15 Night Highlights of Antarctica

Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and to reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen is a beautifully designed, environmentally-friendly ship on which all 265 cabins are blessed with an outside view. This sleek, state-of-the-art, expedition vessel was specially constructed in 2019 for voyages in polar waters. She serves as a comfortable and sustainable base camp at sea, complete with all the trappings of a luxurious cruise ship.

The Roald Amundsen interiors express the Scandinavian concept of ‘hygge’, which means comfort and coziness, with many attractive touches, ranging from the granite and pale wood finishes to the soft woollen blankets in the cabins. Carpets feature patterns of runes, the ancient Viking alphabet, while the atrium is dominated by a 57-foot LED screen, the tallest at sea, showing eye-popping, high definition images of scenes from nature. The art collection was hand-picked by the Queen Sonja Print Award, the art foundation set up by the Queen of Norway. The overall feel is stylish, informal and adventurous.

All of Antarctica’s scenery is spectacular, and is best viewed from the vantage of the ship’s two-level indoor/outdoor observation decks, which boast incredible views in any weather, while the Explorer Lounge also offers spellbinding views through its panoramic windows. In both of these areas, you can watch wildlife with your binoculars as the ship glides through the sublime frozen icescapes of Antarctica, between icebergs, close to calving glaciers, and past huge ice floes in the Southern Ocean.

The interactive science centre is another highlight, equipped with the latest technology and gadgets such as touch screens and science equipment to prompt enthusiasm and ensure the deepest understanding for the areas you’re visiting. Your expedition team will host lectures here on topics from glaciology, marine biology and history to photography and ornithology. There is also a library, and dedicated areas for workshops in photography, biology and more.

When you can pull yourself away from the discoveries to be made on deck, from the lounge, and in the science centre, head to the gym for a workout, or to the wellness centre for a massage or relax in a hot tub, in the sauna or in the infinity pool.

There are three restaurants on board inspired by Nordic and Norwegian heritage. Meals aboard a Roald Amundsen Antarctic cruise are taken in two sittings in the main informal restaurant, Aune, where you can feast on authentic home-style dishes featuring local ingredients and regional flavors. Premium ingredients are showcased in a Scandi-chic setting in the fine dining restaurant, Lindstrøm, which is reserved for suite passengers, but other passengers can dine here at extra cost subject to availability. You can also enjoy casual bites from around the world at Fredheim.

Despite having capacity for more, the Roald Amundsen vessel only sails with 500 passengers at most—the maximum that any ship is allowed to operate in Antarctica with if they wish to make shore landings—so everything on board is geared towards the efficient movement of passengers with landings carefully coordinated in waves of rotating groups.

Each cruise offers a full program of included and optional activities ensuring that whatever your activity level or interests might be, you will find something that suits you. Custom built onboard equipment includes a fleet of Blueye underwater drones, kayaks, and Polarcirkel (Zodiac-like) boats for safe landings in remote areas.

You can expect sightings of, and interactions with, animals you won’t find anywhere else outside of captivity: penguins, seals and whales who’ve never known the fear of human interference. You’ll be hiking through completely alien territory, and you’ll experience the thrill of trying to take it all in via every sense, and through the lens of your camera. The expedition team will be your guides during your Antarctica expedition, on landings, hikes and on expedition boat cruises, providing a very immersive experience.

What you will see while cruising through the icy waters of the Antarctic will exceed your wildest expectations. Whether you’re an independent traveller, with your family, or part of a group, brace yourself for a voyage of adventure to one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world aboard one of the most sustainable and stylish ships sailing Antarctica.

Key Features:

• MS Roald Amundsen is hybrid-powered with zero single use plastic onboard. Every effort is made to make trips as green as possible

• With her sharp, wave-piercing bow and her deep draft, the Roald Amundsen is well-suited to the conditions of the Southern Ocean

• A large expedition vessel, with many of the features of a luxury cruise ship, including a pool, a sauna and a wellness centre

Your comfortable expedition ship has a range of cabin categories to choose from. All have private bathrooms with a shower, a bathrobe, toiletries, TV, safe, mini bar (charges may apply), European two-pin plug sockets and tea & coffee making facilities.

Accommodation

• 128 Polar Outside Cabins
• 83 Arctic Superior Cabins
• 53 Expedition Suites

Amenities/Leisure

• Three restaurants
• Explorer Lounge & Bar
• Observation decks
• Reception and Expedition Desk
• Boutique shop
• Lecture Theatre
• Science Centre
• Indoor and outdoor gym
• Panoramic Sauna
• Wellness area and spa
• Infinity Pool
• Hot tubs

For full details of HX Hurtigruten Expeditions fleet of ships including deck plans - click here.