Hurtigruten unveils 2018 explorer programme

Hurtigruten has expanded its Antarctica operation to three expedition ships, spearheaded by the new hybrid vessel Roald Amundsen.

The new ship will also sail the Chilean fjords and the Falkland Islands.

In total, the company has added 32 new stops to its 2018 expedition programme, offering more than 200 destinations across 28 countries.

“A Hurtigruten voyage is all about rich and meaningful experiences, taking our guests to destinations only we can sail to. We will take our passengers on unique experiences that no other operator can provide, with access to Unesco World Heritage Sites on almost all itineraries, ” said Daniel Skjeldam, Hurtigruten CEO.

“All operators must commit to the highest environmental standards in order to relieve the strains on the nature and wildlife of these pristine areas. Hurtigruten will lead by example, offering responsible, unique and meaningful adventures based on our more than 120 years of experience,” he added.

Expedition vessel Fram will lead expedition sailings in the Caribbean Sea and along the Atlantic coast of the US. The expedition destinations are spread across eight countries along the coast of Central America and includes landings at ports: San Blas Islands, Fort San Lorenzo, Boscas del Toro, Puerto Limón, Corn Islands, Isla de Providencia, Cayos Cochinos and Lighthouse Reef.

All Hurtigruten’s Antarctica expeditions departing from South-America offer optional on-land experiences such as the Manuel Antonio National Park (Costa Rica), Machu Picchu (Peru), biking excursion through Santiago de Chile, the Atacama Desert, Patagonia and the Iguazu Falls (Argentina).

Its newest expedition ship, Spitsbergen, will circumnavigate the island it is named after.