Visit of the Cruise Ship MV Hondius, April 2026
Report from Kelly Green
And just like that, the 2025/26 cruise season has come to an end… and what a truly memorable season it has been.
This year felt different in the best possible way. The weather was incredibly kind to us, giving us calm seas and clear days time and time again. For Tristan, that is never something we take for granted, and it meant that almost every single ship was able to land successfully. The only exception was the Hamburg, which made the decision not to land despite conditions being favourable.
The MV Hondius off Pigbite with the island cliffs and the Peak in the background, and the 1961 volcanic cone in the foreground at the right. Photo: Philip Kendall
Our final visit of the season was the MV Hondius, and even as we moved well into mid April, the island continued to deliver those perfect little weather windows. She arrived in morning of Tuesday 14th April 2026, and cruised off the north east of Tristan while immigration formalities were dealt with.
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| Barry Thacker and Philip Kendall with (left) Captain Jan Dobrogowski, and (right) with Expedition Leader and regular visitor Hans Verdaat, returning islander Conrad Glass, and Leon Glass. Photos: Philip Kendall | |
Two of our island guides joined the ship in hopes of making a landing at Inaccessible Island. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t quite play along for a landing, but guests were still treated to zodiac cruising around the island, which in itself is an unforgettable experience, getting up close to the cliffs and wildlife. The ship also did a circumnavigation of Tristan island.
MV Hondius approaching the harbour amid the early morning sunbeams. Photo: Kelly Green
Wednesday morning started early, with one of those breathtaking sunrises that stops you in your tracks. It was a cooler start, but the sea was calm, the skies were clear, and everything just came together perfectly. Visitors spent the day ashore making the most of everything on offer. There was a great buzz around the settlement, with guests heading off on guided walks, exploring at their own pace, visiting the museum, and enjoying all the open venues. The pub, as always, was a firm favourite, full of laughter and stories being shared from their journey.
Tristan's COO, Craig Robertson, taking photographs of Hondius visitors at the Romotest Island sign - a full time job!.
Photo: Philip Kendall
By way of something different, a passenger who owns a museum in Katwijk, Holland, showed a video that some of the students at Pieter Groen College had put together to show the children here on Tristan. The college is named after one of Tristan's founding fathers Peter Green (originally Pieter Groen). Hondius crew members also talked to the children. We report separately on St Mary's School's Hondius visitors.
A passenger from Katwijk, Holland shows Tristan's schoolchildren a video made for them by students at Pieter Groen College. Photo: Rhyanna Swain
Then came Thursday, and what a way to round things off. We were so pleased to hear that conditions came right at Nightingale Island, allowing 110 passengers to land. It’s always something special when that happens, and a brilliant way to end the visit on a high. On Friday, the Hondius did a circumnavigation of Gough Island before continuing on her way to St Helena.
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| The Hondius at Nightingale Island and zodiacs waiting to pick up passengers. Photos: Wayne Swain | |
The visit of the Hondius was more than just a cruise ship visits. She brought with her returning islander Conrad Glass, and kindly took away with her a family of islanders with her who are travelling overseas - Paul, Geraldine & Katie Repetto, and Linda Green. That was not all she took away with her. She took several of sacks of Tristan potatoes that had been ordered by people on St Helena, and also a supply of fresh seafood for the ship's galley, including our famous rock lobster.
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| Tristan potatoes bagged up for customers on St Helena. Photo: Philip Kendall | Islanders leaving Tristan with passengers for their onward journey to St Helena via Gough Island. Photo: Philip Kendall |
Behind the scenes, it has been a full and busy season. From early starts at the harbour, opening venues, running tours, preparing food, managing shops, coordinating with ships, and everything in between, it has taken a huge team effort. There are not many of us here, but everyone steps up, and that’s what makes it all work.
Fresh Tristan lobster and yellowtails being taken to the ship. Photo: Philip Kendall
I would personally like to say a huge thank you to everyone on the island who has played a part this season, whether front of house or behind the scenes. Your hard work, flexibility and positivity do not go unnoticed. And of course, thank you to all the cruise ship teams who continue to bring visitors to Tristan, sharing our island with people from all over the world and giving them a once in a lifetime experience.
As one season closes, we already start looking ahead. We look forward to welcoming you all again in the years to come.