Our ship, the NORDSTJERNEN, was built in 1956 at the renowned Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg. For 56 years, she sailed for the well-known Hurtigruten on the Norwegian coast and was the only way to reach small towns, as the road and rail network had not yet been developed. There were always three postmen on board to sort mail and parcels. Cars were transported on the forecastle and the cargo hold was also heavily used for the various needs of the population. In 2012, the ship was sold to the Norwegian shipping company Vestland Classic, which extensively renovated and restored it. This work had to be carried out strictly in accordance with the requirements of monument protection, as the ship was to be preserved for posterity in its original form and equipment in accordance with the specifications of the Norwegian Antiquarian. In the years 2015 – 2024, the ship was once again chartered by Hurtigruten, which used it to supply the population of Spitsbergen. Due to new legal regulations, the ship is no longer allowed to sail in polar waters and is now only available for passenger travel from spring to fall from 2025. The ship is in excellent condition and embodies the flair of the 1950s, which is probably no longer to be found anywhere else in the world in this form. Around 70 – 90 passengers have room on board in the nostalgically small cabins with bunk beds and (mostly) shower/WC. There are now enthusiasts of the ship who feel like a kind of “shiplover family”. The NORDTJRENEN is the most photographed ship in the Kiel Canal. The shared “experience of something special” is what makes these trips so appealing. Excursions and/or sightseeing tours are offered in every port. The friendly crew of 28 is part of the ship’s family. The languages spoken on board are German, English and Norwegian. There is no age restriction, but unrestricted mobility is required. Here are some more ship details: NORDSTJERNEN, year of construction 1956, Norwegian shipping company, Northern European ship’s command, length 80.77 m, width 12.60 m, draught 4.50 m, speed 15.5 kn, engine MaK (Maschinenbau Kiel), 3001 hp.