FAQ: MS Otto Sverdrup

We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Important: SMIF

All customers travelling on MS Otto Sverdrup (from Hamburg) or MS Trollfjord (on the Svalbard Express) must complete a Ship Manifest Information Form (SMIF) ahead of departure. Click here to complete and submit the form.

Passport and visas

All guests must present valid travel ID documents when they check-in to a voyage. This can be either:

• A valid passport with a validity of six months post-voyage

• A national ID card with travel rights (for Nordic residents and residents of Schengen countries)

Please note that a valid passport or EU/Schengen travel ID is required for those travelling on The Svalbard Express. You will not be permitted to disembark the ship while it is docked in Svalbard without one.

All guests should obtain up-to-date advice on passport and visa requirements from the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of the destination or country(ies) through which you are travelling.  

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations or health requirements for travelling to Norway, but it is the responsibility of all passengers to check and make sure they comply with any health requirements at the time of travel. For the most up-to-date guidance, check the Norwegian Institute for Public Health website.

We suggest you consult your doctor or relevant health authorities about any precautions you should take with regard to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).

Prohibited items

Hurtigruten complies with ISPS regulations (International Ship and Port Security System) so all luggage is inspected by X-ray/metal detector upon arrival at the port facility or ship. These regulations also include hand baggage scans in all ports of call throughout the course of your voyage.

The below list is not exhaustive. The SSO/Captain are authorised to make a professional judgment as to the legality of any item declared, detected, or discovered on board. 

Prohibited items include:

• Illegal drugs, narcotics, and illegal substances

• All firearms including replicas imitations, non-firing weapons, starting pistols and their components (including but not limited to the following items: Guns, operational or replicas, ammunition of all types, BB Guns, Compressed Air Guns, including Paint Ball Guns, Flare Guns, Gun Lighters, Gun/Firearms Parts, Pellet Guns, Spear Guns, Starter Pistols, Realistic Replicas of Firearms)

• All explosives and replicas (including, but are not limited to, the following items: Blasting Caps, Dynamite, Fireworks, Pyrotechnics, Hand Grenades, Plastic Explosives, Bomb Making Components, Gun Powder)

• Pointed weapons and sharp objects (including, but not limited to, the following items: throwing stars, flick- or gravity knifes, daggers, knifes or scissors with blade longer than 7 cm (including folding pocket knives), open razors, Spears or Spears gun, archery equipment, crossbows, crossbow bolts and long bow arrows, sabers, swords, Skean Dhus or Kirpans, axes)

• Blunt weapons (including, but not limited to the following items: knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, clubs, coshes, batons, flails or nunchaku and other items adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon)

• Restraining Devices (including, but not limited to the following items: handcuffs, leg or head restraining straps)

• High voltage stun devices and items containing incapacitating substances (including, but not limited to the following items: tasers, gas guns, tear gas spray, mace, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable, poison)

• Flammable substances unless carried in limited quantities (including, but not limited to the following items: petrol, methylated spirits, lighter fuel, paints, thinners, large batteries, etc)

• Candles or incense

• Compressed gas tanks, bottles, cylinders (including, but not limited to the following items: dive tanks, propane tanks, large aerosol cans)

• Items containing heating elements (including, but not limited to the following items: Immersion Heaters, Heating blankets, infrared heaters, flat irons, water heaters, coffee machines, etc)

• Remote-controlled or independent flying devices (including, but not limited to the following items: drones, toys, kites of any kind)

• Self-balancing hover boards, air wheels, scooters, Segways

• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), ham radios, satellite phones, transformers, laser and laser pointers, signalling jamming devices

Though we always do our utmost to stick to our sailing schedule, the weather on the Norwegian coast often has other plans. 

When the water is too choppy or the fog is too thick, your safety comes first, every time. That's the case even if it means we have to change our itinerary or cancel onshore excursions at the last minute.

Just like weather on the Norwegian coast, we can't control what wildlife you get to see on your voyage with us. A lot depends on the season, migration patterns, and pure luck.

Nature and wildlife on the Norwegian coast are unpredictable, but really, that’s what makes the surprise encounters all the more special. 

