We have sailed the Coastal Routes with Hurtigruten several times, always in the winter months and we have been to Alaska and Antarctica twice with other cruise lines. We enjoy the magnificence of glaciers and snow-capped mountains, plus the wildlife which comes as a package in these areas. Cold is ok, so where to visit next?
The answer was found in the Hurtigruten Expedition “The Historic Sportsman’s Route to Svalbard – South”, sailing in June 2018 on MS Spitsbergen, a modern ship we have travelled on before.
The journey to Longyearbyen from Manchester is a long one and a weary band of travellers arrived in the small, but very light and rather chilly hours of May 30th. A few hours’ sleep in the very basic Radisson Blu Hotel was followed by time to explore the small town independently, before lunch and a coach trip out to Camp Barentz and the excellent Svalbard Museum.
This suite has two large living and sleeping areas, but is not divided as are the rear suites. The living area has a sofa and arm chairs with a desk and drinks area. The bedroom area has a very high but comfortable bed and a walk-in wardrobe which has hanging space and shelves but no drawers. There is additional storage over the bed and under the television. The bathroom is spacious with a single basin, W.C and large shower. We had had problems with the shower door seal in the past, but the design is now improved and we only had to stem a potential flood in rough seas once. The bathroom has underfloor heating.
The bed is ideally situated opposite a large window, for comfortable scenery watching and photography. There is access to the narrow balcony from the living area via a sliding door. Thick towelling dressing gowns are provided and items to take home include rugs, waffle dressing gowns and water flasks. The minibar contents are included once, a bottle of champagne plus fruit awaits your arrival and wine is included with the evening meal.