World’s First Hybrid Expedition Ship to be Christened in Antarctica

#expeditioncruising .

Hurtigruten, the world leader in exploration travel, will be christening the world’s first hybrid electric–powered expedition cruise ship this fall in Antarctica.

MS Roald Amundsen was named after polar hero Roald Amundsen who led the first expedition to cross the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the South Pole, and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole. The ship’s naming ceremony is set to honor his legacy with a ritual invented by Amundsen.

“We can think of no better place to name the truly unique MS Roald Amundsen than the waters of Antarctica, where no ship has ever been christened before,” Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

When christening his famed expedition ship Maud in 1917, Roald Amundsen switched from using the traditional bottle of champagne to a chunk of ice. Before crushing the ice against her bow, he stated:

“It is not my intention to dishonor the glorious grape, but already now you shall get the taste of your real environment. For the ice you have been built, and in the ice, you shall stay most of your life, and in the ice, you shall solve your tasks.”

Hurtigruten, and the yet to be disclosed godmother, will use the same ritual when christening MS Roald Amundsen.

“To honor Roald Amundsen and his explorer heritage, we will revive his ritual. With over 125 years of polar experience, Hurtigruten will use the first-ever ship naming ceremony in Antarctica to pay our respects to the oceans, environment, and past and present explorers,” Skjeldam says.

MS Roald Amundsen made maritime history by being the first cruise ship in the world to sail purely on battery power, as she left Kleven Yard for her maiden voyage off the coast of Norway in late June. (Visit Hurtigruten’s Digital Showroom for a deeper look at the highlights and other features of the ship.)

Specially designed for exploring some of the most spectacular waters of the planet, MS Roald Amundsen features groundbreaking green technology. The hybrid electric–powered expedition cruise ship is using battery packs to support her low-emission engines and will reduce CO2 emissions with more than 20% compared to other cruise ships of the same size.

“This opens a new chapter in maritime history. MS Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back. With the introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising, but for the entire shipping industry to follow,” said Skjeldam.

The stunning scenery will be reflected in a modern Scandinavian design, with features including a high-tech Science Center, observation decks, an infinity pool, panoramic sauna, gym and Wellness Center, three restaurants, bars, Explorer Lounge, aft-facing suites with private outdoor hot tubs, and the laidback atmosphere that creates the special Hurtigruten onboard feel.

MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast and up to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid electric–powered expedition ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage, following in the wake of the namesake explorer Roald Amundsen’s famed journey.

In addition to eco-friendly expedition cruises along the west coast of North and South America—with destinations larger cruise ships cannot reach—MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for a full 2019/2020 Antarctic season.

MS Roald Amundsen Facts:

• Large battery packs and groundbreaking green technology
• Built: Kleven Yards, Norway, 2019
• Gross tonnage: 20,889
• Length: 459 ft
• Breadth: 8 ft
• Draft: 17 ft
• Guests: 530
• Cabins: 265
• Crew: 151
• Cruising speed: 15 knots
• Flag: Norwegian
• Ice class: PC-6

Expedition kit for the adventurous and eco-conscious dad

#expeditioncruising .


Treat your Dad this Father’s Day with a gift from Zen Imports, which has a range of equipment and tools suited for everyone from brands including Leatherman, Ledlenser, Klean Kanteen and Fjallraven. Whether your old man is a great outdoorsman, loves to build or fix things, or is a fan of having the latest gadgets, these products are the perfect way to express your gratitude.


LEATHERMAN FREE P2 AND P4 SERIES

The ‘New Generation’ of Leatherman, the Leatherman FREE range has a range of new selling points. The P2 and P4 feature many of the same implements found within classic Leatherman tools, but with new features and technology. The outside features a new signature design and the inside of the tool includes a revolutionary magnetic architecture that allows the tool and its implements to open and close seamlessly.

RRP P2-$259.95; P4-$299.95

MS Roald Amundsen is First Ever Cruise Ship to Sail on Battery Power

#expeditioncruising .

