HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, MS Spitsbergen, UK and Ireland Review

MS Spitsbergen, UK and Ireland

This was chosen for itinerary. Because the ship never tied up all going ashore was by RIBs sitting on the rubber edge which couldnt go if more than a ripple, hence we missed a lot of ports of call. The ship was noisy and not good in not all not that very rough sea. The cabin very Spartan with no drawers and bed so high my wife needed help to get in and out. The ship needed to make long convoluted journeys at night with much tossing about and clanking.We are seasoned sailors and not bothered but some were very anxious. When questioned it was to discharge “grey” water. Surely this didn’t need doing every single night. There were a lot of people on board for the itinerary element not the expedition. The food was good. When boat was tossing about buffet meals were put on. Great fun watching poor souls with crutches trying to get to their seats and then getting food. The waiters were willing to help but with a buffet you need to know what there is. One good point of the trip was we actually got to St Kilda but after that …………
The passengers seemed to be divided into Hurtigruten afficienados and those of us who couldn’t wait to disembark. This was the worst cruise we have ever been on