This was our first at sea day, meaning we were sailing and made no stops. Since this was an uneventful day, we’ll take time to explain this particular cruise.
This is not a normal cruise – no entertainment, no 24-hour restaurants (i.e. no snacking), no casinos, no shows, etc. This is what is called an “expedition cruise”. Entertainment on board includes lectures on Chilean history, rocks & minerals, spotting wildlife (such as whales), and photography. There are also science experiments one can participate in, both on-ship and off.
The ship we’re on – Fridtjof Nansen – is a new ship that has sailed only a couple of times since she was finished in 2020. It is a comfortable, beautiful vessel! It’s also eco-friendly, which is consistent with Hurtigruten’s values.
Single use plastic isn’t used, take away containers from the restaurants are biodegradable paperboard, no paper napkins in restaurants, etc. They provide a metal bottle as you board, and they have filtered water stations set up throughout the ship. One interesting note is that part of their conservatism relates to hot water. Rather than using a traditional hot water tank/heater, they use the heat from the ship’s engines to heat water. Very conservative!
While it sounds like it’s a tree-hugging, low key type situation, it is not. Food is plentiful at each meal, chocolates are delivered to your door each night, and staterooms are so comfortable one should be able to cohabitate with a roommate/spouse for 2+ weeks without issue.
Here is what our stateroom looks like.
The cabin door is behind, two full length wardrobes on the left, and door to the right is to the very spacious bathroom.
A nice desk area for completing these blogs…
And of course our own private balcony (through the sliding glass door, no porthole windows this trip).
Tomorrow is another sea day, so likely will be lite again. Cheers!