Hurtigruten Group has halted operations in West Africa amid growing regional instability, prioritising safety.
- Planned expansion of Hurtigruten Expeditions has been paused, affecting itineraries in Senegal, The Gambia, and other locations.
- MS Maud returns to Norwegian coastal routes from November after a successful Antarctic season.
- Passengers impacted by the suspension are offered refunds or credits, with some transferred to other Antarctic voyages.
- Hurtigruten continues its environmental upgrades, maintaining agent commission protections despite cancellations.
Hurtigruten Group has decided to suspend its scheduled sailings to West Africa due to increasing instability in the region, underlining its commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. This move impacts the expansion plans for Hurtigruten Expeditions, which included visits to destinations such as Dakar in Senegal, Banjul in The Gambia, and the Bissagos Islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.
The decision to halt these operations follows a comprehensive review of regional conditions, reflecting a cautious approach to emerging geopolitical challenges. Passengers who had bookings on these itineraries are being directly notified by the company or their travel agents, with offers of full refunds or a generous future cruise credit of 125% being extended to accommodate any inconvenience caused.
In a strategic redeployment, the MS Maud will return to the Norwegian coast under a state contract, marking a temporary shift from its role with Hurtigruten Expeditions. This vessel will begin Norwegian coastal sailings from November 1st and continue through to mid-April, before aligning with scheduled British Isles itineraries and later proceeding to the Arctic for the summer season. The ship is expected to rejoin the Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet in 2026.
Passengers originally scheduled on Antarctic trips with the MS Maud have been reassigned to other hybrid vessels such as the MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Fram, or MS Roald Amundsen, ensuring their travel plans continue with minimal disruption.
The Hurtigruten Group, amidst these operational adjustments, is also pursuing significant environmental upgrades, further emphasized by Group Chief Executive Daniel Skjeldam’s statement on the company’s role in leading sustainable practices within the cruise industry. He noted, “Hurtigruten is undertaking the most significant environmental upgrade in the cruise industry,” reinforcing their commitment to environmentally responsible travel.
Furthermore, Hurtigruten has pledged to secure commission protections for travel agents on funds received, addressing potential revenue losses from cancelled itineraries and illustrating the company’s ongoing support for its partners.
Hurtigruten’s proactive adaptation to regional instability highlights its commitment to both safety and sustainability.
