MS Fram
MS Fram / Hurtigruten
1 of 5
Qilak Observation Lounge
Qilak Observation Lounge / Hurtigruten
2 of 5
Lounge
Lounge / Hurtigruten
3 of 5
Imaq Restaurant
Imaq Restaurant / Hurtigruten
4 of 5
Polar Outside Cabin
Polar Outside Cabin / Hurtigruten
5 of 5
Cruise

MS Fram

Our Ship Review
by Aaron Saunders
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

Built to sail the Arctic and Antarctica, Hurtigruten’s MS Fram now sailing as part of the Norway-based cruise line’s rebranded HX expedition fleet, is named after the ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen on his famed expedition to the South Pole in 1911. The 250-guest vessel embraces the same intrepid spirit: She bravely — and safely — navigates icebound waters in some of the world’s most remote regions. Aboard, passengers can expect a true adventure: The programs are packed with lectures from geology to ornithology, and there's plenty of trekking ashore. MS Fram was extensively refurbished in 2022 and now features modern Nordic décor.

What We Love

Windows Everywhere: You won’t find a public room on board without floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the natural beauty of the Arctic and Antarctic landscapes — magnificent sights to behold even in inclement weather.

She’s Built Like a Tank: There's no getting around the notoriously choppy waters of the Drake Passage, but MS Fram's high ice-class and squat superstructure ease passages in the polar regions.

Best Known For

Stunning Itineraries: At both poles, Hurtigruten’s itineraries navigate some spectacular highlights: giant ice caps, lava fields and rock formations, and passages of the Antarctic that are usually iced down.

Functional Design: With a specially crafted expedition deck that houses a fleet of Polarcirkel boats used for landings, MS Fram can embark and disembark guests fast — which means more time ashore. Though practical, she’s also beautifully designed, with interior decor inspired by the culture and textures of the Arctic.

Who It's Best For

Internationally Minded Polar Explorers: MS Fram’s guests hail from around the world. Expect a largely European clientele, with folks from North America and Asia rounding out the mix. These cruises are not for the lounge-by-the-beach crowd — they're active, and you can expect a good amount of physical activity.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

Lectures and Conversation Constitute Entertainment: The mission at HX is expedition-level adventure and education, so the main options for entertainment on board are guest lectures by naturalists and adventure guides who comprise the science team as well convivial conversation with fellow passengers in the Explorer Lounge.

Aaron Saunders
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger
After a career editing animated television shows, Aaron Saunders pursued his love of ships and the sea. He writes regularly about the cruise industry for the Vancouver Province newspaper, Canadian Traveller, Avid Cruiser, River Cruise Advisor, and USA Today. He is the author of two books on maritime history: Giants of the Seas (Seaforth Publishing, 2013) and Stranded (Dundurn Press, 2015). When not at sea, he makes his home in the land-locked city of Calgary, Canada.