Antarctica Travel Forum

I am thinking of booking on the Nordnorge Antarctic trip leaving on Nov 29, 2007, from Argentina. Does anyone know anything about this boat? Comfort level? Stability? Quality of lecturers? I'm a single woman----any other singles aboard? Margaret, Connecticut USA

I travelled in Antarctica on the Nordnorge in February 2005 having previously enjoyed travelling on many other Hurtigruten ships in their home country along the Norwegian coast. Yes, there were singles among the passengers, and many married folk whose partner did not fancy this kind of holiday or, like mine, could not spare time off work. You will certainly make friends with like-minded people. On my trip there were about 270 passengers (less than the capacity allowed in Norway).

Because in Antarctica only 100 people are allowed to land in one place at one time, the conventional wisdom is to choose a much smaller ship. However, the highly-manoeuvrable Hurtigruten ships were designed for the extremes of geography and year-round weather conditions in Norway, and for this reason, as well as not having irrelevant entertainment and frills normally associated with a cruise holiday, I would not class Nordnorge with other larger ships visiting Antarctica. Moreover the number of Zodiac style landing craft and impeccable organisation ensured two landings for everyone each day in Antarctica - if this had not been possible due to weather conditions, a smaller vessel couldn’t have landed people either. Also bear in mind that a larger stabilised ship means the notorious Drake Passage is rather less of an ordeal!

Perhaps it’s worth reminding Americans that the cabins are not large, but they are completely adequate and in any case you won’t be spending much time there, especially further south where it stays light! The public spaces are more cruise-ship like with comfortable lounges, and all Hurtigruten ships have original artwork as part of the décor and individuality of the ships.

There were five staff lecturing in English on my trip (others in German and Norwegian) and all the English language lectures were repeated later on another day so you had added flexibility. The lecturers also went ashore and were available to help and answer questions there. They are not permanent Hurtigruten staff members and have interestingly varied backgrounds. So there will be changes from year to year, but I found my bunch excellent, inspiring and friendly.

The ship is a very good one a the crew is fantastic.Last year i cross the Drake with a severe weather and i could see the skill of the crew and how the ship was built. She is a double hull, ice sailing ship, so i recommend thios campany.
HRod

Nordnprge is 450' ship with seven decks. She is a luxury ship and confortable. The food is wonderfull and the bord service is very good. The lectures that i knew was fantastic and the expedition team too. I'm going next year in a second cruise to Falklands and Antartida at Fev.
HRod

Margaret,
Did you go on this sailing? How was your trip? I was on the Fram when we met up to exchange a passenger for researchers mid voyage. If you'd like I have some great pictures of your ship.
Catherine