Steve samples life on board HX Expeditions MS Fridtjof Nansen on a mini cruise to the Friesian Islands.

Ms Fridtjof Nansen is the sister ship to HX Expeditions Roald Amundsen and although they are virtually identical there are subtle differences between them.

I boarded her for a short two-night mini cruise to the German Friesian Islands of Helgoland and Dune. What I quickly realised is the same professionalism and friendliness of the crew. I had been on board for no more than two hours when four crew members had come up to welcome me back. One even remembered me from my visit to MS Fram some seven years ago!

The ship has the same restaurants, gym, sauna etc as her sister but there is the added intriguing addition of their Early Explorers Cabin experience, the 1896 cabin. To mark the 130 years of polar exploration anniversary if you travel onboard you have the chance to stay in the new 1896 Cabin experience. To be honest it’s not just a place to sleep but lets you get a taste into the early days of expedition sailing.  Imagine what it must have been like in those early days with oil lamps casting their dancing light over the wood-panelled walls, warmth from the wood burning stove and the salt laden air all around. On the bright side when you won’t have to catch your own fish for breakfast when you wake up as the main dining room is just around the corner.

You can choose how much the wildlife and the world’s ecosystems play a part in this cruise as there is a dedicated science centre where you can gather information as you go along, conduct research and examine what you have found and add it to the global data bank of knowledge.

The ship’s team of scientists and historians, cover a range of scientific disciplines all aimed at enriching your experience whilst on board by matching what you see on the excursions with activities in their educational programme. If you would like to pursue a certain line of study the team will help and guide you along that route and encourage you to continue these activities when you leave the cruise.

You will need to have an average state of fitness as many of the transfers from ship to land are by Zodiac and at times you may wade through the water on landings. HX provide waterproof boots which you keep throughout and a storm proof expedition jacket which you can take home with you. For this particular trip, we had a landing by fully covered tender to port jetties and piers. 

I took my binoculars which are an absolute must for you to bring as they will enrich your cruise tremendously. Most of the other passengers borrowed mine at one point to observe the seals and the wildlife sessions on the bow are vastly enriched by them.

To sum up Fridtjof Nansen isn’t just an outstanding expedition cruise ship it’s almost a way of life and when you join her you become part of the HX family. Trust me I have no doubt you’ll be back.

Steve Newman            May 2026           pic credits Steve Newman

More Information:

https://www.travelhx.com/en/ships/fridtjof-nansen/

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