In some of the ports, we will invite agents, press and public on board for a ship visit during port stay for a presentation of MS Fram and Hurtigruten. Some of the conference rooms and parts of the restaurant (when available) will be used for these guests.

The ship has a bar with a wide selection of spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks and a lounge with coffee service. Please note that according to Norwegian Law, it is not allowed to consume self brought liquids or liquids bought in the tax free shop in public areas.

Please note that check in hours in reception might open before the cabin is ready for use. You will be informed at check-in, when cabin is ready for you. Check-out time will be advised towards the end of the trip and is depending on ships arrival. Check-out time may vary from what written in vouchers/tickets. All cabins on board on have private bathrooms. There are 220V/50hz sockets located in the bathroom. In addition, the suites on MS Fram also have one socket 110V for razors. All sockets are European standard sockets. Bring your own adaptor/converter if you need it. Each cabin is fitted with air conditioning, heating and a fire detector.

A cruise card will be issued upon arrival on board as part of the check in procedure in accordance with ISPS regulations. All our guests are requested to wear this card when disembarking the ship in all ports of call and landings in Antarctica. The card serves as a control system on the gangway enabling the ship to know which of our guests are on board and ashore at any time.

This card, in addition of being the key card for your cabin, is also to be activated as your payment card on board. The card is the only mean of payment in the on board facilities. Daily use of cash is not accepted.

To activate the cruise card account the following credit cards* are accepted onboard: Visa, MasterCard & EuroCard. The following credit cards are not accepted onboard: Diner's Club and American Express. 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. Indicative rates are given on board, but are not fixed. We will also accept USD, EURO, GBP and NOK in cash when activating you card. Be aware that change will be given in NOK, EURO or USD. Please note that when paying in cash, a fixed rate set by Hurtigruten is used. Credit card is recommended.

* The 3 listed types of Credit cards are the only valid cards we do not accept bank cards from local banks.

The night before arrival your account will be added up, settled and a receipt brought to your cabin.

The currency onboard is NOK in addition to major credit cards. Ashore, Euro is the valid currency. In most places ashore the major credit cards; Eurocard, MasterCard, Diners, American Express, Visa etc. are accepted.

The Expedition Team will inform about the daily program, arrival and departure times, excursions and other activities. The program is subject to changes depending on weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

The daily programme is available in English, Norwegian and German.

The ship has 220V/50hz.

All waste is stored on board until it is deposited for treatment ashore. We never dump waste in the sea and we ask you not to leave any waste ashore when you are on excursions. In populated areas there are containers for depositing waste, please use them.

Indoor Clothing
The dress code aboard the ship is relaxed and casual, and you are not expected to dress formally for meals. Bring casual and comfortable indoor clothing.

Outdoor clothing
For staying outside on deck, we recommend outfits for spring temperatures. Gloves, scarf and rain/wind jacket could come in handy.

Shoes/footwear
Aboard the ship you may wear ordinary shoes or tennis shoes. Shoes with good soles are recommended for use outdoors on deck, and for excursions ashore.

Sun block
Due to mild temperatures and winds, we suggest all our guests to wear sun block/ sun screen when outdoors.

Sun glasses
We strongly recommend that you bring a pair of good quality sunglasses.

Binoculars
We recommend you to bring a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at wildlife and nature.

Camera
We strongly recommend that you bring your camera equipment that will allow you to capture this unforgettable experience.

Swimsuit
Please bring your swimsuit to take advantage of the 2 on board Jacuzzis.

We offer a selection of excursions; these can be pre-booked, and will also be sold on board the ship. The staff will inform you of your options. Unfortunately, most excursions are not adapted for disabled persons.

The excursions have to be booked within deadlines on shore. Please consider which excursions you would like to participate in, and note that registration is binding. The expedition team onboard will inform you about booking deadlines. The excursions will have English speaking guides, German will be offered in addition in most ports. The excursions are subject to cancellation depending on both number of participants and weather conditions

The on board Expedition Team is composed by an Expedition Leader, an Expedition Assistant and several lecturers. Your Expedition Leader and Expedition Assistant will be informing you on a regular basis, on the progress of the trip as well as of the different points of interest and wildlife sightings that might occur.

Biographies of the Expedition team can be found on the Information bulletin board located close to their Information desk. At the Expedition desk you will be able to find information regarding the trip, book Optional Excursions and borrow books from our Library

The Ship has experienced lecturers with in-depth knowledge of the areas we sail in. They will conduct, on a regular basis, lectures on topics such as Biology, History and Geology throughout the course of the trip. The lecturing schedule will be announced everyday in the On Board Daily program. Do not hesitate to contact our Expedition Team for any questions or concerns you might have

A fitness room and a sauna are available to our guests.

We in Hurtigruten ASA have learned that many of our guests wish to give a special thanks to our service crew on board. It is at you discretion to honour service rendered by the crew in bars, restaurant and cabins. In order to give you some guidelines, we recommend 50 NOK (approx 6 Euro, 8 USD) per passenger per day as an average gratuity. Whatever amount you have decided to give, please fill in the form you will find in your cabin and give it to the purser two nights before the end of the cruise. The amount will then be debited to your cruise card.

