Another fantastic expedition in Svalbard where we saw 'everything': polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses, fin whales, beluga whales, birds, and incredibly beautiful landscapes. Another major reason we could fully enjoy the trip was our ship, M/S Quest, and its amazing crew who did everything to ensure we had an unforgettable experience.
Each ship has its captain, and on M/S Quest, his name is Hörður and he comes from Iceland. He has been at sea for 40 years, initially as a fisherman but, 25 years ago, he started working on passenger ships. He has worked in Svalbard for many years and on M/S Quest for three years.
Each day when we set out with the Zodiacs, the inflatable rubber boats we use, the deck crew led by 'bosun' Anthony ensures the Zodiacs are fueled, pumped, and launched by crane from the stern. Assisting him are Ralph, Gerick, and Chester, who also help the guests safely board the Zodiacs, despite waves and wind.
In order for us to feel comfortable on board, a well-functioning hotel department is required, including cabins and the restaurant. Noe is responsible for this. He started working aboard ships 39 years ago and, over the years, has worked on a lot of cruise ships until he ended up on M/S Quest in 2009. Normally, the crew changes ships quite often, but when Noe joined M/S Quest, he realized he had found his home away from home.
To ease his homesickness for Honduras, he now has his son, who is also named Noe, on board with him. Noe Junior has been on board since 2016 and knows the ship inside and out. He is one of the many multitaskers on board, cleaning cabins in the morning, serving food during the day, and working at the bar in the evening. Rex, Maria, Mariel, and Edralene also perform similar duties.
Perhaps not everyone recognizes Edralene by name, but if you mention 'Yummy, Yummy...' to anyone who has been on board the Quest, they'll instantly know who you're talking about. When it's mealtime, an announcement is made with an acappella song over the loudspeaker system, followed by 'Dinner (or Lunch) is being served at the restaurant.' Edralene is responsible for this charming touch. She loves singing.
Kevin takes care of all the dishes and always has a big smile on his lips. A hidden talent he possesses is playing the guitar. In fact, it is Kevin who plays the guitar onboard when it's time for a party or birthday celebration. On this trip, we had several birthdays, all celebrated with cake and song.
And, should an accident occur, there is also a doctor on board. Doctor Prince, who is from the Philippines, is doing his second season on the Quest. He started working on board ships in 2019, during the Corona pandemic and became intrigued by the opportunity to work in the Arctic, wanting to try something new. His first season got him hooked, so he is back again, like so many others.
As you can hear, it was a very experienced and dedicated team that took care of us and ensured the trip was a great success.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.
