After some delays, Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten's MS Roald Amundsen, has made its maiden voyage off the west coast of Norway. It is the first cruise ship that can sail on battery power.
The MS Roald Amundsen was built by Kleven Yard in Norway, alongside sister vessel MS Fridtjof Nansen, planned for delivery in 2020. Delivery of the Roald Amundsen was postponed twice. The vessel was originally meant to be delivered in June 2018, but due to financial difficulties at the shipyard, the project suffered a near-year delay. On the 26 June, Hurtigruten told Travel Weekly, ongoing work to the interiors had 'not progressed as expected' resulting in another week's delay.
First Cruise Ship with Battery Packs
The Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with large battery packs. These allow the vessel to sail emissions free for part of its voyages. The hybrid propulsion installation will reduce CO2 emissions with more than twenty per cent compared to other ships of the same size. It is also the first cruise ship in the world designed to be single-use plastic free.
Northwest Passage
Starting this summer, MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast, to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid powered ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage. After sailing along the west coast of North- and South-America – with destinations that bigger cruise ships cannot reach – the MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for a full 2019/2020 Antarctica season.
Named after Explorer
The vessel has been named after polar explorer Roald Amundsen. He led the first expedition to traverse the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the south pole and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole.
Vessel Particulars
- Built: 2019 Kleven Yards, Norway
- Gross tonnage: 20.889
- Length: 140 m
- Breadth: 23,6 m
- Draft: 5,3 m
- Guests: 530
- Cabins: 265
- Crew: 151
- Cruising speed: 15 knots
- Flag: Norwegian
- Ice class: PC-6
- On board facilities includes: A fully equipped Science Center, observation decks, infinity pool, panoramic sauna, wellness center, three restaurants, bars, Explorer Lounge, more than fifty per cent of cabins with private balconies.
Picture: The MS Roald Amundsen sailing emissions free during its maiden voyage off the west coast of Norway.
