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SPITSBERGEN EXPEDITION CRUISE 2006
Expedition Cruise on board the M/V Polar Star
9 days / 8 nights, Longyearbyen - Isfjord - Barentsburg - Ny Ålesund -
Kongs Fjord - Magdalene Fjord - Wood Fjord - Amsterdamøya - Danskøya -
Hinlopenstrait - Austfonna Glacier - Longyearbyen
Departures: Thursdays, June 15, 22, 29 / July 06, 13, 20, 27 / August 03, 10, 2006
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Featuring Expedition 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. Large parts of Svalbard are national parks and nature preserves outside the few human settlements. There are no roads connecting the settlements, making Svalbard one of the few remaining areas of unspoiled wilderness. Surprisingly rich in fauna and flora, that has adapted to the demanding arctic conditions, many places are green and lush, with beautiful flowers in many colors. Fascinating geology, ancient rock formations, rich deposits of coal, fossilized plants, several hundred million years old, are still commonly found. Svalbard provides a wealth of wildlife, and our expedition cruises will reward you with views of colonies of nesting sea birds, mammals, reindeer, arctic fox, and the king of Svalbard, the polar bear, with an estimated number of 2,500 bears in the Svalbard area.
Spitsbergen with its rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and only 600 miles from the North Pole. Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen has a population of over 3000, and about 1000 people live in the Russian settlement Barentsburg, but the island’s 62,000 sq. km are largely unspoiled. The coasts are ice free in the summer and colorful wildflowers, mosses and lichens abound. Depending on ice conditions, our aim on this voyage is to circumnavigate Spitsbergen clockwise or counter-clockwise, with the emphasis on exploring key locations in the east, where Polar Bears abound. Late in the summer, the ice has usually broken up sufficiently to allow passage through Hinlopen Strait or via Kvitøya, a remote island east of Nordaustlandet, to give access to the wildlife-rich east and abundance of bird life.
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DAY 1 Thu LONGYEARBYEN
Independent arrival in Longyearbyen late evening / early Friday morning. Transfer to the Spitsbergen Hotel. Overnight Spitsbergen Hotel.
DAY 2 Fri LONGYEARBYEN - EMBARKATION - BARENTSBURG (B, L, D)
After breakfast, an information meeting will be held. Time on your own before lunch. After lunch enjoy a sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen before embarking the ice breaker M/V Polar Star at 15:30. Departure at 16:00. Your adventure begins: seals, whales, an abundant birdlife, unique Arctic flora, and hopefully polar bears will fill your days. Your journey is enhanced by daily lectures covering each day's upcoming itinerary, and questions regarding places and sights already experienced. On your way out of the Isfjord, you'll call at Barentsburg, a Russian mining community, and the headquarters for Russian activities in Svalbard, where you'll enjoy a guided tour.
DAY 3 Sat NY-ÅLESUND - MAGDALENE FJORD - SMEERENBURG FJORD (B, L, D)
Today you'll have reached the northern parts of the Prins Karls Forland Island, one of many natural parks, with its sharply-peaked mountains on all sides surrounded by massive glaciers that will take your breath away, and a remarkable wildlife, including walruses, seals, wild reindeer, and Arctic foxes.
Continue passed the majestic Kongsfjord to the international research center of Ny-Ålesund, also the starting point for many 1920s expeditions trying for the North Pole, where you'll enjoy a guided tour. Then proceed north to the famous Magdalenefjord, one of the most beautiful fjords in Spitsbergen, with its steep, towering rock faces edged by surrounding rugged mountains interrupted by several glaciers. Thousands of rare little auks can be found here, and whale spotting is possible.
You'll then enter into the Smeerenburgfjord, another spectacular fjord, and the first stop will be at Amsterdamøya and Danskøya. Visit the old whale hunting site where the Dutch whalers started up whaling in the seventh century. In Zodiacs, you'll cross the narrow sound over to Virgohamna at Danskoya, most famous as the starting point for the Swede Andrée in his 1897 attempt to reach the North Pole with the balloon Eagle.
Farther along the north coast, landing sites and the route of the ship are dependent on weather and ice conditions. Early in the season, there may be pack ice, making it difficult to go far north, but the chance of seeing large Arctic animals is greater at this time of year. The aim is to cross the 80-degree latitude line and try to reach the more easterly parts of Spitsbergen.
DAY 4 Sun WOODFJORD - HINLOPEN (B, L, D)
Today you'll continue round the northeast corner of Spitsbergen, while Nordaustlandet appears in the distance. Enter into the spectacular Woodfjord, weather permitting. You'll have the opportunity to take a closer look at the impressive Monaco Glacier and make Zodiac landings for an up-close experience of the animals, birds, and wildflowers that give color and vitality to the harsh beauty of the High Arctic.
