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  1. Home
  2. Our Destinations
  3. Cruises to Antarctica
  4. Antarctica: One destination - four expedition ships
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  • MS Fram in Antarctica
    1/8 MS Fram in Antarctica Photo: Anette Asbjørnrød Photo
  • Expedition in Antarctica
    2/8 Enjoy our expedition style landings Photo: Esther Koijkmeier Photo
  • MS Midnatsol cruising in the icebergs of Antarctica
    3/8 MS Midnatsol in the remote continent of Antarctica Photo
  • Experience the Lemaire Channel from a Polar Cirkel boat
    4/8 Experience the Lemaire Channel from a Polar Cirkel boat Photo: Arnau Ferrer Photo
  • A large ship in a body of water
  • Three people getting close to penguins and taking pictures
    6/8 Get the Facebook update of your life Photo: Mark McDermott Photo
  • Passenger surrounded by penguins
    7/8 Enjoy the feeling of being almost alone on a big continent Photo: Marsel van Oosten Photo
  • Out on a Polarcirkel boat cruise from MS Fram
    8/8 Out on a Polarcirkel boat cruise from MS Fram Photo: Hans Möller - Guest image Photo

Antarctica: One destination - four expedition ships

Whether you're an active explorer who thrives in extreme elements, or looking for an adventure with less emphasis on the physical rigours of an expedition, an Antarctic voyage with us will be nothing less than extraordinary.

At Hurtigruten, our exploration style meets the needs of people who value learning and personal growth more than excessive luxury. Our guests value interactions with nature and wildlife which is so much bigger than themselves because it helps them put life into perspective. 

Our expedition vessels sailing to Antarctica have been designed especially to cater to the those who prefer a more active expedition or discovery style voyage. MS Fram, MS Midnatsol, and our new ships MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Roald Amundsen, each have their own personality, but share one thing in common: all are custom-built to serve as a perfect basecamp for your adventure. 

MS Fram has a prestigious legacy as a famous expedition ship, and is a true favourite in the Hurtigruten fleet, among staff and passengers alike. Intimate and intrepid, she is outfitted specifically for authentic adventures in Antarctica. Itineraries on MS Fram encompass in-depth explorations, sailing inside the Antarctic Circle and venturing far into the areas that are almost permanently iced down and totally unnavigable in winter. Such areas are typically unreachable by larger vessels, regardless of the ice conditions and time of year. 

On MS Midnatsol* you will not be 'conquering' extreme elements in order to appreciate an adventurous and truly up-close Antarctica. Instead, you will travel in casual comfort where hands-on experiences, learning, and interaction with Antarctica’s pristine shores and ice-filled waterways is the basis for connecting with your inner explorer. Voyages on MS Midnatsol are suited to those with a true spirit of exploration with all itineraries starting and ending in Puntas Arenas. From there, you will explore the deep fjords of Chile, visit Cape Horn and then see all the highlights of Antarctica.

MS Roald Amundsen and her identical sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen will be a truly comfortable base camp at sea. On board recreation and dining will be top quality; with three swimming pools and fine Norwegian dining on offer. Best of all, MS Roald Amundsen is the first expedition ship ever to sail with electric hybrid technology. This will reduce fuel consumption approximately 20 percent and enable the ship to sail on 100% electric power for up to 30 minutes, allowing you to experience the wonder of Antarctica in near-total silence. Voyages on MS Roald Amundsen explore the Falkland Islands, Chilean Fjords and sail south of the Antarctic Circle - a milestone that few travellers reach. 

  MS Fram  MS Midnatsol  MS Roald Amundsen
  The Expedition Ship The Discovery Ship The Ship of the Future
Maximum guests in Antarctica 200 500 500
Expedition Team Members Approximately 10 Approximately 15  
Landings per day 1.5 1  
Physical activity level High Medium  
Learning programme level Moderate High  
On board and learning programme Lecture programme (biology, geology, history and Arctic treaty) and from 2018/19 - Science Centre, Photography workshop and morning exercise Lecture programme (edutainment biology, geology, history, Antarctica Treaty and general talks), Young Explorers Programme, onboard Science Centre and morning exercise  Lecture programme, Young Explorers Programme, Photography workshop, onboard Science Centre and morning exercise

 

*Starting in 2020, our brand new ship MS Fridtjof Nansen will replace MS Midnatsol on voyages to Antarctica.

Like the great explorers who paved the way into these southern oceans before you, weather, wind, ice, and local conditions will determine the exact nature of your program and schedule. Regardless of which ship you choose, every voyage is unique and you will witnesss awe-inspiring scenery and landscapes that remain as unchanged as the day man first set eyes upon them. 

Related cruises

  • Multiple offers
    MS Fram
    19 days 15 October 2021

    Antarctica, Patagonia, Chilean Fjords - Exploration of the Southern Highlights (Southbound)

    • Experience Patagonia and Antarctica in one expedition cruise
    • Discover the magnificent Chilean fjords
    • See Cape Horn and cross the Drake Passage
    • Enjoy ice-cruising, landings and encounters with wildlife in Antarctica
    Price from
    8489 €
  • Book with confidence
    MS Roald Amundsen
    18 days 23 October 2021

    Antarctica, Patagonia, Chilean Fjords - Voyage of Discovery (Southbound)

    • Experience Patagonia and Antarctica in one expedition cruise
    • Discover the magnificent Chilean fjords
    • See Cape Horn and cross the Drake Passage
    • Enjoy ice-cruising, landings and encounters with wildlife in Antarctica
    Price from
    7990 €
  • Book with confidence
    MS Fram
    23 days 1 Nov 2021 - 24 Feb 2022

    Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia - The Ultimate Expedition

    • Enjoy landings to see thousands of animals: seals, penguins, birds and whales
    • Hike, kayak and go ice-cruising in stunning Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia
    • Chance to come ashore on isolated beaches and spend the night in a tent
    • Experience an in-depth exploration of the ‘Galápagos of the Poles’, South Georgia, home to vast numbers of King penguins
    Price from
    12513 €

Further reading

  • The History of Antarctic Exploration

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What's better than a warm embrace from someone you love? We hope we can all hug each other soon again. For now, we're sending you a virtual hug for National Hug Day. 📷: Chelsea Claus / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #nationalhugday #hug #penguin #antarctica #travel #adventuretravel #wildlife For Penguin Awareness Day, here are some facts you might not know about everyone's favorite flightless bird: 
- Their black and white "tuxedo" is a smart camouflage called countershading
- You'll never actually see them with polar bears (despite what you've seen in classic cartoons)
- Penguins huddle together to protect themselves—or to stay warm
- You can see this fascinating creature if you go with Hurtigruten to Antarctica (but this we bet you knew already!)
 📸: Ingemund Skålnes / Hurtigruten The Lemaire Channel is a narrow strait surrounded by cliffs and glaciers that runs seven miles in length and just under a mile wide. This scenic route is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Antarctica, and has even been dubbed the 'Kodak Gap.' Grab your camera and get ready for some amazing photos and breathtaking landscapes. 
📷: @glr.photo / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #lemairechannel #naturephotography #sunset #travel

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