E-mail a friendShip: Polar Pioneer
Itinerary: Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland: Jewels of the Arctic
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Ice Floes, with Polar Bear
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Embark in Longyearbyen |
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| Days 2-3 : | West Coast of Spitsbergen |
| Day 4 : | Whale Watching at Sea |
| Day 5 : | World's Largest National Park - North East Greenland National Park |
| Days 6-10 : | World's Largest Fjord and Inuit Communities of East Greenland |
| Days 11-12 : | East Greenland Coast |
| Day 13 : | Crossing the Denmark Strait |
| Day 14 : | Disembark in Keflavik |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | Suite | ||
| 14 | Jul 23, 2009 | $6,390 | $7,590 | $8,890 | $9,890 | $10,890 |
| Optional kayaking (including dry suit): $950 | ||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard Activities : Nature Viewing, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching |
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Exploring fjords by ship and Zodiac, hiking in the mountains, visiting remote Inuit settlements, photographing dramatic fjords, huge icebergs and Arctic wildlife - this trip has it all. Please note that the ice conditions vary enormously from year to year along the Greenland coast.
Day 1 : Embark in Longyearbyen
We board Polar Pioneer in Longyearbyen in the early afternoon, settle ourselves in and set sail in the evening.
Days 2-3 : West Coast of Spitsbergen
We plan to spend two days sampling the delights of Spitsbergen's west coast, where glaciers calve into the beautiful Hornsund and adjacent bays.
Day 4 : Whale Watching at Sea
We'll be at sea all day, enjoying informative talks as we cruise south-west across the Greenland Sea. We'll keep an eye out for seabirds, whales and pack ice that stretches north across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.
Day 5 : World's Largest National Park - North East Greenland National Park
We continue our Greenland Sea crossing and if the pack ice is sparse we should be able to make landfall at North East Greenland National Park. Home to polar bear, walrus, snowy owl and musk ox, it's the world's largest national park.
Days 6-10 : World's Largest Fjord and Inuit Communities of East Greenland
If the pack ice allows, we'll attempt to reach the breathtaking Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord and Scoresby Sound, the world's largest fjord. Massive glaciers that calve here form the birthplace of Greenland's renowned giant icebergs. We plan to visit remote Inuit communities and hike on the vast tundra. We'll always remain alert for any chance to launch our sea kayaks.
Days 11-12 : East Greenland Coast
We explore the east Greenland coast, along the flanks of Knud Rasmussen Land.
Day 13 : Crossing the Denmark Strait
We will be at sea all day making our way across Denmark Strait and passing over submarine canyons that enrich the whale feeding grounds off the north-west Iceland coast.
Day 14 : Disembark in Keflavik
On arrival in Keflavik, we'll bid farewell to our newfound friends and transfer to our hotel in Reykjavik.
-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
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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.
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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 SharedTwin 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