There are a wide range of comfortable cabins with private facilities on board for you. Please note that the check-in desk in reception may open before your cabin is ready for use. You will be informed at check-in when your cabin is ready for you.  

You may experience some noise and vibration in some of the cabins. This varies depending on the location of your cabin.  

Please be aware that some cabins on decks with passenger access or lifesaving appliances may have an obstructed view.   

The tap water in your cabin is safe to drink.  

Every day of your voyage, your onboard Coastal Experience Team distributes a daily programme with a list of port calls, lectures, meals, and activities on the ship. This is also available to view on the Hurtigruten App (see more information below). As we note above, nature runs the show, so all published plans are subject to change.  

As well as being experts at handling any last-minute adjustments, the Coastal Experience Team know everything there is to know about the Norwegian coast. They are here to answer your questions and, during onboard lectures and onshore landings, they will regale you with talks on topics such as nature, wildlife, history, and geology. 

During check-in, we provide you with a cruise card which makes life on board a lot easier. Not only is it the ID at the gangway when getting on and off the ship, it is also the key card to your cabin. It can also be used as your payment card on board for purchases in the shop and for drinks in the restaurants and bar. Register a Visa, Diners Club or MasterCard either upon check-in or at any time later in reception. 

Please note that there are no money exchange services or facilities for cash withdrawals on board, so please bring any local currency with you. 

The daily programme is shown on the information screens around the ship, on the TV in your cabin, and in the Hurtigruten App. Details are given about each day’s port calls, lectures, meals, and activities on board. All our published plans are subject to change.  

The use of passenger-operated drones is not permitted during your voyage. Drones can hinder the user’s safety, disturb vulnerable wildlife, and affect other guests’ personal security.

The sockets used on board are the 220v AC, two-pin Continental type. Please bring your own adapters with you if needed. 

Your voyage is full board, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Mealtimes will be announced in the daily programme. House wine, house beer, soft drinks and still and sparkling water are included for all guests during mealtimes in all our restaurants. Outside mealtimes, complimentary coffee, tea, and water are available throughout the day. An upgraded beverage package is also available. 

There are three restaurants on board MS Otto Sverdrup, each named after a historic place or person connected to Norwegian exploration heritage. The main restaurant, Aune, is open for three meals a day, while bistro-style Fredheim offers casual dining in relaxed atmosphere. Suite guests can dine in Lindstrøm, our à la carte restaurant, for three meals a day, and non-suite guests can upgrade for an additional charge. Reservation is required and will depend upon availability.  Please note: these restaurants will be renamed as Flora, Arran, and Røst, from summer 2025.

Due to Norwegian alcohol legislation, guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use. Any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call need to be stored separately on board by our crew. Your purchases will be delivered to your cabin on the last day of sailing.  

If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please let us know no later than eight weeks before your departure by contacting our Customer Service team, or contact the Restaurant Manager when you embark. Our chefs will do their very best to meet your needs but, unfortunately, we can’t guarantee they will be able to do so.  

The Hurtigruten App is your digital guide on board, and allows you to view the daily activity programme, book excursions, and find A-Z info from the minute you step on board ship. It is recommended that you download it to your device before you arrive. The App will only work while you are on board as it is connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi.   

We offer free Wi-Fi on board, but coverage and speed may be very limited. Internet will be available via satellite when we are out at sea and too far away from mobile communication infrastructure on land. Due to capacity limitations, the included Wi-Fi is limited to browsing and not streaming. Please contact the reception desk if you have any questions related to the Wi-Fi usage.  

The working language on board is English, but some members of the Coastal Experience Team and staff in the restaurant, spa, and reception will also speak German. Announcements and written information are also given in German. 

You can hand in your mail at the reception, and for the cost of stamps we will forward the post in every port where possible. The time needed for delivery of mail may be relatively long. Hurtigruten accepts no responsibility for lost mail.   

There is a doctor and nurse on board at all times. The ship has a small medical facility with the necessary equipment and medication to handle small emergencies. In the event of a serious emergency, the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations and medicines will be charged to the passenger affected. 

All guests must have personal travel/health insurance. If you depend on medication, please remember to bring sufficient supplies to last through any unforeseen delays. Such delays, while rare, can and do happen. We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage, properly labelled, and with clear instructions for its use. 

