes infor-mation on your chosen destina-tion, and we hope you will find this information inspiring and

helpful. It offers some good ad-vice, insights, practical informa-tion, and even some historical information that will make your cruise even more enjoyable.

And yes – we certainly promise to provide you with some adventures to awaken your inner explorer!

Welcome aboard for the adventure of a lifetime!

Your Hurtigruten Team

Dear adventurer,

Cont

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COVER FRONT PHOTO: © GIAN RICO WILLY / HURTIGRUTENCOVER BACK PHOTO: © SHUTTERSTOCK / HURTIGRUTEN

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Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is Europe’s most northwestern country. It is a sovereign and unitary monarchy whose terri-tory includes the island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard.––– Norway’s western boundary is formed by the North Atlantic, with deep fjords and thousands of islets creating a remarkable coastline. Inland Norway is dominated by the Scandes mountain range with its vast countryside and unoccupied areas, as most Norwegians live along the coast.

Norway

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Norway is a unique country that continously impresses with its enormouscontrasts. CLIMATE Norway’s climate var-ies widely due to the enormous expanse of more than 1,000 miles from Southern Norway to Northern Norway.

While the North Atlantic Cur-rent has a positive influence on the cli mate at the western side of the Scandes mountain range, the eastern side expe riences a more continental cli mate, with extremely cold win ters and warmer summers. The Gulf of Bothnia can be frozen for a month while the Atlantic coast-line stays ice-free.

CURRENCY The currency in Norway is the Norwegian kro-ner (NOK). Foreign currencies may be exchanged into local currency at most banks you will encounter during the cruise. Credit cards are accepted in most places. Please note there is no currency exchange service on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

HISTORY Norway – ‘The way to the North’ – has a very long, eventful, colorful history. Set-tled by nomadic hunters as far back as 6600 B.C., Nor way came to prominence during the Viking era (800–1050 B.C.), and had strong trade relations and colonies in Greenland, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Nor-mandy. Norwegian history coin-cides with the Viking era, which

was responsible for the major expansion of the entire Nordic region. Christianity was intro-duced in the 11th century but it took many centuries before it was fully accepted. Nor way’s Golden Age was the late-13th century and early-14th century, with substantial international trade with Britain and Germany.

Norway suffered the Black Plague in 1349, and many com-munities were entirely wiped out – ending this Golden Age. From 1380 onward there were many political alliances be-tween various Scandinavian countries, with Norway gaining independence briefly in 1814 before a forced union with Swe-den that lasted until 1905, when Norway proclaimed full inde-pendence.

Norway is rich with natural re-sources, and with large reserves of petroleum and natural gas discovered in the 1960s, it is now a prominent and wealthy country with one of the highest standards of living in the world. NATURE AND WILDLIFE Deep fjords, islets, and the high mountains of the Scandes, which belong to the Caledonian mountain range, characterize the Norwegian landscape. The range of climates creates a va-r iation in the vegetation, from the northern European decid-uous for ests in the south to the boreal and Fjellbirke forests and tundra vegetation in the north and on the mountain pla teaus.

Approximately 200,000 elk ramble through the Nor wegian forests, while most reindeer are domesticated and be long to the Sámi population, although several thousand wild reindeer still live at the Hardanger-

vidda mountain plateau and the Dovrefjell mountain range. The wolf was on the verge of ex tinction, but there are now vari ous projects in place to pro-tect them. Brown bears and wol-verine live in the for ests but are rarely seen.

Norway is famous for its great bird cliffs, where you can watch puffins, petrels, and gannets. Eagles are commonly seen too. With the rich waters of the Norwegian Sea, there are vast amounts of fish includ ing cod, halibut, and coalfish.

WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tid al conditions or other circum stances require the use of a portable gangway, or during landings with tender boats, wheelchairs cannot be used.

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Iceland: where the ground is so hot it ventilates through hot springs, volcano erup-tions, and fiery saga tales. ––– Mythical Iceland is the land of ice and fire, with glaciers and volcanoes side by side. Iceland’s nature offers stunning landscapes, geysers, and impressive waterfalls. These fea-tures are enhanced by the long, dark winters and summers lit by the midnight sun, as well as Iceland’s vast expanses of unspoiled nature at the doorstep of highly modern urban com-munities.

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The perfect destination for explorers searching for the unexpected. CLIMATE The average temperature in the spring is 46–50°F. Weather in Iceland is very changeable, and visitors should be prepared for the unexpected.

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS IN ICELAND The currency on shore is the Ice-landic kroner (ISK). Foreign cur-rencies may be exchanged into local currency at banks. Credit cards are accepted in most plac-es, but not international bank cards (i.e. German EC Karte). We recommend having some cash available for use in the small villages. Please note that there is no currency exchange service on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

ENVIRONMENT It is prohibit-ed to pick Arctic flowers as the environment is very vulnerable and the flowering season very

short. Please be aware of where you step and remember to fol-low the paths. It is strictly pro- hibited to walk on cultural/historical remains. Please fol-low the instructions given by the guide/expedition team.

LANGUAGE The Icelandic language is believed to have changed little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers. English and Danish are also widely spoken and under-stood.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES In the case of a medical emer-gency in Iceland, the only means of evacuation is by airplane/helicopter to the nearest town with a hospital. This is very expensive and de-pendent on favorable weath- er conditions. Therefore, it is strongly recommend that guests carry medical insurance and obtain a travel protection plan.

MOBILE PHONE ASHOREThere is GSM coverage on most of Iceland, including all towns and villages with more than 200 inhabitants.

POPULATION Iceland is the most sparsely populated coun-try in Europe. The population of

Iceland is approx. 320,000, with almost 120,000 inhabitants li-ving in the capital of Reykjavík. The second-largest city outside the capital region is Akureyri, which has approx. 17,500 inhab-itants.