DAY 5 Mon HINLOPEN STRAIT - LOMFJORD - AUSTFONNA GLACIER -
(B, L, D)
Glaciers, fjords and ice will dominate these days. King Winter never really relaxes his grip on the east coast of Spitsbergen, which is majestic in its infinite silence. Here you'll find some of Svalbard's most desolate regions, including Nordaustlandet, the second largest island, which is for the most part completely covered by two enormous glaciers. The larger one, Austfonna, has a spectacular front 124 miles and is the origin of Svalbard's largest icebergs. While navigating through Hinlopen Strait you'll enjoy fjords on each side. Weather permitting, participate in a Zodiac landing for a close-up encounter with the glacier ice. We hope to reach Alkefjellet by Lomfjorden and Vibebukta by Austfonna, however, this will depend on the ice conditions.
Alternative route early in the season: North along Nordaustlandet, via Wahlenbergfjord or Muchinsonfjorden towards Sjuoyane, before sailing south along the west coast.
Day 6 Tue POLAR BEAR COUNTRY
We sail towards Barentsøya, Edgeøya and Storfjorden through the southern gate of Hinlopen Strait. Go ashore to view impressive bird cliffs and former hunting stations.
Day 7 Wed SOUTH CAPE - HORNSUND
We turn to the South Cape and head north into Hornsund surrounded by spectacular mountains including Hornsundtind.
Day 8 Thu ISFJORD - BILLEFJORD - SKANSEBUKTA
We return to Isfjorden in the afternoon and it will be possible to go ashore in Billefjorden and Skansebukta. Captains Farewell Dinner in the evening.
DAY 9 Fri DISEMBARKATION/RETURN TO THE USA (B)
We arrive in Longyearbyen during the night. Transfer to the airport and departure early Friday morning.
Back to Top MV Polar Star Cabin Plan
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| Departure Dates 2006 |
| Spitsbergen Expedition Cruise, 9 days |
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Thursdays, June 15, 22, 29
July 06, 13, 20, 27
August 03, 10
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| Prices in US Dollars |
| D01 - D06, D09 & D10 |
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Cabin
Category
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Cabin Description
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Per person
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Single
supplement
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K2
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Double (twin), private facilities / windows*
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4,560
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2,460 |
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K3
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Double (twin), private facilities / windows
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4,680
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2,460 |
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K5
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Double superior cabin, private facilities
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4,820
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2,725 |
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K6
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Double Junior Suite, windows
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5,535
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3,010 |
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K7
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Double Suite, Amundsen and Nansen
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6,405
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3,395 |
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* Partly obstructed view on deck 3
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D07 & D08 (Peak Season)
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Cabin
Category
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Cabin Description |
Per person
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Single
supplement
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K2
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Double (twin), private facilities / windows*
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4,780 |
2,500 |
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K3
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Double (twin), private facilities / windows
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4,860 |
2,500 |
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K5
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Double superior cabin, private facilities
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5,000 |
2,770 |
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K6
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Double Junior Suite, windows
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5,715 |
3,010 |
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K7
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Double Suite, Amundsen and Nansen
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6,690 |
3,395 |
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Prices quoted in USD per passenger in cabin categories as described. Subject to availability and change.
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Due to continuous increase in the fuel costs, the shipping line had to increase the fuel surcharge on all cruise departures and expeditions including cruise transports.
The fuel charge will be imposed on all reservations made on/after November 15th.
The fuel surcharge will be:
USD$ 76.00 for the Expedition Cruise (6 days) per passenger.
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Included
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Transfer to/from Spitsbergen Hotel on arrival/departure
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Transfers to/from quayside
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Services of expedition guides
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1 night Spitsbergen Hotel
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Scandinavian breakfast buffet
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Accommodations onboard the M/V Polar Star in select cabin category
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Three meals daily shipboard
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Program as described
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Shore excursions by zodiacs (one or two daily)
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English speaking Expedition guide
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Not Included
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Airfare & airport taxes
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Pre- and post land arrangements
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Personal items & equipment
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Beer, wine, mineral water (sold on board)
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Gratuities
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Personal insurance / personal items
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Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended)
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$ 25 Service fee
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| Add-ons: Tour Options |
- Flight Tromso - Longyearbyen
- Flight Oslo - Longyearbyen
- International flights available on SAS
- Overnights in Oslo
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| Please note: |
All prices are subject to alteration.
Limited number of single cabins available.
Prices for triple cabins available upon request. |
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| List of Hotels |
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Night 1
Spitsbergen Hotel
Longyearbyen / Svalbard
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Night 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
On board MV Polar Star
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Click here for larger map
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