Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula

Highlights of Antarctica aboard MS Roald Amundsen

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Tango and the Drake Passage
Spend a night in the Argentine capital, the place where tango was invented and still celebrated in bars across the city. The next day, you’ll fly to Ushuaia and board your hybrid-powered ship MS Roald Amundsen which will sail south into the Drake Passage towards Antarctica. That’s when we enter expedition mode for real, allowing sea ice and local weather to determine our agenda on any given day. But with decades of experience sailing here and more than 20 possible landing spots in the Antarctic Peninsula, we always bring you the best sites available at the time.

The wonders of Antarctica
It’s summer when you get to Antarctica. The temperature is milder and the five days you spend here among the icebergs and glaciers will seem longer. Arriving in January, you’ll enjoy the sight of colonies of thousands of penguins with their adorable chicks while the March cruise is the best time for seeing whales. Our Expedition Team will take you ice-cruising and on landings to get you even closer to the impressive scenery, and you may even get the chance to go kayaking among the icebergs on an optional activity. 

Highlights

• A concentrated expedition cruise that’s all about the frozen continent

• Spend a night in the Argentine capital, then fly to Ushuaia and sail south into the Drake Passage towards Antarctica

• Enjoy the sight of colonies of thousands of penguins with their adorable chicks while the March cruise is the best time for seeing whales

Day 1 Buenos Aires

Tango is only the beginning An overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal setting to kickstart your adventure. Famously called the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache. You can spend the evening at your leisure, sampling an authentic steak dinner at one of the city’s many parrillas or sightseeing some of the city’s best-known landmarks at Plaza de Mayo. But to get the most out of your experience, we urge you to arrive a few days early to really immerse yourself in this seductive and sophisticated city, replete with historic French and Italian architecture. Filling up your itinerary is a cinch. Buenos Aires is home to numerous fine and modern art museums, landscaped parks and one of the world’s greatest opera houses – Teatro Colón. And that’s before we even mention the world-famous nightlife. But let’s face it – you’re in the city that gave the world tango – you’re not leaving until you join the locals in an informal lesson, or at the very least, watch a dance show. Should you have plenty of time on your hand and plan ahead, however, you can even extend your stay with an optional Pre-Programme to explore wild Patagonia

Day 2 Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

Start at the ‘End of the World’ Estimated time of departure is 7:00 PM We fly first thing in the morning to a place nicknamed ‘End of the World’: the bustling port city of Ushuaia. It is here where your voyage truly begins. Your basecamp at sea is the world’s first hybrid-powered expedition ship – MS Roald Amundsen. Once on board, you’ll meet the Expedition Team and crew members who will take you through a mandatory meeting related to health and safety – both yours and others. Later that evening, we mark the launch of our journey with a welcome dinner. Afterwards, you can familiarise yourself with this state-of-the-art vessel, especially designed for sustainable voyages in polar waters. On our way through the scenic Beagle Channel, you can watch for the rare endemic Peale’s dolphin and other wildlife.

Day 3-4 Drake Passage

Crossing to another continent Gateway to the Antarctic, the Drake Passage has rightly earned its notorious reputation as any voyager’s rite of passage. It can be rough. It can be choppy. It can be exhilarating! In 2019, a crew of six fatigued men became the first to row across it, skirting drifting ice and huge waves. It took them 13 days. Thankfully, it will take you just two – all in the comfort of MS Roald Amundsen and not an oar in sight! During the voyage south, you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead by joining lectures in the dedicated onboard Science Center. The Expedition Team will be making sure you are familiar with the IAATO guidelines that have been written to protect both you and Antarctica’s precious wildlife, such as why you must use our special rubber boots when going ashore. Experts on the Expedition Team will talk passionately about Antarctica’s history and shed light on the science beneath its surface, and perhaps the far-reaching effects of climate change and plastic pollution. You’ll also learn about how you can get involved in Citizen Science programmes. These topical projects help research centres around the world document Antarctica’s environment and wildlife. You should also talk to our onboard photographer who will provide helpful tips, like how you can adjust the white balance on your camera to take great pictures. With this much to fascinate you, your two days at sea will fly by. As an explorer in the polar region, you’re going to get hungry. Sate your appetite in one of our three modern restaurants or end the day in the Explorer Lounge enjoying a beverage of your choice. As you go around the ship with its wide, floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll notice how every effort has been made to ensure you have sight of the real reason you’re here – the stunning scenery outside. Whether from the comfort of a hot tub, the infinity pool or the spectacular panoramic sauna, you won’t miss out on any of the breathtaking views around you.