Hurtigruten’s hybrid electric-powered MS Roald Amundsen makes maritime history as the first cruise ship in the world to sail purely on battery power
Hurtigruten, the world leader in exploration travel, is proud to share the first images of the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen. Designed for some of the most spectacular waters on the planet, MS Roald Amundsen features groundbreaking green technology, such as the large battery packs which were put to the test as she left Kleven Yard for her maiden voyage.

“This opens a new chapter in maritime history. MS Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back. With the introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising but for the entire shipping industry to follow,” Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

Named after polar hero Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to navigate the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the South Pole, and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole, MS Roald Amundsen is set to honour his legacy.

Starting this summer, the hybrid electric-powered cruise ship will explore some of the most spectacular areas of the planet using battery packs to support her low-emission engines. The hybrid propulsion will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20%, compared to other ships of the same size.

MS Roald Amundsen’s features include a high-tech Science Center, three restaurants, Explorer Lounge, observation decks, gym and Wellness Center, sauna with panoramic window, infinity pool, two hot tubs, aft-facing suites with private outdoor hot tubs, and the laidback atmosphere that creates the special Hurtigruten onboard feel. Visit Hurtigruten’s Digital Showroom for a deeper look at the highlights and other features of the ship.

“MS Roald Amundsen was designed and built with sustainability at the core of every little detail. In addition to green technology, she is the first cruise ship in the world designed to be single-use plastic-free. Sustainability will also be an integral part of the guest experience: From the hand-picked Expedition Team who will share their knowledge of sustainable practices in the regions visited to the industry-first Science Center where our team will gather for lectures and workshops, we will give our guests a deeper understanding of the areas we explore,” Skjeldam says.

Hurtigruten took delivery of the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition cruise ship from Norway’s Kleven yard last week. She has been built alongside sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen, debuting in 2020.

“In the world of shipbuilding, some projects stand out—this is one of them. MS Roald Amundsen is not only one of the most advanced expedition cruise ships in the world, she is also a premium ship with a number of groundbreaking solutions. We are extremely proud of the build, which is the result of a tremendous team effort of the Kleven employees and our sub-contractors,” Kleven project manager Asbjørn Vattøy says.

Highly experienced Hurtigruten captain Kai Albrigtsen was at the helm as MS Roald Amundsen left the yard for her maiden voyage along the Norwegian coast.

“To captain a new ship and bring her from the shipyard is always an honour. With MS Roald Amundsen being a green pioneer, this moment is truly special to me and the rest of the crew. I am extremely impressed with the ship, the technology, and how she handles. We are all really looking forward to welcoming the first guests on board and creating life-long memories together,” Albrigtsen says.

MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast, and to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid electric-powered ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage, following in the wake of namesake explorer Roald Amundsen’s famed expedition.

In addition to eco-friendly expedition cruises along the west coast of North and South America, with destinations larger cruise ships cannot reach, MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for the full 2019/2020 Antarctica season, beginning in October.

MS Roald Amundsen Facts:

• Large battery packs and groundbreaking green technology
• Built: Kleven Yards, Norway, 2019
• Gross tonnage: 20,889
• Length: 459 ft
• Breadth: 8 ft
• Draft: 17 ft
• Guests: 530
• Cabins: 265
• Crew: 151
• Cruising speed: 15 knots
• Flag: Norwegian
• Ice class: PC-6

Onboard facilities include:
• Fully equipped Science Center
• Observation decks
• Infinity pool
• Panoramic sauna
• Gym and Wellness Center
• Three restaurants and bars
• Explorer Lounge
• 50% of cabins with private balconies

Hurtigruten delays maiden voyage of Roald Amundsen again

#expeditioncruising .

Expedition cruise line Hurtigruten has been forced to delay the maiden voyage of its new ship Roald Amundsen due to unfinished onboard interior work.

The world's first hybrid-powered ship was due to set sail from Hamburg tomorrow with passengers onboard, but will instead leave from Tromso, in Norway, on Tuesday (July 2).

Roald Amundsen will skip various ports of call in southern Norway as well as sea days in order to get the work completed.

It is yet another delay for the 530-passenger ship, which was due to launch last year.

