The first cruise ship to Dublin Port of this season saw the Norwegian operator of M/S Spitsbergen, Hurtigruten Expeditions, whose small yet smart red, black, and white liveried ship, sailed upriver to a berth today, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The call of the M/S Spitsbergen starts the season in which Afloat notes fleetmate, M/S Maud is also to call at Dublin Port next month.
Several cruise ships will make more than one arrival, and as to be expected, the capital attracts the major cruise brands and niche operators too, which brings a diverse range of ships and a broader range of clientele in the season up to September.
The 100m exhibition and polar cruise ship had sailed overnight from Douglas, Isle of Man, and headed upriver closer to Dublin city-centre, where guests disembarked at the North Wall Extension. This is close to the 3Arena and Gibson Hotel in the northern ‘Docklands’ quarter.
Last year the diminutive ship called to Dublin, also in opening the season and was allocated a berth even closer to the city when, in March. This invovled the vessel transit through the Tom Clarke (East-Link) Bridge to Sir John Rogersons Quay, lining the south bank of the ‘Docklands’ quarter.
Spitsbergen may be small compared to the considerably larger cruise ships calling to Dublin and with just 220 guests, but such ships can also yield increased spend from discerning high-end clientele.
Originally, the ship was built for a different operator to serve in the Azores, but this did not materialise. However, Hurtigruten acquired the vessel, which, after a complete reconstruction, as MS Spitsbergen joined their fleet in 2016, features high technical standards as well as comfortable, modern public areas and cabins.
A fresh Scandinavian design reflects a color palette derived from the sea and a ship that is modern and environmentally progressive and will undergo further improvements that will reduce emissions and fuel consumption even more.
There are two observation lounge/bar areas, a restaurant, a gift shop, a sauna and spa, a fitness room, and hot tubs, in addition to a science center. Also on board is an Expedition Team, which serves as a university at sea with lectures inside the ship as well as held outside on the sun deck to make cruising both an exciting and educational journey.
As for accommodation, all cabins include bathrooms with a shower or toilet. Most of the cabins have double beds, while some are equipped with separate beds where one doubles as a sofa, or upper and lower berths.
At the prow of the cruise ship is an open observation deck as well as amidships above the passenger decks, ideal for close-up views in places where large cruise ships cannot access, such as the Arctic. The ship is named after the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, which is off northern Norway and is within the Arctic Circle.
Hurtigruten Expeditions is part of the Hurtigruten Group, along with its famous namesake operator of the classic north/south Norwegian Coastal Express service, which in recent years has seen competition from Havilla Voyages.
