World's first battery-hybrid expedition cruise ships meet in Northwest Passage

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Published: 31 August 2023 31 August 2023

A momentous event unfolded on August 28 in the Northwest Passage as Hurtigruten Expeditions’ Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen crossed paths for the first time in their respective histories. The bow-to-bow meeting of the battery-hybrid vessels – including Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid battery-powered cruise ship, also named after the first explorer to traverse the Northwest Passage – took place in Cambridge Bay, Canada. Guests and crew were invited to celebrate with flags, banners and warm beverages on the top decks.

“This gathering serves as a moment to celebrate our legacy,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions' Group CEO, Daniel Skjeldam. “As the founders of expedition cruising in 1896, we are born explorers, taking generations of travellers into the unknown.”

The two ships crossed during Fridtjof Nansen’s 27-day westbound Northwest Passage sailing to Nome, Alaska and Roald Amundsen’s 26-day eastbound Northwest Passage sailing to Halifax, Canada. Guiding the vessels are Captain Terje Willassen and Captain Raymond Martinsen, united in their pursuit of navigating the historic route. “Passing Zenith Point, I'm struck by the remarkable achievements of past explorers in these cold, remote places more than one hundred years ago. However, it's the enduring presence of today's inhabitants, surviving here since the Thule era, that commands my utmost respect,” said Captain Raymond Martinsen.

In the wake of great explorers: Roald Amundsen

An ice-covered maritime route that links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic, the Northwest Passage has long captivated the imaginations of travelers. In 1906, Roald Amundsen (best known for being the first person to reach the South Pole) pioneered the first successful Northwest passage crossing, a three-year journey culminating in Nome, Alaska. His achievement was the result of diligent study, learning from both former explorers and native Inuit societies who provided indispensable insights into surviving in the Arctic.

Captain Terje's unique connection to Roald Amundsen's legacy – growing up and residing in the same Norwegian town as the prolific explorer – adds a layer of significance to this occasion. “Growing up, listening to the tales of Roald Amundsen, and sailing aboard the ship named in his honour through the Northwest Passage fills me with pride. The expedition that consumed three years of his life, we strive to conquer in a mere 24 days. This experience both uplifts my pride and instils humility within me as I trace the path of this remarkable explorer,” said Terje.

More than a passerby: ties to the passage

Like Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten Expeditions is guided by the invaluable insights gained from local scientific study and communities. During their passage, both ships will offer guests opportunities to conduct research on behalf of third-party entities with the expedition cruise line’s Citizen Science program. Projects available to guests during this journey include eBird, iNaturalist, Cloud observations, Secchi Disk, and Happywhale. Additionally, travellers onboard Roald Amundsen will journey alongside guest scientist Frances Crable, a PhD student collecting oceanographic and hydrographic data along the route.

Furthermore, this year, the Hurtigruten Foundation granted funds to Red Fish Arts Studio, aiding disadvantaged youth in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Another beneficiary – Oxen Expedition Engagement Network, founded by Alex McNeil, Senior Vice President of Expeditions Product at Hurtigruten Expeditions – seeks to integrate local perspectives in the Arctic travel experience and support local business growth in Arctic communities.

Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard delivers Norwegian Viva

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Published: 03 August 2023 03 August 2023

Norwegian Viva, the second of six vessels from Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) new Prima-class of ships was delivered today at the Marghera shipyard.

Along with is sister-ships, Norwegian Viva will form the backbone of the future NCL fleet, at 143,000 gross tons, almost 300 meters long, and accommodating approx. 3,100 guests. Deliveries are scheduled through 2028.

The Prima-class is based on a prototype project developed by Fincantieri, which enhances the consolidated features of NCL’s signature offering of freedom and flexibility, qualified by an innovative configuration for an elevated passenger experience. In addition, focus was set on energy efficiency, with the twofold aim of optimizing consumption at sea and reducing environmental impact, compliant with all the most recent regulations on this matter.

NCL is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the U.S.-based company, which is one of the world’s leading cruise operators. Besides NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. operates the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, to which Fincantieri will deliver this year in Ancona a third luxury cruise ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, after Seven Seas Explorer (2016) and Seven Seas Splendor (2020), as well as Oceania Cruises, for which the Group has delivered Vista, the first of the new generation Allura-class, with the second to be delivered in 2025.

From 2016 Fincantieri and Lloyd’s Register cooperate with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on all brands of the group to deliver the new generation of ships.

Seabourn takes delivery its second ultra-luxury expedition ship

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Published: 31 July 2023 31 July 2023

Seabourn, the specialist in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel, took delivery of its second expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, today during an official handover maritime ceremony at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy. Seabourn Pursuit is the company’s second purpose-built, ultra-luxury expedition ship and the newest expedition ship in the industry.

