Arctic Fleet
Our small-group expedition vessels in the Arctic allow passengers to enjoy the natural wildlife and scenery of some of the world’s most spectacular and pristine shorelines, above and below the oceans. The vessels have inflatable Zodiacs ready in no time for cruises among ice-floes and local wildlife.
A friendly and experienced expedition crew will be anxious to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with their guests. The reliable ice-strengthened vessels, completely rebuilt and renovated, allow us to navigate safely through pack-ice and occasional remote narrow waterways.
Arctic Fleet
MV Quest
Formerly known as M/S Sea Endurance, the expedition ship M/S Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland`s west coast. In 2004/2005, she was completely refurbished and now has a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship sailing around the Arctic, helping intrepid explorers discover the world's most northerly wonders.
The M/S Quest is reasonably small; at just 49 meters it holds 53 passengers, making for an intimate expedition experience. The modern hull design has been ice-strengthened and the crew is very highly experienced.
The triple cabins on deck three have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin, you also find a desk with chair and storage space for clothes and equipment. The superior cabins on deck three and four are spacious and have a separate sitting area and TV/DVD. The Owner's cabin, next to the Captains cabin, on deck four, has a double bed, two large picture windows, a small sitting area and TV/DVD.
Schooner Olga, Hildur or Donna Woods
With only 12 passengers, these traditional wooden Icelandic fishing boats have been carefully restored and adapted to a new role, visiting the Arctic, without compromising their original character.
Schooner Opal: Built at the Bodenwerft in Damgarten, Germany in 1951, she served as a trawler in the Baltic and North Sea and in the Barents Sea. In 1973 new owners started her restoration. During 8 years until 1981, Opal was converted to the elegant but seaworthy, two masted schooner she is today. She has sailed all over the world, completing several trans-Atlantic crossings, being carefully maintained through the years. She has undergone restoration and had interior work done to better fit her for the new purpose as an expedition ship.
The Opal has six double/twin cabins plus crew facilities. She has three bathrooms, two showers. She comfortably fits 12 passengers, plus her crew. Her sister schooners, Hildur & Donna Woods offer similar facilities.
M/S Balto
The M/S Balto is designed to explore the most remote fjord systems, visit isolated Inuit settlements, take you to secret anchorages and maximise each guest’s experience in the unspoiled wilderness. This is true micro cruising.
A small group of merely 12 passengers gives you more flexibility, unique itineraries and more time ashore. Also, the footprints you leave behind are a lot smaller!
She was built for the highest ice class in Rauma, Finland, to serve as a government service vessel in the Baltic sea. During 2019-2020, she has been totally refurbished and is now one of the roomiest and most elegant small polar expedition yachts in service. M/S Balto offers a relaxed luxury accommodation for 12 guests in 7 outside cabins, all with private facilities and lower beds. The spacious cabins include 1 Owner’s cabin, 1 superior cabin, 3 double cabins and 2 single cabins. The Owner’s cabin is 30m2, has 6 windows and a queen bed, the superior cabin has two twin beds while the double cabins has a queen bed. The Owner's and superior cabin also offer a separate seating area. In all cabins you find a desk with a chair and a closet for storage.
On the guest deck you also find a cider lined sauna, accommodating 4-6 persons, with a cold shower and a small changing room. The richly appointed saloon and the beautiful dining mess room feature crotch-mahogany panelling, a bar, a card table, a library, coffee and tea stations. She offers a large restaurant style open galley, where you can check on the marvels of our chefs and sample freshly baked bread.
MS Stockholm
The M/S Stockholm is a classic vessel built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1999 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm exclusively carries a maximum of 12 passengers in outside twin cabins, all with upper and lower berth and private facilities. She is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and pine decks. No wonder the M/S Stockholm is loved by so many!
On board the ship you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of likeminded travellers who enjoy the natural world, and who are as fascinated by the remote areas. All wine and beer are included in the trip fare. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. An entirely different experience and perspective to that of a larger and more conventional vessel! The M/S Stockholm is also ideal for private parties who wish to experience a true expedition adventure.
The owner, Captain and crew of the ship have long experience, and are actively involved in making expeditions in tune with nature conservation. The crew onboard M/S Stockholm are great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoilt nature too, so do not be surprised if you suddenly see the chef ashore taking photographs or studying birds, whenever his time permits. The genuine curiosity of the crew is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm with unique wildlife and pristine nature is an experience of a lifetime, simply hard to beat.
Click here to view deck plan for MS Stockholm.
M/S Sjøveien
M/S Sjøveien (meaning the Seaway) was built in Bergen in 1964 for the Norwegian Government and she worked for them in various capacities. From 1979 until 1995 she was used as a training ship for mariners. Since 1995 she has been in private ownership and during the many years since, worked for the Norwegian coast guard. After being a hotel ship for the past few years, she has now been refurbished into a classic and exclusive passenger ship and started her career in Svalbard the summer of 2017. She is a true beauty with wooden decks and classic details. There is a lot of deck space on the main deck and there is also an excellent area on top of the bridge, from where you have wonderful views of the magical Svalbard scenery. You also find a wood-fired hot tub out on deck.
To accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers there are eight outside cabins, all with private facilities. On the lower deck there are four twin cabins with portholes. On the main deck there are two larger twin cabins with windows and one large superior cabin with a double bed and windows. The eighth cabin is located on the upper deck and is a large superior cabin with windows. The dining area on the main deck is where you are served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here is also a lounge area where you can relax with a cup of tea or coffee and listen to interesting talks by the guides. You are welcomed by an international crew and the bridge is open for visitors.
