Review: MS Roald Amundsen 

What is the line? Hurtigruten Expeditions

Name of ship? MS Roald Amundsen

Passenger occupancy? 550 

Itinerary? Alaska and British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands

MS Roald Amundsen is an expedition ship that bridges innovation and sustainability with comfort and luxury. 

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for? 

Hurtigruten is known for expedition travel to some of the most remote places in the world. The Norwegian company originated more than 125 years ago by moving goods and mail between northern and southern Norway. As travel evolved, people caught on to the fact that sailing on a mail ship was a great way to see the Norwegian coastline. Hurtigruten’s deep European roots make it a popular choice amongst adventurous Europeans.

Tell us about the ship in general MS Roald Amundsen is a 550-passenger luxury expedition travel ship that was launched in 2019. The class six icebreaker is the world’s first battery-powered, hybrid-electric cruise ship that bridges luxury amenities with sustainability in a feat of engineering that has been pioneered by Hurtigruten. The ship uses two electric engines for propulsion that are powered using a mix of two battery banks and four high-efficiency diesel generators. This technology amounts to a reduction of up to 20% in fuel consumption or 1,100,000 liters of fuel per year. 

MS Roald Amundsen is equipped with a “Ferrybox” which takes water samples from the ship's intake system to measure salinity, temperature, dissolved organic matter, turbidity, phytoplankton, and microplastics. Because Hurtigruten explores some of the most remote waters in the world, measuring this data as part of the Norwegian Ships of Opportunity Program for the Norwegian Institute for Water Research is crucial for scientific research. 

Everything about this ship is Scandanavian-inspired from the decor in the rooms to the restaurants, spa, and sauna. On the rooftop deck, you’ll find a running track that spans almost the entire length of the ship. Just below it at the stern is a heated infinity pool, two hot tubs, and a bar with a large observation deck. The pool, sauna, hot tubs, and all water on the ship are heated with recuperation technology from water that is used to cool the generators ensuring little to no energy is wasted. Excess food, organic waste, and grey and black water are refined using an enzymatic digestion system that ultimately processes the matter to a liquid that is clear as water so no harmful waste enters the sea.

Who is onboard? 

Hurtigruten's guests come from all over the world, but its Scandinavian roots draw a strong mix of European languages and accents. While most adventurers are couples and empty-nesters, it's not uncommon to see young adventurers and bucket listers alike. Most commonly, guests had sailed the Norwegian Coastal Voyage and Antarctica with Hurtigruten and were back for more.  

Describe the cabins 

50% of the cabins have private balconies and the aft suites feature private outdoor hot tubs. I was in an Arctic Superior suite which had a spacious bathroom with heated floors, a balcony spanning the width of the room, a Nespresso machine, and a wine rack stocked with complimentary wine at the beginning of the expedition. The couch at the foot of the king-sized bed made for a great spot to lounge and watch presentations that were streamed to the TV if I didn’t feel like watching them in person.    (Where you stayed and a brief overview of what else is available to book) 

Tell us about the crew

Due to Alaskan coastguard rules, the expedition staff must be certified Alaskan guides which made for a very knowledgeable crew. Among the crew were scientists, biologists, and anthropologists who provided daily talks about the flora, fauna, and history of the places we were visiting. Other staff who were full-time with Hurtigruten outside of their Alaska itineraries were extremely passionate, accommodating, and knowledgeable. The crew had a passion for conservation and adventure which led some staff to working for Hurtigruten due to their shared values. The hotel and restaurant staff on the ship were equally great and knew me by name after the first day of the trip.

What food and drink options are available on board? 

MS Roald Amundsen has three restaurants, an indoor bar on the observation deck, and an outdoor bar if weather permitted. Given the Scandanavian origins of Hurtigruten, the food at the two main restaurants of Aune and Lindstrøm have a European flair that I very much appreciated. Lunch and dinner were quality three-course meals with complimentary wine pairings that were the perfect amount to fuel excursions without needing a nap after. The bar is stocked with the Norweigian spirit Aquavit for signature cocktails and fresh cake was served daily with coffee and tea on the observation deck.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Our 17-day voyage meant having a few spa-worthy days at sea. Permitting rough waters, the spa is definitely worth a visit for one of the many European-inspired treatments.

Activities and entertainment 

You won’t find a casino or stage on this ship. Instead, expedition staff will give talks about nature in the theatre or use the state-of-the-art technology in the Amundsen Science Centre to take a deeper look at the flora and fauna in the surrounding destination. We learned about Indigenous Alaskan cultures, the migratory patterns of humpback whales, the geology of volcanos.  

How was the experience for families? 

There were only one or two families on this expedition. If families are considering this trip, I would recommend going with kids who are older and will appreciate the experience in nature. 

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

This expedition sailed from Vancouver, British Columbia to Nome, Alaska over the course of 17 days and visited parts of Alaska that the big cruise lines cannot access. Only once did we see other tourists as whilst in Sitka, but otherwise, this trip was true expedition travel to Alaska's most remote coastal regions. Wildlife outnumbered people as we explored Katmai National Park, the Aleutian Islands, and the islands of St Matthew and St Lawrance in the Bering Sea. 

Among the excursions were kayaking trips amongst icebergs and fjords, guided hiking, self-guided tours in coastal towns like Sitka, and wildlife viewing from the ship’s zodiacs. Bear viewing in Katmai National Park, floating amongst icebergs in Icy Bay, visiting the remote island of St. Matthew in the Bering Sea, and visiting the Siberian Yupik Village of Savoonga were among the highlights of this trip. 

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

In addition to the innovation and sustainability initiatives mentioned above, The Hurtigruten Foundation has over 50 projects in 12 countries that engage in conservation and community empowerment projects that help ensure regenerative tourism is leaving the places they explore better than how they found them. An example of the foundation at work while at sea is ocean cleanups. While we visited St Matthew Island in the middle of the Bering Sea, Hurtigruten initiated a cleanup for those who wanted to participate. The crew and guests carried out over 1000 pounds of washed-up trash that otherwise would still be there. 

Anything we missed 

The observation deck has been elegantly designed to provide maximum wildlife and scenery viewing potential. I loved having a daily nightcap up here while a fellow passenger played the piano and the summer sun illuminated the surroundings well into the evening.

Another stand-out moment was when we saw over 100 humpback whales feeding. The captain killed the engines and we drifted—something only a small ship expedition could do. Our expedition leaders and biologists identified whales from Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. 

Why is the cruise worth booking?

This is not your typical Alaskan cruise. The Aleutians’ raw and rutted beauty is unlike anything else, and Hurtigruten Expeditions led with its values of sustainability and innovation without sacrificing quality or comfort. This trip set the bar very high for me and I would recommend the ship, company, and destination to anyone.