Ms Spitsbergen Voyage Handbook 2019–2020
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
voyage handbook MS SPITSBERGEN VOYAGE HANDBOOK 2019–2020 1 Dear Adventurer 2 Norway 4 Dear adventurer, Iceland 6 Congratulations on book- This handbook includes in- Svalbard 8 ing an extraordinary cruise formation on your chosen aboard MS Spitsbergen. destination, as well as other destinations this ship visits Faroe Islands 12 Norwegian explorer Roald during the 2019-2020 sailing Amundsen’s success as an ex- season. We hope you will find Orkney Islands 14 plorer is often explained by his this information inspiring. thorough preparations before Shetland Islands 16 departure. He once said “vic- We promise you an amazing Contents tory awaits him who has every- adventure! thing in order.” Being true to Franz Josef Land 18 Amund sen’s heritage of good Welcome aboard for the ad- planning, we encourage you to venture of a lifetime! Important Information 20 read this handbook. Frequently Asked Questions 21 It will provide you with good Your Hurtigruten Team advice, historical context, practical information, and in- Life on Board MS Spitsbergen 22 spiring information that will Practical Information make your voyage even more 28 enjoyable. Before and After Your Voyage Pack Like an Explorer 30 Our Team on Board 32 Landing by Small Boats 34 Important Phone Numbers 35 Maritime Expressions 35 MS Spitsbergen Deck Plan 36 2 COVER FRONT PHOTO: © ANDREA KLAUSSNER / HURTIGRUTEN 3 COVER BACK PHOTO: © DOMINIC BARRINGTON / HURTIGRUTEN © KARSTEN BIDSTRUP / HURTIGRUTEN / KARSTEN © BIDSTRUP came to prominence during the NATURE AND WILDLIFE Norway is a Viking era (800–1050 B.C.), Deep fjords, islets, and the high with strong trade relations and mountains of the Scandes, unique country colonies in Greenland, Ire- which belong to the Caledonien land, England, Scotland, and mountain range, characterize that continous- Normandy. Norwegian history the Norwegian landscape. The NORWAY ly impresses is synonymous with this era, climate differences create a vari- which was responsible for the ation in the vegetation, from the with its enor- major expansion of the entire northern European deciduous Nordic region. forests in the south to the Bore- mous contrasts. Christianity was introduced al and Fjellbirke forests to the in the 11th century, but took tundra vegetation in the north CLIMATE The climate shows a many centuries before it was and on the mountain plateaus high range of variation due to fully accepted. It is believed that (‘fjell’). Approximately 200,000 the 1,000 miles from the south Norway’s Golden Age was the elks ramble through the Norwe- to the north and the vast differ- late 13th and early 14th centu- gian forests, and most reindeer ences in altitude. ry, when it enjoyed substantial are half domesticated and be- The North Atlantic drift has a international trade with Britain long to the Sámi population, but positive influence on the climate and Germany. Norway suffered several thousand wild reindeer on the western side of the Scan- the Black Death (also known as still live in the Hardangervidda des; the eastern side experienc- the Great Plague and the Black and the Dovrefjell regions. The es a more continental climate Plague) in 1349, when many wolf was on the verge of extinc- with extremely cold winters and communities were entirely tion, but there are now various warmer summers. While the wiped out. This ended Norway’s projects in place to protect them. Gulf of Bothnia can be frozen Golden Age. From 1380 onward, Brown bears and wolverine live for a month, the Atlantic coast- there were many political alli- in the forests but are rarely seen. line stays ice free. The North At- ances between various Scandi- Norway’s birdlife is abundant lantic drift means the possibility navian countries, with Norway and varied, and within the rich of a vast expanse of agriculture, gaining independence briefly waters of the Norwegian sea even in North Finnmark at a lat- in 1814 before a forced union there are vast amounts of fish, itude of 70° North. The height with Sweden, which lasted until including cod, halibut, and coal- of the Scandes causes the enor- 1905, when Norway proclaimed fish. mous rainfall at the windward full independence. Norway is side of the mountain range. For rich with natural resources, and POPULATION Norway’s pop- example, the city of Bergen is with large reserves of petroleum ulation in 2018 exceeded 5.2 famous for its rain, while on the and natural gas discovered in million. © ANDREA KLAUSSNER / HURTIGRUTEN ANDREA/ © KLAUSSNER leeward side, the farmers often the 1960s, it is now a prominent Norway, officially the ‘Kingdom of Norway,’ is need an irrigation system for an and wealthy country with one of SHOPPING ASHORE In Norway, Europe’s most northwestern country. It is a efficient harvest. the highest standards of living in sales tax/VAT is included in the the world. retail price. Norway is a great sovereign and unitary monarchy whose terri- CURRENCY The currency in place to shop for traditional Nor- Norway is Norwegian Kroner LANGUAGE Norwegian is the wegian clothes, and the