If you need to bring a prescription, Norwegian pharmacies require this in paper format with a doctors' signature. Mobile, email or app prescriptions will not be accepted.

We warmly welcome guests with reduced mobility. It is important that you let us know about mobility challenges when you order, so that we can make the best possible arrangements for you. If necessary, our sales consultants will also look for and book suitable hotel rooms for you. 

When the ship stops in ports along the Norwegian coast, there is usually a ramp or gangway to get off and on the ship. However, the excursions are not specially adapted for people with reduced mobility. Ask our coastal experts when you're on board and they can advise you on which excursions are right for you. 

You must bring your own standard size folding wheelchair. This must be stored in the cabin when not in use. If you are able to get around the ship in a wheelchair without assistance, you do not need to travel with a companion. Guests who need assistance will most likely have to travel with a companion. Talk to the travel agency about this. 

MS Otto Sverdrup complies with international safety requirements, and is a modern vessel suitable for sailing in the respective destinations, including icy waters.   

When you arrive on board, expect a mandatory passenger safety drill before departure. A welcome meeting will give you security and practical information about the voyage, and an opportunity to meet some of the Officers, Crew and Coastal Experience Team members. Please also take the time to read the Safety Notice on the inside of your cabin door carefully.  

Hurtigruten complies with the ISPS-regulations (International Ship and Port Security System) where all luggage is subject to X-ray/metal detector inspection upon arrival at the port facility or ship. The ISPS regulations also include hand baggage scans in all ports of call throughout the course of the cruise. Click here to see a full list of prohibited items. 

Take care when walking on board while at sea, especially when venturing out on deck, which can be wet and slippery. Watch out for wind too – the doors toward the outer deck are potentially dangerous in windy conditions. Please adhere to the signs and announcements when it is not advised to go outside. While walking inside, hold on to railings but not to door frames, to avoid injury.  

You can buy seasickness pills in reception. However, if you know you are prone to seasickness, it’s wise to bring pills that you are familiar with. 

We offer a rich and varied programme of optional shore excursions. We advise that you book well in advance in order to avoid disappointment due to the excursion being fully booked. Most excursions can be pre-booked, but may also be bookable on board if capacity remains. Please note that registration is binding, and once on board the Coastal Experience Team will advise you of booking deadlines for excursions still available.  

Our excursions have English-speaking guides unless otherwise indicated, and other languages cannot be guaranteed unless specified.  

Please note that all excursions are provisional and subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the viability of certain excursions. They may also be subject to minimum/maximum numbers.   

In addition, the Coastal Experience Team also arrange a variety of activities during your voyage. These will depend on location and season, but may include hiking and snowshoeing. These activities are booked on board and subject to availability.  

We also lend out walking sticks on board. If you are more comfortable using your own walking sticks, bring them along with you, but bear in mind that they must be properly cleaned and disinfected after every landing. 

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.

In our on-board shop, you can buy clothing suitable for our voyages. Our Coastal Experience Team will be happy to give you expert advice on how to dress properly according to the destinations. We offer a great range of both warm and practical clothing, and we focus on fabrics with natural fibres. We also offer souvenirs, handicrafts, and postcards, in addition to a small selection of soap, toothpaste, and other personal items.  

Cabins 

Suite guests will receive a daily turn-down service, including fresh towels and chocolate or similar on the pillow. A minibar is available in Suite cabins and will be replenished on a daily base. The first replenishment is included.   

Check-in  

An exclusive check-in area is available for Suite guests, where they may meet and greet some of the ship officers.  On embarkation day, Suite guests will find a bottle of champagne, and a welcome greeting from the Captain in their suite after check-in. 

Food and drink 

Suite guests are offered the chance to dine at the à la carte Lindstrøm restaurant. This includes a high-end breakfast, served at the table (not available on embarkation day). Reservations must be made on board and are offered upon availability.  

We’re an informal crowd so our onboard dress code is to dress comfortably. What that means for you on your voyage mostly depends on the weather. Temperatures can vary a lot during the day, so we recommend wearing several layers and bringing a hat, scarf, gloves, and woollen underlayers.

For most shore excursions and landings, it is also important to wear sturdy shoes, and a walking stick/trekking pole may be useful.