First-ever Hurtigruten Expeditions UK sailing departs from Dover

Expedition ship MS Maud embarks on inaugural UK departure for Hurtigruten Expeditions, the only ship of its kind to offer year-round expedition sailings from the UK.

MS Maud officially set sail on her inaugural sailing from the Port of Dover – the first-ever year-round UK departure for leading expedition brand Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Offering year-round sailings to explore the best and remote locations around the British Isles, Southern Scandinavia and Norway, MS Maud will be the only expedition cruise company to offer no-fly expedition sailings from the UK. With 125 years of experience in expedition cruises, Hurtigruten Expeditions provides an unrivalled experience to UK travellers seeking unique and authentic experiences, bringing them closer to the nature and culture of the destinations visited.

The departure from Dover also cements Hurtigruten Group’s investment in the UK travel industry and coincides with the recent announcement to open a second HQ in London.

Anthony Daniels, General Manager at Hurtigruten Expeditions UK and EMEA, said: “We’ve been waiting patiently for this day to arrive and are delighted to finally see MS Maud set sail on her maiden voyage from the Port of Dover.

Hurtigruten Expeditions are committed to investing in the UK travel industry and delivering guests new adventures, and our year-round sailings offer UK travellers an unrivalled expedition experience closer to home. From witnessing majestic nature in the Scottish Isles to spotting whales off the Norwegian coast, guests can anticipate a unique and adventurous voyage from the comfort of our small expedition ship MS Maud.”

Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover, said: “Ever since we were announced as UK homeport for Hurtigruten’s Expedition cruises back in June 2020, we have been eagerly awaiting and preparing for MS Maud’s arrival. It’s a proud moment for us all today as we embark on our new adventure together. We look forward to a great future supporting the Hurtigruten team and seeing year-round expedition cruising in Dover for the first time.”

MS Maud offers a stylish yet informal environment to provide a sustainable and memorable expedition. It is the perfect size to access the remote destinations that larger cruise ships cannot reach and is prepared to be powered using biofuel to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides.

When onboard, guests can seek out adventure in the Science Centre, the heartbeat of the ship, where they can gain a deeper understanding of the areas explored with lectures and workshops by Hurtigruten’s handpicked Expedition Team. Featuring high-tech equipment there is no better place to learn more about the remote locations and areas of natural beauty on the itinerary. Guests can apply any newfound knowledge when they book excursions such as engaging in beach clean-ups, snowshoeing, birdwatching, catching King Crab, and small boat cruising.

Onboard citizen science projects encourage guests to help support local initiatives such as documenting dolphins and whales with marine conservation group ORCA, who will join all MS Maud sailings.

More information on Dover sailings and health and safety protocols can be found online at Hurtigruten here: https://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/dover-cruises/

Example Itinerary:

Dover – North Cape – Dover: Northern Lights and Fjords Expedition

Duration: 15 days

Departures: October 2021 – March 2022

Price: Starting from £2,999 (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

Guests can expect to:

Experience the Northern Lights and learn all about this spectacular phenomenon.

Explore Norway’s amazing coastline in winter.

Join in on fun winter activities and free daily excursions.

Learn about Norwegian culture, history and nature with our Expedition Teams.

About Hurtigruten Expeditions – the world leader in exploration travel

Hurtigruten Expeditions is the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line. With sustainability and exploration at core, we offer big adventures on small ships – taking you to some of the most spectacular areas of our planet.

Tracing our roots back to the great explorers and golden age of exploration, the curiosity, sense of adventure, love for our planet, and the art of exploration is deeply embedded in our DNA.

With Hurtigruten Expeditions, you can join fellow explorers on adventures to 30+ countries and more than 250 destinations, including Antarctica, Alaska, Northwest Passage, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, British Isles, South America, Caribbean, and more.

Hurtigruten Expedition’s fleet of seven small-size custom-built ships includes the world’s first battery-hybrid powered cruise ships – and a variety of green technology enabling to explore more sustainably.

Onboard, you will join our team of experts. Hand-picked for your adventure, they will join you as you explore wildlife, nature, local communities and more, taking full advantage of our onboard Science Center and abundance of expedition equipment - making sure we can take you where the big ships can’t.

As generations of explorers have done before us, we are always looking for new adventures and new areas to explore, and new adventures to embark on. Join us – and explore more!