Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

5 7 weren’t known for their comfort, but these vessels delivered a true expedition feeling and atmosphere – all guests onboard became friends and everyone knew each other. Plus, it was so easy to get around.” The company’s newbuilds will significantly elevate the expedition experience. “Our new vessels have all the comforts, facilities and safety features of a newbuild ship, but will still have an authentic expedition personality,” says Lagerweij. “Ocean Victory and Ocean Albatros are only 104 metres long and very compact, which will make wayfinding easy. The compact size also means we will be able to travel further into remote areas than most other vessels. Onboard you will find affordable luxury – a four-star-plus product, without the over-the-top luxuries that are often included simply to justify a higher price point. The atmosphere will be a casual and cosy classical expedition feeling – we Scandinavians like to call it ‘hygge.’” The new arrivals will join Ocean Atlantic, a treasured ship built in 1985 and fully renovated in 2016. Lagerweij isn’t troubled by the prospect of guests making comparisons between the vessels. “Ocean Atlantic retains the charm of the original expedition vessels, but what remains consistent across our entire fleet is our expedition focus,” he says. “We excel in delivering an unrivalled experience off the ship, with one of the best multinational expedition teams and a wide selection of activities and experiences. We aim to deliver more experience time off the ship than any other operator.” Commenting on the company’s excursions, Lagerweij says: “Our core expedition product is a mixture of zodiac cruises and landings in remote wilderness areas. Zodiac cruises give an opportunity to explore larger areas looking for wildlife and to be closer to the water. Landings give an ability to safely walk around and explore new wilderness areas under leadership of our knowledgeable and experienced expedition team.” Later this year the company will launch a new range of excursions that will strengthen its appeal among those seeking truly unique expedition experiences. “We’re introducing camping on the Greenlandic ice cap or in Antarctica,” says Lagerweij. “In Antarctica we will visit scientific bases, and in the Arctic small remote settlements. We’re really seeking to deliver a full mix of experiences encompassing the landscape, wildlife and culture, both at sea and ashore.” Passengers hankering for an original expedition experience on Ocean Atlantic should book up soon. “At the moment, we aim to retire Ocean Atlantic after our summer 2022 season,” says Lagerweij. “Of course, our decision may change if we see a huge demand peak after Covid-19. “However, our future is with the new ships – they align better with our sustainability focus and strategy. Albatros proudly received its first sustainability award back in 1995, before the industry was really concerned about the topic. Our new ships have Tier 3-compliant engines and, in conjunction with the X-bow hull and their compact design, they will produce between 50 and 80 per cent lower emissions per passenger versus traditional expedition vessels, significantly helping to advance our sustainability goals.” CFR “ We excel in delivering an unrivalled experience off the ship” New ships Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory are designed to offer guests a luxury expedition experience