SHOPPING ASHORE Local specialities include wool knitwear, handmade ceramics, glassware, and silver jewelry. A refund of local Value-Added Tax (VAT) is available to all vis-itors to Iceland. Special rules apply, please check upon arrival in Iceland.

WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tidal conditions or other circumstances require the use of a portable gangway, or during landings with tender boats, wheelchairs cannot be used.

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SCOTLAND

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The Orkney Islands are an archipelago about 20 miles from Scotland, sepa-rated from the mainland by the Pentland Firth. Only about 20 of the 70 islands are inhabited.

CLIMATE The climate on the Or-kney Islands is - thanks to the Gulf Stream - quite moderate, with less frost and snow in wintertime, and an average temperature of 53 °F in the summer, which has light, nearly neverending days. Wind can occur when you least expect it.

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS The currency on the Orkney Islands

is the Scottish pound. Foreign curren-cies may be ex changed into local cur-rency at most banks during the cruise. Credit cards are accepted in most places. Please note there is no cur-rency exchange service on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

HISTORY The islands have been set-tled for at least 5,000 years, with the best evidence being the two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Skara Brae, Eu-rope’s only nearly complete surviving Neolithic settlement, which is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyra-mids in Egypt; and the 2,500-year-old Ring of Brodgar, a stone circle setting, like Stonehenge, with a diameter of over 340 feet. Vikings settled on the Orkney Islands starting from the 8th century, and were annexed by the Kingdom of Scotland in the 13th cen-tury. NATURE AND WILDLIFE Old Red Sandstone, mostly from the Middle Devonian Age, forms nearly the whole surface of the islands. The soft stone layers created fertile soil – the prerequisite for the agriculture found on the islands. The islands have soft, hilly agricultural land, but the Orkneys also have steep cliffs. Hoy,

the Orkney Islands’ second-largest is-land, rises dramatically from the sea, with St. John’s Head, its highest cliff, at 1,136 feet.

The cliffs are important breeding areas for many seabirds, such as gulls, cormorants, black guillemots, and puffins. Gray and common seals have their rockeries on the beaches, and whales and dolphins can often be seen quite close to the coastline. Flowers such as the rare Scot tish primrose, sea aster, sea thrift, sea lavender, bell, and common heather create a colorful coastline. WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tid al conditions or other circum-stances require the use of a portable gangway, or during landings with tender boats, wheelchairs cannot be used.

ORKNEY ISLANDS

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SHETLAND ISLANDS

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Consisting of about 100 islands, this archipelago is spread over approximately 886 miles, and is located 130 miles from the Scottish main-land. CLIMATE The climate on the Shetland Islands is – thanks to the Gulf Stream – quite mod-erate, with less frost and snow in wintertime and an average temperature of 53.6°F in the summer, which has light, nearly never-ending days. The winter is very wet, and if you compare the climate here with the cli-mate on the Orkney Islands, the climate is a bit harsher on the Shetlands.

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS The currency on the Shetland Islands is the Scottish pound. Foreign curren-cies may be exchanged into lo-cal currency at most banks dur-ing the cruise. Credit cards are accepted in most places. Please note there is no currency ex-change service on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

HISTORY The Shetland Islands have a quite similar history to the Orkneys. First the Picts and then the Vikings settled on the islands, and then the Scottish Kingdom came into power in the 13th cen tury.

A typical Iron Age building is the ‘broch’, a drystone, hol-low-walled structure that looks a bit like a round tower. These buildings can only be found in Scotland, and the best pre-served is the broch on the is-land of Mousa on the Shetland Islands. These buildings are extremely impressive, and their original use is still debated by archaeologists. The islands played an impor tant role dur-ing World War II. The so-called ‘Shetland Bus’ was an undercov-er mission that took weapons and supplies to Norway from the Shetland Islands. On their way back, they often took refugees from Norway to the Shetlands to keep them safe from the Germans. Many of the refugees stayed on the Shetland Islands after the war.

NATURE AND WILDLIFEThe Shetlands form the north-ernmost part of the Caledoni-an mountain range. Very hard sandstone, granite, and gneiss form the surface of the is lands, which were created by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The wildlife is very like the Ork-ney Islands’, with their steep cliffs also an important breed-ing ground for different kinds

of seabirds. But the Shetland Islands are also an important place for bird migration in spring and autumn, when thou- sands of birds rest on the islands on their flight to the south or to the north. The islands are a par-adise for birders and ornithol-ogists. The Shetland pony and Shetland sheepdog are special breeds from the islands that can still be seen all over the islands. WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tid al conditions or other circum stances require the use of a portable gangway, or dur-ing landings with tender boats, wheelchairs cannot be used.

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Situated halfway between Norway and Iceland, and north of Scotland, the Faroe Islands are an archipel-ago of 18 small, rocky, volcan-ic islands. Spread over an area of approximately 540 miles in the North Atlantic Ocean, the islands are connected by tunnels, ferries, causeways, and bridges.

CLIMATE The weather in the Faroe Islands is quite moderate, with mild winters and cooler summers that have an average temperature of 55°F, and light, nearly never-ending days.

HISTORY It is believed the Irish monks were the first settlers on the is-lands in the 6th century after spotting an ‘Island of Sheep’ and a ‘Paradise of Birds’. This indicates that there were settlers there prior to this due to the sighting of the sheep. Vikings set tled here in the 9th century, before the islands were officially converted to Christianity and joined the Kingdom of Norway in 1035. The islands were under the rule of Norway until 1380, when they became part of the dual Denmark-Norway kingdom. In 1814 the Treaty of Kiel ended this kingdom and the Faroe Islands remained under the administration of Denmark.

