Svalbard
Cruise
Polar Bear Expedition
Semi-navigation of Spitsbergen, Wildlife, Birding, Glaciers,
Hiking, Polar Bears!
9 Days | Departures: 6/14/18, 6/22/18 | From: $5,795
Testimonials |
Ship types
Trip Highlights: In the summer months
when the sea ice disappears, it concentrates polar bears on
Svalbard so there are more than there are people. Once out of
the capital of Longyearbyen, you are in a truly wild and spectacular
place with an assortment of historical relics where people in
the past eked out an existence in this harsh and forbidding
landscape. Well above the Arctic Circle, you can expect 24 hour
or near 24 hour daylight for the duration of your trip. Svalbard
is the name of the archipelago, Spitsbergen is the largest island.
Rates: $5,795 - $13,295
Single Rate:
1.7 - 2 times the double occupancy rate, or can match with
other solo passengers to share a cabin
Sea Kayaking Option: Available all departures
- $695 per person
Snowshoeing Option: Included in cruise rate
Price includes snowshoeing
(not available on 6/22/2018); arrival transfer from Longyearbyen
airport to your hotel if you arrive one day prior to embarkation;
on embarkation day, transfer from hotel or Longyearbyen airport
to the ship; on the day of disembarkation, group transfer from
the ship to the Longyearbyen airport or downtown designated
drop-off location; waterproof boots on loan; parka - yours to
keep; photographic journal. Subject to change without notice.
Ship - Ocean Adventurer -
Expedition Ship
Passengers: 132
Summary
This voyage provides the opportunity to get
a taste of everything the Arctic has to offer, from polar bears
and walrus to spectacular scenery. You'll be treated to daily
presentations by your Expedition Team on board the ship, and
daily wildlife sightings on land. Hike, explore and enjoy the
beauty of the Arctic on your visit to Spitsbergen.
Similar Trips
Svalbard only cruises - 6 to 14 days
- Departures May to Sept. - range of ship types - from
$3,495
Cruises that include Svalbard
- options: Norway, Greenland, Iceland, Franz Josef Land,
Fair Isle - 6 to 17 days - from $2,130
Contact our travel partners
who will help you find the best cruise for your requirements
Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen,
Norway
Your Spitsbergen adventure begins when you
board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement.
As you embark, you'll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape
that serves as a backdrop for this seaside village.
Days 2 - 8: Exploring
Spitsbergen
You'll cruise around this magical island
on a constant search for wildlife. Your expedition will cover
western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying
islands to the north. From polar flora to immense glaciers,
the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife.
Each expedition presents new opportunities and
different weather and ice, so there is no fixed itinerary; some
favorite destinations, include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg,
Alkefjellet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited
will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing and appreciation
of the history and geology of Spitsbergen. Polar bear viewing
is almost guaranteed, with Hornsund being one of their preferred
hunting areas, and the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet providing
many free bird egg meals for both them and the arctic fox.
Poolepynton is great for walrus viewing and
photography. Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you
won't forget. These lumbering giants of the Arctic create quite
a noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.
If you're itching for a more personal
and intimate view of the arctic scenery, then taking an optional
kayaking excursion to some of the more isolated pockets of Spitsbergen
is highly recommended. Smeerenburg is a great place for an optional
snowshoeing excursion, if conditions permit. You can visit a
memorial erected in 1906. This historical site honors the whalers
who lost their lives in the 17th and 18th centuries while working
in extreme arctic conditions.
There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen.
The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers
bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you'll see something
new, whether it is a rare bird species, a polar bear on the
hunt, or a century-old abandoned hut.
Days 9:
Longyearbyen, Norway
The time to
say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the
frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here you'll
transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Notes:
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and
program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and
the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success
of this expedition.
2018 Bilingual Departures:
English/French. There will be a French speaking expedition
team member onboard (2018 departures only).
Mandatory Travel Insurance:
Due to the remoteness
of the areas in this itinerary, travelers are to carry a minimum
of $50,000 of emergency medical coverage. Proof of coverage
is required prior to embarkation. All guests are strongly recommended
to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The shipping
company will not be held responsible for delays due to force
majeure. Any additional costs accrued will be the responsibility
of the traveler. We strongly recommend that the travel insurance
policy covers trip cancellation insurance, trip delay (interruption
or after departure coverage), baggage and repatriation. We can
assist you with this.
Kayaking Option:
$695 per person
Not included in cruise rate. This is a pre-booked
option for kayakers with some experience. Places are strictly
limited so please advise at time of booking.
Included:
Arrival transfer from Longyearbyen
airport to your hotel if you arrive one day prior to embarkation;
transfer from your hotel or Longyearbyen airport to the ship
on embarkation day; group transfer from the ship to Longyearbyen
airport or a designated drop-off location downtown on disembarkation
day; shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; meals
on board throughout your voyage; shore landings per the daily
program; Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program;
photographic journal documenting the voyage; a pair of waterproof
expedition boots on loan for shore landings; an expedition parka
- yours to keep; coffee, tea, cocoa available around the clock;
hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin; miscellaneous service
taxes and port charges; luggage handling aboard ship; emergency
evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person*.
Subject to change without notice.
Not Included:
Airfare; passport and
visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals
ashore; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance;
excess baggage charges; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac
cruising; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges;
phone and internet charges; the customary gratuity at the end
of the voyage for ship's crew and staff; additional overnight
accommodation; fuel surcharge may apply.
*Emergency Evacuation Insurance:
Emergency
evacuation coverage to a maximum benefit per paying passenger
of $100,000 is included in the cost of this expedition. Included
coverage is applicable only to travel between the first and
last day of the expedition purchased. Additional days of travel
prior to the expedition and/or after the expedition are not
covered by the included emergency evacuation insurance. We strongly
advise all passengers to purchase medical, cancellation and
baggage insurance, and additional emergency evacuation coverage.
