The port of Pasaia received a new passenger ship this Monday, the 'Greg Mortimer', which has drawn attention for the avant-garde design of its hull. This vessel features an inverted bow, known as X-Bow, allowing it to navigate the most remote places on the planet, including Antarctica.
The 'Greg Mortimer' arrived in Pasaia Bay just minutes before ten in the morning. Measuring 104 meters in length and 18.2 meters in beam, its entry into the narrow sea arm separating San Pedro from San Juan interrupted daily routines. Locals and passersby paused their activities to gaze at the ship, which boasts spacious observation decks.
On its way to the Buenavista pier, where it docked twenty minutes later, it advanced comfortably, just as it does on other voyages, both through ice and against high waves without hindrance. Although it has a capacity for 130 expeditioners, this time approximately 120 people with US passports are on board, in addition to its 37 crew members.
Its stop in Pasaia allowed them to disembark for bus excursions to various towns in Gipuzkoa. They did not have much time for sightseeing, as everyone had to return to their cabins in the early afternoon, as the ship departed around 4:00 PM to continue its route towards France.
Its itinerary began in Lisbon, from where it traveled to A Coruña and then to Gijón. The next port will be La Rochelle, followed by other points along the French Brittany coast. After stopping in Ostend (Belgium), it will head to the Netherlands, specifically to Amsterdam, the chosen destination to conclude a thirteen-night journey through Europe.
This passenger vessel, named after an Australian polar explorer and belonging to the Australian shipping company Aurora Expeditions, reaches a maximum speed of fifteen knots. Across its eight decks, there are nearly 80 cabins overlooking the ocean. Furthermore, this second cruise ship to visit the Gipuzkoan dock in a few days features a restaurant, conference room, wellness center, gym, sauna, jacuzzis, and many other amenities. It is characterized by low energy consumption, high fuel efficiency, and a design that reduces emissions. Another unique feature is its virtual anchoring capability, allowing it to float without an anchor and thus without disturbing delicate areas of the seabed.
The third passenger ship of the 2026 season for the port of Pasaia will be the 'Fridtjof Nansen', which will arrive this Tuesday after dawn. With 140 meters in length and eleven decks, this impressive polar cruise ship will remain in the bay for six hours. It is part of a new generation of sustainable cruises, being hybrid and capable of navigating in electric mode, and incorporates the most modern technologies to minimize its environmental impact.