When Denmark was occu pied by Nazi Germany during World War II, the British invaded and occu pied the islands until the end of the war. After an independence referen dum in 1946, the islands received extended self-gov-ernance with the signing of the Home Rule Act of the Faroe Islands with the Danish Realm. NATURE AND WILDLIFE Made of layers of volcanic basalt, these islands seem to be set at an angle, as the east-

ern coastline slants into the sea, while the western coastline rises up in tower-ing cliffs. The natural vegetation, domi-nated by Arctic alpine plants, wildflow-ers, grasses, moss, and lichen, creates a setting of wild and untamed beau-ty. These treeless islands are rich in birdlife attracted to open land, such as the common eider, common starling, and black guillemot. With dramatic, steep cliffs providing safe nesting for many birds, such as puffi ns, guillemots, and kittiwakes, these islands are an or-nithologist’s dream. Along the abun-dant coastline, gray seals can be found with several types of whales, such as pilot whales, and killer whales visiting these waters regularly. As a result of over 1,200 years of isolated breeding, many of the islands’ domesticated animals are unique to the area. These include the Faroe pony, Faroe cow, and Faroe sheep, as well as the Faroese goose and duck.

WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tidal conditions or other circumstances require the use of a gangway, or during landings with thender boats, wheel-chairs cannot be used.

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THE FAROE ISLANDS

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Greenland is a land of contrasts that offers unique encounters with isolated Inuit com-munities. ––– Colossal icebergs calve from the inland ice sheet against a backdrop of green moun-tains, long fjords, and beautiful wildflowers. A rich variety of animal life adds to its splendor, including sea mammals, game, and birds by the million. Still, the best description of what Greenland is all about is the Greenlandic name of the world’s biggest island: Kalaallit Nunaat– the ‘Land of the people’.

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A green and white oasis in the middle of a rough sea, Greenland dis-plays exception-al interaction between man and nature Greenland is in a little world of its own. Probably best known for its ice sheet, glaciers, and ice-bergs, Greenland also features alpine mountains, beautiful Arc-tic flowers, deep fjords, and dra-matic cliffs. Wildlife thrives here, both at sea and on land, includ-ing whales, seals, reindeer, musk oxen, and a rich variety of birds, with the polar bear - the king of the Arctic - ruling in the north.

North of the Arctic Circle in summer, day has no beginning or end. The midnight sun gives

magical colors to the icebergs and surrounding landscape. The soft rays of the low-hanging sun bathe everything in a wonderful palette of pink, purple, yellow, and orange, creating unforget-table memories. Greenland’s culture is shaped by the extreme conditions people are living in, and the rich resources provid-ed by nature. Traditional life as sealers and hunters in small iso-lated communities is reflected in today’s Greenlandic language, music, myths, clothing, food, and homes. Much of these tradi-tions are now history, but the cul-tural roots are strong and alive, and easily visible to the visitor of Greenland.

CLIMATE The average temper-ature in summer is between 41° and 50°F. The weather varies be-tween sun, fog, and low clouds. There is usually little rain.

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS IN GREENLAND The currency on shore is the Danish kroner (DKK). Foreign currencies may be exchanged into local curren-cy at banks, but few banks are to be found during our cruises. It is advisable to bring cash to

Greeland in DKK for use ashore. Credit cards are accepted in some places, but not internation-al bank cards (i.e. German EC Karte). Please note that there is no currency exchange service on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

ENVIRONMENT It is prohibited to pick Arctic flowers as the envi-ronment is very vulnerable and the flowering season is very short. Please be aware of where you step and remember to follow the paths. It is strictly prohibited to walk into cultural/historical remains. Please follow the instructions giv-en by the guide/expedition team.

LANGUAGE Greenland is bilin-gual. Greenlandic is the primary language, Danish is the secon-dary language.

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LOCALS Please respect the locals by asking them for permission before taking their picture. Some local people do not like to have their photo taken. Please do not give candy, gifts, or mon-ey to the local children unless permis-sion is given by their parents.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES In case of a medical emergency in Greenland, the only means of evacuation is by airplane/helicopter to the nearest town with a hospital, and if the hos-pital not able to handle the situation, the patient will be sent to Nuuk. This is very expensive and dependent on favorable weather conditions. Therefore, it is strongly recommend that guests carry medical insurance

and obtain a travel protection plan. Please note that there are a limited number of hospitals in Greenland – only the larger towns have a hospital, and settlements might only have a nurse.

MEDICAL DECLARATION FORM To comply with Hurtigruten AS regula-tions, all guests traveling on the Vi-king Journey Through Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland and Iceland cruise to Northeast Greenland must complete the medical declaration form, including a confirmation of fitness to travel from your doctor. You must take the completed form on board and deliver it to the ship’s doctor. Guests without the complet-

ed form will be refused embarkation. This only applies to guests traveling on the Viking Journey Through Spits-bergen, Northeast Greenland and Ice-land cruise to Northeast Greenland.

MOSQUITOES Depending on the season and location, you are likely to encounter mosquitoes while in Greenland. This will normally occur on trips ashore, as there are no mos-quitoes at sea. Mosquito nets and re-pellents are sold on board.

POPULATION The population of Greenland is approximately 57,000, with almost 15,000 inhabitants liv-ing in the capital of Nuuk. The second largest city is Sisimiut (with approxi-

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mately 5,000 inhabitants) followed by Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, all of which are situated on the west coast. There are 18 towns and 120 villages in which the rest of the population lives. Greenlandic settlements have between 50 and 500 inhabitants.

WHEELCHAIR USAGE In ports where tid al conditions or other circum stances require the use of a portable gangway, or during landings with tender boats, wheel-chairs cannot be used.

