While not entirely new (it was built in 2009), the 335-passenger ship joined the Hurtigruten fleet in May 2016 after a complete refurbishment and is the first of several expedition vessels planned for the over-120-year-old company. Part of the overhaul was to give MS Spitsbergen the ability to handle polar voyages to Greenland, Iceland, and the Arctic. The ship also does the line's iconic itinerary along Norway’s coast between Kirkenes and Bergen.
In an era of over-the-top mega ships, MS Spitsbergen is decidedly no-frills (you won't find Broadway-style shows or crazy waterslides here). What you do get is a simple, modern ship that is a comfortable way to experience the natural beauty of the Arctic.