Hurtigruten will showcase its next hybrid-powered vessel to hundreds of British trade and guests next year, in a move UK boss Anthony Daniels dubbed a “game-changing opportunity” for the company.
Fridtjof Nansen will sail four ex-UK pre-inaugural voyages in March ahead of its maiden voyage from Hamburg on 1 April.
The 530-guest expedition ship, a sister to the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ship Roald Amundsen, is due to be delivered ahead of schedule, allowing it to spend a month in the UK.
Nansen will sail three five-night voyages from London (7 March), Liverpool (12 March) and Portsmouth (17 March) exploring destinations in and around the British Isles including the Isles of Scilly, Fowey, Isle of Man and Dartmouth.
A four-night voyage from London’s Tower Bridge to Oslo will also be offered, taking guests through the Kiel Canal and Aalborg in Denmark. Before leaving the UK, Nansen will be showcased at an event held at the London landmark.
Speaking to TTG following the announcement on 4 December, Daniels, general manager UK and EMEA, said Hurtigruten would aim to host ship visits in “nearly every port of call” during the ship’s time in the UK.
He added how the company would look to make the process of securing a place to see the vessel “as open as possible” to agents from across the industry.
“To have Nansen in the UK for so long it’s just massive for us – it really is a game-changing opportunity to get so many partners and guests onboard to experience a hybrid ship for themselves.
“Ever since we knew she would be delivered early we’ve been working to bring her here and now we can show her off to agents who are new to our brand, expedition and cruise – we’re so proud and excited."
Daniels said details on how to bag places onboard Nansen during its visit would be revealed “in the next few weeks” and he recommended agents contact their regional sales manager.