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Ship:  Akademik Ioffe

Itinerary:  Spitsbergen Explorer: 11 days in the Arctic

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  View from the Deck

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Day 1 :	Embarkation Day - Longyearbyen
Days 2-4 :	Western Spitsbergen
Days 5-8 :	Smeerenburg
Days 9-10 :	Bourbonhamna
Day 11 :	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
11	Jun 28, 2010	$4,490	$5,890	$6,390	$6,890	$7,390	$7,690	$8,390
		Optional kayaking: $495 per person
Destinations : Arctic, Europe, 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

The islands of Svalbard, including the largest, Spitsbergen, are glacier-topped mountains that rise from Arctic waters sprinkled with ice floes. Your first view will be from the air as you fly into Longyearbyen to embark.

Days 2-4 : Western Spitsbergen

On the west coast of Spitsbergen, we’ll cruise in Zodiacs, near a magnificent ice cliff, the 14th of July Glacier. We’ll also visit Ny Alesund, an international Arctic research station. Birders should add to their life list, as this is a known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings.

Days 5-8 : Smeerenburg

At Smeerenburg, we’ll visit relics of the whaling industry, blubber ovens and whalebones. While you visit the former whaling station, the Expedition Team recounts the Dutch and Basque influences on the local community, which relied on the harvesting of bowhead whales for survival.

Norway’s Arctic Islands of Svalbard are so numerous that certain areas within the archipelago have names that reflect the profusion, Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) for example. We’ll go ashore on Aekongen to seek Red-throated Drivers and a whale skeleton.

The temperature drops as we continue northward. We cross 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole, when ice conditions permit. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around this small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard!

Days 9-10 : Bourbonhamna

The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favored route of beluga whales. We’ll search for the white whales. Ashore, we’ll learn about hunting and whaling, as we stand amidst thousands of whale skulls left by whalers.

Day 11 : Longyearbyen

We’ll transfer you from the ship to the airport for your flight home. Those who wish to extend their stay will be dropped at the Radisson Hotel on the way.

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.