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Hurtigruten Prepares for Growth, Establishes Separate Expedition Cruise Entity

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Hurtigruten has announced it will redefine its growing cruise operations by establishing a separate expedition cruise entity, citing strong demand for 2021 and 2022 expedition sailings.

“2020 is a tough year for everyone in the travel industry. But the set back is only temporary. For the second half of 2021 and beyond, we are seeing a strong demand across all markets and all destinations, including the Norwegian coast, the Arctic and Antarctica,” said CEO Daniel Skjeldam.

“The demand reflects our predictions that expedition cruises, with all our advantages such as smaller ships, more flexibility and fewer guests, will prove even more popular post-COVID-19,” he added.

“We have only seen the beginning of what’s to come. Hurtigruten sees great demand and equally great opportunities in the expedition cruise segment from 2021 and beyond. This is the growth we are preparing for.”

Thus, the company is reorganizing its cruise operations in two different entities: Hurtigruten Expeditions and Hurtigruten Norway.  

Hurtigruten’s expedition cruises include more than 250 destinations from pole to pole, ranging from the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Norway, Svalbard, the British Isles to the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica.

Asta Lassesen has been appointed CEO of Hurtigruten’s global expedition cruise operations.

“As Hurtigruten continues to grow our expedition cruise offering, we will keep doing what we do best: Combining almost 130 years of exploration with cutting-edge innovation and our unparalleled commitment to sustainability to deliver unique experiences in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations,” said Lassesen.

Hurtigruten’s expedition cruise entity will operate a fleet of eight small sizes, custom-built and green expedition cruise ships, the company said.

Hurtigruten to transform vessel trio to battery-hybrid

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Hurtigruten is upgrading three ships into hybrid expedition ships (MAXIMILIAN SCHWARTZ/Hurtigruten)
Three Hurtigruten coastal vessels will be transformed to hybrid-powered expedition cruise ships – which the operator says will be the largest upgrade project in its 125-year history
Hurtigruten introduced the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ship Roald Amundsen in July this year and will add another three hybrid-powered ships to what is already considered the greenest fleet of cruise ships in the world.

As they are transformed into “full-fledged premium expedition cruise ships”, Trollfjord, Finnmarken and Midnatsol will be renamed Maud, Otto Sverdrup and Eirik Raude.
Otto Sverdrup will have battery packs installed during a 2020 yard stay, with a letter of intent for the same battery installation on Maud and Eirik Raude in 2021.

The three ships will also be equipped for shore power, to cut emissions to zero when docked in ports with shore power facilities.

In addition, the three ships will get substantially upgraded low-emission engines, complying with all known and upcoming regulations.

“At Hurtigruten, the push for sustainable solutions and the introduction of green technology is the core of everything we do. We operate in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This comes with a responsibility,” Hurtigruten chief executive Daniel Skjeldam said. With these upgrades, the ships will be transformed into premium expedition cruise ships, carrying a maximum of 530 guests.

The keep-to-mast upgrades will introduce several new features and venues on the ships. A specially designed Expedition Launch – the tender pit area where guests embark on their excursions and off-ship adventures – will be added to all ships, complete with tender boats and other expedition equipment.

All cabins and suites will be completely refurbished, and new suites with spectacular views added to all three ships.
Hurtigruten’s signature Science Centre will be added to the three ships.