HX Hurtigruten Expeditions Health & Safety Protocols
The expedition ships feature a small onboard hospital essential equipment, and medication to handle small emergencies. Every ship has an English-speaking medical team with a doctor and at least one nurse, supported 24/7 by dedicated land-based experts. In the event of a serious emergency, the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations as well as medicines will be charged to the passenger affected. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.
Medical services
If you depend on medication, remember to bring sufficient supplies to last through any unforeseen delays. HX also recommends that you keep your medication in your hand luggage, properly labelled, and with clear instructions for its use. If you depend on vital medication, please inform the ship's doctor upon arrival.
- Guests with reduced mobility and accessibility challenges and those bringing mobility or medical equipment onboard may find the policy on accessibility here.
- Illness on board can lead to quarantine, and orders from the ship's physician and captain must be followed.
Cleaning and hygiene
All public spaces are regularly cleaned and disinfected throughout the day, and hand sanitizer is available throughout the ship. Guests may be required to wear face masks if there is a significant number of COVID-19 cases on board.
Positive cases and isolation
The medical staff may conduct an antigen COVID-19 test if guests or crew develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If required, HX has robust procedures in place for outbreak prevention and response.
- Guests who test positive for COVID-19 during a cruise will isolate for 5 x 24-hour periods from symptoms onset.
- Asymptomatic guests who test positive for COVID-19 will isolatefor 5 x 24-hour periods from the date of their first positive test.
- Guests in isolation will take an antigen test on day 3 and 4. They can leave isolation on day 4 if both tests are negative. If an antigen test returns a positive result, the guest will stay in isolation.
- Guests are permitted to leave isolation on day 5 if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved. There is no requirement for any further testing.
- Guests who disembark the ship before completing their isolation period may be required to isolate onshore in accordance with local regulations and cover any associated costs. The isolation protocols differ from country to country, meaning you may have to isolate for longer than 5 days in total. Guests may have the option to disembark at their own expense or remain onboard as above.
- If someone on board a ship tests positive for COVID-19 and/or develops symptoms of COVID-19, local authorities may require a 7-day or longer quarantine of all individuals on the ship, either on board or at another location. HX Hurtigruten Expeditions has no control over such requirements and must adhere to orders made by the local authorities.
The procedures are based on local legislation, medical advice, and risk assessments. HX may apply similar policies and procedures to the above in relation to other communicable illnesses or diseases.
Disclaimer
Even with infection control policies and procedures, there are some unavoidable risks to guests and property associated with your journey, including but not limited to onboard the ship, flight, while travelling to or from the ship, in hotels, terminal, and airports or during excursions. These may, for example, include illness or disease caused by exposure to viruses, bacteria or pathogens, including but not limited to influenza, norovirus, COVID-19 and cold. The risk of such exposure is inherent in many activities where people meet, interact and share common facilities, even with infection control policies and procedures in place.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions is not liable for any claims, demands, and/or damages arising from, or relating to, any exposure to the coronavirus and/or the contraction of any illness or disease as a result of any such exposure, including but not limited to COVID-19, by passengers or any other person.