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Svalbard has more than 3,000 polar bears and fewer than 3,000 people. Re-mote, mysterious, and extreme, the island of Svalbard is the crown of Arctic Norway, a land forged by ice, wind, sea, and snow that presents us with a spec-tacular range of unforgettable adventures. With its location right on the edge of the ever-frozen Arctic Ocean, the warmer currents of the Gulf Stream meet the cold air and water from the north. This archipelago holds fascinating histories of the polar heroes of the north, and cultural heritage from the coal-mining era as well as the history of exploration, hunting, and whaling. Wildlife is rich, both at sea and on land: whales, seals, reindeer, polar fox, and a rich variety of birds. And, of course, the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Late April through late August, north of the Arctic Circle the day has no beginning or end. The midnight sun brings out magical colors in the surrounding landscape. The soft rays of the low-hanging sun bathe the landscape in a wonderful palette of pink, purple, yellow, and orange, and create unforgettable memories.

SVALBARDLocated on the southern edge of the frozen Arctic Ocean, Svalbard offers expeditionlandings, hik-ing, kayaking, and other activities in the largest Arctic wilderness in Europe. CLIMATEDespite its northerly location (74º to 81º North), Svalbard has a relatively mild climate. Due to the Gulf Stream, Spits bergen’s west coast is the world’s north-ernmost ice-free area. The av-

erage summer temperature is 43º F, and March, the coldest winter month, has an average temperature of 7º F. There is little rain, but the moist air from the sea can cause a light drizzle and fog during the summer.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS At Nordpolet, a duty-free store, tourists can buy a specific amount of tax-free al cohol. You may buy more alcohol, but you will need to pay duty on it.

Guests may purchase up to 2 liters of duty-free alcohol, such as:

• 1 liter of alcohol (more than 21% alcohol) and 1 liter of wine (14% to 21% alcohol), or• 2 liters of wine (14 to 21%), or• 2 liters of wine (less than 14%)Guests can only buy the follow-ing amounts of alcohol in total (not all of the below can be tak-en tax-free to the mainland):• 2 bottles containing more than 21% alcohol• 1 bottle of wine containing 14-21% alcohol• 24 cans/bottles of beer or wine

up to 14% alcohol (these can be bought without showing an air-line ticket)

HISTORY Since Willem Barentz’ discov-ery of Svalbard in 1596, several nationalities have explored, hunted, and managed indus-tries in this Arctic archipelago. The Svalbard Treaty, dated 1920 and signed by 43 member countries, gave Norway sover-eignty over Svalbard.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES In case of a med ical emergency outside of Long yearbyen, the only means of evacuation is by helicopter to Longyearbyen Hospital. If a condition cannot be treated there, the patient will be sent to the Norwegian main-land. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that guests carry medical insurance and obtain a travel protection plan.

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MOBILE PHONES Cell phones can only be used in areas around Long yearbyen and Barentsburg on Spitsbergen. There is no cellular service reception during most of the sailing. The ship uses satel lite phones. Please relay the emergen-cy telephone numbers provided in your travel information documents in case someone needs to reach you, and these messages will be commu-nicated to the ship. Emergency tele-phone numbers are only to be used in case of an emergency.

NATURE AND WILDLIFE In order to preserve nature and wildlife on Svalbard, 65% of the archipelago is protected through national parks, nature reserves, and bird sanctuar-ies. There are only three land mam-mals on Svalbard: the polar bear, the Sval bard reindeer, and the Arctic fox. In the sea, however, there are walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals, Green land seals, hooded seals, white-beaked dolphins, narwhals, white whales, and killer whales. There is rich birdlife on the island, with more than 100 species reg-istered. Surprisingly, the flora is very diverse for somewhere this far north.

POLAR BEARS AND SAFETY The polar bear is probably the fore-most symbol of Svalbard’s wildlife, and it is exhilarating to watch them in their natural habitat. The polar bear does not often attack humans, but these attacks can be lethal. On all our cruises and activities, safety is maintained by experienced guides carrying weapons, and firing warning shots if necessary. The au-thorities on Svalbard, in conjunction with the travel industry, give advice and make recommendations to trav-elers taking part in organized activi-ties in order to protect both visitors and the polar bear population. If you are going outside Longyearbyen on your own, it is recommended that

you take a weapon because of the polar bear danger. On organized trips the guide will always be re-sponsible for safety and will carry a weapon and other necessary equip-ment.

POPULATION AND SETTLEMENTSThe population of Svalbard is ap-proximately 2,800 people. Long-yearbyen is the largest settlement on the islands, and is home to the governor’s office. Longyearbyen has a hospital, primary and secondary schools, a university, a sports center with a swimming pool, library, a cultural center, movie theatre, bus transportation, hotels, a bank, and several museums. Sval bard is among the safest places on Earth, with virtually no crime. Bar entsburg is the second-largest set tlement in Svalbard, with about 500 inhabit-ants who are almost entirely Russian or Ukrainian. The Russian-owned Arktikugol has been mining coal here since 1932, and during the Cold War Barentsburg was a hotbed of activity. Ny-Ålesund is one of the world’s northernmost settlements, inhabited by a permanent popula-tion of approximately 30-35 people who work for one of the research stations or the logistics and sup-ply company Kings Bay AS, which ‘owns’ and runs the research vil-lage. In the summer, the activity in NyÅlesund is greatly increased by the arrival of up to 120 researchers, technicians, and field assistants.

SEASONS From April 19 – August 23, Longyearbyen has mid night sun. From October 26 – February 16 there is 24-hour darkness.

