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

August 24, 2021 - 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 more than 250 destinations across some of the most spectacular waters of the planet – including Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, British Isles, West Africa, and the Galapagos

More sustainable exploration

Equipped with battery backs 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

Following a complete upgrade and transfer to Hurtigruten Expeditions, MS Otto Sverdrup’s maiden voyage from Germany will be the first sailing in the step-by-step restart of operations. 

Late September, MS Maud will start the first ever year-round UK-based expedition cruises. In addition to the closer-to-home departures from Hamburg and Dover, Hurtigruten Expeditions 2022/2023 winter program also includes Antarctica, West Africa, Alaska, and from January 2022, the Galapagos Islands.

“Our guests have been extremely patient, and I know they are as excited as we are. 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,” said Lassesen.

Strong and growing demand - new destinations

Hurtigruten Expeditions recently launched expedition cruises to West Africa, including Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, as well as unique ways to explore both the Canary Islands from 2022. 

Expedition cruises to Galapagos Islands has also been introduced as part of Hurtigruten Expeditions global offering.

“We see a huge pent-up demand for travel, with substantial and growing demand for authentic adventure travel. We expect to see this trend to strengthen, as we continue to expand our global offering with even more unique and more sustainable experiences,” said Lassesen.

Hurtigruten Expeditions - World leader in exploration travel

With sustainability and exploration at core, Hurtigruten Expeditions founded expedition cruising in 1896. Today, Hurtigruten Expeditions is the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line.

Building on 125 years of experience, Hurtigruten Expeditions offers big adventures on small ships, taking guests to over 250 spectacular destinations in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Hurtigruten Expeditions operates a fleet of small, custom-build expedition cruise ships, including the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ships. 

Hurtigruten Expeditions is part of Hurtigruten Group, the world leader in exploration travel, which also operates Norwegian Coastal Express, known as ‘the most beautiful voyage in the world’ and extensive land-based activities – including hotels, restaurants and more – through Hurtigruten Svalbard.