Sea Endurance
Sea Endurance: The ship was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished and now has a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship. Sea Endurance takes 53 passengers and all 26 cabins are outside cabins with private facilities. The triple cabins have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you find a desk with a chair and a cupboard for storage. The superior cabins are spacious and have armchairs and TV/ DVD. The Owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV/DVD.
In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. There is an international crew on board the Sea Endurance and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly.
MS Nordstjernen
MS Nordstjernen was built for the Coastal Voyage fleet in 1956 and extensively modernised in 2000 for exclusive Arctic sailing. Today she takes explorers on adventures in the waters around Spitsbergen. Despite modernisation, she still retains the aura of an old Atlantic ship, restored to her former splendour with new brass, classic wooden interiors and all her original art. Out on deck you come extra close to the untouched nature of the Polar Arctic and with roofs over a lot of the deck space you can enjoy being outside, even in rough weather.
MS Nordstjernen is equipped with a dining room and bar, a café, a panorama lounge and a library. Inside you’ll find cosy interior and exterior cabins, the majority of which have upper and lower berths. All rooms and deck surfaces exhibit that old, beautiful wood.
Every day, the Expedition Team distributes a daily programme with a list of port calls, landings, lectures, meals, and activities on board.
Click here to view deck plan for MS Nordstjernen.
Year built - 1956
Capacity - 108
Ship yard - Blohm & Voss
Gross tonnage - 2191 T
Speed - 15 knots
Length - 80,77 m
Beam - 12,6 m
Beds - 150
MS Fram (refurbished early 2020)
Hurtigruten's MS Fram was built in 2007 with one mission in mind - to bring her guests closer to nature, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. MS Fram is designed for sailing in polar waters, holds the highest safety standards and is the perfect size for optimum nautical manoeuvrability and guests’ comfort.
With capacity for 276 passengers, the cabins are comfortable and spacious, with several categories to chose from. We recommend an outside cabin with a porthole or a window. A few cabins are adapted for guests with disabilities. The difference in price relates to the size of the cabin, on what deck level you are at and whether you opt to share or have a cabin on your own. Single supplement is available.
Click here to view deck plan for MS Fram.
MS Spitsbergen
MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the `Sports Route´. MS Spitsbergen cruises along the Norwegian coast from September to May, and becomes part of our global Explorer sailings during the rest of the year.
After complete reconstruction, MS Spitsbergen joined the Hurtigruten fleet in 2016. The ship features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins. The vessel´s fresh Scandinavian design reflects a colour palette derived from the sea. She is modern and environmentally progressive, and we plan further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more. The new ship’s manoeuvrability and optimal size make her quite suitable for exploring polar waters.
- Ship facilities
- Expedition Team
- Explorer bar
- Panoramic lounge – Explorer lounge
- Compass Service Centre
- Brygga bistro
- Shop
- Torget main dining
- Wi-Fi
- Sauna
- Fitness room
- Lift
- Hot tub
- Guest launderette
- Panoramic deck 8
- Outside bar for events, decks 7 & 8
Click here for the deck plan for MS Spitsbergen.
MS Fridtjof Nansen
MS Fridtjof Nansen is the latest addition to Hurtigruten’s fleet of custom built ships – and the next generation expedition ship. She will explore some of the most spectacular corners of the globe.
Featuring Hurtigruten's revolutionary battery hybrid powered propulsion system, MS Fridtjof Nansen will be a near identical twin to her sister ship MS Roald Amundsen.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views
- Infinity Swimming pool and Jacuzzi on deck
- Fitness room
- Wellness Area
- Three resaurants: Aune Main Dining, Fredheim – the informal international meeting place, or the specialty restaurant Lindstrøm.
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
- Nansen Science Center
- MS Fridtjof Nansen will feature a variety of custom built expedition equipment, including kayaks, a fleet of Blueye underwater drones and Expedition Boats for safe landings in remote areas.
- Café
- Shop
- Young Explorer's program
- Lift
MS Roald Amundsen
In 2019, Hurtigruten added a brand new ship to its fleet: the MS Roald Amundsen. The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.
MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten will add to its fleet over the next few years, cutting emissions by sailing with electrical propulsion. Hybrid technology, combined with the advanced construction of the hull and effective use of electricity on board will reduce fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent. The build of these two ships represents the largest single investment in the history of Hurtigruten.
The future of shipping will be silent and emission free. MS Roald Amundsen will lead the way towards an even more sustainable way of traveling. Sailing on electrical power is not only a great benefit for the environment, but it will also enhance the impact of experiencing nature for the guests. The ship will be specially constructed for voyages in polar waters and serve as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.
Special features:
- Expedition Team
- All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor hot tubs with spectacular views
- Infinity Swimming pool and Jacuzzi on deck
- Fitness room
- Wellness Area
- Three resaurants: Aune Main Dining, Fredheim – the informal international meeting place, or the specialty restaurant Lindstrøm.
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
- Amundsen Science Center
- MS Fridtjof Nansen will feature a variety of custom built expedition equipment, including kayaks, a fleet of Blueye underwater drones and Expedition Boats for safe landings in remote areas.
- Café
- Shop
- Young Explorer's program
- Lift
