Ms Fram Voyage Handbook 2019–2020
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voyage handbook MS FRAM VOYAGE HANDBOOK 2019–2020 1 Dear Adventurer 2 Dear adventurer, Iceland 4 Svalbard 6 Congratulations on booking an This handbook includes informa- extraordinary cruise on board our tion on your chosen destination, vessel MS Fram. as well as other destination this Greenland 10 ship visits during the 2019-2020 The Norwegian explorer Roald sailing season. We hope you will The Northwest Passage 14 Amundsen’s success is often put find this information inspiring. down to his thorough prepara- Canada 16 tions before departure. He once Welcome aboard for the adventure said “victory awaits he who has of a lifetime! everything in order.” Staying true North America 18 to Amundsen’s legacy of good Your Hurtigruten Team Contents The Caribbean & planning, we encourage you to 20 read this handbook. Central America It will provide you with good ad- South America 24 vice, practical information, and historical context that will make Antarctica 28 your voyage even more enjoyable. Protecting the 32 Antarctic Environment Important Information 34 Frequently Asked Questions 35 Life on Board MS Fram 36 Practical Information 44 Before and After Your Voyage Pack Like an Explorer 48 Our Team on Board 50 Landing by Small Boats 52 Important Phone Numbers 53 Maritime Expressions 53 MS Fram Deck Plan 54 2 COVER FRONT PHOTO: © STIAN KLO 3 COVER BACK PHOTO: © DOMINIC BARRINGTON / HURTIGRUTEN © STEFAN DALL / HURTIGRUTEN / DALL STEFAN © 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 WILDLIFE Iceland destination interesting past, Iceland’s is renowned for its birdlife and for explorers recorded history is of the its diverse species, of which settlement of Viking explorers the most sought after are searching for the and their slaves. It was settled the Icelandic gyrfalcon, the mostly by Norsemen from red-necked phalarope, and, of iceland unepected. Scandinavia and Celts from the course, the puffin. There are British Isles in the 9th and 10th many species of whales, such CLIMATE The average temper- centuries - long after the rest of as minke and orcas, due to ature in spring is 8° to 10° Western Europe was settled. the food-rich North Atlantic Celsius (46° to 50° Fahrenheit). 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 ical ruins. Please follow the the Global System for Mobile Iceland, where the ground is so hot it ven- instructions given by the guide/ Communications) on most of expedition team. Hurtigruten, tilates through hot springs, volcanic erup- © KARSTEN BIDSTRUP / HURTIGRUTEN tions, and fiery saga tales. ––– 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. 4 5 © KARSTEN BIDSTRUP / HURTIGRUTEN / KARSTEN © BIDSTRUP (NOK). We suggest you bring and beyond legal requirements. Located on the local currency. Credit cards are Our compliance depends upon accepted in most places. Please your cooperation as a traveler, southern fringe note that there is no currency and we will spend some time exchange service on board. early in your cruise briefing you of the frozen about the guidelines applicable Arctic Ocean, ENVIRONMENT Hurtigruten’s to your specific trip. MS Fram and her skilled crew Svalbard offers offer life-affirming experiences HISTORY Since Willem SVALBARD close to nature’s most spectac- Barentz’s discovery of Svalbard expedition land- ular landscapes, genuine in 1596, several nationali- cultures, exceptional people, ties have explored, hunted, ings, hikes, kay- and amazing wildlife. Preserv- and managed industries in ing these resources in their this Arctic archipelago. The aking, and other natural, unspoiled condition Svalbard treaty, dated 1920 and is our top priority - you will signed by 43 member countries, activities in the always experience the highest gives Norway sovereignty over environmental awareness on Svalbard. largest Arctic board and ashore. Hurtigruten wilderness in is a full member of the Associ- MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ation of Arctic Expedition AND MEDICATION In case of Europe. Cruise Operators (www.aeco. a medical emergency outside no), which is an international Longyearbyen, the only means CLIMATE Despite its northerly organization that ensures that of evacuation is by helicopter location (74º to 81º North) tourism in the Arctic is carried to Longyearbyen Hospital. If Svalbard has a relatively mild out with the utmost considera- a condition cannot be treated climate. Due to the Gulf Stream, tion for the vulnerable natural here, the patient is sent to Spitsbergen’s west coast is the environment, local cultures, the Norwegian mainland. world’s most northerly ice-free and cultural remains, as well This is very expensive and area. The average summer as the challenging environment dependent on favorable temperature is 6º Celsius (43º at sea and on land. Hurtigruten weather conditions, therefore, Fahrenheit), and the coldest is also a full member of the comprehensive travel protec- winter month of March has an International Association of tionl/ health insurance that average temperature of -14º Antarctica Tour Operators also covers medical evacuation Celsius (7º Fahrenheit). There (www.iaato.org), which is highly recommended. Remote, mysterious, and extreme, the Svalbard archipelago boasts a fasci- is little rain, but the moist air promotes safe and environ- from the sea can cause a light mentally responsible travel to MOBILE PHONES ASHORE Cell nating history of polar heroes and the heritage of polar exploration, hunting, drizzle and fog during the Antarctica. phones can only be used in the © ANDREA KLAUSSNER / HURTIGRUTEN ANDREA/ © KLAUSSNER and whaling. The wildlife is rich, both at sea and on land: whales, seals, summer. areas around Longyearbyen As a member of these organi- and Barentsburg. There is no reindeer, Arctic fox, a rich variety of birds, and, course, the ‘King of the CURRENCY The currency in zations, we comply with cell phone reception during Arctic’ – the polar bear. Svalbard is Norwegian Kroner guidelines that often go above most of the sailing. ––– The island of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, © STEFAN DALL / HURTIGRUTEN is the crown of Arctic Norway, a land forged by ice and wind, the ocean, and snow, which presents us with a spectacular range of unforgettable adventures. And you can leave your watch in your cabin! North of the Arctic Circle, the day has no beginning and no end. The midnight sun brings out the magical colors of the surrounding landscape. The soft rays of the low-hanging sun bathe the magnificent landscape in a wonderful palette of pink, purple, yellow, and orange. 6 7 © ANDREA KLAUSSNER / HURTIGRUTEN ANDREA/ © KLAUSSNER HURTIGRUTEN HELLAND/ NINA © COMMUNICATING WITH THE SHIP POPULATION The population of In the summer, the activity in The ship uses satellite phones. In Svalbard is approximately 2,800. Ny-Ålesund is greatly increased by case someone needs to reach you Longyearbyen is the largest the arrival of up to 120 researcher s, in an emergency, please give out settlement on the islands and technicians, and field assistants. the emergency numbers listed in also the seat of the governor. The the travel information you received town has a hospital, primary and SHOPPING ASHORE Svalbard is in your other travel information secondary schools, a university, an a tax-free area, which means that documents. Messages will be passed athletic center with a swimming many commodities are cheaper here along to the ship. IMPORTANT: pool, a library, a cultural center, a than on the Norwegian mainland. These numbers are only to be used cinema, bus transportation, hotels, Longyearbyen has a variety of stores in case of an emergency. a bank, and several museums. selling everything from perfume to The newspaper, Svalbardposten, outdoor and athletic equipment, NATURE AND WILDLIFE In order is published weekly. Svalbard is gifts, and souvenirs. Norwegian to preserve nature and wildlife on among the safest places on Earth, Kroner (NOK) is used all over Svalbard, 65% of the archipelago is with virtually no crime.