Satisfy your thirst for adventure with Hurtigruten Expeditions! Whether Arctic or Antarctic: immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the polar regions and discover the beauty of remote destinations that only a few are allowed to travel to. The modern expedition ships offer cozy hygge comfort, attentive service, culinary delights and plenty of time for relaxation while you explore the fjords of Norway, the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands or the rugged nature of North America. Join the experienced guides on excursions to observe polar bears, walruses and birds in their natural environment. Marvel at the fascinating northern lights that bathe the sky in colorful light or visit exciting European coastal cities on the Atlantic. A journey beyond imagination awaits you on a cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions.
The current Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet includes six members, all of whom, without exception, have modern and environmentally friendly technology to reduce impact on the sensitive ecosystems of the regions visited. And thanks to the high ice class, Hurtigruten Expedition's special ships make it easy to navigate the world's icy and remote waters. Which travel areas does the fleet sail to? The MS Spitsbergen has undertaken sea voyages to the British Isles, West Africa and Cape Verde. You can reach destinations in South America, for example, with the MS Santa Cruz II, on which only 90 guests form a close-knit community, and the MS Roald Amundsen, which promises unforgettable times for 580 adventurers. Endless ice fields, majestic glaciers and hot springs: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland are the specialty of the expedition professional MS Fram, which transports 318 travel-hungry travelers.
Book your dream cruise now and experience the thrill that only untouched nature can offer. Create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Your next sea voyage awaits you – with Hurtigruten Expeditions!
Table of Contents: cruises with Hurtigruten Expeditions
• Hurtigruten Expeditions: a brand of the long-standing cruise line Hurtigruten AS
• Which ships belong to the Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet?
• Destinations: which destinations do Hurtigruten Expeditions ships sail to?
• Hurtigruten Expeditions: transparent experiences and reviews
Hurtigruten Expeditions: a brand of the longstanding tradition cruise line Hurtigruten AS
Hurtigruten Expeditions is a subsidiary of Hurtigruten AS (based in Tromsø, Norway). The traditional cruise line is known for its mail ships that stroll along the Norwegian Coast. Captain Richard With connects northern and southern Norway: the Hurtigruten ships have been sailing the route between the cities of Bergen and Kirkenes since 1893 and serve as a means of transportation for passengers and freight. The route is approximately 2,500 nautical miles long and takes you through picturesque fjords, past charming coastal towns and along the Arctic Circle. Fun fact: The name “Hurtigruten” translates to “the fast distance” or “the fast route”. Over time, the cruise line expanded its route network and integrated new routes and, above all, more distant ports. The offer was divided: during this time the Hurtigruten Group launched the Hurtigruten Expeditions brand, which focuses on sea voyages to polar regions and other remote locations around the world with a focus on research activities. Meanwhile, Hurtigruten Original travels the traditional mail boat route.
Floating research stations: how to describe cruises offered by Hurtigruten Expeditions?
The subsidiary is committed to sustainable expedition travel and offers guests the unique opportunity to explore many impressive and untouched places in the world, such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. The repertoire of routes is continually being expanded. The British Isles, many different European metropolises on the Atlantic, the west and east coasts of North America and South America are now in the logbook. The highlights also include the Galapagos Islands as well as destinations in West Africa and the Cape Verde archipelago. Hurtigruten Expeditions ships are specifically designed to meet the challenges of these sailing areas and offer guests a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and wilderness of remote parts of the world up close.
All fleet members are equipped with modern and environmentally friendly ship technology to protect fragile ecosystems. Aboard some ships there are so-called science centers that allow guests to do individual research. Using microscopes and other equipment, guests can, for example, examine plant and water samples under the guidance of the accompanying experts and guides.
Which ships belong to the Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet?
Hurtigruten Expeditions has eight fleet members that share sustainable technology, but differ in ice class and size and/or passenger capacity. Unmistakable: All ships bear the names of well-known polar explorers.
MS Fridtjof Nansen: technical data and insight into the equipment
The MS Fridtjof Nansen is the newest ship and joined the fleet family in 2020. She was built at the Norwegian shipyard Kleven Yards, sails at a speed of 15 knots, measures 140 meters in length and 23.6 meters in width and has a tonnage of 20,889 GRT. The latest ship construction has a hybrid engine and can run on electric propulsion.
