For well-traveled and environmentally conscious families who’ve been there, done that, Hurtigruten’s new hybrid vessels should be at the top of your recommendation list. The 530-passenger Roald Amundsen, which will debut in July 2018, will showcase the very latest in innovative environmentally friendly technology. Gordon Dirker, managing director at Hurtigruten, says, “As a Norwegian company, concerns for environmental issues are in our DNA. With global warming we need to minimize the impact of cruising and be more conscious.” Dirker points out that Roald Amundsen, along with its sister ship, Fridtjof Nansen, set to be delivered in 2019, will feature a new hybrid technology that will make sailing with electric propulsion for 15-30 minutes a reality. He points out that it’s the first of its kind in the industry, and will reduce fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent. The ships, he notes, will open up more destinations to more people to experience expedition cruising. They’ll be able to sail silently along the ice edge in the Arctic or Antarctica, or along the banks of the Amazon. These vessels will have larger observation platforms on several decks for guests to get up-close to nature and wildlife; and six out of the 10 cabins will have their own balcony, while two out of 10 will be suites. Consider one of the Roald Amundsen itineraries: the 19-day Discover Antarctica, Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords – Southbound, on which guests will have the opportunity to take in the rich wildlife of Patagonia, the Chilean fjords and Cape Horn, as well as Antarctica, with time ashore for close encounters with penguins, birds and seals, and the chance to go kayaking and hiking. Price starts at $10,759 pp.
For more information, visit hurtigruten.us.
