Greetings from the Shadow…

An excellent few days aboard the Shadow. I was welcomed and taken to my excellent suite where a bottle of chilled Champagne and selection of canapes awaited. The bathroom is lavish and the choice of both a bath tub and shower was a welcome sight after a stressful journey (which would have been made all the worse had I not sent my luggage ahead of me with Mundy Carte Blanche). An Italian feast was enjoyed on the first night, and I have been eating ever since.

A day at sea was enjoyed yesterday and a good hour was spent in a massage chair in the panamara lounge. The attentive staff have also made me feel instantly at ease and at home.

A city tour of Amsterdam is planned for this afternoon and dinner at Le Champagne is bound to be a highlight this evening.

I’ve just got back from seeing the newest addition to Hurtigruten’s intrepid fleet, MS Fram which is specifically focused and designed around exploration of the polar regions. At 12,700 tonnes and with only 318 berths, she is bucking the trend of many cruise lines by going smaller and more intimate than the rest of her fleet – and at just under 110 metres long her size ensures she can negotiate her way into ports of call completely off the radar of larger ships – perfect for exploring.

The décor is fresh and light, and the walls are littered with intriguing artwork inspired by both the Arctic and Greenland. The observation lounge is an excellent space, with huge windows plenty of seating and viewing chairs which look like something Captain Kirk would be at home in. Dotted throughout the lounge are telescopes for those wishing to get a hawks eye view of the passing landscapes.

On board there is an internet café, well equipped cardiovascular room, small shop, a bistro and the Scandinavian pre-requisites of saunas and outdoor Jacuzzis – which I would imagine only the most intrepid explorer would brave in the polar regions!

I definitely feel that Fram is perfect for the adventurous traveller who requires a certain level of comfort, but doesn’t wish to have the formality.

Helvetia herself is light and elegantly decorated with the obligatory large picture windows and plenty of areas to sit and watch the world float by.

On the sun deck there are plenty of teak sun loungers and tables and chairs. You are never far away from a warming blanket which is often needed for those misty early mornings and this area has covered sections so it is suitable for all weather, come rain or shine. I managed to get myself so comfortable on a freezing cold March morning just outside of Bingen that I was even able to drift asleep while beautiful castles and picturesque villages passed me by.

There was a good variety on the menu, if, predictably, a little Germanic in its composition, with rich sauces and some unusual, but tasty combinations. There was also the obligatory several course epic dining experience, which is certainly no surprise in the world of cruising, but seems to be honed to a fine art on the fresh waterways of Europe – just how much do they expect me to eat!!

My accommodation was a good size and rooms were well decorated.

The real point of difference I found was the proximity to the centre of the towns and cities where we stopped. In Cologne we were a five minute walk from the cathedral, which was bought to life with an excellent city guided tour. What a great way to see Europe