AROUND SPITSBERGEN
Around Spitsbergen - Arctic Cruise
Overview
For those travellers who have set their heart on seeing the great white bear in its natural habitat, this is undoubtedly the trip for you. With a local population of bears estimated at 3,000 (more bears than people!), this is arguably the best place in the whole of The Arctic in which to see them, and no expedition for the last +5 years hasn’t managed to achieve this. Cruise the narrow, sheltered coastal waterways of Spitsbergen under the midnight sun with a constant look-out for wildlife, while taking in the spectacular varied scenery and mighty glaciers. Daily exploratory zodiac landings accompanied by knowledgeable expeditionary staff. This is a fantastic introduction to The Arctic.
Expedition Dates for Summer 2009
Akademik Shokalskiy
12th - 22nd June*
22nd June - 2nd July*
2nd – 12th July*
12th - 22nd July*
1st - 11th August*
11th - 21 August
Antarctic Dream
6th - 16th July
16th - 26th July
26th Jul - 5th August
5th - 15th August
15th - 25th August
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
5th - 15th July*
4th - 14th Aug*
14th - 24th August*
Polar Pioneer
23rd June – 3rd July*
13th – 23rd July*
Plancius
28th Jun - 8th July
28th Jul - 7th August
7th - 17th August
17th - 27th August
MS Quest
13th – 23rd July
23rd August – 2nd September
* = kayaking on these departures
Email or Call Us on +44 (0)1285 643333 for a detailed itinerary
Details
Tour Dates
12 June 2009 - 22 June 2009 (11 days)
22 June 2009 - 02 July 2009 (11 days)
Costs (currency converter)
Boat Categories:
Small Expeditionary:
Professor Molchanov
Small Adventure:
Akademik Shokalskiy
Polar Pioneer
Medium Expeditionary:
MS Quest,
Plancius,
Antarctic Dream
Medium Adventure:
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Guide Prices for 2009
Cabin Type
(From guide price quoted per person)
Small Adventure Small Expeditionary
Triple cabin (With*/without bothroom) £2,875pp £3,350pp
Twin cabin with shared bathroom £2,935pp N/A
Twin cabin with private bathroom £3,890pp £4,350pp
Superior cabin with double bed and ensuite £4,530pp £5,020pp
Suite or owners cabin (Quest) £5,170pp £5,435pp
Medium Adventure Medium Expeditionary
Triple cabin (With*/without bothroom) £2,450pp Plancius Only
Twin cabin with shared bathroom £3,195pp Plancius Only
Twin cabin with private bathroom £3,465pp £4,070pp
Superior cabin with double bed and ensuite £3,995pp £4,495pp
Suite or owners cabin (Quest) £4,160pp £4,995pp
NOTES Please note that these prices are a guide only and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations and fuel surcharges.
*All cabins onboard the MS Quest & Plancius have their own en suite bathroom, including the Triple cabins
Single Supplement
For those solo travellers wishing to secure their own cabin, typically a multiplier of 1.7/ 1.8 a single berth is used to calculate the single supplement. Please contact the office for a quotation.
Flight Information
These guide prices exclude international flights to and from the point of embarkation/ disembarkation in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, however we can book these for you if you would like.
Flights from the UK to Longyearbyen are reasonably straightforward, with just a single change in Oslo. Scandinavian Airlines are the only airline to operate flights between Oslo – Longyearbyen and have only a few flights per day through the summer season.
Visa Information
For EU Passport holders, visas will not be required for Arctic. At all times it remains your responsibility to organise visas, although we are more than happy to advise, help and provide the relevant supporting documentation where necessary.
What's included?
- Cruise based on full board
- All lectures and guide services on board
- On shore-based excursions
- Complimentary parka jacket and wellington boot hire available on limited departures (Shokalskiy & Vavilov only)
What's excluded?
- All flights
- Any additional arrangements not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance, vaccinations and visas
- Gratuities on board & any Items of a personal nature, e.g. laundry, drinks, etc
- Additional fuel surcharge if levied by the boat’s operators
Accommodation
Professor Molchanov
The Professor Molchanov is a Small Expeditionary boat that has a maximum of only 52 passengers, ensuring a very personalised experience.
Akademik Shokalskiy
The Akademik Shokalskiy is a small expeditionay boat, that is highly maneuverable and able to access places larger vessels cannot
Antarctic Dream
Antarctic Dream is a Dutch built ice-reinforced medium expeditionary boat originally serving under the name Piloto Pardo for the Chilean Navy.
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Being very stable, the Medium adventure Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a good option for less confident sailors
Plancius
The Plancius was completely re-build & refurbished for the 2009 season. It is a comfortable medium adventure style vessel.
MS Quest
A very comfortable and well-appointed Small expeditionary ship which was extensively refurbished in 2004/05 to high standards with Scandinavian styling.
Polar Pioneer
Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an small adventure ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast.
Email or Call Us on +44 (0)1285 643333 for a detailed itinerary