Explore Spitsbergen above the Arctic Circle near the North Pole
Grand Arctic
expedition on MS Polar Star
The
MS Polar Star, 3500 tons, 94 berths, 46 outside cabins, modernized in
2000. She has a dining room, a public lounge, a lecture hall,
a library and a bar. The Arctic expedition ship has a fleet of Zodiacs
for excursions (photo courtesy: Anna-Maija Pirttila-Backman).
Expedition Voyages on the MS Polar
Star circumnavigates Spitsbergen. Passengers cruise under
the midnight sun exploring Spitsbergen's Arctic landscapes and abundant
wildlife: massive glaciers covering 60 percent of the land, fjords lined
with steep cliffs, rugged mountains, and polar bears, wild reindeer, Arctic
foxes, walruses, whales, seals and many species of migratory birds. All
Spitsbergen programs feature naturalist guides, lectures and Zodiac landings.
Day 1: Depart the U.S.
Transatlantic flight to Oslo from the U.S. (If you are based outside North America, contact
us and we will subtract airfare from rates)
Day 2: Oslo
Transfer from the airport to downtown. Explore the city's many sites, like the Vigeland Park.
Day 3: Oslo-Longyearbyen
Breakfast at your hotel. Day on your own before transferring to the airport for your flight to Longyearbyen. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a guide and transfer to the Spitsbergen Hotel. [B]
Day 4: Longyearbyen/Embarkation-Barentsburg
Enjoy time on your own in the morning. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen before embarking the MS Polar Star where a welcome meeting will be held. Now 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. On your way out of the Isfjord, call at Barentsburg, a Russian mining community, and enjoy a guided tour. [B/L/D]
Day 5: NY-Alesund-Magdalenefjord-Smeerenburgfjord
Today you'll have reached the northern parts of the Prins Karls Forland Island, with its sharply-peaked mountains on all sides surrounded by massive glaciers that will take your breath away. Continue passed the majestic Kongsfjord to the international research center of Ny-Alesund, also the starting point for many 1920s expeditions trying for the North Pole, and join the guided tour. Proceed north to the Magdalenefjord, one of the most beautiful fjords in Spitsbergen. Thousands of rare auks can be found here, and whales can be spotted. Then enter into the Smeerenburgfjord, another stunning fjord. In Zodiacs, you'll cross the narrow sound to Virgohamna. This was the starting point of the ill-fated 1897 Swedish expedition to reach the North Pole by balloon. [B/L/D]
Day 6: Woodfjord-80° Latitude
The ship continues round the northeastern corner of Spitsbergen, entering the spectacular Woodfjord. Today's goal is to reach the 80° parallel, sailing by Moffen Island, before heading further east towards the Hinlopen strait and the remote parts of Spitsbergen. You'll make a Zodiac landing to personally experience the startling beauty of this High Arctic landscape. [B/L/D]
Day 7-10: Hinlopen Strait-Austfonna Glacier
King Winter never truly relaxes his grip on Spitsbergen's east coast, majestic in its infinite silence. Here are some of Svalbard's most desolate regions, including Nordaustlandet, the second largest island, almost completely enveloped by two enormous glaciers. The front of the larger one, Austfonna, is 124 miles wide. Weather permitting, you'll make a Zodiac landing to encounter the glacier ice up close. (Early season route for those eager to see lots of ice and birds: Travel north along Nordaustlandet, via Wahlenbergfjord, then on in the direction of Sjuoyane; Later season route: Sail via Edgeoya, Storfjord and around the Southern Cape; these cruises go further east, and may perhaps sail around all of Spitsbergen.) [B/L/D]
Day 11: Longyearbyen/Disembarkation-Oslo
After disembarking, transfer with your guide to the airport for your return flight to Oslo. [B]
Day 12: Oslo/Return to the U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. (or your home country) [B]
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, and may differ from one departure to another.
Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner
DEPARTURE DATES 2008: JUN 3-JUN 14; JUN 10-JUN 21; JUN 17-JUN 28; JUN 24-JUL 5; JUL 1-JUL 12; JUL 08-JUL 19; JUL 15-JUL 26; JUL 22-AUG 2; JUL 29-AUG 09; AUG 5-AUG 16; AUG 12-AUG 23
Rates:
From US$9500 based on double occupancy
for entire package including transatlantic air from the U.S. AARP members
enjoy a discount of $100 per cabin. If you are based outside the U.S.,
we will subtract air from rates. We can quote cruise only rates. Contact us for additional discounts.
How To Book
Rates
include: Roundtrip Economy Class transatlantic airfare from New York;
Roundtrip Economy Class airfare between Oslo and Longyearbyen; Transfers
in Spitsbergen; Transfers in Oslo by the Express Train between the airport
and downtown; Services of the expedition guides; Accommodations, including
breakfast; Accommodations in select cabin category; Three meals daily
shipboard; Port charges. Also, all Spitsbergen programs feature naturalist
guides, lectures and Zodiac landings. Rates do not include: Add-on airfares
for gateways other than New York and air taxes.
Polar
Bears
Approximately
4,500 polar bears inhabit Spitsbergen. Polar bears can be seen in the
east, north, and south, and polar bear spotting is also common along the
western fjords and coastlines. Visits of the polar bears to settlements
around Spitsbergen are familiar sights.
