New Hurtigruten hybrid-powered expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen has become the first to be named in Antarctica.
Passengers followed the naming ceremony from inflatable explorer boats.
They were joined by passengers and crew on board Hurtigruten’s MS Midnatsol while on an expedition cruise in Antarctica.
A chunk of ice replaced the traditional bottle of champagne for the naming by godmother and polar pioneer Karin Strand in Chiriguano Bay off Brabant Island.
MS Roald Amundsen uses large battery packs to support low-emission engines, claiming to cut CO2 emissions by more than 20% compared to other cruise vessels of the same size.
The 530-passenger ship honours the legacy of its namesake polar explorer by sailing to destinations such as Antarctica, Alaska and the Northwest Passage.
Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said:“I believe Roald Amundsen would be proud. With the ship carrying his name and legacy, Hurtigruten is pushing borders, challenging the industry, and keep pushing towards a greener and more sustainable operation.
“As Roald Amundsen was the symbol of a new era of exploration, MS Roald Amundsen is the symbol of a new era in the cruise industry.”
Strand asked for the traditional godmother gift to be replaced by a donation to Hurtigruten Foundation, set up to contribute to areas Hurtigruten explores.
“We want to use this first ever Antarctica naming ceremony to pay our respects to our oceans, the environment and past and present explorers,” Skjeldam added.