sweat- tories includes the island of Jan Mayen and the (NOK). Foreign currencies may most widely spoken language ers are of great quality. archipelago of Svalbard. be exchanged into local curren- and is closely related to Swedish cy at most banks during the voy- and Danish. English is com- ––– The western boundary is formed by the age. Credit cards are accepted monly spoken across Norway. in most places. Please note that North Atlantic, with deep fjords and thousands there is no currency exchange MOBILE PHONES ASHORE of islets creating a remarkable coastline. Inland service on board. Using your mobile phone with roaming can be very expensive. Norway is dominated by the Scandes mountain HISTORY ‘The way to the North’ Please check with your mobile – Norway – has a very long, provider before traveling. Ac- range, with vast countryside and unoccupied eventful, and colorful history. cess to Wi-Fi varies from des- areas as most Norwegians live along the coast. Settled by nomadic hunter as tination to destination, and far back as 6600 B.C., Norway coverage changes from place to place. © IAN LAWSON / GUEST IMAGE / HURTIGRUTEN / IMAGE GUEST / LAWSON IAN © 4 5 adheres to the Association Iceland, including all towns and Iceland: of Arctic Expedition Cruise villages with more than 200 Operators (AECO) guidelines. inhabitants. The perfect HISTORY With a rich and NATURE AND destination interesting past, Iceland’s WILDLIFE Iceland is renowned for explorers recorded history is of the for its birdlife and its diverse settlement of Viking explorers species, of which the most searching for the and their slaves. It was settled sought after are the Icelandic mostly by Norsemen from gyrfalcon, the red-necked iceland unexpected. Scandinavia and Celts from the phalarope, and, of course, the British Isles in the 9th and 10th puffin. There are many species CLIMATE The average temper- centuries - long after the rest of of whales, such as minke and ature in spring is 8° to 10° Western Europe was settled. orcas, due to the food-rich Celsius (46° to 50° Fahrenheit). North Atlantic Ocean. The weather is very change- LANGUAGE The Icelandic able and visitors should be language is believed to have POPULATION Iceland is the prepared for the unexpected. changed little from the original most sparsely populated tongue spoken by the Norse country in all of Europe, with CURRENCY The currency on settlers. English and Danish a pure, unpolluted, and truly shore is Icelandic Krona (ISK). are also widely spoken and magical landscape. The popula- Foreign currencies may be understood. tion of Iceland is approximately exchanged into local currency 320,000, with almost 120,000 at banks. Credit cards are MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND inhabitants living in the capital accepted in most places, but MEDICATION of Reykjavík. The second not international bank cards In case of a medical emergency largest city outside the capital (i.e. German EC Karte). We in Iceland, the only means of region is Akureyri, with approx- recommend having some cash evacuation is by ambulance/ imately 17,500 inhabitants. available for use in smaller airplane/helicopter to the villages. Please note that there nearest town with a hospital. SHOPPING ASHORE Local is no currency exchange service This is very expensive and crafts include woolen on board. dependent on favorable knitwear, handmade ceramics, weather conditions. Therefore, glassware, and silver jewelry. ENVIRONMENT It is prohibited comprehensive travel protec- A refund of local Value-Added to pick Arctic flowers as the tion/health insurance that also Tax (VAT) is available to all ecosystem is very vulnerable covers medical evacuation is visitors to Iceland. Special rules and the flowering season very strongly recommended. apply, please check upon arrival short. Please watch where you in Iceland. © SHUTTERSTOCK HURTIGRUTEN © / step and remember to follow MOBILE PHONES ASHORE the paths. It is strictly prohibit- There is GSM coverage (a type ed to walk upon cultural/histor- of mobile phone that uses Iceland, where the ground is so hot it ven- ical ruins. Please follow the the Global System for Mobile instructions given by the guide/ Communications) on most of tilates through hot springs, volcanic erup- expedition team. Hurtigruten, tions, and fiery saga tales. © KARSTEN BIDSTRUP / HURTIGRUTEN ––– Iceland is the land of ice and fire, with glaciers and volcanoes sitting side by side. Icelandic nature offers stunning landscapes, powerful geysers, and impressive waterfalls. 6 7 © KARSTEN BIDSTRUP / HURTIGRUTEN / KARSTEN © BIDSTRUP COMMUNICATING WITH THE international organization that Located on the SHIP The ship uses satellite ensures that tourism in the phones. In case someone needs Arctic is carried out with the southern fringe to reach you in an emergency, utmost consideration for the please give out the emergency vulnerable natural environ- of the frozen numbers listed in the travel ment, local cultures, and Arctic Ocean, information you received in cultural remains, as well as the your other travel information challenging environment at sea Svalbard offers documents.