As a response to the COVID outbreak onboard its MS Roald Amundsen ship, Hurtigruten temporarily suspends all expedition voyages on MS Spitsbergen, MS Fridtjof Nansen, and MS Roald Amundsen until further notice.
36 crew and several passengers tested COVID-positive on MS Roald Amundsen.
Hurtigruten's CEO, Daniel Skjeldam, said:
“The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is Hurtigruten’s number one priority. We are now focusing all available efforts in taking care of our guests and colleagues. We are working closely with the Norwegian National and Local Health Authorities for follow-up, information, further testing, and infection tracking.
“In light of the recent increase in new cases of COVID-19 globally, the only responsible choice is to suspend all expedition sailings until we are absolutely confident, we can carry out our operations in line with all requirements from the Authorities and with the even stricter requirements we have set for ourselves.”
As of Monday, August 3, Hurtigruten is in the process of reaching out to and informing passengers booked on the canceled cruises.
The decision has no impact on the line’s coastal Norway operations.