E-mail a friendShip: Akademik Shokalskiy
Itinerary: Spitsbergen Explorer 2009
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Longyearbyen |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Around Svalbard |
| Days 3-4 : | 14th of July Glacier |
| Days 5-6 : | Smeerenburg |
| Days 7-8 : | Moffen Island |
| Days 9-10 : | Bourbonhamna (Ahlstrandhalvoya)/ Barentsburgh |
| Day 11 : | Disembark / Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared Bath | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Superior | Suite | ||
| 11 | Jun 12, 2009 | $4,490 | $5,390 | $6,190 | $7,290 | $8,490 |
| Optional Kayaking: $495 per person | ||||||
| 11 | Jun 22, 2009 Jul 2, 2009 Jul 12, 2009 Jul 22, 2009 Aug 1, 2009 Aug 21, 2009 |
$5,290 | $6,290 | $7,190 | $8,390 | $9,590 |
| Optional Kayaking: $495 per person | ||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Svalbard Activities : Cultural Activities, Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching |
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This 11-day active adventure begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, one of Norway’s Arctic islands in the Svalbard archipelago. The aim of this expedition is to circumnavigate the coastline of the largest island in the group, Spitsbergen. The exact course depends on local weather and ice conditions. We expect to sail magnificent fjords, cruise in Zodiacs past towering sea cliffs and encounter polar bears and walrus in their natural habitat. Optional kayaking is available.
Day 1 : Longyearbyen
You fly into Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island, the main settlement of Svalbard. Dependant on your airline schedule, you may have some time to visit the museums and investigate the shops of this town of a little over a thousand inhabitants. On Day 1 you will be met at Longyearbyen Airport or the Peregrine meeting point (Radisson Hotel) and transferred to the pier, in time to board your ship, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov at about 3:30pm. Once on board, we\'ll get together for introductions to the expedition team, learn a bit about the ship and its layout, talk about our itinerary, and participate in the obligatory lifeboat drill.
We\'ll set sail from Longyearbyen around 6pm, heading north from Adventfjorden - the first of our fjords - into Isfjorden. During the night the Akademik Sergey Vavilov will pass the long island of Prins Karls Forland and then turn east into Kongsfjorden in the early hours. (D)
Day 2 : Around Svalbard
These days are spent exploring the coast and generally moving in a clockwise direction. Distances covered by the ship are not great, so much of the time will be available for shore excursions, sitting on the beach and just taking it all in, or being energetic and hiking, enjoying the wonderful wildlife, zodiac cruising and more. As mentioned, our itinerary will be very much determined by the location and movement of sea ice. (B,L,D)
Days 3-4 : 14th of July Glacier
Lying on the west coast of Spitsbergen, this magnificent ice cliff with the unusual name will be explored by Zodiacs cruising in the waters at its base. We’ll also visit Ny Alesund an international Arctic research station with a population of about 80 scientists and support staff. Birders should have their binoculars handy as this is known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings. (2B, 2L, 2D)
Days 5-6 : Smeerenburg
On the northwest coast of Spitsbergen is Smeerenburg, once known as Blubber Town. Dutch whalers established the community in the 17th century. Blubber ovens, whalebones, and other remains of the whaling industry are still visible. (2B, 2L, 2D)
Days 7-8 : Moffen Island
The temperature drops as we sail northward, crossing 80N, 965km (600 miles) from the North Pole. Moffen Island is a walrus sanctuary that we plan to visit on this expedition. On previous visits we have spotted polar bear and Sabine Gulls, in addition to walrus! (2B, 2L, 2D)
Days 9-10 : Bourbonhamna (Ahlstrandhalvoya)/ Barentsburgh
Beluga whales often transit the narrow Sound near Bourbonhamna. The adults are pure white and the younger animals a mottled grey colour. They are the only whales that can articulate their heads to nod and turn sideways. It’s estimated that there are approximately five to ten thousand belugas in the Svalbard population. The beluga has no dorsal fin, which is a diagnostic feature of other whale species that live in the high Arctic, like the narwhal and bowhead. Since a dorsal fin could be damaged when the animal surfaces in areas with ice, it has been postulated that the lack of dorsal fin is an adaptation to living in waters that are frequently covered by ice.
We’ll search for the belugas, and then hope to go ashore to Bourbonhamna. A hunter’s cabin, grinding wheel and two overturned boats are points of interest a short walk away at Ingebrigstenbukta. However, it’s the massive piles of beluga whalebones that catch everybody’s attention. The bones and all the artefacts are protected by the Svalbard Government and can’t be removed. While wandering amongst these bone relics, we may also expect to glimpse dozens of reindeer in the area. (2B, 2L, 2D)
Day 11 : Disembark / Return Home
We arrive back into Longbearbyen early this morning and, on disembarking the ship after breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for flights home. (B)
-Additional fuel surcharge of $22/night on ship, per person, for Arctic departures between Jun - Sep 2008.
- Additional fuel surcharge of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures between Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
- Sea Kayaking Option: US$695 per person (2008-2009 season) and US$795 per person (2009-2010 season)
- Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option for 2008-2009 season. $195 per person for 2009-2010. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabinmate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate for all cabins except suites.
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Akademik Shokalskiy
click to enlarge
Cruising around icebergs in the Arctic
Akademik Shokalskiy is a terrific expedition ship, sister ship to the Polar Pioneer. Built in Finland in 1983, she is ice-strengthened and has stabilizers for more comfortable travel. In 1998 she was refurbished to provide comfortable accommodation for 46 passengers, an ideal number for expedition cruising. On board are a combined bar/lounge and a dedicated lecture room/library (stocked with a good collection of reference books and videos). All cabins have outside portholes, plus ample storage space. The spacious bridge (always open to us) and the decks are ideal for viewing during your Antarctica travel.
The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced navigators in the world and their enthusiasm for exploration is legendary. Akademik Shokalskiy is not a luxury vessel. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable and the meals, prepared by European chefs and served by Russian stewardesses, are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Naiads with outboard motors enables us to make landings and explore magnificent places where few others have ever been.
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Triple Shared Bath 2 cabins with 2 lower and 1 upper berth, shared facilities, sink in the cabin and porthole window |
Twin Shared 8 cabins with shared baths (106-124 sq. ft.) Cabins have two lower berths (except for 315 which has 2 lower, 1 upper), sofa, writing desk, bookshelf, 2 wardrobes, cabinets, and 1 square window/ porthole |
Twin Private12 cabins with private bath with shower (100-125 sq. ft.) Cabins have one lower and one upper berth (Some cabins have 2 lower berths), sofa, drawers, refrigerator, writing desk,bookshelf, 2 wardrobes, and 1 square window/ porthole |
Superior1 cabin (171 sq.ft) with one double bed, 1 sofa bed, private facilities, and 3 opening windows |
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Suite 1 cabin (250 sq.ft) with one double bed, 1 sofa bed, private facilities, and 5 opening windows |