The ship is suitable for wheel-chairs. Heavily disabled persons or persons in need of special assistance must travel with a companion. For further information, please ask your travel agency.

Remember to bring your swimsuit so you can take a lovely bath out on deck in one of our two Jacuzzis.

A limited self-serve laundry is available onboard at low cost. No dry cleaning possible.

Yes, Laundry service is offered on board.

The ship has a limited selection of books on different topics that is available to guests while on board.

The ship complies with all safety requirements and is classified as a polar vessel suitable for sailing in icy waters. Upon arrival aboard all passengers will be instructed in safety procedures, the use and location of the safety equipment. There is a safety plan situated on the inside of the cabin door. We stress the importance of becoming acquainted with the ships safety plan!

Special security regulations will apply on landings with the Polar Cirkel boats (RIB's). Please follow the instructions given by the Expedition Leader and crew/staff. Special lifejackets for use during landings will be handed out to all passengers upon arrival. This will be yours for the whole cruise, so please make sure that it fits you properly, and bring it to all landings. A mandatory briefing regarding of the safety guidelines will be given.

On board we serve a buffet breakfast and lunch. Dinner is varying between a buffet and a three-course meal, with a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian dish (vegetarian upon request to the Restaurant Manager). Type of dinner is announced in the daily programme.

Our restaurant manager will assign tables prior to arrival. Information about table number and mealtimes will be in your cabin upon arrival. Please provide information regarding special requests for seating arrangements to your sales office/travel agent.

If you have special dietary requirements, please inform your sales office/travel agent as early as possible, and contact the restaurant manager when onboard. The chefs will do their utmost to meet your dietary requirement.

Beer, wine and soft beverages are sold in the restaurant during lunch and dinner.

There is an English-speaking doctor and/or nurse on board at all times. The ship has a small hospital with the necessary equipment and drugs to handle emergencies. In serious emergencies the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations as well as medicines will be charged the passenger.

The price for a consultation is approx. 285 NOK.

Remember to bring sufficient medication to last through any unforeseen delays. We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage properly labelled and with clear instructions for its use.

All guests must have travel/health insurance.

Make sure to have a valid passport that extends more than six months after you return to your home country. Check if you need a visa for any of the countries we will visit.

At check-in on board passport will be collected by the vessel, in order to clear immigrations and customs. Passports will be kept in the vessels safe throughout the whole voyage and be returned at the end of the trip. Please bring a copy of you passport with you.

For St Petersburg, the following rule applies:
For participating on our excursions, you will not need a VISA. If you wish to explore St Petersburg on you own, you will need to apply for a personal tourist VISA. If so, please contact your travel agency.

You can hand in your mail in the reception. You pay for every postcard you send from the ship, this amount covers service fee and stamp. We will forward the post in every port where it's possible. The time used from sending the postcard to it gets to the receiver may be relatively long. Hurtigruten has no responsibility for lost mail.

The cabins are cleaned daily. We regret that meals or drinks can not be served in the cabins.

Seasickness pills are available in the reception at a low cost. If you are prone to seasickness please bring pills you are familiar with. You may also buy "sea band" onboard.

A limited assortment of souvenirs, handicrafts and postcard are for sale in the shop onboard. In addition we also stock a small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects.

Smoking is not permitted inside, only outside on deck on all ships.

If you have special dietary requirements please inform your travel agent/operator as early as possible. The chefs will do their utmost to meet your dietary requirement.

There is a satellite telephone and fax on board the ship:

MS Fram:
Phone no: + 47 51 40 64 40
E-mail: fram@hurtigruten.com

On board, you may buy telephone cards enabling you to call from your cabin. Please ask reception staff for prices. You may use your own GSM telephones on board of the ships at all times at an international price level. The price will vary depending on which mobile operator you use. Please check with your local phone company for rates for use of your phone abroad. In addition to your operator's tariff, a roaming-fee of € 1 per minute for both calling and receiving calls, will be charged.

Depending on the carrier company with whom you have subscribed, mobile phones will function in the biggest cities ashore.

There is an Internet café onboard and access may be purchased in the reception.

This time of year, temperatures in this area will normally be around 10 - 15 degrees celcius (50-59 F)

Check with you local health authorities regarding recommended vaccinations.

The water onboard is drinkable, but we recommend buying bottled water.

The planned itinerary may change and landings may be cancelled due to deteriorating conditions. Hurtigruten ASA reserves the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions and other unforeseen events.

Upon arrival onboard, guests are invited to a mandatory welcome meeting, where security information as well as practical information about the cruise will be given.

All ships except for the MS Nordstjernen and the MS Lofoten have an internet café and offer internet access via satellite for a fee. In most harbors, mobile/cellular networks (3G) are available if you bring your own PC and a mobile access subscription. There is no internet access in the cabins (except in some suites).