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Hurtigruten's Roald Amundsen launched at Kleven shipyard

PHOTO CREDITS: Robin van Gog https://www.facebook.com/hurtigrutenshipnews/; Samferdselsfoto https://www.facebook.com/samferdselsfoto/
Roald Amundsen launches at Kleven shipyard in the presence of Hurtigruten's oldest ship Lofoten
Hurtigruten's new Explorer ship 530-passenger Roald Amundsen was launched at Kleven shipyard in Ulsteinvik, Norway on Saturday.

Lofoten, the oldest ship in the Hurtigruten fleet, sailed to Ulsteinvik, to attend the launch.

Named after Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, who in 1911 became the first man to cross Antarctica and reach the South Pole, the ship is due to enter service this summer.

One of the most eye-catching exterior design features of this and sister ship Fridtjof Nansen, debuting in 2019 is the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck wrapped around the top of the ships’ raked bow.

In a vast area behind it, is the immersive edutainment area Amundsen Science Center, with state of the art technology and high tech gadgets such as touch screens and science equipment. It will also 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 Exedition Team. 

The interior design features Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool. All cabins are outside, 50% will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor Jacuzzis.

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