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Ship:  Akademik Ioffe

Itinerary:  Introduction to Spitsbergen: 8 days in the Arctic

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  View from the Deck

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Day 1 :	Embarkation Day, Longyearbyen
Day 2 :	Alkhornet and Poolepynten
Day 3 :	Smeerenburg, Fuglesangen, Moffen Island
Day 4 :	Alkefjellet, Torellneset
Day 5 :	Monacobreen, Worsleyneset
Day 6 :	Raudfjorden Hamiltonbreen, Norskoya
Day 7 :	14th of July Glacier, Ny Alesund
Day 8 :	Longyearbyen
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Main Deck Triple	Main Deck Twin	Upper Deck Twin	Twin Private	Superior Twin	Peregrine Suite	Cook Suite
8	Jun 14, 2010 Jun 21, 2010	$2,690	$3,790	$4,190	$4,590	$4,990	$5,390	$5,690
		Optional kayaking: $495 per person
Destinations : Arctic, Norway

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- GUARANTEED NO FUEL SURCHARGE FOR CRUISES FROM APR 2009- MAR 2010
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Ioffe's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages and $495 per person for Arctic voyages
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.

Day 1 : Embarkation Day, Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is the principal community of the archipelago the Norwegian’s call Svalbard. It is located on the largest island – Spitsbergen. There is a frontier quality to a town that has a local ordinance banning people from traveling without a rifle outside the town limits. We’ll transfer you from the airport to the ship for embarkation.

Day 2 : Alkhornet and Poolepynten

North and west of Longyearbyen on the opposite shore of Isfjorden is Alkhornet where you will make your first shore landing. The summit is 428 meters (1400 feet) above sea level. Murres, also known as guillemots, nest in the mountain’s cliff faces. There will be time to hike across tundra, which is not a stroll in the park, as tundra is rough and boggy.

Poolepynten, on an island off the west coast of Spitsbergen, is a walrus haul-out. The tusked marine mammals have been protected since 1952; their population growing from 100 to about 2,000 in more than half a century. We will go ashore to watch the huge creatures loll or dive.

Day 3 : Smeerenburg, Fuglesangen, Moffen Island

Steaming ever northward, we go ashore at Smeerenburg on Amsterdam Island. Dutch whalers established a community here in 1619. The literal translation of the town name is Blubber Town. You’ll learn about whaling as you explore the blubber ovens that remain to remind us of the archipelago’s economic past.

At Fuglesangen, you will visit a colony of Little Auks or Dovkies. A backdrop of steep mountains dusted with snow will make this shore landing an excellent photo opportunity. You may need a longer lens approaching Moffen Island, a walrus sanctuary. We adhere to strict guidelines that keep us at a distance so we don’t disturb them.

Day 4 : Alkefjellet, Torellneset

During the night we rounded the tip of Ny Frisland and entered the Hinlopen Strait. Our goal today is to visit Alkefjellet on the Spitsbergen’s east side. With your binoculars, scan the cliff face. Thick-billed murres or Brunich Guillemots nest there in the thousands. Fox and polar bears are often seen patrolling the base of the cliffs, waiting for a meal to drop from the sky – chicks that have fallen from the nest before they are ready to fly.

The ship will sail across Hinlopen Strait to Torellneset on the island of Nordaustlandet. Be on the lookout for walrus and evidence of isostatic rebound – the rise of a landmass after an ice sheet retreats. The weight of an ice sheet during an Ice Age depressed the land that lay under it.

Day 5 : Monacobreen, Worsleyneset

You’ll awake this morning to find the ship at anchor near the Monaco Glacier at the head of Liefdefjorden. Tens of thousands of birds are often found on the water at the base of the glacier. Later we’ll sail to Worsleyneset to hike and learn more about the human history of Svalbard.

Day 6 : Raudfjorden Hamiltonbreen, Norskoya

The ship is sailing westward along the north coast of Spitsbergen. At Raudfjorden, we’ll cruise in Zodiacs, before visiting Norskoya to learn about the whaling industry in the Arctic. You will be able to hike to the summit of a hill for a panoramic view and the opportunity to take unforgettable photos.

Day 7 : 14th of July Glacier, Ny Alesund

Your final day on the water will be spent on the western coast of Spitsbergen. At the 14th of July Glacier, you should find tundra flowers in bloom. Ny Alesund is a research station with a transient population that ranges from 35 in the winter to 200 in the summer. The indigenous Svalbard reindeer may be grazing, so keep your camera handy.

Day 8 : Longyearbyen

You will disembark after breakfast to make your way home.

Ship Description: Akademik Ioffe

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Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Ioffe offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength.

As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Ioffe forms the ideal platform from which to travel Antarctica and the Arctic. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.

The Akademik Ioffe is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.

All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions during your travels. There is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.

Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category.	Main Deck Twin Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Upper Deck Twin One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category.	Twin Private One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Superior Twin 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 10 cabins in this category.	Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category.
Cook Suite The Cooke Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category.