Visit of the Cruise Ship MS Seaventure, March 2024
Report from Kelly Green. Photos individually credited
With the visit of the cruise ship MS Seaventure, we had another successful day of landing passengers and crew although when she initially arrived off the settlement on Friday 29th March 2024, the weather had not been suitable to work the boats.
The MS Seaventure off Tristan, with Big Point in the background. Photo: Philip Kendall
Saturday 30th March
There was still a swell on the ocean on the Saturday morning and the wind was slightly puffy. However, Conrad Glass was on the radio early in the morning, and the conditions were expected to start looking better towards the afternoon.
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| The Seaventure's ladder for disembarkation at sea. Photo: Philip Kendall |
Passengers arriving in Calshot Harbour. Photo: Kelly Green |
At 11:00am the vessel moved closer to the harbour and operations started. The visitors were so happy to be ashore; there were grins from ear to ear! Many of them saying such things as "how fantastic it is to be here" and "I have waited so long to come here".
Intrepid Seaventure passengers hike to the summit of the 1961 Volcano. Photo: Andre Repetto
By 2:00pm all passengers had landed and were on their way on the tours. One smaller group headed to the top of the 1961 Volcano, the other went to Park '61, lower on the Volcano, where they could still get stunning views of the settlement.
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| Visitors head across American Fence onto the lava flow of the 1961 Volcano. Photos: Connor Glass-Green | |
Visitors pause for a photograph near Park '61 on the lava flow. Photo: Connor Glass-Green
It turned out to be a glorious day! And hardly a cloud in the sky, which meant views of the island from the ship were spectacular!
After the Volcano tours were finished, everyone came back to the Post Office and Tourism Centre to enjoy the famous Tristan Lobster. On a day as hot as this a nice cold beer or soft drink went down well too. Later in the afternoon the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Tour took place. Others enjoyed sitting in garden taking in the breathtaking view and writing post cards to friends and family.
Passengers on their Edinburgh of the Seven Seas village walk. Photo: Kelly Green
Posting post cards and relaxing in the grounds of the Post Office and Tourism Centre. Photo: Kelly Green
Our island Administrator Philip Kendall and his wife Louise are off on leave, and have the privilege of getting to travel on the ship! We hope they enjoy their time off island, and we will be welcoming them back in June.
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| The Chief Islander (left), the Admin and his wife exchange plaques with captain. Photo: Philip Kendall | Passengers about to leave the harbour after a memorable day. Photo: Kelly Green |
The last Zodiac with passengers left at 6:00pm, and not long after that the sun set beautifully behind Inaccessible Island, ending another beautiful day!
Sunday 31st March
The ship remained among the islands on the Sunday, doing zodiacs tours around the coasts of the Nightingale and Inacciessible Islands. As the Seaventure later headed off towards St Helena passengers were treated to a braai on deck with a menu including fresh Tristan Rock Lobster tails.
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| Zodiacs cruising round the coast of Inaccessible Island for close-up views of the wildlife. Photos: Philip Kendall |
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A zodiac off Middle Island on the way to Nightingale. Photo: Philip Kendall
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| Passengers enjoy a braai on deck after their zodiac tours, with sumptuous fresh Tristan Rock Lobster tails. Photos: Philip Kendall |
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The MS Seaventure has visited Tristan several times before under her former name, MS Bremen.