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Ship:  Polar Pioneer

Itinerary:  Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen

click to enlarge
  Arctic Seascape

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

Day 1 :	Embark in Longyearbyen
Days 2-3 :	West Coast and Amsterdam Island
Days 4-6 :	Polar Bears and the North Coast
Days 7-10 :	Polar Desert of the East Coast
Day 11 :	Disembark in Longyearbyen
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Mini Suite	Suite
11	Jun 23, 2009 Jul 13, 2009	$5,090	$6,290	$7,190	$8,090	$8,690
		Optional kayaking (including dry suit): $890
Destinations : Arctic, Svalbard Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

Lush tundra between young, jagged peaks on the west coast, formidable pack ice in the north and a polar desert in the east, Spitsbergen offers a variety of landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Day 1 : Embark in Longyearbyen

During the afternoon, we board Polar Pioneer in Longyearbyen and make ourselves at home before cruising along beautiful Isfjorden.

Days 2-3 : West Coast and Amsterdam Island

Following the warm current of the Gulf Stream we make our way north along the mountainous west coast. We take long walks among summer flowers and observe remarkable bird cliffs. We may visit the 350-year-old remains of Dutch whaling settlements on Amsterdam Island and the 100-year-old ruins of the Swedish Andree ballooning expedition.

Days 4-6 : Polar Bears and the North Coast

Along the north coast we nuzzle into the Arctic Ocean pack ice, where we'll search for walrus and seals. In the coastal mountains, we'll visit trapper huts and stay alert for polar bears. We may enjoy magnificent views of sweeping glaciers from Duck Island or cruise along the snout of Monaco Glacier.

Days 7-10 : Polar Desert of the East Coast

Along the east coast of Spitsbergen we enter a different world - a polar desert. If ice conditions allow we will try to pass south through the narrow Hinlopen Strait, a channel flanked by austere, cream-coloured slopes rich in fossils. On our walks we'll seek eider ducks, Arctic foxes and beautiful ivory gulls. As we pass Barents and Edge islands, we'll cross polar bear migration routes, before rounding Spitsbergen's most southerly point, South Cape.

Day 11 : Disembark in Longyearbyen

For those interested, morning sightseeing tours of Longyearbyen can be arranged before your afternoon transfer to the airport.

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-A fuel surcharge of $50/person/day applies to all Antarctic departures, Nov 2008-Feb 2009.

-Kayaking Options: US$825 $1,045 for Nov 10)
-Diving Options: US$700
-Alpine Crossing Options: US$700
-Climbing Options: US$250
-Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. 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 cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Polar Pioneer

click to enlarge
  Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundsing for your Antarctica travel.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.

The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.

Triple Shared Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.	Twin Shared Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
Twin Private Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).	Mini Suite Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Suite The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.