Our new ship review series Beyond The Bow takes a closer look through the porthole at the world’s finest expedition cruise ships, as experienced from the perspectives of our polar specialists. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or a curious traveller yearning for an extraordinary adventure on the polar seas, our features are designed to be your go-to resource for first-hand expert ship reviews.
HX Hurtigruten’s sister ship to the MS Roald Amundsen is MS Fridtjof Nansen, and together, they are the first hybrid expedition ships to operate in the polar regions. The ship’s hybrid technology and other efficiency improvements will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 20% and CO2 emissions from the ships by 20%.
Our polar specialist, Lidia Stranc, shared her experiences after her Antarctic voyage onboard this fantastic vessel.
What was your first impression of the Fridjtof Nansen?
The ship is very spacious but easy to navigate. Even with everyone trying to check in at once, it didn’t feel crowded at all. The process was very swift, which allowed us to be in our cabin within 10 minutes and start exploring the amenities.
Lidia’s photo of the log fire effect area on a ship tour
What was your cabin like on board?
It was super comfortable, with a lovely big balcony and a spacious bathroom. The heated bathroom floors were a nice touch, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I slept on! There was a nice area with a reclining chair where I could read a book or watch the onboard lectures on the TV if I wanted to.
Lidia’s cabin
What was your favourite meal on board?
All the meals were very good. I especially enjoyed the breakfast in the main restaurant, Lindstrom – there was a lot of choice of different types of breakfast foods and it was the perfect start to a sometimes busy day.
Lidia’s views from the restaurant window
What’s your favourite common/social area or special feature of the ship?
Explorer Lounge – with the windows spanning all around it was the best place to watch the scenery with a cup of coffee whilst sitting on a comfy chair or a sofa.
What are your top tips for future travellers on board Fridjtof Nansen?
Be prepared to put some weight on with so many food choices every day! Do not worry about not being fit enough to join the daily outings, the expedition team is great at getting everyone into zodiacs safely, and they will make sure that you have the best time even if you do not wish to join longer hikes.
Lidia’s view of the pool on deck
You will learn a lot about the destination, its history, and flora and fauna onboard. Daily lectures are very informative, and you can re-watch them in your cabin in case you missed any!
Leave a Reply