Welcome to our 9th Hurtigruten Event Cruise

The 9th Hurtigruten Event Cruise started today in Hamburg. All guests met in the afternoon on board the three mast bark RICKMER RICKMERS, which is permanently moored as a museum ship in Hamburg near the ship Cap San Diego. Delicious finger food and cocktails were served. The general manager of the head department of Hurtigruten Hamburg welcomed all passengers. Later on the Executive Director of the trust for Windjammer in Hamburg gave an interesting explanation about the RICKMER RICKMERS.

At 5 pm all guests walked to the nearby waiting sightseeing ship MS Hamburg. After a round trip in the harbor, the MS Hamburg went alongside our expedition ship the MV FRAM, so that our passengers could easily enter their new home they have chosen for the upcoming week.

After dinner the lifeboat rescue exercise took place on the outer decks. Later on the Captain and the Expeditionleader presented their team in the observation lounge. It has been a very long day for most of our guests. Good night. See you tomorrow morning.



The last day

Our last day aboard we spent at sea. The weather was pleasant, the sea was calm and we were able to relax and get ready for our disembarkation in Hamburg. In the morning passenger had the opportunity to visit the bridge. Captain Arild Hårvik took his time to explain the ship’s modern technique.

Our onboard lecturer had a last possibility to share their knowledge with us. The day passed with interesting information, chats and talks amongst passengers and crew alike. As often on cruises, addresses were exchanged amongst newly made friends. Photos were passed around and discussed.

The highlight in the afternoon was the Farewell Cocktail hosted by our Captain followed by another delicious Dinner prepared by the Galley crew.

Most guests spent the evening with a last cocktail in the lounge. Around 10:00 pm we entered the Kiel Canal. As the lock is fully illuminated at night time we were able to observe the locking of the ship very well.

Our onboard photographer presented her best pictures of the cruise, and reviewing the cruise visually many of us plan to return to MV FRAM. We all at Hurtigruten are looking forward to welcoming returning guests back on board. Good night – see you soon again….

Happy Birthday Norway!!!!

It is the 17^th of May, a very special day for our Norwegians aboard. They really like their National Day and they celebrate it with a great enthusiasm.  At 8am we had the first ceremony – flying the flags! After this the master of the vessel gave a speech over the PA system for all people aboard, in Norwegian, English and German.  Soon after breakfast we had the important, wonderful and very special Parade over the ship. Nearly everybody participated. Crew, staff and passengers followed the captain with Norwegian flags, whistles and rattles. Many created their own banners, to greet Norway in their personal way. It was an unforgettable experience for all of us to join our Norwegian friends on their National Day Party. Thanks for inviting us!!!

 

After lunch we started with our excursions in Visby, which we reached around 2pm.Visby is an outstanding example of a former hanseatic town. We offered a tour over the Island (Gotland) and a more or less walking tour through the city with their old town wall, dated back to the 13^th century, the narrow alleys, the church and all the ruins out of the historical time. With a common merganter, all the flowering trees and springtime flowers, even the naturalist found their special places of interest.  One highlight of the countryside tour was the imposing burial place “Gannarve Skeppssättning”, a stone-setting from the Bronze Age (about 600 BC).

After a nice BBQ we met in the Panorama Lounge to listen and watch the very well-known MV FRAM crew show.  That was a great end for a wonderful and impressive day.

And a last time -  for this year: Happy birthday Norway!!!

Dancing in the rain!

Our port of call today “Tallinn” the UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a member of the Hanseatic League and is 2011 one of the Cultural Capitals of Europe. After many days of sun we had our first rainy day.

The liquid sunshine did not bother us and we left for Lahemaa National Park. These unique landscapes, nostalgic seaside villages and attractive old manor houses offered a great overview of rural Estonia. One of the highlights is the Palmse Manor dating back to the 18^th century. The Lahemaa National Park covers an impressive area of approx. 280 square miles. Partly a wetland the park offers an opportunity to have a walk in the bog. The wooden Viru bog hiking trail gave us the opportunity to walk through the typical vegetations cover of the park. It was a bit early in the season the flower buds will blossom most likely in approximately 2 weeks. After a delicious local lunch we returned to Tallinn where we visited some of the highlights before returning to MV FRAM.