SHOES On Svalbard it is a tradition to take off your shoes when enter-ing private houses, hotels, certain shops, and public offices. On board the ship as well as in the hotel, we advise you to bring a pair of shoes to wear indoors. It is important that

the shoes have good grip (no slip-pery soles).

SHOPPING/CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS ON SVALBARD Svalbard is a tax-free area, which means that many commodities are cheaper here than on the Norwe-gian main land. Longyearbyen has a variety of shops selling everything from per fume to outdoor and sports equip ment, gifts, and souvenirs. Norwe gian kroner (NOK) is used all over Svalbard, including the Russian settle ment of Barents-burg. Credit cards are accepted in Longyearbyen as well as on board MS Spitsbergen (Visa, American Express, Diners Club, and Master-Card). Please note that credit cards payments will be processed in NOK on MS Spitsbergen. Credit cards that are used to make pay ments on board must be valid for at least three months after the jour ney has ended. There is also a cash dispenser in the center of Long yearbyen. In Barents-burg, they only accept cash in Nor-wegian kroner (NOK), USD, or euro. We recom mend our guests bring cash in NOK for use ashore. Please note there is no currency exchange on board, or the ability to make cash with drawls.

TOURISM ON SVALBARD Svalbard’s nature is very vulnerable, especially due to the permafrost. All vegeta-tion is protected, and all traces of human activity up until 1945 is re-garded as part of the cultural herit-age.

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ITINERARY CHANGES Some of our itineraries are to areas without infrastructure, or with very limited infrastructure. Because of this, and in combination with some of the most ex treme conditions on Earth, wind, weather, ice, changing seafloor condi tions, and other conditions will determine our detailed program.

SAFETY Safety is always the prior-ity, and the ship’s captain will decide the final itinerary during the cruise.

Therefore, every cruise is unique, and all published routes are only indicative.

DAILY PROGRAM Every day the ex-pedition team will distribute a daily program with a list of port calls, land-ings, lectures, meals, and activities on board. All our published plans are subject to change.

WEATHER CONDITIONS Weather conditions can make landings and

small-boat cruising more difficult or even impossible. Unforeseen twists often turn out to be the highlight of a trip. Please be flexible and open to the unexpected!

NOTE We are subject to written and unwritten laws, such as assisting ves-sels or people in need.

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important information

–––––– Do I have to be in good health to participate in this journey? It is important that you are in good health, as the journey can be long and tiring. Please note that in remote areas there is no immediate access to modern medical facilities. An ex-pedition cruise is not recommended if you have a life-threatening disease or an illness that requires frequent medical care. To be able to partici-pate in landings you must be able to walk on uneven or slippery surfaces and climb on and off the small boats used for landings.

–––––– How much time do you spend on land? All landings depend on factors such as the weather, the dis-tance between the landing sites, and the operational conditions. The expedition team and the captain will arrange the daily route to ensure the best possible experience.

–––––– Are there any restrictions on activities on land? As environmen-tal protection is a concern, there are regulations for the protection of wildlife, the environment, and the cultures we encounter that must be

followed. Your expedition leader will provide necessary information about how to behave on land.

–––––– Will there be rough seas on the trip? It is not possible to predict exact weather conditions. The cap-tain will do everything he can to make the cruise as comfortable as possible. If you are prone to seasick-ness, we suggest you bring your pre-ferred medication.

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SHIP CONTACT INFORMATIONPhone: +47 974 91 000Email: reception@sb.hurtigruten.com

All cabins have a telephone. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere on the vessel. Please note that there is limited connectivity, and that both Internet and telephones will be out of range from time to time due to the vessel’s location. Due to the limited bandwith capacity, please do not stream videos or do any lifecasting.

ALCOHOL POLICY Only beverages purchased from the ships restaurants and bars can be consumed on board. Alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call and from our onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to your cabin on the last day of the sailing. According to Nor-wegian law, only persons over the age of 18 are allowed to purchase beer and

wine. Spirits are only available to per-sons over the age of 20 years.

ANNOUNCEMENTSTo hear all announcements in the ca-bin, you must activate the ‘northern lights’ button on your telephone. Important updates to our program and emergency information will be announced to the cabins via separate speakers and will override other au-dio in the cabin.

ARTWORK The name MS Spitsber-gen has been chosen to honor Spits-bergen, the largest island of the Sval-bard archipelago, which is part of the Kingdom of Norway. The fresh, Scan-dinavian design on board is inspired by the wide color spectrum of the sea, a motif also reflected in the many pieces of Norwegian modern art ondisplay.

CABINS Please note that check in hours at Reception may open before your cabin is ready for use. You will be informed at check in when your cabinwill be ready for you. You may ex-pect some noise and vibration in some cabins. This varies depending on the location of your cabin. Please note that cabins on deck 6 with pas-senger access to outside areas may sometimes have an obstructed view due to other passengers walking by.

CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY AND EXCURSIONS All routes and excur-sions are provisional and subject to change – weather, sea, and ice conditions may affect the itinerary. Excursions may also be subject to minimum/ maximum number of par-ticipants. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excur-sions without prior notice.

© ØRJAN BERTELSEN / HURTIGRUTEN

life on board ms SPITSBERGEN

CHILDREN There is no age restriction on MS Spitsbergen. CRUISE CARD A cruise card will be issued upon your arrival on board as part of the check-in procedure in ac-cordance with ISPS regulations. All our guests are requested to wear this card when disembarking the ship at all ports of call and landings. The card serves as a control system on the gangway, enabling the ship to know which of our guests are on board or ashore at any given time. This card, in addition to being the key card for your cabin, is also your payment card on board. The card is the only means of payment for the onboard facilities. To activate the cruise card account, you must have a Visa, American Ex-press, Diners Club, or MasterCard charge card. The credit card must be valid more than 3 months after your stay on board. Our system does not support Maestro Card. Please note that when using your credit card on board the ship, your account will be debited in NOK. The rate of exchange will be the one validated by your credit card company. The evening before the cruise ends, the account will be tallied and settled on board, and a receipt brought to your cabin.

