Hurtigruten purchases new ship

Hurtigruten, the coastal and expedition cruise outfit based in Norway, has purchased a ship that will be used in its coastal fleet.

The 320-passenger vessel was built in a Portuguese shipyard in 2009 and has been given the temporary name MS Norway Explorer.

Hurtigruten said it will replace the Midnatsol, which will be re-deployed in Antarctica along side the expedition ship MS Fram for the 2016/17 season.

Norway Explorer is on its way to Scandinavia, Hurtigruten said. It will be totally reconstructed to adapt it to polar waters, upgrade the cabins, suites and public spaces and bring the power plant and emissions controls to a higher standard.

"The new ship's maneuverability and optimal size will bring Hurtigruten's guests even closer to nature," Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam said.

Hurtigruten's current fleet includes 13 vessels. For a deck-by-deck look inside the Midnatsol, click through the carousel below.