Oceanwide Expeditions: Hondius

Several people have been asking about our Arctic trip and specifically the ship we went on ...so here goes. 

We booked through Heatherlea (click here for their website) on their Arctic to Aberdeen expedition. The trip was on the Hondius which is run by Oceanwide Expeditions (click here for their website) .  

As part of a group of 17 Heatherlea clients,  we had two excellent leaders with us and we were on the Hondius which has a capacity of 174 guests. 

To cut a long story short I couldn't both recommend these companies more! 

On the ship we had 21 different nationalities and everyone was there to enjoy the Arctic spectacle. Oceanwide are full members of AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) which is an organisation dedicated to managing respectful, environmentally-friendly,  safe expeditions in the Arctic. Being environmentally friendly as possible was very important to us when choosing this trip, although speaking to people, prior to our booking, everyone said the difference it makes to you in your passion for environmental issues always offsets any impacts - it certainly has affected us and I am seeking to continue to spread the message ......

Fair Isle  - Hondius and zodiac. 

Our cabin window ..

The Hondius is the first vessel built to class LR PC6, meeting the latest and highest demands of Lloyd's Register for Polar Class 6 vessels, the world's highest notation for ice strengthended vessels - she is an ice-mover rather than ice-breaker. 

We used zodiacs for our trips onto land ...

Zodiacs.

Pack ice landing ...basically drive the zodiac at the ice ..after all the H&S assesments .

Polar bear safety...

Our esteemed leaders - two nicer blokes you couldn't meet ..

People ask ..Was it crowded? No, is the answer we never felt that we were anything else than in a small group. 

We were always welcome on the bridge and there was a large monitor showing progress at reception...

..and where we were ...

The lectures, four a day, whilst travelling were brilliant. 

..and there was always time for a meet up and chat...with excellent coffee ! 

..and then there was the last night midnight sun ...and party! ...oh and as for the food...well what can I say - fabulous!