Is Roald Amundsen worth it?
The Roald Amundsen is HX’s hybrid-electric expedition ship, launched in 2019 and rated Polar Class 6. She carries around 530 guests, though numbers are capped lower for polar sailings — vessels carrying more than 500 passengers are not permitted to land in Antarctica. Hybrid propulsion makes her notably quiet in fjords and ice.
Ship at a glance
Specifications, as published by the operator
- Operator
- HX
- Built
- 2019, Kleven Shipyard, Norway
- Gross tonnage
- 20,889
- Length
- 140 m (459 ft)
- Ice class
- Polar Class 6
- Guests
- Around 530, capped below 500 for Antarctic sailings
- Cabins
- 265, all outside cabins; HX states half have private balconies, and aft suites have private hot tubs
- Power
- Hybrid propulsion with battery packs; HX states a 20 per cent cut in fuel use and CO2
- Dining
- Three venues: Aune, Fredheim and Lindstrøm
- Interiors
- Scandinavian materials — granite, oak, birch and wool — and a two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck
What we observed on our visit
- Where we toured her
- Alongside in Boston, September 2022
- Science Center
- A working space with microscopes, interactive screens and laboratory equipment, built for lectures and citizen science rather than a display corner
- Zodiac operations
- An internal launching bay beside the mudroom — the thing that decides whether a ship this size can move people ashore without a queue
We have toured this ship but not sailed her. A full review will follow when we do.
Does her size limit where she can land?
At around 530 guests she sits at the upper end of expedition vessels. IAATO does not permit passenger landings from ships carrying more than 500, so HX caps numbers below that threshold for Antarctic sailings. Even so, landings run in rotation rather than putting everyone ashore at once.
What is she like to step aboard?
There’s a quiet, confident elegance aboard Roald Amundsen. The minimalist Scandinavian interiors, rich in natural wood and muted tones, keep the focus on the outside world. Panoramic lounges, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wraparound decks provide unobstructed views of icebergs, wildlife, and vast landscapes.
And the silence? Remarkable. Thanks to the hybrid-electric engines, she glides through fjords and polar waters with minimal noise — ideal for preserving delicate ecosystems and catching the subtle sounds of cracking ice or distant birdcalls.
What did touring her in port show us?
Two days aboard alongside in Boston answered the questions a deck plan cannot. The Science Center is a working room rather than a display corner — microscopes, interactive screens and laboratory equipment, laid out for lectures and citizen science. It is one of the clearest signs of how seriously an operator treats the learning side of an expedition.
The other space worth standing in is the internal Zodiac launching bay beside the mudroom. On a ship carrying close to 500 guests, the question is not whether you get ashore but how long you wait, and the layout is built to keep people moving from gear to boat without a queue forming.
What are the cabins like?
Cabins are designed with a minimalist, Scandinavian style using natural materials, offering a peaceful sanctuary after a day of exploration. All cabins are outside-facing, with a variety of options from cosy Polar Outside cabins to spacious Expedition Suites, some with private balconies.
- Scandinavian design and comfort: natural materials and a restrained palette throughout.
- Outside views and layout: every cabin faces outside, from Polar Outside cabins to Expedition Suites, some with private balconies.
- Thoughtful amenities: heated bathroom floors, ample storage, and comfortable bedding, blending expedition-level adventure with premium comfort.
What’s the food like?
The dining experience is inspired by Nordic traditions and uses local, sustainably sourced ingredients like Arctic char and wild herbs to connect guests to the regions they are exploring. This is the farm-to-fjord philosophy, served across three venues.
- Aune Main Dining — relaxed and open.
- Fredheim — a casual bistro.
- Lindstrøm — more formal, an intimate multi-course meal experience.
What are the excursions like?
Daily landings and Zodiac cruises are where Roald Amundsen shines. The ship carries a full expedition team of naturalists, scientists, photographers, and historians. Each morning brings a briefing with safety instructions, destination overviews, and insight into what wildlife or geological features you might encounter.
You’re not just a traveler — you’re an explorer in training.
Expedition Center: a hands-on hub where naturalists, scientists, and guests converge for lectures, microscope sessions, and citizen science projects. You’re not just watching — you’re participating in real-time research.
- Snowshoeing or hiking with glaciologists.
- Kayaking through quiet coves.
- Wildlife photography masterclasses.
- Ice landings or community visits in Greenland or Nunavut.
What’s daily life aboard like?
Multiple decks offer uninterrupted views, but my favourite is the Explorer Lounge, with plush seating, warm lighting, and wraparound windows — ideal for whale watching with a cappuccino in hand. Wellness spaces run from an outdoor infinity pool to hot tubs, panoramic saunas, a fitness room and a full-service spa.
- Outdoor infinity pool (yes, really).
- Hot tubs and panoramic saunas overlooking the icy world outside.
- Fitness room and full-service spa.
How sustainable is she?
Hybrid-electric propulsion reduces emissions and noise. There are refillable water stations, no single-use plastics, and sustainably sourced food. Crew-led sustainability briefings teach guests how to be active stewards of polar regions.
Who should book her?
Environmentally conscious travelers who care about sustainable travel, science lovers and curious minds eager to participate in citizen science, active adventurers who want daily excursions and educational immersion, first-time expedition cruisers seeking a stable modern ship, and photographers.
- Environmentally conscious travelers who care about sustainable travel.
- Science lovers and curious minds — especially those eager to participate in citizen science.
- Active adventurers who want daily excursions and educational immersion.
- First-time expedition cruisers seeking a stable, modern ship with enriching programming.
- Photographers — the ship design is made for landscape, wildlife, and astro shots.
The verdict
The Roald Amundsen doesn’t just bring you closer to the world’s wildest places — it makes you feel part of something bigger. The hybrid technology, the deeply engaged staff, the authentic landings… it’s not just luxury or adventure. It’s meaningful travel, at a time when it matters most.
Related reading
Written by your expedition advisor
Chris Commisso · Expedition Expert
Signature Travel Expert
Chris and Erika have sailed ten expedition voyages and toured seven more expedition ships. Favorite explorations so far: Antarctica, Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, the Galápagos, the Scottish Hebrides, Churchill and French Polynesia.
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