Hurtigruten’s dinner beverages policy

To view the northern lights, my wife, Carolyn, and I took a 12-day/12-night round-trip “Norwegian Coastal Voyage” out of Bergen aboard the MS Trollfjord of Hurtigruten (Belle­vue, WA; 866/552-0371, www.hurtigruten.com), Nov. 20-Dec. 1, 2014. The sky show and the beauty of coastal Norway did not disappoint. 

We booked the cruise through Hurtigruten’s website, paying $2,449 per person, double, for a slightly upgraded N-Class outside cabin on the fourth deck of the 9-deck ship. We arranged our own international air travel plus a hotel night in Bergen both before and after the cruise.

Our favorable impression of Hurtigruten’s operation was diminished somewhat by the following.

They had advertised their coastal voyages at several price levels, and we purchased “full board,” meaning all meals were included. Imagine our surprise when we discovered, while reading the materials provided to us before the cruise, that free tap water was not included during evening meals in the ship’s restaurant.

Diners were allowed to purchase water at $4 per bottle or other adult beverages at astronomical prices (as was the case throughout Norway); the cheapest wine was $50 per bottle or $12 per glass. 

Passengers were not allowed to take beverages of any kind to the restaurant evening meals. You paid extra or you didn’t drink liquids with those meals. I discussed the subject with the ship’s Restaurant Manager. She said that the policy was firm. 

Also, there was no such thing as “free” coffee or tea throughout the day, as is common with many other cruise lines.

Even before we boarded the ship, we were encouraged to purchase (for about $50) the coffee/tea package, which we did, allowing us to drink as much as we wanted at any time as long as we used our “free” souvenir red insulated “Hurtigruten” cups… but not during the restaurant’s evening meals.

BOB HAVLEN

Albuquerque, NM

ITN emailed a copy of the above letter to Hurtigruten and received a reply from the line’s public relations firm, which included the following.

The documents guests receive prior to the voyage clearly detail the company’s policies regarding water, tea, coffee and wine… . As Mr. Havlen points out, he was aware of these policies before he boarded. 

It is also important to note that the prices are in line with Norway pricing, which is not inexpensive. Bottled water ashore is the same price.

Hurtigruten has implemented a water policy that includes a complimentary bottle of water when guests purchase wine, either by the glass or by the bottle. We restrict the water in the dining room to the bottled variety. 

Complimentary water is available from other outlets on board, including the bar and café. It is safe to drink the tap water on board; however, tap water is not allowed to be brought into the restaurant and must be purchased separately.

The following beverages are complimentary with full-board service: Breakfast — coffee, tea, selected juices, tap water; Lunch — coffee, tea; Dinner — coffee, tea (served after dinner). 

Beverage packages are available for purchase; we offer a Water Package, Coffee/Tea Package, Wine Package and Beer Package. 

As for the wines, for a variety of reasons the Norwegian government implements punitive taxes on alcohol and controls the pricing and distribution of these products centrally. The prices of wine and other spirits are typically four times higher than those found in Canada and the USA.

The wines we serve on board are available at the same cost as those in the government-controlled “Vinmonopolet” (wine monopoly). We do not mark up our wines. But we do allow up to two bottles of wine per person of legal drinking age to be brought on board, without any fees. Most cruise lines do not allow wine to be brought on board without a corkage fee. 

For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of other guests, we do not allow the wine to be brought into the dining area; passengers may enjoy the wine in their cabins. 

Hurtigruten is not a traditional cruise line. We transport locals and tourists by themselves or with their cars for short voyages as well as on longer stays of up to 12 days. Depending on the length of stay, not all guests want the meal service.

We operate the dining service like a typical European restaurant. While there is a small charge for water, tipping is not required, since our Norwegian staff are being paid proper wages in compliance with the high standards of the country.

Tipping is almost always mandatory with traditional cruise lines, so. . . we do feel it would be best to compare our per diem (with extras) to other lines of similar quality.

ELLIOT GILLIES, President, Gillies & Zaiser Public Relations, Pomona, NY

After reading the reply from Hurtigruten, Mr. Havlen wrote to ITN with the following: “The response from Hurtigruten seems to suggest that I was complaining about the cost of wine/beer/spirits on board the ship. That is not the case. Anyone who travels to Norway should be aware of the country’s high taxes on alcohol. I actually commend Hurtigruten for its policy that allows passengers to each take 1.5 liters of wine aboard as long as it’s consumed in the privacy of their cabin. 

“Tax-free alcohol is actually available for purchase by all international air passengers entering Norway at the airport duty-free shop upon presentation of an air ticket.

“In the end, my main point is this: for the typical American, ‘full board’ includes a beverage at every meal, and, at the least, Hurtigruten should provide tap water with the evening meal for those who pay for full board.”