By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian operator Hurtigruten is to christen its new ship Spitsbergen under the midnight sun in Svolvaer in Lofoten, Norway on 6 July.
Marking the first time Hurtigruten has named a ship under the midnight sun, the christening will take place in the presence of the new 335-guest Spitsbergen’s sister ships Richard With and Midnatsol.Svolvaer has been chosen as a backdrop for the event because Lofoten has been a highlight of Hurtigruten’s voyages since 1893.
“Lofoten and Svolvaer have everything the modern adventure traveller seeks – spectacular scenery, the midnight sun, unique culture and opportunities for active experiences,” said Daniel Skjeldam, CEO for Hurtigruten. “For the christening, we will stitch together a compact event with sustainable adventure tourism at its core. We plan for a spectacular one-of-kind festival packed with active nature-based experiences and complimented with locally sourced food from Hurtigruten’s Norway’s Coastal Kitchen.”
Named after the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Spitsbergen will sail her inaugural season in Norway before alternating between itineraries on the Norwegian coast and polar expeditions.
“Every year we see an increase in demand from guests wanting to explore Norway’s stunning coastline,” said Anthony Daniels, head of sale for UK and Ireland at Hurtigruten. “We are always keen to widen our offering to meet this demand, whilst continuing to reaffirm our position as leaders in coastal exploration and continue to satisfy everyone’s thirst for adventure.”