Christened in Oslo in 2007 by Norway’s Crown Princess, Mette-Marit, Fram was originally built by shipping company Hurtigruten, which operates cruises up and down the Norwegian coast. The vessel is named after the expedition ship that took explorers Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen to the North and South Poles in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Like its namesake, it was built for expedition cruising; hence, it has a reinforced hull and is comfortable and functional rather than glitzy or glamorous.
The ship spends winters in Antarctica and summers in the Arctic. In 2024, Fram – and four other Hurtigruten ships – moved to HX Expeditions, which was previously known as Hurtigruten Expeditions but is now a separate company.
Overall score 7/10
Style and Character 7/10
The ship has clean looks, with natural colours that evoke stone, slate and pine, and a relaxed and friendly vibe. There’s not a dress code in sight and everyone mixes and mingles over meals, during lectures, and while watching wildlife out on the open deck and on shore landings.
Cabins 6/10
Except for the 12 Polar inside cabins, all of the rooms – including all suites and mini-suites – are outside with a view of the ocean. In most cases, the windows are fixed and don’t open, apart from six spacious suites at the back of the ship that have private balconies. Cabins are comfy but small, especially the Polar rooms, so if space matters, be sure to opt for a suite.
All rooms have kettles (suites additionally have coffee makers) and heated bathroom floors, which are perfect for drying clothes after expeditions ashore. They also all have minibars stocked with complimentary beer and soft drinks, as well as three bottles of wine (four for those in suites). Suite passengers enjoy complimentary laundry and access to the Lindstrom restaurant.
Food and Drink 6/10
There are two restaurants on board. Aune is open for buffet breakfasts, lunches and table-service dinners while Lindstrom is reserved for suite passengers. As it’s near Aune, Lindstrom guests can order from their waiters or dip into the buffet at breakfast and lunchtime.
Aune and Lindstrom have separate dinner menus but always offer a choice of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes that can be tweaked to cater for dietary requirements. Main courses in Lindstrom ranged from a halibut and king crab combo to pork belly with apricot. Portions of meat were also big – I found half-portions quite sufficient. If you prefer to eat in your cabin on occasion, Aune operates a service that allows passengers to take meals away with them.
The lounge bar is a popular place to sit and enjoy the views or catch up with friends before dinner but generally pretty quiet after. A good variety of wines, beers, cocktails, spirits, tea and coffee are included in the price. For an HX-style taste of Antarctica, try a Penguin Highway mix of vodka, mint, peach and pineapple for €14 (£12)
Service and Facilities 8/10
Life on Fram is geared towards expedition and discovery. The hub of the ship is the lecture theatre and science centre where passengers attend talks, peer down microscopes and learn to identify clouds and rocks. For a break from the learning, the lounge bar is the place to socialise. Otherwise, passengers can unwind in the sauna, gym or one of the outdoor hot tubs.
The highly professional crew pay rapt attention to the details – always smiling and attentive, and quick to learn their guests’ names, likes and dislikes.
Entertainment and Excursions 8/10
Anyone expecting lavish production shows or magic acts is on the wrong ship. Fram does have a resident pianist playing in the lounge bar for a couple of hours before and after dinner, but otherwise the entertainment is the remit of the expedition team of marine biologists, ornithologists, scientists, historians and other such experts.
Between them, they host science projects and lectures about everything from penguins and polar bears to exploration history on sea days. On port days, there are guided trips ashore in inflatable Zodiacs or small boats to get a closer look at polar wildlife and nature.
These activities are included but others such as kayaking (expect to pay around €199/£174pp) or spending a night in a tent in Antarctica (around €439/£385pp), cost extra.
Value for Money 7/10
Cruising in remote areas such as the North and South Poles is never going to be cheap, but HX softens the blow by including a lot in the fares. Trips ashore, Zodiac cruises, tips, Wi-Fi and a big selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails are included in the price. HX also gives those cruising in the polar regions a wind and waterproof jacket (yours to take home). Muck boots – a must when going ashore – are free to borrow.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There are two wheelchair-accessible cabins but those with limited mobility should make a personal assessment of their ability to take part in the excursions that are the core of this cruise.
Family-friendly?
Youngsters are welcome on board but there is no entertainment for children.