WE MUST FIND A SHIP:
We have very much enjoyed our stay here at the Funken Lodge. Awakening we find the skies are overcast and the clouds are wrapping the surrounding peaks. Our bags need to be out by our door at 0900. First some breakfast and then we need to check in for the ship here at the Funken Lodge at 0830. We are then free to go back and further explore Longyearbyen. Our lunch will be served here between 1300 and 1400. At 1600 a bus will take us to the ship. Well, that is the plan.
As we were about to go and check in we spotted an Arctic Fox run past our window. Even though we scrambled to get a camera he was soon gone. It was kewl to see him.
As they say the best laid plans can change as so they did. As we say in Iceland þetta reddast. There would be no one coming to our hotel from the ship to check us in, we could however check in on the ship or go to the Radisson Blu and check in there. We packed up our hand luggage and stored it with reception.
When traveling on an Expedition Style Cruise one must totally be ready to go with the flow. þetta reddast.
We walked down to the Radisson Blu and checked in for our voyage. First is ye olde health questionnaire then you drop off your passport and receive a packet with your stateroom card and lanyard, a patch for our coat which designates our excursion group (we are in the Narwhal group), ships schedule (safety and meal times), notification of a Loyalty Program welcome cocktail (special for their 130 year).
One of the expedition team greeted us saying “I recognize you”. I guess this is a good thing :).
As we had a coupon for a free hot drink at Cafe Huskies, off we went to enjoy a coffee. After our coffee we started our walk back to the Funken Lodge. We made a stop at a sporting goods shop and I found a a really KEWL hat.
It is based on a Moomin character. The Moomins are a family of white, round fairy-tale trolls with large snouts who live in an idyllic house in Moomin Valley. Created by Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, the beloved characters debuted in 1945 with the book The Moomins and the Great Flood. Jansson originally drew the prototype creature on an outhouse wall during a childhood philosophical argument with her brother. Today, they are a massive international cultural phenomenon spanning novels, comic strips, multiple animated series, merchandise, and theme parks.
Depicted on my hat is Moomintroll. Moomintroll is kind and curious, a great lover of nature and a true friend. His life is full of excitement and adventure. Although he can be sensitive, anxious not to offend, and susceptible to being teased (especially by Little My…), Moomintroll is bold and courageous whenever it is required of him. He is inclined to look for the positives in any situation and embraces every experience that presents itself, making him a lot of fun! “Isn’t life exciting! Everything can change all of a sudden, and for no reason at all!”
We made an additional stop for more room treats, then one more stop for a free pin and Lynn found some dice for her Mahjong games (they have paw prints for dots).
Meanwhile back at Funken Lodge, we retrieved our hand luggage and got a drink with the tokens we had received. Then caught up on the logbook and this Blog.
We are in stateroom 626, we choose our stateroom usually based on a location near an exit or stairway as quick access is imperative for when the call goes out for a kewl critter sighting.
While on the ship we basically have an open bar, this seems common on most expedition voyages.
MS SPITSBERGEN:
The MS Spitsbergen is a specialized, ice strengthened polar expedition vessel. She was originally built in Portugal in 2009 as a passenger ferry named Atlântida, the ship was purchased by Hurtigruten in 2015 and underwent a massive dry dock reconstruction into an elite maneuvering explorer ship. Named after the largest island in Norway's Svalbard archipelago, it is specifically designed to navigate narrow fjords, polar waters, and remote coastlines.
Vessel Specifications
Length: 100 meters
Width: 18 meters (22 meters over bridge wings)
Speed: 14.5 knots cruise speed (17 knots maximum)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric drive system powered by 4 main engines
Passenger Capacity: Approximately 150 passengers depending on the route and configuration. We have learned our sailing will have about 125 passengers along with 80 crew.
Cabins: 180 guest cabins
Life Onboard
The ship prioritizes learning and direct environmental immersion over standard cruise entertainment, offering an intimate, Scandinavian-style atmosphere.
The Science Center: A modern onboard hub equipped with microscopic research tools, where the expedition team hosts advanced geological and biological lectures.
Public Amenities: Features the Aune Main Restaurant (focused on authentic local cuisine), Brygga Bistro, the Explorer Bar and Lounge, a panoramic observation deck, a fitness room, a sauna, and outdoor hot tubs.
Expedition Launch: Located on Deck 3, this staging area is built to rapidly deploy guests into heavy-duty Zodiac boats for close-range wilderness exploration.
Cons (which I see as pros) - Minimal onboard commercial entertainment. Con - No live bands, musicians, or theater shows. Con - No traditional swimming pools or cinema facilities.
Pros - Outstanding (“EXCELLENT” service, no speech). Maneuverable hull size can visit isolated ports. Focus is strictly educational rather than resort-style sailing.
This will be our first time on MS Spitsbergen and I feel confident it will be on par with our other HX and Hurtigruten experiences.
We were assigned Bus #1 to go to the port. Our ship was docked at the Coal Port. This is a working port where coal is shipped from. Now there is a dock there as the first time we sailed from the coal port we had Zodiacs to tender us to the ship. That was 2015.
Once on the ship, we went straight to our room where our luggage had already been delivered. We started the unpacking process. As this is an older ship, the staterooms are a little bit tighter, but very functional, and will work great for us.
On HX Expedition sailings one receives a wind and waterproof shell made by Helly Hansen. As we already have these, we turned ours in and each received a 30 Euro room credit. I then got our ship board account set up and logged onto the onboard app. This app is used to keep one up to date on the ships activities. Then came the Safety Drill and straight to dinner.
Great Barf Bags
Bye Bye Svalbard
On the way to the dining room we went through the ships store and the Brygga Bistro. The bistro is open when Aune is closed. There is also a cooler with grab and go items such as fruit, salads, sandwiches etc when the restaurant is closed.
Great mango sorbet
Dinner tonight was a buffet with excellent selections. The main meat was lamb and haddock for the fish selection. The salad bar was jammed packed with choices as was the same for the desserts.
After dinner we explored the outer decks. I am impressed with the amount of open deck space on Deck 8. Back to the room where we will watch the daily briefing, catch up on the Journal and Blog.
I am sure I will be up early to sample the morning coffee station.
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