Read full report at Cruise Critic

Poseidon Expeditions Solar Eclipse 2021 Voyage to Antarctica

#expeditioncruising .

On the morning of Dec. 4, 2021, passengers and crew aboard the M/v Sea Spirit, Poseidon Expeditions’ 114-guest polar expedition ship, will be on deck as a solar eclipse plummets Antarctica into sudden darkness.

This event occurs on Day 14 of a 23-day voyage that departs the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, on Nov. 20 and returns there on Dec. 12 after firmly fixing in memory place names from history books – South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula itself. The per person rates are from $16,556 (triple occupancy) and $21,866 (double occupancy).

Oceanwide orders sister ship M/V Janssonius

#expeditioncruising .

Croatian shipyard Brodosplit, the builder of Hondius, won the follow on order for M/V Janssonius, which is scheduled to be completed in October 2021. The 174-passenger ship will be nearly identical in size and design, complete with a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened vessel equivalent to a 1A super ice-class ship.

PONANT takes delivery of Le Dumont-d’Urville

#expeditioncruising .

PONANT welcomes its ninth ship as it continues to expand it’s fleet of modern small luxury expedition ships.

On schedule on 14 June, PONANT took delivery of Le Dumont-d’Urville, the ninth ship in the fleet, with the ship leaving the port of Søvik in Norway for Bergen, ready to commence her maiden cruise.

Reasons to go Small Ship Cruising

#expeditioncruising .

There are many reasons to choose the small ship alternative for your next cruise vacation and the cruise lines are a waking up to the boutique alternative too. A record number of smaller cruise ships and advanced expedition vessels are launching right now, ready to explore the world in a way you never imagined - and never could aboard a conventional ‘big’ ship.

Read the full story at Travel Associates

Expedition through The Northwest Passage

#expeditioncruising .

Adventure Canada’s two Northwest Passage expeditions are Canadian Signature Experiences. The signature experience designation represents a collection of high-quality, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can only be found in Canada.

Aurora Expeditions takes NASA scientists on 2021 Antarctic solar eclipse voyage

#expeditioncruising .


Aurora Expeditions has today announced NASA astronomer Dr Michelle Thaller and NASA Engineer Dr Andrew Booth as special guests for the expedition company’s total solar eclipse voyage in December 2021.

Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre, Dr Michelle Thaller will act as the main lecturer for the voyage. Dr Thaller will conduct a series of talks together with Dr Andrew Booth on the solar eclipse, Antarctica and general astronomy in the staggering surroundings of Antarctica.

Witnessing a solar eclipse from Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Travellers on this voyage will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event as the full eclipse will only be visible from Antarctica. Taking place in the early hours of December 4, 2021, Aurora Expeditions’ soon-to-be-launched polar-class ship, the Greg Mortimer will be in prime viewing position to see the moon transition in front of the sun, shrouding the white Antarctic wilderness in surreal darkness.

New brochure: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic 2020-21 Antarctica

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has launched its 2020-21 Antarctica brochure inviting adventurers to visit one of the most exhilarating places on Earth.

New for 2020, travellers will have their choice in experiencing the world's foremost polar vessel, National Geographic Endurance, making her Antarctic debut in October 2020. Slated for delivery in January 2020, the new 126-guest vessel is the first new polar build in the line's history and uniquely equipped to facilitate unparalleled bases for discovery whilst providing state of the art features for an excellent experience.

BlackWolf Strato 40 Technical Daypack: comfort, safety and practicality

#expeditioncruising .

The Ideal Expedition Cruising Daypack

Whether you are hiking in the bush or tackling an urban adventure, BlackWolf’s Strato 40 Technical Daypack is the perfect backpack for all conditions. Made for both urban and outdoor settings, the Strato Daypack is built with comfort, safety and practicality in mind.

While the BlackWolf Strato 40 may seem like an ordinary backpack, it’s equipped with handy features for adventures in the outdoors and city living. For sticky situations in the bush, the Strato 40 comes with a safety whistle to easily signal for help and a night reflective daisy loop to be easily seen in the dark. Built with an internal pocket for a hydration tank, BlackWolf’s new backpack is hydration compatible for those long stints away.