CURRENCY Please note there is no currency exchange service available board, or the ability to make cash withdrawls.

DRONES Please note the use ofpassenger-operated drones are not permitted during your cruise. This is for general safety as well as the pro-tection of the vulnerable wildlife and other passengers’ personal security.

ELECTRICITY The electrical outlets in your cabin are 220V/50 Hz and accommodate Europlug types C and F. Suites have 110V for electric shavers. The plugs are continental two-pin plugs. (see https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ for more information). Adapters are available for purchase in the shop.

ENTERTAINMENT An expedition cruise with Hurtigruten is designed to maximize your experiences of the places in which we sail. On days when we are not landing we encourage you to spend as much time as possible out on deck. Join our educational talks and lectures at different locations on board. A travel experience is often much richer if you have knowledge and understanding about the nature, wildlife, culture, and history of your destination. Our expedition team will make sure you are well prepared for the experiences ahead of you and can answer any questions you may have. You will not find bingo, arcade games, or entertainment theatres often found on conventional cruise ships. Our aim is to get you closer to unique environments and have you share these experiences experience with your fellow travelers. Occasion-ally there may be some musical en-tertainment on board in the evenings.

ENVIRONMENT AND GREEN NAVIGATION Our captains take pride in route planning that minimizes the load of the engines and reduces emis-sions. All garbage is stored on board until it is deposited for treatment ashore. We ask you not to leave any garbage when you are on shore ex-cursions. In populated areas there are

containers for depositing garbage,please use them. If you find plastic on any of the beaches where we land, bring it back to the ship so we can remove it from the ecosystem. We ask you to respect the saying: “Leave nothing but footprints, take noth-ing but pictures, and kill nothing but time”.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS On board you may borrow a pair of warm rubber boots to wear during the landings and hikes free of charge. These boots will be kept on the ship’s tender deck andyou will have a designated pair during the whole cruise. We also offer walk-ing sticks.

EXPEDITION TEAM The onboard expedition team is comprised of the expedition leader, the assistant ex-pedition leader, and the expedition co ordinator, plus several lecturers and experts. Your expedition leader will regularly update you on the prog-ress of the trip as well as the differentpoints of interest and any wildlife sightings that may occur. Biographies of the expedition team members can be found on the Information bulletin board located close to the Informa-tion desk. You will be able to find in-formation regarding the cruise and book optional excursions at the Expe-dition desk.

FITNESS ROOM AND SAUNA The fit-ness room is located at deck 7 aft. The sauna is located next to the fitness room. The fitness room and sauna are available to all guests. Use your cabin card to enter the fitness room.

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GRATUITY POLICY Many of our guests wish to give a special thanks to our service crew on board. It is at your discretion to honor the service rendered by the crew in the bars, restaurants, and cabins. To give you some guidelines, we recommend 80 NOK (approx. 12 USD) per guest per day as an average gratuity. Whatever amount you decide to give, please fill in the form you will find in your cab-in and give it to the receptionist two nights before the end of the cruise. The amount will then be debited from your cruise-card account.

HOT TUBS Outside on deck 7 you will find our hot tubs. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy the beautiful scenery we pass by. Swimsuits can also be purchased in the shop on deck 5.

LANGUAGE The language on board is English. Announcements and writ-ten information are also provided in German.

LAUNDRY A laundry service is avail-able on board at a low cost. No self-service or dry-cleaning is available.

LECTURES The ship’s experiencedlecturers’ command an in-depth knowledge of the areas in which we sail. They will conduct lectures on topics such as biology, history, and geology throughout the course of the cruise. The lecture schedule will be announced every day in the on-board daily program. Do not hesitate to contact our expedition team for any questions or concerns you might have.

LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT, LIFEJACKETS, AND SAFETY ON BOARDThe ship complies with all safety requirements and is a modern ves-sel suitable for sailing in icy waters.

Upon arrival on board all passen-gers will attend a mandatory safety briefing and be instructed in safety procedures and guidelines, and the use and location of the safety equip-ment. There is a safety plan situat-ed on the inside of your cabin door. We stress the importance of becom-ing acquainted with the ship’s safety plan. Special safety regulations apply on landings with small boats. Please follow the instructions given by the expedition leader and crew/staff. Special life jackets for use during landings will be handed out to all passengers before the first landing.

MAIL You can hand in your mail atReception, and for a small charge covering the service fee and stamps, we will forward the post in every port where it is possible. The time from sending the postcard to when it gets to the receiver may be relatively long. Hurtigruten AS has no respon-sibility for lost mail.

MEALS ON BOARD Your cruise in-cludes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Regular coffee/tea is complimentary throughout the cruise. Other bever-ages and refreshments during the day are not included but can be pur-chased on board in the restaurant, cafeteria, and bar. Sparkling and still water are available and complimen-tary at all meals.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ANDMEDICATION There is always anEnglish-speaking physician and nurse on board. The ship has a small medical facility with the necessary equipment and medication to han-dle minor emergencies. In the event of a serious emergency, the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations and any medications provided will be charged to the pas-senger affected. It is strongly rec-ommend that guests carry medical insurance and obtain a travel protec-

tion plan. If you depend on medica-tion, remember to bring a sufficient supply to last through any unfore-seen delays. We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage properly labelled and with clear instructions for its use. If you depend on vital medication, please inform the ship’s doctor upon arrival. Illness on board can lead to quarantine, and orders from the ship’s physician and captain must be followed.

