We did the Expedition that included the Falklands in December 2021 on the Amundsen. It was a great trip. I believe we were around 175 passengers at the time (if memory serves me correct). It was right during Omicron and the cruise after us was significantly impacted. No positive test results on board during our trip so all worked out well that way.
I could not have imagined to be on the ship with more people than we were. The ship is great but doubling or even going up to 500 passengers would in my mind cause significant issues. There was max. 1 shore or zodiac cruising a day. For about 2 or so days in a row everything was canceled due to bad weather. However, we did observe the MS Fram and other lines (Silversea or Ponart) were on the shore doing activities on both the bad weather days. I suspect the issue is that a larger ship is more difficult to handle in bad weather and/or the captain was extremely risk adverse. So that was quite disappointing. However, when we were on shore or the zodiacs it was an amazing experience overall.
The ship is great, it is very similar to a regular cruise ship - you have a shop, SPA , Gym, Pool, hot tubs, sauna and a couple of restaurants that are non-premium (one pub style and one sit-down). Meals are okay overall. There was one premium restaurant for suite guests but we did not try that one. Service and staff were outstanding. Meals are better on regular cruise ships (such as mainstream lines - NCL, etc.). Meal-times are set. There are no snacks in-between at all. So no round-the-clock food (which is absolutely no issue - but you have to align with meal-times). All of this is very European - so might seem strange to North Americans.
We were lucky and were selected for Camping. Was definitely the highlight of the trip! Amazing experience. It was a lottery and there were a max of 30 people allowed to participate. We would have very much missed it if we would not have been selected. Simply said, amazing.
Falklands were great as well - would recommend a trip that includes the Falklands. A lot of wildlife to observe.
Polar plunge with Hurtigruten took place on Deception Island - in the volcanic-warmed water. So not per-se a true polar plunge - but they do offer it! Anyone can participate. A lot of the crew partook as well (from housekeeping to mechanic staff). Was amazing to see.
Hurtigruten is a great cruise-line. Absolutely amazing trip. I just can't see this working well if there is anywhere to 500 passengers on the ship. Restaurants would be crowded beyond belief and you wouldn't get much off-ship time at all.
If we were to do this again (will be a while, with a baby on the way) - we'd take the MS Fram as they seem to have had more off-ship time and they can handle "bad-weather" days better. Or alternatively a smaller cruise-ship line (at extra costs - that is where Hurtigruten has an advantage - they offer lower overall costs).
We did the Expedition that included the Falklands in December 2021 on the Amundsen. It was a great trip. I believe we were around 175 passengers at the time (if memory serves me correct). It was right during Omicron and the cruise after us was significantly impacted. No positive test results on board during our trip so all worked out well that way. I could not have imagined to be on the ship with more people than we were. The ship is great but doubling or even going up to 500 passengers would in my mind cause significant issues. There was max. 1 shore or zodiac cruising a day. For about 2 or so days in a row everything was canceled due to bad weather. However, we did observe the MS Fram and other lines (Silversea or Ponart) were on the shore doing activities on both the bad weather days. I suspect the issue is that a larger ship is more difficult to handle in bad weather and/or the captain was extremely risk adverse. So that was quite disappointing. However, when we were on shore or the zodiacs it was an amazing experience overall. The ship is great, it is very similar to a regular cruise ship - you have a shop, SPA , Gym, Pool, hot tubs, sauna and a couple of restaurants that are non-premium (one pub style and one sit-down). Meals are okay overall. There was one premium restaurant for suite guests but we did not try that one. Service and staff were outstanding. Meals are better on regular cruise ships (such as mainstream lines - NCL, etc.). Meal-times are set. There are no snacks in-between at all. So no round-the-clock food (which is absolutely no issue - but you have to align with meal-times). All of this is very European - so might seem strange to North Americans. We were lucky and were selected for Camping. Was definitely the highlight of the trip! Amazing experience. It was a lottery and there were a max of 30 people allowed to participate. We would have very much missed it if we would not have been selected. Simply said, amazing. Falklands were great as well - would recommend a trip that includes the Falklands. A lot of wildlife to observe. Polar plunge with Hurtigruten took place on Deception Island - in the volcanic-warmed water. So not per-se a true polar plunge - but they do offer it! Anyone can participate. A lot of the crew partook as well (from housekeeping to mechanic staff). Was amazing to see. Hurtigruten is a great cruise-line. Absolutely amazing trip. I just can't see this working well if there is anywhere to 500 passengers on the ship. Restaurants would be crowded beyond belief and you wouldn't get much off-ship time at all. If we were to do this again (will be a while, with a baby on the way) - we'd take the MS Fram as they seem to have had more off-ship time and they can handle "bad-weather" days better. Or alternatively a smaller cruise-ship line (at extra costs - that is where Hurtigruten has an advantage - they offer lower overall costs).
