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WINTER IN NORWAY
Climate and daylight
Temperatures in northern Norway can be consistently
below freezing and with wind chill they can easily
reach -4°F. However, all Norwegian hotels (excluding
the Alta Igloo and Kirkenes Snow hotels) and our
ships are very well heated. Having a good outer
jacket over normal clothes is useful in order to
adjust to snug indoor temperatures. In the period
from mid November to the end of January, the sun
does not rise above the horizon in the Arctic
Circle, but the region is not entirely without
light. Instead, we are treated to the magical Arctic
twilight during the daytime. This reflection of the
light against the snow which is set against the
magnificent coastal scenery is often a highlight for
many travelers.
Witnessing the Northern Lights
As a natural phenomenon, a sighting of the Aurora
Borealis cannot be guaranteed; it is principally
dependant on the level of activity on the sun's
surface and the amount of cloud cover locally. All
our trips operate in the region where sightings are
most likely - Tromso is a major research center for
the Aurora Borealis since the region experiences
regular displays in winter. On board our ships, if
requested, we are often able to alert passengers, 24
hours a day, should the Lights appear.
YOUR HOLIDAY
Traveling as a group and
the Tour Manager
On board our ships, our expert Norwegian crew ensure
your experience is as smooth and enjoyable as
possible. On shore, all our itineraries are
supported by our team of specialist local guides or
representatives, who will help to make excursions
and transfers smooth and hassle free. In most cases,
you will be joined by other travelers from the U.S.,
but groups are usually very informal.
This allows us to share transport and participate in
excursions together, but allows the freedom for an
independent holiday, if that is what you are looking
for. For those who prefer to be joined by a
representative during their time in Norway, we offer
guaranteed Tour Managers on selected departures.
Excursions
If you are keen to participate in any excursion, we
recommend you pre-book (if possible), as only
remaining places will be sold locally. Excursions
can only be pre-booked up to two weeks prior to
departure. Snowmobile excursions are usually based
on two people per vehicle and the guide usually
swaps drivers half way through. Alternatively, you
may pay a small supplement to drive your own for the
duration of the tour.
Meal plan
The meal plan for these trips is outlined in the
itinerary of the tour pages.
Dietary requests
Special diets can be catered to as long as we are
advised well in advance. Please advise your sales
consultant at the time of booking and also add this
to the booking form. Clients on strict diets, e.g.
vegans, may find that the food offers limited
variety. We will always do our best to meet dietary
requests but cannot guarantee to do so and in no
circumstances will any such request be accepted by
us so as to form part of our contractual agreement.
It is essential that you advise us, in writing, of
all special requirements at the time of booking.
Currency and prices
The currency in Norway is the Norwegian Kroner
(NOK). Credit cards are widely accepted throughout
the country and on board the ships.
Clothing
The weather in most of our destinations can vary
during the course of each voyage or even during the
day. To prepare for these variations, we recommend
the layered-dress approach that enables you to adapt
to changes in temperature, wind and precipitation
conditions easily.
For all voyages, we advise that you take breathable
rain and windproof clothing. A warm hat, gloves,
scarf and thermal clothing can be useful, together
with thermal underwear. On land, it can be icy, so
sturdy shoes are important for shore excursions and
a walking stick/trekking pole may be useful. You
should pack a pair of UV protective sunglasses, as
the reflections of snow and ice can be harmful to
the unprotected eye. An additional list of
recommended clothing and equipment is sent out on
selected departures. Many ships offer a Jacuzzi on
board, so take your swimsuit just in case. Where
necessary, excursions include use of appropriate
clothing.
Wildlife
This brochure includes pictures and descriptions of
wildlife which may be seen from the ships and during
excursions. Please be aware that there is no
guarantee of sightings.
Hotel accommodations
The standard of the hotels we use is equivalent to
3- or 4-star. There is no official hotel-rating
system in Norway, so we have applied our own grading
based on the overall standard of the hotel and the
facilities available. All rooms have shower or bath
and W/C (except the Spitsbergen Guesthouse, Alta
Igloo Ice Hotel and Kirkenes Snow Hotel). Note that
single rooms are sometimes inferior in both size and
location.
ACCURACY AND CHANGE
Brochure accuracy
The information and descriptions contained in this
brochure have been checked for accuracy by our staff
and/or local agents to ensure that they are correct.
However, changes may occur after the date of
publication and there may be occasions when ship
owners or hoteliers may decide to withdraw some of
the facilities. Should we become aware of any
significant change which is considered to have an
effect upon your enjoyment of your holiday, we will
do our utmost to advise you. Public holidays and
religious festivals may also affect the availability
of resort and hotel facilities. Tourist offices can
provide details of such events.
Changes to the itinerary and excursions
All itineraries advertised in this brochure are
provisional and subject to change. Weather, sea and
ice conditions may force us to change the itinerary.
The safety of passengers, crew and vessel is always
the prime concern. Any adjustments to the itinerary
will be decided locally—if necessary in consultation
with the appropriate authorities—by the Tour Manager
and/or Captain, whose decision is final. All
operators reserve the right to alter the contents of
the excursions without prior notice. They may also
be subject to minimum/maximum numbers as well as
weather and ice conditions.
Minimum numbers
Some of our holidays are subject to a minimum number
of participants to enable them to take place. Should
the minimum number not be reached, we will advise
you at least 8 weeks prior to your departure, when
we reserve the right to cancel the holiday and
refund all monies paid to us. Alternatively, you may
choose another holiday with us, but if the
alternative arrangement is at an additional cost,
the difference will be payable by you. In some
cases, the voyage itinerary may still operate, but
without the guarantee of a designated Tour Manager.
At times, when passenger numbers are low on the
ship, some facilities may be limited. Excursions may
also be subject to minimum numbers.
DOCUMENTATION AND COMMUNICATION
Correspondence
Only one invoice and one set of documents are issued
per booking form. Although air tickets are issued
for each person, all other vouchers are issued 'per
party'. If you are traveling with friends but you
would each like to receive separate invoices and
tickets, we suggest that you complete two booking
forms. Please also advise our sales consultant at
the time of booking.
If you make your booking through a travel agent, all
communication between you and Hurtigruten must be
through that travel agent. If you book your holiday
direct with us we will send all correspondence
direct to the person who is shown on the booking
form as the Lead Name. Please quote the reference
number shown on your invoice in any communication.
Your travel documents will normally be dispatched to
you or your travel agent two weeks before departure.
Passport and visas
North American passport holders do not require a
visa for any of the destinations featured in this
brochure.
The above information is correct at time of going to
press, it is however the responsibility of all
passengers to ensure that they comply with the
passport and visa requirements applicable at time of
travel.
HEALTH MATTERS
Medical conditions
Passengers suffering from any known or suspected
medical condition, or women more than 26 weeks
pregnant, are required to notify us at least 14 days
before departure and to produce a medical
certificate confirming fitness to travel. We reserve
the right to refuse or cancel the booking if the
relevant certificate is not produced and will not be
liable for the refusal by any operator to carry any
person who has failed to notify us as above. We
reserve the right to refuse boarding to any
passenger displaying symptoms of any contagious or
infectious disease. If in doubt about health
precautions, please consult your doctor.
Medication
Any passengers who rely on medication must ensure
that they have sufficient supplies of all prescribed
medicine that they need during the holiday.
General
All tours organized by Hurtigruten are within the
capabilities of any reasonably active person,
however, some excursions mentioned could prove a
strain for some travelers. Hurtigruten can not be
held responsible for any circumstance arising out of
a failure to disclose a disability or pre-existing
medical condition. Please ask our sales consultants
for more information.
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