MOBILE PHONES Depending on the operator with whom you have a con-tract, mobile phones will function in some places on shore. Check with your carrier company for details. Guests may use their own telephones on board the ship as long as we have connection, at an international price level. The price will depend on which mobile operator you use. Please check with your carrier company for rates, and to determine if your plan is valid on the Maritime Communica-tions Partner (MCP) satellite system on board (MCP has recently changed its name to Telenor Maritime.) OUTDOOR DECKS MS Spitsbergen has spacious outdoor areas. They arethe perfect vantage points to sit back, relax, and watch the world go by.

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. It is the sole re-sponsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel docu-ments and necessary visas before commencing their cruise, and have them available when necessary. Based on your nation ality, many countries still require an entry visa. Your passport is the only valid iden-tification for all our cruises aboard MS Spitsbergen. Your passport needs

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to be valid for more than six months after you return to your home coun-try. Passports will be collected by the crew on board the vessel at check in to clear immigration and customs. Passports will be kept throughout the cruise and re turned to you at the end of the trip. Please also bring a photocopy of your passport with you. We are unable to accept any liability if you are de-nied access to a flight or entry into a country, or are otherwise affected by difficulties or costs resulting from your passport not being approved or if you have not obtained the re-quired visa or other documentation.

RESTAURANT SERVICES We serve a buffet breakfast and lunch on board. Dinner varies between buffets and set meals. The type of dinner is a nounced in the daily pro-gram. Our restaurant manager will assign tables prior to your arrival. Information about your table num-ber and meal times will be in your cabin upon arrival.

Please provide information re-garding special requests for seat-ing arrangements to a Cruise Sales Specialist or your travel agent, and contact the head waiter on board. We might serve the dinner divided into boat groups on some cruises. If you have special dietary require-ments, such as vegetarian, diabet-ic, or gluten-free, please inform a Cruise Sales Specialist or your tra- vel travel agent as early as possi-ble, and contact a Head Waiter when on board. We will do our best to meet such requests but can-not guar antee to do so. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are sold in the res-taurant during lunch and dinner. Complimentary sparkling and still water will be served at all meals.

SEASICKNESS Seasickness pills are available for purchase at the Reception desk. If you are prone to seasickness it is recommended that you bring pills that you are familiar with. You can also buy Sea Bands on board.

SHIP’S SECURITY MS Spitsbergen complies with ISPS (International Ship and Port Security System) reg-ulations, where all checked and car-ry-on luggage are subject to x-ray and metal detection inspection upon arrival to the ship and at all ports of call throughout the cruise.

SHOP In our onboard shop you canbuy clothes suitable for expedition cruises. Our expedition team will be happy to give you expert advice on how to dress properly in polar areas. We offer a range of warm, practical clothing, and we focus on selling fabrics made with natural fibers. We also offer souvenirs, handicrafts, and postcards. The shop also offers small selection of toiletries and oth-er personal items.

SHORE EXCURSIONS A selection of shore excursions are available to pre-book. We will supply you with excursion informa tion in advance whenever possible. Otherwise, you will receive full details and prices on board. Excursions are subject to maximum/minimum number of participants, and their contents are subject to local weather conditions. SMALL BOAT LANDINGS These safe, stur dy rubber boats enable both wa ter-based explora-tion and safe land ings in otherwise inaccessible areas. You will need to be fairly agile to board these boats. The crew will instruct you accordingly, please see page 42 for more information. On all landings in small boats, guests are expect-ed to wear proper footwear. Rub-ber boots can be useful for many landings. You are welcome to bring your own pair of boots, or you can borrow a pair free of charge. Land-ing operations depend on favorable conditions.

SMOKING On board MS Spitsber-gen, smoking is only permitted in designated areas on decks’ 6 and 8 starboard side. Please use the provided ashtrays when smoking.

Throwing cigarette butts overboard is strictly prohibited. Do not smoke in your cabin. A cleaning charge of 1,500 NOK will be applied for smok-ing in your non-smoking cabin.

SPECIAL REQUESTS If you have special dietary requirements, please inform a Cruise Sales Spe-cialist or your travel agent as soon as possible. We will do our best to meet such requests but cannot guar-antee to do so. SUITE SERVICE As a suite guest on MS Spitsber-gen, we offer you an exclusive suite check-in area at deck 5 with a chilled glass of champagne to begin your cruise. Special amenities come with our magnificent suites, includ-ing a welcome-on-board gift, and complimentary beverages at lunch and dinner, including sodas, soft drinks, beer, and a selection of wine by the glass.

In the suite you will find a kettle with coffee, teas, sweeteners, and cream, and the mini-bar has a compli-mentary selection upon your ar-rival. Replenishing the mini-bar will be at the guest’s expense.

TELEPHONE USAGE All cabins have a telephone. Guests may pur-chase a phone card at the Reception desk to make calls from the ship. Depending on location, phone con-nectivity may be out of range or lim-ited due to the remote locations in which we sail.

VACCINATIONS Check with your General Practitioner regarding the recommended vaccinations for your journey.

WATER Tap water is potable in the cabins, and we encourage you to purchase a refillable wa-ter bottle on board, and fill it up at our drinking fountain station. Filtered water is complimentary at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. WALKING ON BOARD Please be careful walking on board the ship

while it is at sea, especially when venturing out on deck, and mind the signs for warning of wet and slippery decks. Be aware the doors toward the outer decks on 5, 7, and 8 are potentially dangerous in windy conditions. Please adhere to the signs and announcements when it is advised to not go outside. While walking inside, hold on to railings (not door frames) to avoid injury.

