Photo credit: Karsten Bidstrup
The world’s first hybrid powered cruise ship, Hurtigruten’s Roald Asmundsen, is making her North American Debut today (Friday, September 27, 2019). I probably wouldn’t bother to bring a ship debut to everyone’s attention, but I do so for two very specific reasons:
The first reason is a little bit self-indulgent – Bob and I were invited to be on the inaugural sailing of this innovative vessel along with a small number of lucky other travel industry professionals. We will take as many pictures as we can, and post some stuff on Facebook and YouTube – just give us a day or two to get that done.
The other reason is the poetry by which Roald Asmundsen has chosen to make her debut. The ship is named after the first person to reach the South Pole – a true explorer. What is less known is that Asmundsen was also the first person to sail the Northwest passage from Europe to the West Coast of North America.
We don’t build cruise ships in North America, so normally when they are dispatched here from Europe or Asia, they arrive in New York or San Francisco after leaving the shipyard where they were constructed. They are usually escorted into the welcoming harbor by local authorities with much pomp and circumstance.
In contrast, Roald Asmundsen chose to make her debut by sailing from Europe, across the Arctic Ocean, through Greenland, the northern most part of Canada, and into Alaska via the Bering Strait. Just like her namesake did.
We will be taking a motor coach up from Seattle to board the Roald Asmundsen in Vancouver. Incidentally, about a mile from where we will board the ship, is the permanent museum-home of the RCMP Vessel St. Roch. The St. Roch was the first vessel to sail the Northwest Passage from West to East. It took two years – the ship was frozen in the ice for an Arctic Winter. And now, there is a hybrid cruise ship making the journey across the Northwest passage in only four weeks during a northern hemisphere summer. Times change quickly!
Cruise ships have become increasingly innovative in the past decade or two, and I am exceptionally pleased that such innovation has moved beyond the floating amusement parks that carry 5000+ passengers.
We’ll post lots more about this ship after we’ve travelled on her, but here are some points to hold you over until then:
- The Roald Asmundsen is 21,000 tons, and holds 500 guests.
- The hybrid engines reduce fuel consumptions and CO2 emissions by 20%. Hurtigruten’s ultimate goal is to operate completely carbon-neutral, and they are passionately leading the cruise industry in pursing this goal.
- Equally as impressive is the ability to cruise in remote areas of the planet without the dull roar of diesel engines.
- She is purposefully built for polar regions, so will service Alaska in the summer of 2020, as well as the Northwest Passage. Between now and then she’ll visit Chile, Patagonia, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and in repositioning times, she’ll sail through Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Canada/New England coast.
- She has all outside cabins, 50% with balconies.
- The ship is built for looking outside – with a gorgeous two story indoor/outdoor observation deck.
- She is an expedition ship, but a comfortable one with premium onboard experience and a gym, wellness centre, infinity pool, and hot tubs.
- Excursions are the ‘main event’ on Hurtigruten. The expedition team on board each ship are knowledgeable and passionate experts dedicated to helping guests discover the best of each destination. On board, there is a Science Center with microscopes and other equipment for total immersion in your destination and all that it offers
Stay tuned… more to come.
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Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
