Exploring Antarctica on the MS Roald Amundsen Hybrid Cruise Ship
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Antarctica,” said Captain Kai Albrigtsen from the bridge of the world’s first hybrid cruise ship. After traversing the coast of Chile for eleven days, we had reached the Great White Continent, marking my 50th country and seventh continent. We were greeted by a giant floating iceberg topped with a rookery of penguins and marveled at the vivid blue and white Antarctic landscape as our ship glided by.
Unique Experience Aboard the MS Roald Amundsen
The MS Roald Amundsen offers guests a unique experience not available on any other cruise ship globally, even within the niche of Arctic and Antarctic cruises. This 500-passenger ship runs similarly to a hybrid car, utilizing both low-sulfur diesel and battery power.
I traveled on the ship’s 18-day maiden Antarctic voyage. For guests, the ship operates with significantly less noise than traditional cruise ships, as much of the eco-friendlier technology runs quietly behind the scenes. Departing from colorful Valparaiso, we spent several days at sea, encountering rough waters. However, the ship’s innovative narrow hull mitigated seasickness, allowing it to glide through waves effortlessly.
Shore Excursions and Local Encounters
A few days later, we docked on the 60-inhabitant island of Puerto Edén. Wandering around the seaside town’s winding wooden paths, we spotted plenty of photogenic local animals. After our shore excursion, local children were invited aboard the Roald Amundsen for hot chocolate and a tour of the state-of-the-art bridge, where they learned about the new hybrid vessel.
After waving goodbye to the locals, we sailed to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres Del Paine National Park. Our bucket-list excursion involved a full day surrounded by jagged mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and the incredible Patagonian wind. The next day, we explored Puerto Natales, where vibrant streets are lined with colorful houses, shops filled with artisanal wool, and cafes serving delicious dulce de leche cakes.
At Sea: Adventures Aboard
During our next three days at sea, on-board entertainment included engaging lectures at the ship’s Science Center, delightful milkshakes at Fredheim – the ship’s trendy eatery – and navigating the infamous Drake Passage, one of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Karin Strand, a prominent Arctic explorer and expedition leader of the MS Roald Amundsen, has crossed the Drake Passage nearly 300 times. She noted that passengers can expect “Drake Shake” (rough seas) about 30% of the time and “Drake Lake” (calm waters) 70% of the time. During our journey south, we experienced a bit of both, with the biggest swell reaching nearly 30 feet.
Wildlife Encounters
On day 12 of the journey, we awoke to the welcoming voice of Captain Kai Albrigtsen as we arrived at Yankee Harbour in the South Shetland Islands. Passengers were brimming with excitement, ready to see penguins. The Hurtigruten team informed us on how to interact respectfully with wildlife as we explored the pristine environment.
As we disembarked, we followed a trail marked with red flags and were greeted by a massive 4,000-pound elephant seal lounging on the ice. Nearby, a curious Weddell seal lifted its head, as if posing for photographs.
Continuing along the trail, we discovered a massive penguin rookery filled with thousands of gentoo penguins setting up nests for the season. Watching them waddle, glide, and collect rocks created a joyful experience for all. My expectations for Antarctica were already exceeded on the first day itself.
A Historic Ceremony and Scenic Beauty
The following day, we awoke to clear blue skies over Chiriguano Bay, creating an ideal atmosphere for a significant event: the first ship-naming ceremony in Antarctica on MS Roald Amundsen.
In the morning, we gathered with crew and passengers from the MS Midnatsol as Karin Strand performed the ceremonial ice-breaking to christen the world’s first hybrid cruise ship, honoring Roald Amundsen, the first explorer to reach the South Pole.
Later that day, we docked in Wilhelmina Bay on the Antarctic peninsula and embarked on small boats for an ice-cruising adventure. Once on the water, we floated in complete silence, absorbing the beauty of Antarctica as gigantic icebergs and a few leopard seals surrounded us.
Final Adventure – The Polar Plunge
On our final night, we were rewarded with a stunning sunset, where the sky and glaciers transitioned from bright blue to a surreal pink. Enjoying cocktails in the ship’s hot tub, we watched the alpenglow wash over the glaciers, which was a remarkable experience.
Our last landing took us to Half Moon Island, where we observed chinstrap penguins as they traveled toward the rocky beach. I seized the opportunity to participate in my first-ever polar plunge, plunging into the icy 36°F (2°C) waters for ten exhilarating seconds, earning a certificate from Hurtigruten as proof.
After warming up with hot chocolate, we enjoyed sightings of humpback whales before returning to shore for some snowshoeing to get our final magical views of the Great White Continent.
Finally, as we sailed out of the bay, we crossed the Drake Passage with relative calm to Punta Arenas, known as the End of the Earth. A charter flight awaited to take us back to Santiago, Chile. Although you cannot take souvenirs from Antarctica, I made sure to pick up a wool penguin as a keepsake from this unforgettable journey.
