Roald-Amundsen Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

A significant COVID-19 outbreak on board the MS Roald Amundsen has led to serious repercussions for Hurtigruten, raising questions about the company's adherence to health regulations. With 63 confirmed cases, including 41 crew members and 22 passengers, the situation has prompted scrutiny from Norwegian authorities. CEO Daniel Skjeldam acknowledged the company's failures, stating, 'We have failed.' In response to the outbreak, the company has recommended that Chief Operating Officer Bert Martini step down temporarily, a move initiated by Hurtigruten itself, not Martini. As of August 11, the MS Roald Amundsen remains docked in Tromsø, with Hurtigruten also suspending all expedition voyages aboard the Roald Amundsen as well as the Fridtjof Nansen and Spitsbergen. Furthermore, this incident has influenced the Norwegian government’s stance on cruise operations, leading to intensified caution regarding future voyages. Notably, just days before the outbreak came to light, TUI Cruises was informed that its ships, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2, would be banned from entering Norwegian waters for scenic fjord cruises, much to the surprise of passengers already on board. The path forward for Norwegian authorities concerning cruise regulations remains uncertain.

The number of COVID-19 cases linked to the cruise ship 'Roald Amundsen' has now increased to 43 following the confirmation of two additional infections. On August 4, health officials in Trondheim reported that a man in his 70s, who exhibited minor symptoms, and an asymptomatic child tested positive for the virus. Health authorities are awaiting results for one more individual on board, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding virus transmission among cruise passengers.

Norwegian authorities are taking decisive action as the police in Tromsø have initiated an investigation regarding a COVID-19 outbreak on the cruise vessel 'Roald Amundsen'. To date, health officials have confirmed that 36 crew members and four passengers tested positive for the virus. The shipping line Hurtigruten faces scrutiny, not only for the outbreak but also for their communication failures around it. The company acknowledged that they failed to relay timely information to passengers after learning of the first COVID-19 case aboard on July 29. A breakdown in communication at the company meant that crucial messages from health authorities were not conveyed to top management. Following the initial infection, reports emerged on July 31 that four crew members required hospitalization due to COVID-19, with the total number of infections now swelling to 40. Passengers aboard the 'Roald Amundsen' are under careful monitoring, and several hundred of the total of 386 passengers onboard are awaiting test results. The ongoing situation has led the authorities to gather pertinent information to determine whether a formal investigation into potential criminal charges is warranted. Should it be established that Hurtigruten violated the Norwegian Infection Control Act, the company could face hefty fines, while individuals found culpable may be subjected to personal fines or imprisonment. The vessel remains docked in Tromsø, where the remaining 154 crew members are quarantined, along with 60 passengers who traveled on the ship within the past week. The 'Roald Amundsen' arrived in Tromsø from Svalbard on the morning of July 31, having completed two voyages in July — the first departing Tromsø on July 17 and the second on July 24.