Hurtigruten has named polar pioneer Karin Strand as godmother to the world’s first hybrid powered cruise ship, MS Roald Amundsen. The naming is set to take place 8 November 2019 during MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden voyage to the white continent. She will be the first ship in history to be named in Antarctica.
“I am honoyred to be named godmother to the most innovative ship to hit the waters in decades. The green technology and innovative solutions serves as an inspiration for exploring our oceans in a more sustainable way, said the soon-to-be godmother, Karin Strand.
At the age of 48, Strand has completed more than 140 expeditions to Antarctica, making her one of the most experienced explorers in adventure travel.
According to Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam, Strand was a natural choice as godmother to the groundbreaking expedition cruise ship.
“As the polar hero Roald Amundsen, our MS Roald Amundsen is something out of the ordinary. And so should our godmother be, Skjeldam said.
“We wanted someone who in her own self represents our core values, the spirit of exploration and the share awesomeness of the ship. Karin is all that, and more. Her passion for exploration, the oceans and the communities we visit, combined with her never-ending will to innovate, makes her a true role model.”
Describing herself as “suffering from permanent polar fever,” Strand currently serves as VP Expeditions – overseeing Hurtigruten’s highly acclaimed expedition teams.
She grew up among the Norwegian fjords and glaciers in Jølster on Norway’s western coast. After law studies, Karin changed her career plans due to passion of travelling and the oceans and joined Hurtigruten as an expedition leader.
Since then, she has roamed the Polar Regions south and north throughout the year, from Greenland, Svalbard and Antarctica, both professionally and in her time off – as a keen kayaker.
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