The 530 passengers appreciate the 265 outside cabins and suites, the infinity pool and two hot tubs on deck 10, three restaurants, the wellness area with sauna and the fitness room. If you feel like it, you can jog along the running track on deck 11 with a fantastic view. Above all, the countless opportunities to observe the panorama and the well-equipped science center are important pro-booking votes.
The MS Fridtjof Nansen is designed for expedition cruises in extreme conditions, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic. It meets the high requirements of ice class PC6, which makes it possible to safely cross narrow channels and icy waters of the polar seas. Even demanding waterways such as the Drake Passage or the routes around Spitsbergen are no challenge.
Where does the ship get its name from? A modern business card from Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen would decorate many titles today. The Norwegian was a polar explorer, oceanographer, zoologist, neurohistologist, diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1922). He is best known for his efforts in the Fram Polar Expedition 1893-1896 to reach the North Pole.
MS Roald Amundsen introduces itself
The MS Road Amundsen is the sister ship of the MS Fridtjof Nansen, built in 2019 and has the same dimensions, sustainable technology and similar equipment. Leven Yards also completed the work at their shipyard in Norway. Their routes will focus on the Arctic, North America, Northwest Passage and West Coast of the US in 2023 and 2024. Andean Coast and passing through the Panama Canal: There are also voyages to Latin and South America and of course to Antarctica.Side Fact: It is named after the Norwegian sailor and polar explorer Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen, who was the first man to cross the Antarctica and reach the South Pole.
MS Fram has the honor
Arctic, Antarctic, Spitsbergen and Northwest Passage: the MS Fram has it all! Cruises in these special waters are no problem for the expedition ship thanks to the high ice class ICE-1B. The 114-meter-long ship owes its classification to, among others, the ice-proof reinforced hull. Furthermore, a depth sounding database, an extendable sonar, iceberg searchlights and a tracking system, among others, strengthen the skills of the expedition professionals. Thanks to its compact size, the MS Fram steers nimbly between smaller islands and ice floes. It can also sail through solid ice up to a thickness of 60 cm. She travels at speeds of up to 13 knots and has a tonnage of 11,647 GRT.
During their time on board, the 250 passengers form a close-knit community. In 2007 the Fincantieri shipyard delivered the MS Fram to Hurtigruten. Scandinavian hygge feeling meets up-to-date research facility: In 2022, the ship underwent a comprehensive modernization during which cabins, public areas, science center and restaurants received a new design coat and of course modern equipment. The Science Center, like those on the fleet members, is now equipped with a library, research equipment and interactive computer screens.
On a cruise with the MS Fram, nature and adventure are of course the main focus. Nevertheless, there are also opportunities aboard the ship to relax and simply unwind. The cozy private living areas are one of many options to retreat and take a nap. The 125 cabins and suites of different categories serve the different needs of travelers. The Polar inside cabins have a bathroom with toilet and shower, a refrigerator, TV and can accommodate up to 4 people thanks to the bed and sofa bed. The Polar outside cabins have similar features. Guests with reduced mobility can book two special outside cabins on deck 3. The suites are also impressive: lots of space, some bathrooms have a bathtub, their own balcony or bay window.
The outside deck, which not only offers a fantastic view of the surrounding landscapes, also has two whirlpools. On the top deck, guests can also snuggle up in the soothing warmth of the sauna. Passengers are also served meals and fully catered for at two excellent restaurants, Lindstrøm and Aune. Full board includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and is included in the travel price.
Polar expeditions: cruises with the MS Maud to Spitsbergen, Norway and Iceland
The MS Maud, built in 2003, is, not surprisingly, an expert in sea voyages in polar waters. With her 570 passengers she sets course for the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen. There are 264 cabins and suites of various categories on the 135.75-meter-long and 21.5-meter-wide Hurtigruten expedition ship. It also has three restaurants, a fitness room, a sauna with a view, an observation deck with two hot tubs and seating.
MS Spitsbergen: worldwide expedition-style cruises
The 200 guests don't miss anything on the 100-mete- long and 18-meter-wide MS Spitsbergen. She has 6 passenger decks and is equipped with all the amenities needed for the travel motto “Recreation meets Expedition”. The focus is also on the Science Center, the Aune Restaurant, a spacious outdoor deck with two whirlpools as well as a sauna and the Explorer Lounge. Whether inside cabin, outside cabin or spacious suite: the 94 residential units in different categories are well equipped to switch off and retreat after a long day. A German- and English-speaking expedition team travels on board, which not only accompanies the excursions on land, but also holds information sessions and lectures on the ship and supports scientific work in the Science Center.
