Kingdom of the Polar Bear on M/V Polar Star
8 nights / 7 days of cruising onboad M/V Polar Star, Longyearbyen - Icefjord - Barentsburg - Ny Ålesund - Kongs Fjord - Magdalene Fjord - Wood Fjord - Amsterdamøya - Danskøya - Hinlopenstrait - Austfonna Glacier - Longyearbyen | In the Realm of the Polar Bear!Expedition Cruises with Guides, Lecturers and Zodiac Landings.
Towards the very top of the Northern Hemisphere lies the Svalbard Archipelago. It is the most accessible high Arctic area in the world, yet its vast expanses of pristine nature appear almost completely untouched by humans. The best way to explore Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago is small ship cruising, on board the MV Polar Star, throughout the northern summer months, when the sun never sets.
The Expedition Leader and the guides will share with you their knowledge of the wildlife, Arctic conditions and history of the area. You will discover hunters' shelters and other evidence of the fierce conditions endured by the early polar pioneers. We go ashore one or two times every day by zodiacs. Shore excursions normally last two or three hours.
Board the M/V Polar Star for nine days exploring Spitsbergen's pristine, fierce, and remote northern and eastern regions— home to seals, whales, walruses, and the "King" himself, the Polar bear.
| O2 | R2 | E3 | T2 | W2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,403 | $5,548 | $6,508 | $7,403 | $8,565 |
Rates in USD per person, departures June 10th, 17th, 24th, July 1st & 8th, 2010
| O2 | R2 | E3 | T2 | W2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,726 | $5,871 | $6,831 | $7,726 | $8,887 |
Rates in USD per person, departures July 15th, 22nd, 29th, August 5th & 12th, 2010
| Departure | June 10th, 17th, 24th July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Aug 5th, 12th, 2010 |
| Price | From $5,403 per person in double Single supplement 75% |
| Included | Transfer on scheduled arrivals/departures to/from the quayside Transfers on scheduled arrivals and departures to/from quayside 1 night Spitsbergen Hotel Scandinavian breakfast buffet 1 x Lunch at Spitsbergen Hotel Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen, including Museum Accommodations onboard the MV Polar Star in select cabin category Three meals daily shipboard: breakfast, cooked lunch, 3-course dinner Program as described Shore excursions by zodiacs, one or two daily. (We normally dock at the quayside in Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund). Transfers on scheduled arrivals and departures to/from quayside 1 night Spitsbergen Hotel Scandinavian breakfast buffet 1 x Lunch at Spitsbergen Hotel sightseeing and visit to museum in Longyearbyen Accommodations onboard the M/V Polar Star in select cabin category Three meals daily shipboard: breakfast, cooked lunch, 3-course dinner. The meals are ample but not luxurious Program as described Shore excursions by zodiacs (once or twice a day) Transfer guide when arriving on Thursday (according to program) and throughout the stay in Longyearbyen and cruise guides during the cruise that will provide information, give talks and lead the shore parties English speaking Expedition guide |
| Not Included | Airfare & airport taxes Pre- and post land arrangements Personal items & equipment Beer, wine, mineral water (sold on board) Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended) $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | All prices are subject to alteration. Limited number of single cabins available. Prices for triple cabins available upon request. How demanding is this tour? The tour does not make any special physical demands of you, but most of the landings are by means of a zodiac. The terrain on shore is rugged, so participants should be steady on their feet. A sense of adventure is always an advantage. Great emphasis is placed on having qualified expedition leaders with comprehensive knowledge of Svalbard and arctic conditions. In conjunction with our experienced tour guides they ensure safety in the fields and ensures that the rules and regulations are kept. The expedition staff will on all departures lecture about arctic topics, both on shore, out on deck, as well as in our excellent observation lounge. There is a medical doctor onboard M/V Polar Star. |
| Tour Options | Flight Tromsø - Longyearbyen Flight Oslo - Longyearbyen Overnight in Oslo International flights available on SAS, please request. |
Spitsbergen Expedition Cruise Map
Norwegian Polar Institute: Polar Bears in Svalbard in pdf
Day 1 ARRIVAL LONGYEARBYEN
Thursday
09:55 SK4414 from Oslo, via Tromsø (arr. 11:45, dep. 12:15), arr. 13:55, airport shuttle (NOK 50,-). 20:40 SK4496 from Oslo, direct flight, arrival 23:30 transfer to Spitsbergen Hotel included. 22:50 SK 4492 from Tromsø, arrival 00:30, transfer to Spitsbergen Hotel included (connecting flight from Oslo to Tromsø; to SK4434, 19:50-21:35).
