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July 3, 2024

On board Ocean Albatros, you discover all the details of a ship class designed for expedition cruising, with careful attention to comfort and the elegance of its venues.

It’s true that traveling on an expedition ship without actually engaging in an expedition likely provides only a partial cruise experience. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring this vessel from Albatros Expeditions during a brief journey that followed its christening in Copenhagen this spring of 2024. In fact, the ship was coming off its inaugural season in Antarctica, where it offered extraordinary itineraries in that remote environment, and was preparing to sail to Northern Europe to offer its guests more breathtaking views among the ice.

Despite its compact size, Ocean Albatros, a vessel from the series produced by SunStone, offers a considerable number of spaces for its category. The expedition concept determines its layout, focusing on functionality and a penchant for discovery, both on board and ashore. Therefore, extensive observation areas, spaces open to the sea, and facilities for briefings and excursion preparation are key features. Nothing groundbreaking for expedition vessels, but Ocean Albatros demonstrates a particular flair in selecting furnishings and attending to guests’ leisure time while on board.

The philosophy encourages spending as much time as possible off the ship, exploring unusual places and far-flung destinations. These concepts are fully realized by the highly professional and knowledgeable onboard team, always available throughout the day to engage with passengers and share moments together, whether during dinner or while observing birds and other wildlife from the outer deck. Their professionalism also shines in excursion preparations and site visits ashore, crucial elements for any expedition fleet, around which a distinctive service can be built—polished, friendly, and engaging.

The range of cabins and suites aboard Ocean Albatros is extensive relative to its size. One can find basic cabins, essential yet perfectly livable, including options for solo travelers. Luxurious suites with large windows overlooking the sea are also available, offering much excitement even when experiencing one’s private environment aboard ship, perhaps in anticipation of unforgettable moments along the coastlines being observed. Between these categories, numerous intermediate options cater to travelers’ varied needs.

Onboard dining revolves around the main restaurant, Jens Munk Restaurant, serving all meals in an environment conducive to socializing and sharing travel experiences. It also features more private tables for those seeking intimacy, along with a delightful sushi corner. Breakfast and lunch service are buffet-style, while dinner is served à la carte. An alternative dining venue is the Fridtjof Nansen Restaurant on Deck 8, offering outdoor tables with beautiful views of the ship’s central area and the sea, weather permitting. Barbecue specialties are a highlight here, alongside many other enticing options.

To learn about the highlights of the itinerary and the daily cruise program, participating in briefings hosted in the Vitus Bering Lecture Hall is essential. Discussions cover the day’s discoveries and preview the highlights of the following day, always accompanied by vital information for landings and anecdotes enriching the cruise experience. Named in homage to the greatest explorers, the onboard lounges available to guests are plentiful. The main venue is undoubtedly the Roald Amundsen Lounge Bar, bustling throughout the day and a perfect gathering spot for a pre-dinner drink or a post-dinner cocktail. Music here uplifts those unwilling to retire early, perhaps sacrificing a few hours of sleep for the joy of dancing and socializing. Within the Lounge Bar, the small yet rich Peter Freuchen Library adds to the warmth, inviting guests to delve into a fine collection of books, naturally focused on exploration and polar regions.

Another particularly beautiful space is the Knud Rasmussen Observation Lounge, suspended at the bow of Deck 8. Enjoyable throughout the day for soaking in the breathtaking landscapes visible in polar regions, it transforms into a relaxing spot in the evening for savoring a drink in a more intimate and tranquil setting. Ocean Albatros’s exterior spaces are dedicated to observation, integral to the expedition cruise experience. Just outside the Knud Rasmussen Observation Lounge is a spacious foredeck area, the Arnarulunnguaq Observation Deck, equipped with a powerful binocular. Beyond the Lecture Lounge, there’s access to a covered area, an optimal choice in inclement weather that still allows guests to enjoy the panoramic view. The Pool Deck also offers excellent observation opportunities. Named after Leif Den Lykkelige, this area includes a bar, a pool, two hot tubs, as well as loungers and deck chairs.

Among the onboard amenities, one finds a small spa with sea views, a functional gym, and a treatment room, providing moments of relaxation and well-being between excursions. Souvenirs, accessories, and specialized clothing can be found at the Albatros Boutique, accessible from one of the entrances to the main restaurant, shortly after the Reception. Essential like every expedition ship is the Mudroom, dedicated here to Otto Nordenskjöld. This spacious, well-organized space allows guests to prepare comfortably for their landings.

The atmosphere aboard Ocean Albatros resembles that of a grand yacht, where one can share unforgettable experiences in the company of good friends, whether long-time companions or new acquaintances made on board. The environments are well-tended and inviting, not diverting attention from the primary focus of such vessels: discovery expeditions, while also providing greater comfort during navigation and well-deserved rest after an intense day.

Adding value to all this is the crew. Distinguished by their kindness, they are always ready to assist passengers and ensure their stay is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. The expedition team makes a difference, with their genuinely contagious spirit of adventure, conveying the values and importance of science, nature, and the world of animals with great familiarity, never burdening lectures with overly academic styles.

Ocean Albatros is a truly compelling ship, perfect for expedition cruising, distinguishing itself through the operators’ extensive experience and deep knowledge of the places visited. These are essential ingredients that make each guest experience unique when choosing one of the world’s most specialized cruise companies dedicated to polar regions.

Gabriele Bassi

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