WEATHER CONDITIONS The planned itinerary may change and landings may be cancelled due to changeable weather conditions. Hurtigruten AS reserves the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions and other unforeseen events.

WELCOME MEETING Upon arrival on board, there will be a welcome meeting where security information and practical information about the cruise will be presented. This is also an opportunity to be introduced to key personnel on board and meet some of the other crew members. Before departure there will be a mandatory passenger safety drill.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS The ship is suitable for guests using wheel-chairs. Persons in need of special assistance must travel with a com-panion. Please note that the ship’s gangway must be used to embark/disembark guests using wheel-chairs. In ports where tid al condi-tions or other circum stances require the use of a portable gangway, or during landings with tender boats, wheelchairs cannot be used.

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Pack like an explorer The dress code aboard the ship is informal, and you are not expected to dress formally at meals. Bring casual and com-fortable indoor clothing.

There are several things to re-member to bring along when you are going on a cruise with Hurtigruten.

To make packing a bit easier, we have drawn up a packing list.

If you forget something, don’t worry! On board all of our ships you will find a shop with a wide range of clothes and practical items.

REMEMBER TO PACKTHE FOLLOWING ITEMS

• Warm jacket• Wind- and water-resistant

pants, and long thermal under-wear (top and bottoms)

• Warm hat• Swimwear• Scarf • Warm wool sweater• Warm gloves or mittens• Warm socks• Shoes with good soles are

recommended for outdoor use• Good shoes to wear on board• Extra shoelaces • A pair of good binoculars• A small waterproof backpack • Your passport, and an extra

copy of your passport.• Sun protection (SPF 30+)• Sunglasses with UV-filter lenses• Lip balm with UV protection • Money in the correct currency.

Our ships also accept several credit cards.

• Sufficient medicaton to last through any unforeseen delays

• Extra memory card for your camera

• Extra batteries for your camera

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Please note that you may borrow a pair of warm

rubber boots to wear during the landings and

hikes free of charge, and you will also receive a

light waterproof jacket that is yours to keep.

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––– The experience of a place is based on a combination of things. Our expedition team members are carefully picked for their local knowledge, specific expertise in relevant fields, and most important of all, their en-thusiasm, curiousity, and love for the areas we visit on our expedition cruises. The role of the expedition team is to interpret observations of wildlife and landscapes; point out things of interest; and give educational lectures on topics such as biology, geology and history – in addition to being hosts with the rest of the crew aboard MS Spitsbergen.

© LINDA DRAKE / HURTIGRUTEN

ourteam onboard

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SMALL BOAT LANDINGS

SMALL BOAT LANDINGS

The crew will show you how to safe-ly embark, disembark, and travel in small boats, which are ideal for land-ings as they can land in otherwise in-accessible places. They have a shallow draft and are extremely stable and sus-tainable. It is important to adhere to the cor rect handling and proper use of these motor-driven small boats, so for each landing with small boats, special safety measures are taken.

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES

1 The boat drivers are responsible for the boats and their landings. You must always follow their instructions.

2 All travelers must always wear appropriate life jackets regardless of weather and sea conditions.

3 When disembarking, you should always accept the help offered by the driver or the crew. The ‘sailor’s grip’, in which one holds each other’s forearms, is the strongest and most secure grip.

4 Always keep both hands free when embarking and disembarking. Give hand luggage to the helper for him to place it on board for you. Keep your hands inside the boat at all times.

5 Please limit your personal equip-ment on board the small boats. Small backpacks and belt bags are ideal for transporting cameras, binoculars, and rain protection. Backpacks can be purchased in the onboard shop.

6 Always wait for instructions from the driver before embarking or dis-embarking. Use waterproof bags to protect your binoculars and camer-as. You should also wear waterproof clothing to protect against spray. Each small boats is equipped with a fire ex-tinguisher, a chart plotter, extra fuel, a communication system, and a first aid kit.

MS SPITSBERGEN PHONE: +47 974 91 000

MS SPITSBERGEN EMAIL: reception@sb.hurtigruten.com

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

STERN REAR OF THE SHIPBOW FRONT OF THE SHIPSTARBOARD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIPPORT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHIPBRIDGE THE AREA FROM WHICH THE SHIP IS NAVIGATEDREFUEL REPLENISH FUEL AT PORTSCRUISE CARD ONBOARD PAYMENT CARDGANGWAY WALKWAY BETWEEN LAND AND SEATO HOIST TO RAISE A FLAG OR BANNERBALLAST WATER SYSTEM USED TO MAINTAIN SHIP STABILITYCLEARING RULES WHEN ENTERING AND DEPARTING FROM THE SHIPKNOT SPEED OF THE SHIP, NAUTICAL MILE (1.15 MILES) PER HOURGALLEY SHIP’S KITCHENLEEWARD SIDE DOWNWINDWINDWARD SIDE UPWINDPIER DOCK FROM WHICH THE SHIP WILL LEAVENAUTICAL MILE DISTANCE MEASURE: 1 NAUTICAL MILE = 1.15 MILESSTABILIZERS SHIP EQUIPMENT USED TO COUNTERACT ROLL CAUSED BY WIND OR WAVES

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ms SPITSBERGEN – deck planMS Spitsbergen is named after the island of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago and the Arctic crown of Norway. Hurtigruten has a long history in the Spitsbergen wilderness, reach-

ing all the way back to 1896 and the ‘Sports Route’. MS Spits bergen was completely renovated in 2016, fea-turing a fresh Scandinavian design in the cabins and the public areas. The upgrade also included changes that

minimize the craft’s environmental foot print, making her even better suited to sailing in challenging polar waters.

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Hurtigruten AS: P.O. Box 6144, N-9291 TromsøBooking: usbooking@hurtigruten.com

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