MS Roald Amundsen
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen is one of the newest ships in the brand’s fleet. Launched in 2019, the state-of-the-art vessel is a hybrid model—operating on half battery and half fuel, making it much better for the environment. It was the first of a pair of hybrid ships that Hurtigruten rolled out, and it’s an absolute beauty. Its namesake, Roald Amundsen, was the first man ever to cross Antarctica and reach the South Pole. Read More
On board, you’ll find modern yet sustainable amenities, as expected for a ship that is only a few years old. Think heated bathroom floors in staterooms for those cold Antarctica expedition days, gifted reusable water bottles for all cruise guests and water stations on all floors, as well as elevated dining experiences that are unique to the region.
Hurtigruten, a Norwegian-based carrier, has been leading expedition cruises since 1983. The brand prides itself on its knowledge and expertise with unique destinations like Antarctica, the Galápagos, and the Falkland Islands.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
Single-occupancy cabins are available, and all sailing prices are listed per person. There are three main cabin types: suites, standard outside cabins with a balcony, and standard outside cabins without a balcony. All cabins have at least one window.
Within the three main room types, there are a range of room sizes and an accessible cabin option. There are no multi-room suites, except for the XL suites, which include a living room area with a sofa bed. A few other cabins also include a sofa bed, though there’s no designated living room.
Room amenities are luxurious—plush bedding and high-end toiletries from Finland-based Arctic Pure. Each in-room minibar, stocked with a variety of wine and chocolates, comes with a complimentary first round of stocked drinks and snacks. Cabin bathrooms, which feature heated floors, are very spacious compared to some other cruise lines and additional storage can also be found.
There are no accessible rooms. There are, however, elevators on-board and wide hallways. However, for those who disembark for site landings, there are no accessible ramps to get into zodiac boats that take you ashore.
Food & Drink
The MS Roald Amundsen has three main dining rooms: Aune, Fredheim, and Lindstrøm. Aune is the main dining hall, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner services. For Fredheim, it’s necessary to reserve a spot in advance through the Hurtigruten app, but it’s possible to get a table at open-seating Aune without a reservation. Every morning, a breakfast buffet offers an array of options like French toast, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and cereal. Three-course lunch and dinner menus with vegetarian selections change daily. Menus are updated in the handy app.
Fredheim, open for lunch and dinner to stay or takeaway, is where you can find staples like burgers, fries, tacos, and more.
Lindstrøm, which suite guests can enjoy at no additional charge, is the most upscale of the dining rooms and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Non-suite guests can expect to pay 25 euros per meal. Restaurants are not open all day long; rather, each meal is available during certain set hours only. Unfortunately, there are no 24-hour meal or snack options on board.
Each meal comes with complimentary soft drinks, as well as choice wines and beer. Spirit packages can be purchased, or you can opt for the a la carte format and charge individual drinks to your room.
The Explorer’s Lounge is the ship’s only standalone bar. There is an assortment of international spirits as well as all-day complimentary coffee and tea.
Entertainment
This is an expedition cruise, so if you’re used to myriad entertainment options offered on larger cruise lines, know that this is a different kind of experience. Standard cruise entertainment is replaced by daily lectures on various topics including: types of whale species found in Antarctica, ways to spot and identify the continent’s bird species, and other scientific-based conversations. There is also a science center on board, as well as a knowledgeable team of experts who often lead animal spotting opportunities—Arctic birds, Orca whales, and seals—on the ship’s observation deck.
Depending on current COVID-19 protocols, the ship may offer an occasional karaoke night.
Most cruisers simply grab their favorite book or a deck of cards and spend the days in the Explorer’s Lounge. The panoramic views of the Arctic landscapes will honestly make you forget about the need for daily entertainment.
Spa & Fitness
There is an indoor gym, outdoor track and gym, sauna, outdoor infinity pool and hot tubs, and a full-service spa (services are extra) on board. Gyms, the pool and hot tubs, and the sauna are open to all cruisers at no additional cost, but note that any indoor facilities are subject to close if COVID-19 issues arise.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Hurtigruten is committed to ensuring guests’ safety for the duration of all sailings. Although COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly, the ship will follow the rules of countries for which it sails through.
There are heightened cleaning protocols throughout the ship, as well as plenty of hand sanitizing stations. N-95 masks are also encouraged while in public spaces on-board.
Dress Code
The dress code is relaxed throughout the ship. This is the Arctic, and dressing in layers is highly recommended. All passengers receive a functional souvenir wind-resistant jacket, loaner boots, which must be worn during all landings, are provided, and wearing them is mandatory.
Junior Cruisers
Kids are welcomed on-board. However, due to limited entertainment and slower wi-fi connectivity, this cruise would not be suitable for junior cruisers under age 13.
Service
The cabin attendants on the MS Roald Amundsen are an absolute pleasure. There is an option for cleaning services twice a day, and for those who opt to skip cleaning in their cabins, the ship will send a small donation to Antarctica research on behalf of any guests opting out of housekeeping services. Free overnight laundry service is another perk suite guests can enjoy.
Tipping
Most of Hurtigruten’s vessels have a non-tipping policy—including the MS Roald Amundsen. However, if you feel that any crew members should be rewarded for providing exceptional service, that is entirely at your discretion.