Ms Fridtjof Nansen is the sister ship to HX Expeditions’ Roald Amundsen, and although they are virtually identical, there are subtle differences between them.
I boarded her for a short two-night mini-cruise to the German Frisian Islands of Helgoland and Düne. What I quickly realised is the same professionalism and friendliness of the crew. I had been on board for no more than two hours when four crew members came up to welcome me back. One even remembered me from my visit to MS Fram some seven years ago!
The ship has the same restaurants, gym, sauna, etc. as her sister, but there is the added intriguing addition of their Early Explorers Cabin experience, the 1896 cabin. To mark the 130 years of polar exploration anniversary, if you travel onboard, you have the chance to stay in the new 1896 Cabin experience. To be honest, it’s not just a place to sleep but lets you get a taste of the early days of expedition sailing. Imagine what it must have been like in those early days with oil lamps casting their dancing light over the wood-panelled walls, warmth from the wood-burning stove and the salt-laden air all around. On the bright side, you won’t have to catch your own fish for breakfast when you wake up, as the main dining room is just around the corner.
You can choose how much the wildlife and the world’s ecosystems play a part in this cruise, as there is a dedicated science centre where you can gather information as you go along, conduct research, examine what you have found and add it to the global data bank of knowledge.
The ship’s team of scientists and historians cover a range of scientific disciplines, all aimed at enriching your experience whilst on board by matching what you see on the excursions with activities in their educational programme. If you would like to pursue a particular line of study, the team will help guide you along that path and encourage you to continue these activities after you leave the cruise.
You will need to have an average state of fitness, as many of the transfers from ship to land are by Zodiac, and at times you may wade through the water on landings. HX provide waterproof boots, which you keep throughout, and a stormproof expedition jacket, which you can take home with you. For this particular trip, we had a landing by a fully covered tender to the port jetties and piers.
I took my binoculars, which are an absolute must for you to bring, as they will enrich your cruise tremendously. Most of the other passengers borrowed mine at one point to observe the seals and wildlife sessions on the bow, which are greatly enhanced by them.
To sum up, Fridtjof Nansen isn’t just an outstanding expedition cruise ship; it’s almost a way of life, and when you join her, you become part of the HX family. Trust me, I have no doubt you’ll be back.
If you are passionate about hiking in the wild, check out our Naturalist Journeys page to discover other exciting destinations.
Originally published in Holiday & Cruise Magazine
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Steve Newman
Steve Newman is a former primary school teacher who gave it all up to become a freelance travel writer and photographer. When he’s not exploring the world, reviewing hotels or interviewing fascinating people, he’s birdwatching in the hills and on the beaches of his beloved Northumberland.