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The world's first hybrid cruise ship is currently on its maiden voyage, an 18-day trip to Antarctica with 450 guests onboard. Here's a look inside.
The world's first hybrid cruise ship is currently on its maiden voyage, an 18-day trip to Antarctica with 450 guests onboard. Here's a look inside.
Taylor BordenNov 9, 2019, 20:27 IST
Courtesy of Hurtigruten
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Hurtigruten, a Norwegian expedition cruise company, unveiled the world's first hybrid cruise ship earlier this year. It is currently on its maiden voyage to Antarctica with 450 passengers aboard.
The vessel, MS Roald Amundsen, runs on low sulfur diesel fuel that is supported by battery packs, cutting emissions by 20%.
But it's not all science and technology on board: The ship is also equipped with an infinity pool, luxury suites, three restaurants, and a glass-encased sauna.
The MS Roald Amundsen's first expedition to Antarctica is fitting - it was named after the eponymous legendary Norwegian polar explorer. The ship was unveiled by Hurtigruten, a Norwegian expedition cruise company, this summer.
The 459-foot cruise ship is equipped with battery packs that support its low sulfur, diesel-powered, Rolls Royce-built engines.
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That's not to say the cruise is devoid of the lavish trappings of a typical cruise ship: There's also an infinity pool, a glass-encased sauna, three restaurants, and luxurious cabins on board. Throughout the ship, there are almost 600 works of art produced by young Norwegian artists, handpicked by the queen of Norway.
Prices for a future cruise featuring the same route start at $14,720 per person. The more lavish cabins raise that baseline to $23,046 per person.
It runs on Rolls Royce-built engines powered by low sulfur diesel fuel and batteries, which, according to the ship's developer, lowers the ship's CO2 emissions by 20%.
In addition to its operating systems, the ship is also committed to sustainability in other ways. There are no single-use plastics aboard and the uniforms worn by the crew are made from recycled ocean plastic.
The cruise ship is currently on a full capacity, 18-day maiden voyage to Antarctica.
The maiden voyage started in Valparaíso, Chile before cruising south along the coast of South America toward the Drake Passage. From there, the ship spends three days in Antarctica before returning to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Passengers can disembark in Antarctica and partake in activities that include kayaking, hiking, whale-watching, and penguin-watching.
And it's not just science and sustainability on board: Like other cruise ships that support travels of that length, the ship is flush with luxury amenities. The ship has 264 cabins.
Beyond boats, luxury African safaris are also embracing the eco-friendly. In August, Business Insider's Katie Warren reported on a Botswana safari company equipped with conservation camps for children, where lessons on the environment, health, and nutrition are taught.
Increased attention to sustainability and conservation in the luxury travel sector play into the larger trend of "transformational travel." Ultimately, the ultra-wealthy want to leave their vacation with a transformative, emotional experience to bring home, and in some cases, want to make a positive impact on the places they visit.
