Hurtigruten named 48-year-old polar pioneer Karin Strand as godmother to the first hybrid-powered cruise ship in the world, MS Roald Amundsen. The christening ceremony is set to take place on November 8, during the maiden voyage of MS Roald Amundsen to the white continent. It will be the first vessel in history to be named in Antarctica.
Strand is a polar pioneer who has completed over 140 expeditions to Antarctica, ranking her among the most experienced explorers. Describing herself as “suffering from permanent polar fever”, Karin Strand serves as VP Expeditions and oversees the highly acclaimed expedition teams of Hurtigruten.
Strand grew up among the Norwegian fjords and glaciers in Jolster, western Norway. After law studies, Karin changed career plans due to passion for the oceans and joined the cruise company as an expedition leader. Since then, the explorer has roamed the Polar Regions north and south throughout the year both professionally and as a keen kayaker.