We had dreamt of taking our 10-year-old Kidsetter to Antarctic however we knew selecting the right vessel would be imperative. After many hours of research, we chose Hurtigruten for a few key reasons;
- they operate the world’s first hybrid-electric powered expedition cruise ships
- their ships could withstand the Drake Passage if the sea turned into the infamous ‘Drake Shake’
- They have removed single use plastic from their ships
- They run sustainable operations exploring the wilderness without leaving permanent impacts.
- The have an amazing science centre on board.
Boarding our Hurtigruten Cruise ship from Punta Arenas in Chile, we sailed to Antarctica.
Our Kidsetter was the only Kidsetter on board. The crew were young at heart and wanted to involve him in all the could – COVID permitting. We are fortunate as our Kidsetter loves to engage with others and is in his element when doing so. The crew created a special Hurtigruten name tag for him and his title become ‘Wildlife Warrior’. How fitting.
On board the ship there were many great lectures. Admittedly, prior to boarding the ship I imagined old, serious professors holding lectures that would be dry, not holding my attention let alone our Kidsetters’. Pleasingly, the crew are young, engaging and vibrant. The wealth of their expertise and knowledge is mind-blowing. We were forever hanging out in the Expedition team centre to ask questions and delve deeper into their experiences.
Zoe the Chief Scientist held a lecture on the Underwater Drone footage she had taken out whilst we were on Brown Station. Zoe had us enthralled learning about giant sea sponges, sea stars, and coral. She also had us in fits of laughter as she enacted a crime scene that had taken place were a Sea Cucumber had been attacked by a predator. Hilarious !
Zoe invited our Kidsetter to join the Expedition Team to be the first on site at Brown Station and set up the flags and emergency equipment and help oversee the epic snow slide for Hurtigruten guests. What an experience ! He was even able to wear a special Yellow Expedition Team jacket.
You can imagine his excitement boarding the Zodiac with the Expedition Team. Once at the landing they made a conga line to decant the Zodiac. Our Kidsetter enjoyed the many, many Gentoo penguins waddling past him as he trekked up the snowy mountain to help lead the way for the Hurtigruten guests to slide down the snowy mountain. He slid down 11 times.
After 6 hours at Brown Station, it was time to return to the ship. Our Kidsetter was on such a high to be the only guest on board asked to be a part of the Expedition set up team.
The following day our Kidsetter was invited once again by the Chief Scientist to join herself and Lilia (a Mexican Marine Biologist) on a phytoplankton sample collection expedition. Heading out near Cuverville Island we positioned the Zodiac between 2 icebergs. Apparently, the perfect place to collect some samples. After some clear instructions from Zoe, our Kidsetter was able to lower the Conductivity (Salinity) Temperature Depth (CTD) Hydrographic instrument into the water to measure the depth of the water.
Next it was time to collect samples of the top ocean water levels, by dipping bottles into the water. The collection came to halt by 2 leopard seals. Each were killing a penguin thrashing it about violently, to kill and eat it. Our Kidsetter remarked “This is depressing”.
After the unsettling nature scene, it was time to drop the Phytoplankton Tow Net into the ocean and drag along the ocean floor to collect Zooplankton and Phytoplankton. Once we collected all the specimens we returned to the ship and straight to the science laboratory to view the samples under the microscopes. Our Kidsetter was enthralled to learn about the samples he’d just collected from the Zodiac. What a fabulous way to learn about science.
The following day we were almost able to land on Fournier Bay, however weather conditions took a turn for the worse with winds blowing 83 knots along with snow which made disembarking via zodiacs too dangerous. Disappointing but also relieved as we did want to be out in those weather conditions. The ship put on a scavenger hunt which they made SUPER difficult. We got there in the end !
Our Kidsetter involved himself with the Expedition team. He helped with sorting Velcro patches, set up RAT tests, bird watched with the Ornithologist, was chased by the Geologist, ran the Art & Craft sessions for the other Hurtigruten guests, cleaned radios and the special Antarctic boots we wore on land. If we weren’t onshore exploring, our Kidsetter spent every waking hour hanging with the Expedition team absorbing their passion and breadth of knowledge in Glaciers, History, Wildlife, Science and Photography. What an education !
Lancy the resident Ornithologist and our Kidsetter enjoyed many bird watching sessions together using binoculars. Unbeknownst to our Kidsetter Lancy had arranged for our Kidsetter to be a part of a private wildlife rescue. A Wilson’s Storm Petrel and a Cape Petrel had landed on board and needed to be returned to the wild. Lancy held the birds on his palm over the ship barricade and waited patiently for the birds to feel comfortable enough to take flight. It was a special moment.
The hospitality crew were always so welcoming and embracing of our Kidsetter. He made many friends in Aune restaurant.
One evening, Lara, Paul, Nahual and Candice performed the funniest Pantomime debunking Sea Legend Myths. They had us in non-stop fits of laughter. Such a giggle.
Another evening we were entertained by Luciano playing his traditional Andean flute held in the Explorer lounge. It was quite apt, as he is from Punta Natales and we had just visited there earlier that day. Very moving !
Heading from Antarctica to Punta Arenas in Chile, the ship travelled 2 days through the Drake Passage to reach Chile. Unfortunately, we experienced the infamous ‘Drake Shake’ with 7 metre waves, thankfully MS Roald Amundsen can easily withstand these conditions and more.
On the final eve of our voyage the Expedition team held a thorough re-cap of our journey together – it was spine tingling. Ebo the Expedition team’s leader, sweetly announced his youngest and newest team member was also going to present to the audience. Our Kidsetter spoke to the 300 guests and then performed a rap song about seeing a whale in Antarctica. A special moment indeed.
In just 3 weeks we had become close friends with the crew and they had looked after us with such care and became our friends. It was awfully hard to say goodbye to some amazing people, alas until next time. What a wonderful trip.
