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TO THE EDGE: Hurtigruten Makes History In Antarctica

Hurtigruten’s battery hybrid powered expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen has made history – exploring waters further south than any Hurtigruten ship has ever been in the Norwegian expedition cruise line’s 127 years of history.

Hurtigruten’s battery hybrid powered expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen has made history – exploring waters further south than any Hurtigruten ship has ever been in the Norwegian expedition cruise line’s 127 years of history.

After crossing the Antarctic circle earlier this week, MS Roald Amundsen Captain Torry Sakkariassen and his crew continued to push south.

At 4.15 PM Antarctica time on February 19, MS Roald Amundsen reached the ice edge at 70°10.208’ degrees south (marked on the map below).

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“Our guests are thrilled. This is what Hurtigruten’s expedition cruises are all about, pushing new frontiers and creating unique experiences for guests from all over the world. We are exploring in the footsteps of the polar hero Roald Amundsen himself,”  Captain Sakkariassen said.

MS Roald Amundsen is the world’s first hybrid powered cruise ship, equipped with large battery packs that significantly reduce emissions.

As her sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen, sailing her maiden voyage this spring, MS Roald Amundsen’s specially designed ice strengthened hull allows her to operate in remote areas.

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With a growing fleet of 16 small and custom build ships, Hurtigruten is the world’s largest expedition cruise line, offering expedition cruises to more than 200 destinations in over 40 countries.

After exploring the ice-laden areas at 70 degrees south in sub-zero temperatures southwest of Charcot Island, MS Roald Amundsen’s guests and crew are now making their way back north.

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The team

They will explore a variety of landing sites around the Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland Islands, before returning to Chile and the last two expedition cruises of the 2019/2020 Antarctica season.