Spitsbergen Hotel
Day 2 LONGYEARBYEN - EMBARK - BARENTSBURG (B, L, D)
Friday
07:00 Breakfast is served until 10:00. Check-out time.
11:45 Welcome meeting at the hotel, then time on your own.
12:30 Lunch in the restaurant at Spitsbergen Hotel.
13:30 Sightseeing in Longyearbyen, visit at the Svalbard Museum, ends at the pier.
15:30 Embarkation MV Polar Star.
16:00 Sailing time from Longyearbyen. 18:30 Arrival time Barentsburg. Sightseeing. Individual visits at the Pomor museum (NOK 40,-). 19:30 Time to look around, and for souvenir-shopping (cash only, in NOK, Euro and USD). Folklore show at the Cultural house. Return to the ship by walking the stairs down to the harbour. 21:00 Sailing time from Barentsburg. At night time we sail out of the Isfjord, then northbound along the coast of the Prins Karls Forland.
Day 3 NY ÅLESUND - MAGDALENE FJORD (B, L, D)
Saturday
09:00 Arrival time Ny-Ålesund. Guided walk in town, with information about the history of coalmining and exploration. Time for individual walk around, museum visit and souvenir shopping (credit cards accepted). 11:30 Sailing time from Ny-Ålesund. We pass "The seven Icebergs" before reaching Spitsbergen's northwest corner. Arrival in the Magdalenefjord and the Smeerenburgfjord in the afternoon.
Day 4 WOODFJORD - HINLOPEN (B, L, D)
Sunday
When reaching the Woodfjord we can see Nordaustlandet in the horizon. Crossing the 80th parallel sailing by the Moffen Island, before heading further east towards the Hinlopen-strait and the remote parts of Spitsbergen.
Day 5 HINLOPEN STRAIT - LOMFJORD - AUSTFONNA GLACIER (B, L, D)
Monday
Depending on the weather- and ice-conditions we sail south through the Hinlopen-strait with fjords on each side (alternative routes if meeting heavy pack ice are numerous). We aim to visit the astonishing bird cliff Alkefjellet by the Lomfjord. Zodiac landings at interesting sites. If possible to Vibebukta near the Austfonna glacier.
Day 6 POLAR BEAR COUNTRY (B, L, D)
Tuesday
Now we are in the land of the polar bear. Possible alternative route early in the season is north along Nordaustlandet, via Wahlenbergfjord or Murchinsonfjord and then in the direction of Sjuøyane. Possible route later in the season is via Sørport, towards Storfjord and Edgeøya where we make landings, before sailing on around Sørkapp (South Cape).
Day 7 SOUTH CAPE - HORNSUND (B, L, D)
Wednesday
If reaching the very south of Spitsbergen we sail northbound on the west coast and into the beautiful fjord of Hornsund where we make landings.
Day 8 ICEFJORD - BILLEFJORD - SKANSEBUKTA (B, L, D)
Thursday
Return to the Isfjord in the afternoon, with possibilities for landing in the areas of the Billefjord and Skansebukta. Captains farewell party in the evening.
Day 9 LONGYEARBYEN - DISEMBARKATION (B)
Friday
02:00 Approximately arrival time in Longyearbyen.
02:15 Night transfer to the airport included.
04:05 SK4493/SK4407 to Oslo, via Tromsø (arr 05:40, dep 06:50), arrival 08:45.
04:50 SK4497 to Oslo, direct flight, arrival 07:45.
08:00 Latest embarkation from the ship for late departures or those with additional nights. No breakfast included. Transfer from harbour to Spitsbergen Hotel where it is possible to buy breakfast (NOK 85,-) and leave the luggage.
14:45 SK4425 to Oslo, via Tromsø (arr 16:20, dep 17:10), arrival 19:00, airport shuttle (NOK 50,-).
We make landings approximately two times a day. All times are subject to change. Schedule will change when ice- and weather-conditions make it necessary. This usually occurs on early departures in June Full board included in the program.