Antarctica is an elusive continent that is also one of the most sought-after bucket list destinations in the world. The stunning beauty and lack of humans make it unlike anywhere else on earth. Once you make the decision to visit Antarctica, then the planning can begin! Here’s why you should book Hurtigruten for your cruise to Antarctica.
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During the planning process, probably the top question I was asked was “are there hotels in Antarctica?” No, there are not. There aren’t any cities either. You can work on Antarctica on one of the research bases, do a fly-over from New Zealand or Argentina, or you can cruise there. Most people choose the third option.
After diving into research into the various cruise ships, and a lot of comparing notes with my travel partner (my dad), we decided to go with Hurtigruten. They did an incredible job and I recommend them to anyone traveling to Antarctica.
They have a variety of itineraries that can include the Chilean Fjords, Falkland Islands, Patagonia or crossing the Antarctic Circle – so pick one that works for you. We did the Antarctic Circle Expedition since we wanted to cross the Circle.
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This post is not sponsored by Hurtigruten.
Important: Any company visiting Antarctica has to follow strict guidelines set by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). There are several IAATO-accredited companies out there, so why did I choose Hurtigruten? After spending over two weeks with Hurtigruten,
10 Reasons to Visit Antarctica with Hurtigruten
1. Hurtigruten’s history and experience navigating harsh lands.
When heading to the harshest continent, you’ll want to be in good hands. Hurtigruten has been navigating Polar waters for over 100 years. They started in 1893 as a single steamer nicknamed “hurtigruten” – Norwegian for “the fast route”. It started as a ferry service between mainland Norway and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Over the past century, they’ve expanded their fleet and destinations to include Arctic Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, South America, and Antarctica.
2. Small and Medium-sized vessels for a more intimate experience.
Even before covid-19, gargantuan cruise liners intimidated me. None of Hurtigruten’s vessels carry more than 1,000 guests – with Antarctica vessels being even smaller, called expedition cruises. Our expedition ship, MS Fram, only carried 200 passengers. This is crucial for a cruise to Antarctica since only 100 people are allowed on land at a time. If you want to get off the ship and up close to penguins, the size of the ship matters. Their ship sizes allowed us to have almost daily landings! Since the ships are much smaller, the amenities are a bit different. There was only one restaurant, two bars, no nightly shows, and no casino.
Instead of these amenities, Hurtigruten designs their vessels to emphasize viewing nature. The top level of our ship was a wall of windows – allowing us plenty of opportunities to spot orcas hunting! Hurtigruten then kept us near the pod so we could get our fill of these majestic animals. They have a variety of cruises available as well – including some that go to the beautiful Falkland Islands and the magical South Georgia Island!
3. Small in size, big in luxury and sustainability!
The MS Fram and its sister ship the MS Midnatsol have been built with polar travel in mind. From incredible observation decks, fully equipped lecture halls, a fitness room, and even outdoor jacuzzis.
The food on a Hurtigruten ship is reflective of the local Norwegian heritage (yes, even in Antarctica). We regularly enjoyed salmon, reindeer, and herring. There was always a delightful mixture of foods available so that anyone could find something they’d enjoy.
In 2019, Hurtigruten launched the first hybrid-powered expedition ship – the MS Roald Amundsen. This will reduce fuel consumption and hopefully set the stage for other cruise lines to adopt sustainable travel policies! As of right now, they’re the greened expedition cruise.
4. Hurtigruten’s staff are truly experts.
The expedition team of Hurtigruten really loves Antarctica and it shows! They’re experts on safety and sustainability so they can protect this precious continent for future generations.
Before each landing, staff marks the land where you can explore, lets you know of any risks and the protocol for local wildlife. They also provide lectures both on and off the ship. These lectures cover a variety of topics including birds, marine mammals, oceanography, sea ice, the history of Antarctica, and even photography tips! From professional photographers to scientists who worked for the IAATO, you know the staff knows what they’re talking about!
I loved getting to know our staff members over the trip – they were real people who weren’t too busy to tell us a good story or teach us something.
5. Safety is first and most important.
When you’re traveling to the wildest – and most other-worldly- place on Earth, you want to make sure you’re in good hands. Everything is weather-dependent in Antarctica. Similar to all cruise ships, you get a safety briefing on the first day on the boat. You also get landing briefings for each time you step on land.