"I am honored to share this incredible moment with the entire Seabourn family as we welcome Seabourn Pursuit, our highly anticipated second ultra-luxury expedition ship, into our fleet," expressed Natalya Leahy, Seabourn President. "With remarkable craftsmanship by the Mariotti team, an abundance of space, and the breathtaking style of Tihany Design, Seabourn Pursuit raises the bar for ultra-luxury expedition travel. We are grateful to Mariotti and Tihany Design for their expertise in shaping and making our dream come true for our guests.”

Leahy added that the state-of-the-art Seabourn Pursuit will provide the perfect combination of luxury and expedition. “Seabourn Pursuit offers the best of both worlds: our well-known signature luxury and elegance with the world of exploration and adventure. The ship is masterfully designed for our guests, who are extraordinary people looking for out of the ordinary experiences. Our guests will indulge in Seabourn’s ultra-luxury style and enjoy our intuitive, personalized service, while the ship takes them to awe-inspiring destinations around the world that only few will ever visit in a lifetime.”

“Today, one year after the delivery of Seabourn Venture, we are very happy to have completed and delivered her sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit,” said Marco Ghiglione, Managing Director of T. Mariotti. “We are truly proud to have built the most outstanding ultra-luxury expedition ship for Seabourn, one of the leading cruise lines in the luxury market. This is another important masterpiece for Italian shipbuilding coming out of T. Mariotti shipyard, demonstrating again that our leadership in this sector is well consolidated. Thanks to Seabourn, all people involved in this journey, Lloyd’s Register and the pencil of Adam Tihany, here is the new expedition jewel.”

Seabourn Pursuit offers the same luxurious “yacht like” small ship experience that travelers have come to expect from Seabourn, enhanced by world-class equipment that allows the line to offer its widest range of expedition activities led by an expert 24-person expedition team of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more. Seabourn Pursuit is designed and built for remote, diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ship’s global deployment and capabilities. Seabourn Pursuit has close to 30,000 square feet of deck space and special touches at every turn. Those include indoor and outdoor guest areas with nearly 270-degree views, and a 4K GSS Cineflex Camera mounted on the mast of the Constellation Lounge capable of broadcasting imagery from miles ahead on monitors located throughout the ship and in guest suites.

In addition, Seabourn Pursuit, like the rest of the ships in the Seabourn fleet, offers an abundance of space and elegance, eight dining facilities serving gourmet cuisine, and luxurious all-suite accommodations, including a pair of two-level Wintergarden suites.

Seabourn Pursuit is scheduled to enter service August 12, 2023, and will sail five voyages in the Mediterranean before embarking on two voyages across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean. On October 10, 2023, the ship will arrive in Barbados to begin its expedition journeys, taking guests to remote corners of the globe. Seabourn Pursuit will head south for expeditions exploring coastal South America, the Amazon, and Antarctica into late March 2024.

Following its inaugural Antarctic season, the ship will head across the islands of the South Pacific and eventually to Australia, which will be the start of the line’s first exploration of the Kimberley region in the Northern Territory and Western Australia between June and August 2024. The iconic Kimberley, with its red sandstone gorges, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and Aboriginal life and history, is the ideal setting for a truly, world-class expedition experience. In addition to the Kimberley, Seabourn Pursuit will visit Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Indonesia, and sail across the South Pacific between Chile and Melanesia between March and October 2024.

Meyer Werft hands over Silver Nova

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Published: 21 July 2023 21 July 2023

Meyer Werft handed over its newest cruise ship, the Silver Nova, to Silversea Cruises. Thanks to its innovative fuel concept, the Silver Nova is one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world.

Before the handover in Eemshaven, the Silver Nova proved its seaworthiness during technical and nautical sea trials and successfully completed extensive tests. The ship is 243 metres long, 30 metres wide and has room for 728 passengers.

"We are very pleased to once again deliver a ship that will set new standards on the way to climate-neutral cruising. With the propulsion system, a combination of LNG, fuel cell system and batteries, the ship has the best possible measures to reduce emissions," says Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

A fuel cell system will be used on board to supplement the LNG machines and will later be able to supply the entire hotel operation. Pollutant emissions during berthing times in port are thus completely avoided. In addition, a battery system increases the overall efficiency of the ship by absorbing peak loads, thus significantly reducing fuel consumption. A newly developed Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) converts waste on board into thermal energy, further increasing the vessel's efficiency.

Silver Nova represents the next iteration of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, with the largest choice of bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; some of the most spacious guest suites at sea; and a range of innovative features – including an asymmetrical design and horizontal layout – that are unprecedented for the leading ul-tra-luxury cruise line. Silver Nova accommodates 728 guests in 364 spacious suites across 13 categories – the most suite categories in Silversea’s history – including a new generation of premium suites on the ship’s aft.

We will onboard the Silver Nova in early August.