by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:19 PM ET, Thu November 5, 2015
Photo via Gillies Zaiser Public Relations on behalf of Hurtigruten.
Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten announced Thursday that the company would be overhauling four of its ships with a renovation project costing an estimated $64 million dollars.
The four ships undergoing the makeovers were all built in the mid-1990s, and will receive new interiors and furnishings that better reflect modern Scandinavian design and scenery. The contract for the project was awarded to Norwegian shipyard Fosen Yards.
The project will require the four ships to be rotated through the shipyard in shifts, and the work is expected to take around three weeks for each vessel. Hurtigruten announced that the MS Polarlys will be completed by Feb. 2, the MS Kong Harald on Feb. 7, the MS Nordkapp on April 19 and the MS Nordnorge on Nov. 18.
Hurtigruten also just recently purchased the MS Spitsbergen, which will undergo a major upgrade to fit the current fleet. It will launch in spring 2016.
Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam released a statement, saying, "As we continue to reinvent the Hurtigruten experience by combining tradition, innovation and sustainability, our ship upgrades aim to ensure our position as an innovator and leading force in nature-based explorer travels in polar waters."
As for the details of the upgrades, the interiors will receive an updated look that has been dubbed "New Arctic Interior" to celebrate the beautiful coastal landscapes. On each ship, the common areas, reception foyers, cafes and bistro areas and the aft deck will be renovated, and there will also be changes to the restaurants and the food served.
In a partnership with local food suppliers, Hurtigruten has developed the Coastal Kitchen concept. Using fresh local ingredients, passengers will be able to enjoy authentic Norwegian food.
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