Our city discovery tours, gave us a choice of walking, bussing or cycling. During the tours we explored the Old Town with its medieval walls, the Upper Town with its watch-towers, graceful spires and winding, cobbled streets. Passing the Russian Orthodox Church and the Gothic Dome Cathedral we walked down a street called “Long Leg” to learn more about the Lower Town. The Great Guild House and the Gothic Town hall were some of the interesting architectural features on the tour. Some of us enjoyed a typical folk dancing show.

In the afternoon we left Tallinn for Gotland. The evening entertainment included live music played by our onboard musician Ralf where we had a chance to dance along. The Galley team presented art in ice; an amazing show where we could watch how the chefs carved sculptures, figurines and decorative items from ice, vegetables and fruits.

St. Petersburg – City of many treasures

 

After an amazing first day in St. Petersburg we continue the exploration in and around this marvelous city. On todays program a difficult choice…

The visit to Hermitage with the Gold Room featured an exclusive pre opening for the guests of MV FRAM and gave us a chance to enjoy the collection without any crowds. Walking through the Winter Palace, former home to the Tsars, gave us visitors an idea how the family once must have lived. A museum containing more than 3 million exhibits an architectural, historical and artistic magnificent composition. Masterpiece after masterpiece we could admire from the minute we entered to the minute we left.  

The full day tour took us to Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), the former Royal summer residence. Catherine Palace is considered to be one of the masterpieces of world architecture. The lavish imperial palace at Pushkin was designed by Rastrelli in 1752 for Empress Elizabeth. The famous Amber Room of the palace was once considered to be the “Eight Wonder of the World”. Our eyes were mesmerized and blinded by the beauty and the wealth of this palace. We enjoyed some time in the gardens before returning to St. Petersburg for a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

Some of us joined for a walking tour in the city, to enjoy closer views to famous sights for instance the Bronze Horseman – Peter the Great. Walking along the water and seeing Peter the Great’s 12 Ministries, the Academy of Sciences and remarkable squares gave us many striking photo opportunities.

A busy day and an incredible visit to St. Petersburg come to an end. It is time to say good bye!

Welcome to the „Golden City St. Petersburg”

Bathed in sunshine St. Petersburg welcomed us in the morning. Our docking place on the Neva River not too far from the Heritage in the vicinity of one of the classical Russian Orthodox Churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The guests in the Panorama Lounge enjoyed spectacular views towards Menshikov Palace, the Admiralty, the tower of Peter & Paul fortress, gilded onion shaped cupolas of Russian Orthodox Churches elegant houses and avenues in pastel colors.

Two days we would spend in this northern city on the Neva, two days offering a vast variety of excursions and cultural experiences. Today’s program featured a Panoramic City Tour with photo stops at famous places such as the St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Cruiser Aurora and the General Naval Museum. An afternoon cruise along the waterways of St. Petersburg gave us an inside view and reminded many of our guests on Venice or Amsterdam. A highlight was also the visit to the Peter and St. Paul Fortress; resting place of the Tsars. Guests attending a full day excursion visited the Yusupovsky Palace, home of the noble owners, the Yusupov Princes, the tour continued to Palace Peterhof with its beautiful garden and fountains.

The evening highlight aboard our ship was a classical concert with the ensemble of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The repertoire included Tchaikovsky, Chatschaturjan and Dvorak amongst many more.

Helsinki – Capital in the North

We arrived Helsinki in the morning approximately 10:00 hrs. Our docking place in perfect location; we could not have wished for a better one; right down town next door to the famous local fish market and the local open air market.

We expected cold temperatures and rain and we were welcomed with sunshine and moderate temperatures. It seems that the “Weather Fairy” fell in love with the guests aboard MV FRAM and with Helsinki.

Today’s program was dedicated to the main sights of Helsinki. Most of us went out and on tour to see the famous Senate Square dominated by the impressive Cathedral. Other highlights of the city were the Orthodox Church, the Uspenski Cathedral with its onion shaped cupolas, the Kaivopuisto quarter with its beautiful park and the Olympic grounds. A tour to the countryside featured the home of composer Jean Sibelius a pleasure for music lovers. Culinary treasures could be found in the market hall, the delicious display invited many of us to buy and try some of the local specialties.

The Port Talk in the evening gave us an outlook of the coming Port: St. Petersburg. We cannot wait to see the city which is also known as a pearl along the Neva River.

The waves sway us gentle asleep……