When the temperature hovers around 20 degrees below outside, and the first few flecks of snow start to brush against the window, there’s nothing quite like reaching for a blanket and watching the world pass by – especially when that world happens to be the stunning vistas of Antarctica.
The Norwegians have a word for this: koselig. Pronounced ‘koosh-leek’, it captures everything comforting and wholesome, exactly like a blanket on a cold day. Similar to the Danish term, hygge, the joy of seeking comfort plays a significant role in Scandinavian interior design.
This unique approach has influenced every aspect of Hurtigruten’s luxurious expedition suites aboard the new MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen. From the blonde wood tones to the curved chairs, warm but efficient choice of lighting, and even a fireplace beside the wine rack in an Expedition Suite, everything is designed to soothe and soften. The sustainable cruise operator has also placed a premium on materials that celebrate the natural world, using granite, oak, birch and wool to make its rooms warm and inviting.
While each room comes with TV as standard, you won’t be needing it. Simply pull back the curtains to reveal expansive windows with better-than-HD views of Antarctica’s fjords and jagged mountains, presumably while sipping your morning coffee brewed using your in-room espresso maker. In the evening, step outside with a bottle of champagne to your own hot tub on a private balcony.
Elsewhere aboard the ship, guests can break a sweat at the gym, or discover the Antarctic Peninsula in depth at the Amundsen Science Center, packed with state-of-the-art technology and interactive touch screens and science equipment. You could choose a slower pace and relax at one of the expansive outdoor observation decks with an infinity pool and hot tubs, while the serene sauna will make you feel like you’re at a Scandanavian spa retreat.
Thankfully, luxury doesn’t need to cost the Earth. MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen are world-leading vessels featuring new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology. This means they use less fuel than other expedition ships and, in 2019, MS Roald Amundsen made maritime history as the first cruise ship to sail purely on battery power.
