Ship: Akademik Ioffe
Itinerary: Spitsbergen, Eastern Greenland & Iceland
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Hiking the Arctic landscape
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Longyearbyen – Embarkation |
|---|---|
| Days 2-4 : | Exploring Spitsbergen |
| Days 5-6 : | Greenland Sea |
| Days 7-12 : | Eastern Greenland |
| Day 13 : | Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) |
| Day 14 : | Reykjavik, Iceland |
| 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 | ||
| 14 | Jul 22, 2010 | $4,990 | $6,990 | $7,390 | $7,890 | $8,390 | $8,790 | $9,490 |
| Optional kayaking: $495 per person | ||||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, 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 : Longyearbyen – Embarkation
This three -country Arctic adventure begins on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen.
Days 2-4 : Exploring Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbard Islands, an Arctic archipelago, first visited by Europeans in 1596. We’ll spend the next three days exploring, taking advantage of local weather and ice conditions to seek polar bear and walrus. Anticipate visits to the 14th of July Glacier, the settlement of Ny Alesund and Monaco Glacier. Sightings of Arctic Terns, Arctic Skuas, Long- tailed Ducks, Kittiwakes and Glaucous Gulls are possible.
The temperature drops as we continue northward, crossing 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around Phippsoya, a small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard!
Days 5-6 : Greenland Sea
While at sea, the Expedition Team will deliver illustrated presentations about the wildlife and cultures you will encounter in Greenland, the second of the three countries you will visit during this expedition. Greenland is under home rule, but its international relations are conducted by Denmark. The naturalists assist with seabird identification from the deck of the ship. You may participate in as many, or as few shipboard activities as you choose.
Days 7-12 : Eastern Greenland
The coast of eastern Greenland is wild, rugged and often ice -bound, an excellent habitat for wildlife that require ice floes to thrive. We’ll sail the ice edge searching for walrus and polar bear. We will lower Zodiacs from time to time to cruise at ocean level or to go ashore. We’ll compare cultures as we visit the remains of ancient Thule settlements and a remote modern-day village, the most northerly on Greeland’s eastern coast. At all times, we’ll be on the alert for musk oxen, because 40% of the world’s population lives on the eastern coast of Greenland. Before leaving Greenland, we plan to sail into Scoresbysund, the largest fjord complex in the world, and the birthplace of many icebergs.
Day 13 : Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
The history of the Westman Islands is as shrouded by the mists of time as a Norse Saga. We know that westman was the name used by the Norse to refer to Irishmen. In the 1600s, a fleet from the Ottoman Empire that included Barbary pirates raided the islands, capturing 400 Icelanders.
You’ll learn more of the history of the islands on a walking tour of the town of Heimaey. You’ll see a documentary about the 1973 eruption of Eldfell. Like the rest of Iceland, the Westman Islands are volcanically active, creating, as recently as 1973, a new island, Surtsey.
Day 14 : Reykjavik, Iceland
This expedition disembarks in Reykjavik, the capital of the third Arctic country you will visit, Iceland.
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 TripleBunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category. |
Main Deck TwinBunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
Upper Deck TwinOne lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category. |
Twin PrivateOne lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
Superior Twin2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 10 cabins in this category. |
Peregrine SuiteThe 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 SuiteThe 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. |
