2 historic vessels with a combined age of 150 years are set to meet in the Solent later this month, as Norwegian passenger ship MS Nordstjernen makes her first-ever visit to Cowes.
Nordstjernen, described as the world’s oldest passenger motor ship still making international voyages, is due to call at Cowes later this month on 13th September.
Before arriving off the Isle of Wight, the 1956-built vessel is expected to meet preserved paddle steamer Waverley off Calshot at around 09:45 on the morning of its visit, where the Waverley will be travelling from Southampton towards Yarmouth and Weymouth.
The meeting of the 2 historic ships is dependent on suitable weather conditions.
Nordstjernen is expected to arrive off Cowes at around 10:00, with her passengers being brought ashore by tender at Trinity Landing/The Parade.
Around 90 passengers, mostly from Germany, will then spend the day touring the Isle of Wight.
The visit will be the final port call during Nordstjernen’s first voyage to England.
Built in 1956, the vessel originally operated on Norway’s Hurtigruten ‘coastal express’ mailboat service between Bergen and Kirkenes, close to the Russian border.
She was withdrawn from that service in 2012 and has since received the highest level of heritage protection granted by the Norwegian state.
Now operated by Vestland Classic, Nordstjernen offers ‘nostalgic voyages’ around northern Europe, calling at smaller ports which are often bypassed by larger cruise ships.
The historic ship is scheduled to depart Cowes at 18:00 before heading for Bremerhaven in Germany.
