Category: HX
…with Senior Polar Specialist, Lidia The latest edition of our popular polar travel series takes us through a classic Antarctic Peninsula voyage. Our senior polar specialist, Lidia Stranc, loved meeting Neko Harbour’s “adorable” penguins and having her dining accompanied by amazing whale sightings from the comfort of HX’s modern ship, the Fridtjof Nansen. WHAT DESTINATIONS DID YOU VISIT? The Antarctic Peninsula. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I flew from my home in the Azores to join the Hurtigruten flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires, and then the next day, we all joined a charter flight to Ushuaia. The same day we embarked the ship. FAVOURITE LOCATION? Neko harbour. The Gentoo penguins hanging out along the shore are just adorable, and hearing the ice crack and break off the glaciers is something I won’t forget. The whole place feels so peaceful and untouched. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Eating dinner with 3…
We spoke with Dr. Verena Meraldi, the Chief Scientist of HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. She began working with HX in 2007 as a biology lecturer on Antarctica voyages, fuelled by her passion for the polar regions and the incredible species that inhabit them. In 2019, she took on the amazing challenge of becoming the cruise industry’s first Chief Scientist and designing the Science & Education programme for all HX vessels. Her extensive background working on expedition cruise ships has given her a thorough grasp of operations as well as the possibilities to integrate science into the voyages. This way, not only can she keep sharing her enthusiasm for microscopic life, but developing captivating onboard research projects that will enhance the experience of the guests while they’re away. How does a typical day start for you? Days are busy on board the ships, but for me they start with a cup of…
Lidia enjoys HX Hurtigruten’s next-generation expedition ship 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…
We spoke to Expedition Leader for HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, Torstein Gaustad. He has a strong bond with the sea, having grown up on the Norwegian coast. Travelling has always been a source of immense joy, as he loves exploring new destinations, immersing himself in the local culture, and gaining knowledge about the history and environment of each place he visits. In his role, he makes sure the guests get the best experience possible by sharing his knowledge and expertise. It is absolutely his dream job! How does a typical day start for you? With coffee! And a walk out on deck to check the conditions and take a moment to enjoy the view, while thinking of the day’s expeditions. After that, I go to the bridge to talk to the captain and the officers, to get the latest update on timings, conditions, and position and see if the operational plan…
