Our Hurtigruten Hybrid Expedition Ship

We have just finished our Canadian leg of our trip and now it is time to explore Alaska.

MS Roald Amundsen

Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and to reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of travelling. The ship is specially constructed for voyages in polar waters. It serves as a comfortable base camp at sea - bringing adventures in the most sustainable way.

MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten Expeditions will add to its fleet over the next few years. Emissions are cut by sailing with electrical propulsion. Innovative sustainable technology reduces the ship's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent.

Launched in Norway in 2019 with a maximum of 530 passengers, Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen is the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ship. Named for the intrepid Norwegian explorer of both north and south polar regions, it uses four Rolls Royce-designed diesel engines.

It is going into summer in Alaska and the days are getting longer. When we reach Nome it will be 18 July, sunrise 5:22am and sunset 12:51am. So there should be plenty of daylight for all the tours and wildlife spotting.

3 July, Day 18, We board our expedition ship today

 Our ship would have docked sometime last night. So time is required to kick the old passengers off.

We were put in a bus and showed the sights of Vancouver. Nothing we hadn't seen before but an easy way to kill time. Got to the cruise jetty about 1pm and on the boat by 2pm.

Keeping seagulls away from food on Granville island. Good Job!

Immigration and customs reasonably easy.

We set sail ar 4:30pm. Really pleased with our room.

Also pleased only 219 passengers are aboard. 

Spent the Arvo exploring the boat and try it's restaurant (food was great).

First big mistake, i am not wearing expandable trousers 

Only one friend to see us off.

18 meter high scr3n in foyer goes for 4 levels.

4 July, Day 19, Exploring ship and eating.

 We wakeup to find the ship is travelling in a tight strait so we are being accompanied by a pilot ship

A bit of bird life watching us.

On to the upper deck to see the world go by.

When the wind picks up there is a sheltered area

A few whales go by (humpbacks) but to far away to photograph.  Did get one spray.

Zodiac travel tomorrow so had to get our boots for the landings.

And of course collect our complimentary wind jacket. Didn't think a jacket could make me better looking, but a picture says it all.

A couple of checks on our current location,  another big meal then ready for a big day tomorrow.

5 July, Day 20, Misty Fjords and eating

Morning sailing on open waters, so it was whale watching on deck.

Saw  quiet a few but only at distance,  but they all raised a flipper and waved to us.

We then journeyed deep into the fjords which anything bigger that our ship would not be able to go into. 

Finally stop and it is Zodiac time, although some decided on canoes.

6 July, Day 21, Wrangell

Short trip from the fjords to Wrangell through some tight passages.

This is a small fishing village of just a couple of thousand people who don't see many visitors.  But they do have one thing of fame.

Yep, into the Zodiac and a quick trip to the beach.

On the way back we check out the port.

Every one was very excited about the rocks and raced to the science centre on the boat.

But Carolyn and I went to the lounge for a well deserved drink with our feet up