Day 5-9 Antarctica

Where nature reigns supreme You may have read about Antarctica, watched every documentary you could find about it. You may even have been paying rapt attention in a lecture about it just the day before. But nothing ever quite prepares you for the moment you see it for yourself. Step into an endless wilderness of ice, icebergs, and glaciers. A place where nature is king and the rest of us, mere observers. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. It is a stillness that is broken every so often by the only locals around here. A range of seabirds that include bitterns, swans, and petrels soar in the sky and gather on the shores. In addition to thousands of penguins, you might see seals playing in the water, a breaching humpback whale or even spot an orca, if you are lucky. You’ll notice that the penguins are unafraid of humans – this is their turf after all. Our Expedition Team will take you ice-cruising and on landings to get you even closer to the impressive scenery. You may even get a chance to go kayaking among the icebergs on an optional activity. And whenever time allows, the Expedition Team will continue to give lectures, helping you grow in your insights of the fascinating world we are exploring. Very quickly, surrounded by such pristine nature, you understand the oft used advice about Antarctica – take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. And that is exactly how we will explore here. At every step of the way, whether on ice-cruises or landings, the Expedition Team will be making sure we stick closely to strict safety and sustainability procedures.

Day 10-11 Drake Passage

A return to open waters After five days capturing as much of Antarctica as you can on your camera, you will need some time to absorb this life-affirming experience. The two days back up the Drake Passage will certainly give you that – and a whole lot more. You’ll now have an opportunity to get even more involved with the Citizen Science programme and analyse samples on a microscopic level. You can also deepen some of your knowledge by attending more lectures on themes like the changing climate or plastic pollution, and we will reflect on our experiences in the frozen continent. When you are ready to kick back and enjoy all the amenities of your advanced hybrid-powered vessel, you can do that too. Feel free to work out in our large gym, jog around our dedicated outdoor running track, treat yourself in the Wellness Centre or simply relax on deck while spotting the many seabirds which follow our ship.

Day 12 Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

All good things… Estimated time of arrival is 7:00 AM Your expedition cruise ends where it began: in Ushuaia. Soon, you’ll be back in Buenos Aires. From there, you’ll simply head on home, or you’ll have a second chance to acquaint yourself with the passionate city of the Porteños. Joining an optional Post-Programme to the magnificent Iguazu waterfalls is another option. Even as you say your goodbyes to the crew, Captain, Expedition Team and one another, what feels like an end is really only the beginning. The memories you’ve made will be yours forever. Your new affinity for the frozen continent – unbreakable. You’re one of us now: an adventurer; an advocate of sustainable expedition cruising; and a lifelong ambassador for Antarctica.

Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

28 December, 2023 to 08 January, 2024
Roald Amundsen

Book now

Polar Outside. From

$11,385 AUD pp

The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the middle decks with windows, most are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements and TV for excellent and high standard accommodation. Can accommodate two to four passengers.

Arctic Superior. From

$12,425 AUD pp

Arctic Superior class cabins are comfortable and roomy accommodation and most have balconies. Flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa beds, TV and other features make this one of our most popular categories. Our Arctic Superior concept includes a kettle, tea and coffee. Can accommodate two to four passengers.

Expedition Suite. From

$15,924 AUD pp

These suites are large, well-appointed cabins with expansive windows and most have balconies. Some have a private outdoor hot tub. The suites feature flexible sleeping arrangements with comfortable sofas, sitting areas and TV. They can accommodate up to four passengers. Expedition suites are exclusively in upper and mid-deck locations. Our Expedition Suite concept includes a bathrobe, espresso maker, and more. An exciting welcome gift awaits all suite guests in their cabin.

09 March, 2024 to 20 March, 2024
Roald Amundsen

Book now

Polar Outside. From

$10,335 AUD pp

Arctic Superior. From

$11,260 AUD pp

Expedition Suite. From

$14,370 AUD pp

Roald Amundsen

Vessel Type: Expedition Ship

Length: 140 metres

Passenger Capacity: 530

Built: 2019

In 2019, Hurtigruten adds a brand new ship to its fleet: the MS Roald Amundsen. The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible.

MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten will add to its fleet over the next few years, cutting emissions by sailing with electrical propulsion. Hybrid technology, combined with the advanced construction of the hull and effective use of electricity on board will reduce fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent. The build of these two ships represents the largest single investment in the history of Hurtigruten.

