With little more than bravery and a compass, some of the first Arctic explorers survived the treacherous voyage in tiny wooden huts.
A cruise line has recreated an 1896 stateroom and is now offering visitors to spend a night in the past.
On board the MS Fridtjof Nansen, HX Expeditions is commemorating nearly 130 years of sailing with an interactive stateroom experience.
With Victorian bunk beds, a feature fireplace, and even a concealed bar in a barrel, entering the room takes you back to a time of early discovery.
Vintage nautical décor, such as horns, framed artwork, and expedition-era items intended to replicate the ambiance of 19th-century voyage at sea, will be used in place of high-tech devices and opulent showers.
Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions, stated, “This cabin was always meant to honor our origins, and what our teams and partners have delivered is extraordinary.”
“The 1896 Cabin has exceeded our initial expectations.” We want visitors to have a true sense of what it was like to live at sea 130 years ago.
“After all, the best way to remember history is to live it.”
On board the MS Fridtjof Nansen, HX Expeditions is commemorating nearly 130 years of sailing with an interactive stateroom experience.
Instead of high-tech gadgets and luxurious showers, guests will enjoy vintage maritime décor designed to evoke the atmosphere of 19th century travel at sea
The founding of HX Expeditions dates back to 1896, when the steamship DS Lofoten traveled from northern Norway to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, which is regarded as the first organized expedition cruise in history.
A bunk bed and a single bed, wooden chests, seats, stools, wardrobes, and an antique desk are all included in the cabin, which took 309 hours to construct.
It has an antique wooden toilet seat and 140 pieces of wood that were taken from a German cabin to give authenticity.
HX stated, “The 1896 Cabin is more than just a place to sleep.” ‘It offers a glimpse into the early days of expedition travel, immersing you in what life was like on these journeys 130 years ago.
‘Imagine the glow of oil lamps flickering across wood-panelled walls, a warm light radiating from the stove, and the scent of timber mingling with the salty air.
‘Around you, stories of courage, hardship, and discovery come alive – of those who braved uncharted waters with little more than grit and a compass.’
For £87 per night per person, the experience is offered in addition to the cruise ticket.
All guests aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen will also have the opportunity to visit the cabin in the day during their voyages, with scheduled access alongside onboard talks from historians.
The HX Foundation, a nonprofit that fights plastic waste and saves endangered species, will receive half of all earnings.
The cabin, which took 309 hours to build, includes a bunk bed plus a single bed, wooden chests, chairs, stools, wardrobes and an old-fashioned desk
Stepping inside the room transports you back in time to an era of early exploration, complete with a hidden bar in a barre
The experience is now available aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, HX Expeditions’ first fully battery hybrid powered expedition cruise ship
HX Expeditions traces its origins to what is widely considered the world’s first organized expedition cruise in 1896 — a voyage from northern Norway to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard aboard the steamship DS Lofoten.
Now, it takes guests to some of the most remote regions on Earth including the Arctic, Antarctic and the Galápagos Islands.
‘The 1896 Cabin offers a glimpse into how late 19th-century explorers lived – before hybrid propulsion, satellite navigation, and stabilised decks,’ HX said.
‘Guests can spend a night surrounded by period furnishings and recreated atmospheric details, bringing this heroic age of exploration to life.’