Staff was always the first ones off the boat to scout for a landing area, mark off safe places to walk, observe any nature and make sure it’s safe. Each dedicated landing site is tested for safety before bringing passengers. They also bring emergency food and water to land in case the weather changes and they are unable to navigate back to the ship!
The staff takes pride in making sure everyone is as safe as possible – from guarding elephant seals to double-checking life vests. You’ll have peace of mind with Hurtigruten.
6. Plenty of activities and excursions
While the ship is small, it is mighty! There may not be a casino onboard, but you won’t go bored! The lectures were fascinating, but one can only handle so many lectures. Luckily there’s plenty of activities to engage in – from geology walks and hiking to kayaking! You can even brave the icy Southern Ocean in a polar plunge on Deception Island.
My favorite activity (that did cost extra) was camping in Antarctica. Yep – you read that right – camping in a tent – on the ice.
The variety of activities by Hurtigruten make an incredible trip even more special.
7. High-quality equipment
If you’re going to be as safe as possible while providing excursions, you better have good equipment. I was truly impressed with Hurtigruten’s materials and equipment they use.
The Polar Circle boats are robust and approved for Antarctic waters. Driving by sea ice and whales be a little concerning when you know that a rogue wave can tip you into freezing waters. However, I felt comfortable with the driver and the boat!
The life jackets and muck boots (required for wear) are available for every guest onboard. Before the first landing, staff reviews in each group about how to size your life jacket and boots appropriately. Boots are disinfected before going on land and before getting back on the ship.
If you’re participating in an excursion, the gear is perfect for that. Sturdy double-person kayaks and full dry suits were provided. Our camping equipment (surprisingly) kept us warm overnight with MINIMAL IMPACT on the environment – how cool is that?! Hurtigruten also provided us with parkas – more of a windbreaker – that keeps me warm even to this day!
8. Hurtigruten believes in Social Responsibility
There’s more focus on companies being socially conscious as well as eco-friendly. Hurtigruten has a foundation focused on raising awareness of the challenges of the areas they sail to! Not only that, but they provide financial support for locally-initiated projects.
I learned a lot about the issues facing Antarctica and organizations doing work to protect it. They also support the Association of Greenlandic Children and the Clean Up Svalbard initiatives. I love supporting companies that support local communities.
9. Incredible memories to last a lifetime
Visiting Antarctica was an incredible experience – and not just because it’s a beautiful destination or because I achieved my goal of visiting all seven continents. It was the little details that truly made my experience with Hurtigruten amazing. From a staff member dressing up as Poseidon when we crossed the Antarctic Circle to restaurant staff celebrating guests’ birthdays – the personal touches made unforgettable experiences.
10. No two Antarctic Hurtigruten cruises are the same!
Break free from the cookie-cutter cruise itinerary and follow nature. Even with a plan, the ability to adjust to the unknown (both the good and the bad) is one of the best things about traveling with Hurtigruten. The itinerary may need to change due to ice conditions and being unable to pass through safely.
On the other hand, when a staff member spotted an orca during her historical story-telling, the ship stopped and announced it for all passengers.
For this reason, Hurtigruten has earned at least one repeat customer!
Read More About Antarctica
- How to Plan a Trip to Antarctica
- 40+ (Unedited) Photos to Inspire You to Visit Antarctica
- 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Go to Antarctica
- Taking a Polar Plunge in Antarctica
- Camping on the Ice in Antarctica
- 30 Fun Facts About Antarctica
- Ethical Animal Tourism Posts on Antarctica
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Hi…lover your article.
I’m looking to plan a trip to Antarctica. Doing lots of research and and my #1 quest is the camping. Very interested in Hertigruten HOWEVER I understand that getting to camp is a lottery and not guaranteed. I would be devastated to go that far, spend all that money and watch others head out to live my dream. Would love to hear your comments. Thanks for your help.
Hey! It was a lottery for us as well. I don’t know that they can do it any other way. There’s only a certain amount of people allowed on land and if there are more people that want to camp that can go, the lottery is the safest way to go. Hurtigruten was able to actually squeeze in TWO camping nights (but this is based on the weather). We actually did NOT get called in the lottery. Only when people dropped out did we get to go camping. Whether or not you go camping, it’s still a magical experience to visit!