The future of shipping will be silent and emission free. MS Roald Amundsen will lead the way towards an even more sustainable way of traveling. Sailing on electrical power is not only a great benefit for the environment, but it will also enhance the impact of experiencing nature for the guests. The ship will be specially constructed for voyages in polar waters and serve as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way.

Facilities on board

One of the most eye-catching exterior design features of the ships will be the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck wrapped around the top of the ships’ raked bow. In a vast area behind it, you’ll find the core of the onboard experience: Amundsen Science Center.

Packed with state of the art technology and high tech gadgets such as touch screens and science equipment, the immersive edutainment area will be the place guests and staff/crew meet, mingle and create a deeper understanding for the areas they explore. The flexible venue will feature lecture spaces, a small library, and speciality areas for workshops in photography, biology, and more. The area, featuring large windows, will also be the onboard HQ for Hurtigruten’s hand picked Expedition Team.

The stunning scenery will be reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool will be used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor Jacuzzis with spectacular views.

MS Roald Amundsen will feature three restaurants inspired by Nordic and Norwegian heritage:

Aune Main Dining, named after the Norwegian ship chandler and polar expedition supplier Tinus Aune.

Fredheim - the ships’ informal and social meeting place – named after a 1900s hunting station on Svalbard.

Lindstrøm, a speciality restaurant named after Adolf Lindstrøm, the favorite chef of the Norwegian polar heroes.

Artwork on board

When the world’s first hybrid powered expedition ship embarks on her maiden voyage, every piece of art on board will be handpicked by HM Queen Sonja of Norway’s art foundation - the Queen Sonja Print Award. Read more about the exciting collaboration here.

Camping in Antarctica (An Amundsen Night) (657.00 AUD)

In the true style of the early explorers, we venture out at night for a once in a lifetime experience as we go camping in the Antarctic night. Although Amundsen, Scott and Nordenskjold had different equipment, they used the best gear available at the time. So do we. This activity features top of the line camping equipment that meets Antarctic standards for camping on snow. • Sleeping under the Antarctic sky with only the thin wall of your tent separating you from the elements. • Encounter the Antarctic´s natural elements up close • In the true style of the early explorers we venture out at night • Stay warm and comfortable with top-quality camping gear. Duration Late evening to early morning, max 10 hours. Difficulty Level 2: Easy. Notices: Subject to weather and ice conditions, all tents are two-person capacity. Limited space available. All participants for this activity are chosen by a lottery.

Extended hikes in Antarctica (56.00 AUD)

Join the Expedition Team on hikes handpicked by them and based on their deep and extensive knowledge of exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Reaching the best viewpoints may involve some effort, making it all the more satisfying when you do. • Become a part of nature • Explore more of the area thoroughly • Guided by the highly experienced Expedition Team. Duration 2-5 hours. Difficulty Level :4 Hard. Only Bookable on Board.

Kayaking Adventure in Antarctica (187.00 AUD)

Enjoy the feeling of gliding through Antarctic waters in serene silence and admiring the sight of glaciers, icebergs and snow-covered mountains around you. You might even meet seals, birds, penguins and perhaps whales along the way. • Kayak tours optimal for beginners • Exploring by kayak means merging with nature in tranquility • Potential of wildlife sightings as you glide through the water without the sound of a motor • Safe experience, accompanied by very experienced guides with high standard equipment. Duration 3 hours. Difficulty Level 4: Hard. Only bookable on board.

Snowshoeing in Antarctica (93.00 AUD)

This activity is only possible when snow conditions are right, which is usually late spring or early in the Antarctic summer. Equipped with modern snowshoes, you’ll easily walk on the soft snow and reach places that are normally difficult to get to just on foot. • Explore a snowy area which are hard to reach without snowshoes • Feel the spirit of the early Antarctic explorers who persevered through great frozen expanses • Expert guidance by the Expedition Team • The thrill of snowshoeing. Duration 2 hours. Difficulty Level 3: Medium.

Inclusions

• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• All meals while on board
• On board lectures
• Overnight in Buenos Aires before the expedition cruise, including breakfast
• Return flights in economy class between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
• Transfer from the hotel in Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires airport before the expedition cruise
• Transfers between Ushuaia airport and the ship, including a brief tour of the town

Exclusions

• International and domestic flights unless otherwise stated
• Passport and visa costs where applicable
• Travel insurance
• Transfers unless otherwise stated
• Optional Excursions
• Pre and Post voyage accommodation
• Beverages on board unless otherwise stated
• Meals while ashore