Compensation Plans in the Works for Hurtigruten's MS Fram Passengers

MS Fram, built in 2007, and at 12,700 tons specially designed for cruising arctic waters, is sailing to Ushuaia, Argentina, after engine problems in Antarctica on Dec 28 caused the ship to drift into a glacier front at Brown Bluff and suffer damage to a single lifeboat. There were no reported injuries to passengers nor damage to the ship itself. The ship was able to restart its engines quickly and made its way to Chilean base Frei at King Georges Island for inspection. After the inspection, the decision was made to send the ship back to Ushuaia, scheduled to arrive on Jan 2.

Hurtigruten takes safety very seriously and it is of the outmost importance that the ship and all safety equipment on board are in perfect condition. This includes replacement of the lifeboat and identifying and repairing the cause of the engine problems. The line has therefore decided to cancel the upcoming Jan 2 Antarctica cruise in order to accomplish those tasks. Approximately 240 passengers will be affected by this cancellation. MS Fram will resume her scheduled cruise departures on Jan 10.

A compensation plan has been announced for passengers affected by the MS Fram's recent shortening of its Antarctica sailing of Dec 25 and cancellation of the Jan 2, 2008 departure. The refund amount for passengers currently aboard is in the process of being determined with information to be released immediately after passengers are notified; in the meantime, they will be offered a 30% reduction of fares for a future sailing in Antarctic or along the Norwegian coast. Passengers booked on the cancelled Jan 2 departure will receive a full refund of the cruise and its components as well as 50% off future Antarctica or Norwegian Coastal sailings.

Hurtigruten is making every effort to book all passengers on departures that run through Feb 2008. Re-bookings with the discount must be made by April 1, 2008, are non-transferrable, and can be for 2008-2009 season. Affected passengers can contact their travel agent or Hurtigruten at (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300.