Godmother Elise Grøndahl, Albatros Expeditions’ head of operations and product, conducted the ceremony in an environmentally friendly way by replacing the traditional bottle of champagne with a block of ice. (Hurtigruten Expeditions has done the same for its last two ships, following the lead of explorer Roald Amundsen.)
The event took place December 1 in the South Georgia archipelago.
Grondahl said: ‘I'm proud to be part of the team starting up the season on this magnificent new vessel.’
The South Georgia Heritage Trust
Albatros Expeditions President Hans Lagerweij added: ‘We choose for this event to happen in South Georgia, because of our great love for this unique place. We enthusiastically support The South Georgia Heritage Trust and are helping with the establishment of the sculpture “Commensalis – the Spirit Tables of South Georgia” at the old Grytviken Whaling Station. It tells the powerful story of an ecosystem in recovery.’
‘We are delighted that Albatros Expeditions chose South Georgia for such a momentous occasion,' said Laura Sinclair Willis, chief executive of the government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands.
Albatros Expeditions also launched its 2023/24 Antarctica season featuring a new record for number of visits to South Georgia.
Albatros Expeditions Chairman and owner Søren Rasmussen said: ‘The growth in interest we have seen in the immense nature of South Georgia is reflected in our new product range. We are proud to explore more of these magnificent islands in the future with the Ocean Victory and the Ocean Albatros, both with the lowest environmental impact in the industry.’
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