Why nuclear-warship refueling still opens the hull

Can a naval nuclear reactor be refueled without cutting a hole in the ship?

The opening can be designed for easier access, but refueling still requires opening the ship's structure to reach the reactor.

A nuclear ship can be designed so that opening the refueling route is planned and comparatively straightforward. The reactor and fuel still sit inside protected ship structure, however, so the work fundamentally requires opening that route through the hull or decks.