Magellan: Fjord-ward thinking
Cruise & Maritime’s newest ship Magellan, combined with an adventurous outdoors itinerary in Norway, could help you attract younger clients to the line. Claire Dodd is entranced by a fjordland cruise.
I open my curtains to see snow-capped mountains. It’s August and the snow from winter is still holding out on the highest peaks of Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in Norway, also the fourth longest fjord in the world.
The temperature outside has dropped since we left port in Tilbury, London. It’s crisp, clear and fresh. The sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day. I’ve spent a full day at sea enjoying the facilities aboard Cruise & Maritime Voyage’s newest and largest ship, the Magellan. And now, refreshed and raring to go, I throw on some outdoor clothes as we near Eidfjord, the first port of call on our six-night journey through the Norwegian fjords.
I make my way on deck. In the early morning light, clouds hang around the lower peaks, casting a dreamy hazy light over the tranquil scene. “Pretty nice, eh?” says another excited passenger taking in the view. Nice is an understatement.
Light bounces off the flashes of white snow, illuminating the purple and grey crevices in rocky peaks that soar towards the sky. Every now and again we pass a dramatic waterfall cascading hundreds of meters into the dark blue waters of the fjord. Wooden houses, painted red, brown or white appear by the water’s edge, or perched on a plateau above the valley. It’s all impossibly beautiful.
My voyage to Norway will take me to some of its most photographed waterways, stopping at the picturesque city of Bergen, and the tiny fjord villages of Flam and Eidfjord, both framed by rocky mountainsides.
Broader reach
This ship, Magellan, is a game changer for CMV. Brought into the fleet in March, its larger capacity at 1,250 guests, newly refurbished facilities including two fine-dining restaurants, a cocktail bar (Sinatra’s) and a nightclub (Scott’s), a pool and several outdoor hot tubs, is attracting a younger crowd for the line that’s known for a clientele that’s usually in their 60s or 70s.
“It has definitely broadened the market for us,” says Mike Hall, head of marketing for CMV, also on the voyage. “We have been known for offering a more traditional style of cruising. A home-from-home atmosphere, but one that is still faithful to the more traditional aspects of cruising such as a Captain’s night and two formal sittings at dinner. That’s very appealing to our core market.”
As is the fact that all departures leave from one of eight UK ports including London Tilbury, meaning that there is a regional departure point close to most customers.
“With Magellan,” continues Hall, “we’re still upholding those traditions, but the style of the ship is more contemporary. So we’ve found that naturally, the ship has been attracting younger customers, in their 40s and 50s.”
Our voyage even has a handful of family groups, with older teens in tow. With the adventure on offer in Norway, I’m not too surprised it has youthful appeal. Excursions bookable on the ship range from the relaxed to the high octane.
In Eidfjord, those looking for something hands-on have the option of kayaking the fjord (£59 for three hours). While those that want a laid-back, accessible day can book a coach tour to the Voringsfossen waterfall, whose waters thunder 182 metres to the canyon floor (£53).
Our journey to the falls traces the canyon up, high to a spot where the slopes plateau, and the view of snow-tipped mountains and lush green valleys is expansive. The falls are accessible by a short path, with a modest viewing platform, to be replaced with a glass-bottomed viewing platform in 2017.
Accessible only by the smaller ships, and with a self-imposed limit on permitted dockings of 4,000 passengers a day, you’ll never find Eidfjord overrun with other visitors.
Ship shape
Back on the ship, and it’s time to explore. Magellan also boasts a theatre-style show lounge where nightly shows include Motown performances and musical numbers from the movies. As I walk through the ship a few people are engrossed in their books in the library, the bridge room is a flurry of card-playing activity. While the ship’s several bars, and two formal restaurants (Waldorf or Kensington Restaurants for which passengers are assigned a nightly sitting) are filled with the chatter of passengers making new friends. The only extras guests need to pay for are drinks, which are reasonably priced. A pint of beer starts from about £2.80, while a glass of house wine is £2.60.
Your clients’ final bill may be a little bit higher if like me they get side-tracked by the spa. Fitted out in dark woods, green tiles and plush furnishings the Wellness Centre is substantial, with a sauna, relaxation room and hair and beauty salon.
A 30-minute massage starts from £44, though there are package deals available.
A massage could just be in order after a day in Flam. The village sits deep into the valley, divided by both the river and famous railway. And indeed no visit is complete without a journey on the Flam railway (£65). Reportedly one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, the 12-mile journey takes around an hour and a half to climb 863 metres into the mountains, passing hundreds of waterfalls on the way up. Catch the train up and mountain bike down for £99.
For those wanting to take it easy, Bergen, our final port provides some good options. It may be the second largest city in Norway, but the sea and the mountains still dominate the scenery, rising above the Unesco protected wooden houses of the old merchant quarter, the Bryggen.
I catch a ride up Floyen mountain on the Funicular railway (£45). In just seven or so minutes, I’m at the top taking in the view. The air around me is sweet from the pine forest surrounding the viewing platform. In front of me the view seems endless. Beyond the town I can see the islands that make up this part of the coastline stretching on. Tonight we’ll set sail across them, but for now it’s time to relax and just take it all in.
Book it:
A six-night Springtime Fjordland cruise aboard Magellan, departing March 26, 2016 from London Tilbury costs from £475pp for a standard twin inner room.
The ship cruises Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Næroyfjord to view Gudvangen, stopping at Eidfjord, Flam and Bergen.
My Magellan
Jonathan Dulson, cruise director
As cruise director it’s my job to run all the entertainment on the ship.
I’ll go to each rehearsal for the nightly shows and cabaret, and make sure the guys are on it. I organise all the daily activities, including bingo, quizzes and lectures. The other night we had a gameshow called Wipe Out. Every single passenger was screaming out the answers and really getting into it.
I love that I get to perform.
When you take part in the full shows in the show lounge, you get people going crazy, waving their arms in the air and singing along and chanting. It’s a phenomenal feeling.
One of my favourite things we do here is the live cookery demonstration.
Our executive head chef prepares a meal in front of the passengers, and gets them involved in cooking three courses, such as salmon penne with vodka sauce. People love it.
I love Bergen (on Majestic Fjordland or Norwegian Fjords itineraries). It’s one of my favourite ports. It has so many great places to eat, including the fish market on the quayside.
My favourite cruise is the Land of the Northern Lights.
As a science geek, I get excited by the possibility of seeing the lights. I’m awake until 3am looking, and I wake people up if I see them.
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