The Norwegian cruise and ferry shipping company Hurtigruten announced it will start a year-round program of expedition itineraries roundtrip from homeport Dover England in March 2021 with MS Maud (currently named MS Midnatsol, 2002-built, 500-passenger vessel).
Departing on March 16, 2021, the first of 4 new itineraries is a 15-day cruise to the southern Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic North. The cruise ship will then sail summer itineraries along the coast of Norway from April through September, 13-day cruises visiting islands off the British mainland between May-September 2021, and 15-day voyages across southern Scandinavia in June-July.
MS Maud is due to receive a multimillion drydock refurbishment prior to its arrival in the UK. All of the ship's public areas will be renovated using only natural materials - like Scandinavian wool, birch oak, granite, pine wood. The vessel will be eco-powered (fitted with new engines that use certified biofuel and diesel) and will also have shoreside power connectivity.
Anthony Daniels (General Manager of Hurtigruten UK and Ireland) said they were "thrilled to present expedition cruises from Dover year-round.”
He added it was a boost for the UK cruising industry and was "especially important to showcase how expedition cruising differs from mainstream ‘big white ship’ cruising. Expedition cruising fuses sustainable activities, nature and culture into exceptional yet safe adventures to less-explored locations.”