The MS Spitsbergen travels at up to 14.5 knots, has a gross tonnage of 7,344 tons and has ice class 1C. She was built in 2009 and handed over to Hurtigruten in 2016 after extensive reconstruction and renovation work. Which areas does the ship sail to? The MS Spitsbergen's route plan includes the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, Iceland, Norway and destinations on the European Atlantic Coast
.MS Santa Cruz II: the natural paradise of the Galapagos Islands is an absolute highlight in the cruise program
Small, but more than mighty: With its 71.8-meters-length and 13.4-meters -width, the MS Santa Cruz II is very sleekly built and ideal for exploring destinations such as the Galapagos Islands. Travel sustainably: Engines for low fuel consumption, modern, low-noise ship technology, economical exterior lighting, an onboard water treatment system and special zodiacs are important factors in protecting the sensitive ecosystems of the destinations you are traveling to. As with the other members of the Hurtigruten ship family, an expedition team is on board during the cruises, which leads the shore excursions and provides information about the culture, animals and special features of the destination through various lectures. The expedition crew is also the first point of contact for water activities such as snorkeling, diving and kayaking.
The MS Santa Cruz II was built in 2002 and and extensively renovated in 2015 and 2021. She sails at up to 10.5 knots and has a gross tonnage of 2,664 tons. The ship only takes 90 passengers in 50 outside cabins and suites on its discovery tours. While the Beagle Restaurant and the Panorama Bar provide the gastronomic component, the fitness room with yoga mats, weights, treadmills and fitness bikes as well as the two hot tubs on the expedition deck support you with sports and a justified wellness break in between. The Sky Deck is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy the view. Of course, the MS Santa Cruz II also has a science center with a library, science area and glass area with various bone models.
What destinations does the MS Santa Cruz II have on the program for 2023 and 2024?
The itinerary of the MS Santa Cruz II is truly impressive. The Hurtigruten ship focuses on multi-day tours to the Galapagos Archipelago and the coastal cities of Peru. Depending on the duration of the cruise, some expeditions also include excursions to the Inca ruins of Machu Pichu. Whether hikes through the deepest rainforests, whale watching, tours by glass-bottom boats to observe the local underwater world or presentations about the history of the world-famous archipelago: guests can expect stimulation not only for the soul, but above all for the intellect.
MS Otto Sverdrup: Cruises in the footsteps of the old mail ships on the coasts of Norway
The MS Otto Sverdrup at a glance: 138.5 meters long, 21.5 meters wide, space for 530 passengers in 263 cabins and suites, built in 2002 at the Norwegian shipyard Kleven Yards, sails 15 knots and has a gross tonnage of 15,690 tons. Her destinations? The expedition ship will undertake cruises to the coast of Norway in the 2023 & 2024 season, conveniently from/to Hamburg. Guests who don't want a long flight can easily start directly in Germany. See the northern lights, glaciers, fjords and the kingdom's beautiful, rugged nature up close. There are also cruises to the British Isles with the MS Otto Sverdrup, which also start and end in Hamburg.
What are the other advantages of being a Hurtigruten fleet member that follows the routes of the former mail ships? While you chase one adventure after the next on land together with the onboard expedition team, the MS Otto Sverdrup is your very own refuge to switch off and relax. This is possible, for example, in one of the 263 cabins or suites of various categories. Or you can enjoy relaxing hours in the wellness area with a sauna and a massage in one of the treatment rooms. If you still have some strength reserve left after a long excursion, you can burn off your strength on various sports equipment or weights in the fitness center. Afterwards, a visit to the heated outdoor pool or one of the hot tubs on deck 7 is a true revelation. Unwind on an expedition cruise.. Whether Lindstrøm, Fredheim or Aune: Thanks to full board, you can simply eat delicious food at one of the three restaurants aboard the MS Otto Sverdrup and sit back and relax while the creative and competent kitchen crew cooks for you.Side Fact: the MS Otto Sverdrup is named after the Norwegian polar explorer and explorer Otto Sverdrup, who lived from 1854 to 1930. Alongside Fridtjof Nansen, he was the first skier to travel through Greenland and was also captain of the first Hurtigruten ship to Lofoten.
