Circumnavigating Svalbard - In the Realm of the Polar Bear

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. Please ensure that you have this organised as we will need to see proof of this upon issuing your tour documentation. Please contact us for a quote or visit http://www.suresave.net.au/

Practical Information before your Hurtigruten MS Fram, MS Roald Amundsen & MS Spitsbergen Explorer Voyage

Hurtigruten have been the original coastal voyage in Norway since 1893 and offer knowledge and expertise on voyages that frequently exceed our guests' expectations. Life aboard Hurtigruten has its own special rhythm.

From the deck or the observation lounge you can observe the breathtaking scenery while we silently glide through the water. For Nansen, Amundsen and Sverdrup, Fram was a vessel for world exploration - let MS Fram be the same for you. You can journey to some of the most ecologically fascinating and scenically diverse landscapes. Each of these spectacular adventures is a voyage of discovery; through pristine environments and in the meeting of people from different cultures.

Sea Sickness

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

Contact details and Communication

All cabins are equipped with a telephone. In order to call from the ship a card has to be purchased at the reception desk. To call the ship simply dial the number below. Phone : +47 51 40 64 40 E-mail: fram@hurtigruten.com

Depending on the carrier company with which you have subscribed, mobile phones will function in some areas. Check with your supplier for more details. Guests may use their own GSM telephones on board the ship at all times at an international price level. The price will vary depending on which mobile operator you use. If there is no local reception the MCP Satellite System may be available. Please check with your supplier for rates and to ascertain if your subscription is valid on this.

Cruise card

Cruise cards can 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 in all ports of call and landingsas it serves as a control system on the gangway enabling us to know which of our guests are on board or ashore at any time. This card, in addition to being the key card for your cabin, is also to be activated as your payment card on board. The card is the only means of payment for the on board facilities. To activate the cruise card account Visa and MasterCard are accepted on board. Please note that when using your credit card on the ship your account will be debited in Norwegian kroner (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. The evening before the cruise ends the account will be added up to be settled on board and a receipt brought to your cabin. We regret that there are no cash withdrawal or money exchange facilities on board.

Diets

Special diets, such as vegetarian must be ordered well before departure.

Disabled guests

The ship is suitable for wheel-chair users. Heavily disabled persons or those in need of special assistance must travel with a companion. Please note that the ships gangway must be used in order to embark/disembark wheelchairs. In ports where tidal conditions or other circumstances require use of portable gangway, or during landings with Polarcirkel Boats, there is no possibility to use/take wheelchairs. This means that in order to travel with MS Fram in Greenland, you need to get in and out of the Polarcirkel boat in order to participate in the voyage.

Drinks

The ships are licensed to sell drinks onboard. If you would like to drink water with your meal please advise staff. If you prefer bottled water there is a charge for this.

Electricity

220 V AC 2 pin, and a continental adaptor is required.

Fitness room/sauna

A fitness room and a sauna are available.

Internet access

There is limited Internet access, which may be purchased on board. Wireless access is only available on deck 4 - reception area - no connection from cabins/suites. Please note that the connection is a 512 MB line and both internet and telephones will be out of range from time to time due to the vessel's location. We kindly ask our guests not to use live streaming media while on internet like video calls via skype, Youtube etc , all share the same limited band width, and live streaming occupies large parts of the capacity.

Excursions

We offer a selection of excursions which can be pre-booked and only remaining places will be sold on board the ship. (Exception: Helicopter flight to the Icefjord. This excursion can only be booked on board). The staff will inform you of your options. Unfortunately, most excursions are not adapted for disabled persons. The excursions have to be booked well in advance due to deadlines on shore. Please consider which excursions you would like to participate in and note that registration is binding. The Expedition Team will inform you about deadlines when booking onboard. The excursions will have English speaking guides. German and Scandinavian cannot be guaranteed. The excursions are subject to cancellation depending on the number of participants and weather conditions.

Laundry

Laundry service is available on board for a small fee. No dry cleaning is possible.

Meals

Our spacious restaurant has an ocean view from every table. Our menu has a Scandinavian base with an international touch. On board we serve a buffet breakfast and buffet lunch. Dinner may be a buffet, a set meal or a barbeque as announced in the daily programme. Our head waiter will assign tables and your table number and meal times 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, like vegetarian, diabetic or celiac diet, please inform us as early as possible, and contact the head waiter when on board. The chefs will do their utmost to meet your dietary requirements.

Pharmacy/doctor

There is an English-speaking doctor and nurse on board. The ship has a small hospital with the necessary equipment and drugs to handle some emergencies. In serious emergencies the nearest hospital will be contacted. There is a charge for medical consultations as well as medicines. The price for a consultation is approximately 285 NOK. If you are taking medication remember to bring sufficient 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. If you depend on vital drugs, please inform the ship's doctor. Illness on board can lead to quarantine and orders from the ship's doctor and captain must be followed. All guests must have travel/health insurance which includes the cost of repatriation.

Remember

Do not forget to bring your binoculars, swimming trunks, camera and/or a video camera. Take practical, warm and windproof clothing for going out on deck. Smart, but casual clothes are recommended on board. Good comfortable footwear is vital for excursions.

Shop

Souvenirs, knitwear, postcards, stamps and a small supply of toiletries are sold on board.

Smoking

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks. Please do not smoke in your cabin, if you choose to ignore this a fine will be levied. To show respect for the environment please use the provided ashtrays. Throwing cigarette ends overboard is strictly prohibited.

Safety regulations

For reasons of safety it may sometimes be necessary to keep cabin ventilators/port-holes obscured.

Tour leader

The on board Expedition Team is composed of an Expedition Leader, a Trip Coordinator and several lecturers. Your Expedition Leader will regularly update you on the progress of the trip as well as 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 and book optional excursions.

Valuables

There is a safe in reception. Hurtigruten accept no responsibility for valuables and money kept in cabins.

Weather and climate

The planned itinerary may change due to weather and local conditions. Hurtigruten reserves the right to make changes due to this.

Hurtigruten has learned that many of our guests wish to give a special thanks to our service crew on board. It is at your discretion if you wish to reward service by the crew in bars, restaurant and cabins. As a guideline 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 account.

Itinerary Changes

Weather, wind and other operational conditions will determine our programme and our schedule. Safety is always the priority and the ship's Captain will decide the final itinerary during the voyage, therefore every voyage is unique and all published routes are only indicative. Every day the expedition team prints and distributes a daily programme with a list of port calls, landings, lectures, meals and activities on board. As this is an Explorer voyage it will be your Expedition Leader and Captain who decide the final route, depending on factors such as weather (temperatures, rain, wind) and other unforeseeable events, and we cannot guarantee a specific route or landing. All our published plans are subject to change.

Weather conditions can also make any landings with Polarcirkel boats more difficult or sometimes impossible. Remember that unforeseen twists often turn out to be the highlight of a trip. We invite you to be open to unexpected experiences, and flexibility is important on our Explorer cruises. We are also subject to written and unwritten laws like assisting vessels or people in need. Such situations are subject to natural laws and therefore are not within our liability.