With three ships in Antarctica and five ships calling in Svalbard in the 2019/2020 season, Hurtigruten is strengthening its position as the world leader in exploration.
“Honoring our explorer heritage, we are constantly seeking new waters to explore. With our new ships and new itineraries, Hurtigruten is setting a new global standard for exploration travel to the polar edges of the world – and to new frontiers,” says CEO Daniel Skjeldam.
In addition to the exceptional encounters with nature, wildlife, and culture, the new program offers several new destinations for modern-day adventurers launching in 2019, including:
- Explore the full Northwest Passage, following in the wake of polar explorer legend Roald Amundsen on board the namesake, state-of-the-art hybrid-powered expedition ship.
- Break new ground and explore the wild and rare Franz Josef Land in Russia.
- Be one of the first to experience the hybrid-powered MS Fridtjof Nansen on voyages from Amsterdam to the Norwegian coast, via Bjørnøya, to Longyearbyen, Svalbard—a sailing inspired by the legendary Sportsman’s Route that Hurtigruten founder Richard With established in 1896.
- Experience the dramatic and alluring Norwegian coast, including the Lofoten Islands and tiny fishing villages under the Midnight Sun, while aboard the hybrid-powered MS Roald Amundsen (embarking and disembarking in Hamburg, Germany).
“This is expedition sailing at its most authentic. Sailing north of the 80th parallel north means that guests will find themselves closer than 600 nautical miles from the Geographical North Pole. This is the furthest north any Hurtigruten expedition vessel has ever operated,” says Skjeldam.
Guests will have access to experienced expedition team members, who will act as hosts on board and ashore, to give lectures on biology, history, geology, as well as accompany travelers on landings and hikes.
Hurtigruten will introduce the MS Fridtjof Nansen and the MS Roald Amundsen to the Norwegian coast in summer 2019.
For information on the expedition voyages program for 2019/2020, visit Hurtigruten.us.