MS Nordstjernen: Expedition cruises to the Norwegian Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean
The MS Nordstjernen is older than her fleet colleagues: The ship was built in 1956 in Hamburg at the Blohm & Voss shipyard and has always been regularly renovated and upgraded and modernized for special cruises to polar waters - most recently in 2014. 104 passengers in 69 inside and outside cabins find space on the ship; The residential units are almost exclusively equipped with bunk beds. The dimensions: 80.77 meters long, 12.6 meters wide, speed of up to 15 knots and a gross tonnage of 2191 tons. The MS Nordstjernen has a restaurant, a bar & lounge and an outdoor area at the stern for observation. She is also the only expedition ship that does not include a science center.
Often asked question: which is the best ship of Hurtigruten ?
“Which is the best ship of the Hurtigruten fleet” is a frequently asked question. Passenger rightly have their own subjective opinion on this, depending on their own requirements and experiences that such an intensive expedition cruise entails. The fact is that the question “Hurtigruten is the best ship” cannot be answered in such a general way. All expedition ships have their advantages, their indescribably great design, which is all about Scandinavian hygge. And without exception, all ships have the most modern technology, which enables a journey to the most sensitive ecosystems in the world. To name two candidates for the answer: MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen. The two hybrid ships are relatively new, have modern and environmentally friendly hardware and technologies on board and, thanks to their high ice class, are ideal for traveling to the Arctic and Antarctic. Everything on board also creates a very harmonious picture: different cabin categories, high-quality and modern furnishings, various restaurants, innovative science center and amenities such as sauna and hot tubs.
Start of your holiday in Germany: which voyages with Hurtigruten start from Hamburg?
On the MS Otto Sverdrup you can start the expedition cruise in the port of Hamburg. From here the Hurtigruten ship sails on voyages of discovery along the Norwegian coasts. Whether Wales, Ireland or Scotland: Or you can book a sea cruise from/to Hamburg to the British Isles with the MS Otto Sverdrup.
Are there Hurtigruten cruises from Kiel?
There are no cruises with the Hurtigruten expedition ships from Kiel in the current 2023 and 2024 season.
Destinations: which destinations do Hurtigruten Expeditions sail to?
Hurtigruten Expeditions focuses on research cruises in Arctic waters. A world of endless ice fields and glittering snow landscapes awaits adventure seekers in Antarctica, Svalbard, Iceland, Alaska, Canada and Greenland. You explore the most remote places on our planet and meet penguins, seals and whales that feel at home in this unique environment. Looking at the majestic ice formations will not only elicit cries of amazement. And during the lectures on water and on land there is a lot of interesting information about brave explorers who once explored the unexplored regions.
With Hurtigruten Expeditions to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific
It is well known that Hurtigruten Expeditions can sail in ice waters. But the brand can do even more: There are also other breathtaking destinations in the logbook of the current eight fleet members: Curtain up for the Galapagos Islands. The spectacular archipelago, located around 1,000 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, is famous for its unique wildlife that is found nowhere else in the world. Here travelers will find an amazing variety of native species, including the famous Galapagos giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins and many other endemic species. The Galapagos Islands are protected by UNESCO and are a national nature reserve of Ecuador. The islands have strict rules to preserve the unique environment and wildlife. The focus on sustainability makes the Galapagos an outstanding example of responsible tourism and conservation.
Snorkeling and diving: The underwater world of the Galapagos is just as fascinating as the land wildlife. Snorkeling and diving with Hurtigruten's experienced expedition team offers the opportunity to interact with sea lions, sharks, rays and a variety of marine life and explore the breathtaking underwater landscape. The archipelago is of volcanic origin, and its landscapes are characterized by impressive craters, lava fields and fascinating geological formations that give a surreal and almost alien feeling. A guided hike on these islands should not be missed.
British Isles and cruises on the European Atlantic Coast
Other highlights include the destinations in South America: look forward to exciting excursions to coastal cities in Peru. Depending on the duration of the expedition, multi-day tours to the legendary Inca ruins of Machu Picchu are also on the travel agenda. Whether Ireland, Scotland or Wales: other Hurtigruten cruises take you to the British Isles. But European metropolises on the Atlantic are also alternatives if sea tours in Arctic waters don't entice you.
Hurtigruten Expeditions: transparent experiences and reviews
Insight into reviews before bookings and purchases are essential. They are the perfect source of information to support the final purchase decision. Independent and transparent reviews from travelers who have already taken the cruises help those interested to book the right route and/or the right ship. Our section specifically for adventure voyages with Hurtigruten Expeditions contains many testimonials that you can view before booking. If you have any further questions about routes, ships and choosing the right cabin, our experts will be happy to help you via email and/or telephone.
