Tuesday 31 August 2021

Hurtigruten Expeditions adds third battery-hybrid powered ship as expedition cruising resumes

#expeditioncruising .


Hurtigruten Expeditions continues to push boundaries for green travel: As expedition cruising restarts, the world leader in exploration travel introduces the expedition cruise line’s third battery-hybrid powered ship - MS Otto Sverdrup.

With MS Otto Sverdrup departing Hamburg, Germany, on her maiden voyage on August 24, three major milestones are marked: Introduction of Hurtigruten Expeditions’ third battery-hybrid powered cruise ship.

Introduction of the first year-round expedition cruises from Germany, with Hurtigruten Expeditions offering departures directly from Hamburg to the Norwegian coast; and return of expedition cruises after more than a year of pandemic pause. “We are thrilled to finally be back exploring with our guests. This is a day we have all been really looking forward to after a very challenging year for the entire travel industry,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.

Since the very first expedition cruise in 1896, Hurtigruten Expeditions has grown into the world’s largest expedition cruise line. The growing fleet of smaller, more sustainable expedition cruise ships takes guests exploring to more than 250 destinations across some of the most spectacular waters of the planet – including Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, British Isles, West Africa, the Galapagos, with Russia being the latest addition to this impressive list.

More sustainable exploration

EXPLORE MORE: As the only expedition cruise line, Hurtigruten Expeditions offers year-round exploration of spectacular Norway. Longer port-stays and a fleet of small boats takes guests closer to the areas they explore. Photo: ANDREA KLAUSSNER/Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Equipped with battery packs and other green technology, MS Otto Sverdrup will operate year-round expedition cruises from Hamburg to the Norwegian coast. This means that Hurtigruten Expeditions – which introduced the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen – will add another hybrid powered ship to a growing fleet of smaller, more sustainable expedition cruise ships.

“We saw the travel industry’s global pause as a golden opportunity to invest, upgrade and improve our ships and product. As we return to cruising, MS Otto Sverdrup will feature a combination of advanced green technology, including new battery packs, that will ensure an even more sustainable way of exploring the Norwegian coast,” said Lassesen.

EXPLORE THE SHIP, CABINS, SCIENCE CENTER AND MORE: This is battery-hybrid powered MS Otto Sverdrup

BEHIND THE NAMES: This is Otto Sverdrup and Maud

Step-by-step return

“We know that guests in our region are living through the challenges of lockdowns and the various rules and regulations our governments have implemented. However, we also know that their travel dreams are still alive and strong. They are looking forward to their future adventures. As we return to operations, the safety of our guests, crew and the communities we explore is our number one priority. Our stringent health and safety protocols, including our vaccination policy for all guests and crew, will ensure that everyone feels safe, protected and comfortable onboard without limiting experience,” says Damian Perry [Managing Director, VP Sales & Marketing, Asia-Pacific.

Strong and growing demand – new destinations

Hurtigruten Expeditions recently launched expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands, West Africa, including Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, as well as unique ways to explore both the Canary Islands from 2022. Russia is the newest addition to the portfolio, signalling a return to the destination which Hurtigruten successfully explored more than 100 years ago.

“We see a huge pent-up demand for travel, with substantial and growing demand for authentic adventure travel. To give our guests peace of mind and security in this uncertain time due to Covid, our ‘Book with Confidence’ offer sees us modify our booking conditions to give our guests hassle-free, flexible options should conditions change,” said Perry.

To learn more about battery hybrid powered ship visit Hurtigruten.

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