Speaking at the unveiling of the world’s first hybrid cruise ship, Roald Amundsen, in Norway last month, Daniel Skjeldam told TTG he believed the ship would also “change the face of the global cruise industry”.
He added Hurtigruten was committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable cruising and said he believed other cruise lines would soon have no option but to do the same.
“Industry regulators are going to see the Roald Amundsen and realise new levels of sustainability in cruising are possible,” he said. “There’s going to be a huge change in the industry, and we want to lead the way.”
Roald Amundsen is the first of three hybrid cruise ships to be unveiled by Hurtigruten. In addition to their Rolls-Royce engines, the vessels are fitted with a battery room, which will contribute to reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 20%.
The ship’s interior design also marks a change for the line, with Skjeldam revealing it was hoping to attract the premium market. Each of the ship’s 265 cabins is outward-facing and half of them feature balconies.
There are six classes of suites onboard, and six of the corner suites include private hot tubs.
The ship also features an outdoor infinity pool, two communal hot tubs, and beach club-style couples’ loungers. A new fine-dining restaurant has also been added called the Lindstrom, which is included for suite guests but costs extra for those in staterooms.
“The Roald Amundsen is going to attract a new customer base as well as appeal to existing guests,” said Skjeldam. “I think we’ll appeal to customers looking for a premium to upper-premium experience, and I can see us drawing some guests away from the luxury cruise lines.”
In another shift for the line, Roald Amundsen features 30 family cabins designed with flexible sleeping arrangements and/or sofa beds.
“The Antarctic is never going to be a place to bring toddlers,” Skjeldam said “But Hurtigruten is suitable for older children. The Roald Amundsen is perfect for families who want to give children a new perspective. We want to accommodate more families with children in the learning phase.”
