Ship: Polar Pioneer
Itinerary: Norwegian Coastline & Spitsbergen
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Polar Pioneer
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Depart Bergen |
|---|---|
| Days 2-3 : | Runde & Target Island |
| Days 4-5 : | Norwegian Coastline |
| Day 6 : | Bear Island |
| Days 7-9 : | Spitsbergen & Polar Desert |
| Days 10-11 : | Arctic Glaciers |
| Days 12-13 : | Western Coast |
| Day 14 : | Disembark Longyearbyen |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | Suite | ||
| 14 | Jun 25, 2010 | $6,335 | $7,550 | $8,855 | $9,890 | $10,845 |
| Optional Kayaking: $1,145 per person | ||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Norway Activities : Cultural Activities, Nature Viewing, Paddling, Photography, Whale Watching |
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-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
Note: The itinerary is a general guideline only, making most of our time, without rushing. The staff and crew's experience allows a course based on the prevailing weather and ice conditions. Traveling without a rigid timetable adds spice and opportunity to expeditions cruising!
A grand adventure in the purest sense, this voyage combines the classic highlights of the Arctic. Starting in picturesque Bergen, we'll discover some of the most remote and scenic parts above and below the Arctic Circle. Our journey will include a rare exploration of Norway's rugged west coast taking in quaint fishing villages and breathtaking fjords before reaching isolated Bear Island & wildlife rich Spitsbergen.
Day 1 : Depart Bergen
We board Polar Pioneer in the historic waterfront town of Bergen.
Days 2-3 : Runde & Target Island
Sailing north towards the Arctic Circle, conditions permitting we aim to zodiac cruise around the island of Runde, southern Norways's biggest bird sanctuary. Over 350,000 birds nest on these boisterous cliffs, including kittwakes, gannets, fulmars, puffins and sea eagles.We hope to land at Torget Island to inspect the bizarre rock formation called Torghatten - a hole in the mountain created, as legend has it, by a troll's arrow. We may visit Sor-Gjaesliingan and soak up the atmosphere of this colourful village, one of the best preserved fishing villages in this part of Norway.
Days 4-5 : Norwegian Coastline
Our aim is to spend the next two days exploring the superb Norwegian coastline. Cruising the intricate maze of seldom -visited inlets and fjords in this area, we then sail north to cod fishing villages nestled against towering mountains in the Lofoten Islands. Home to the most dramatic scenery in the country, these fairytale villagers are nestled amid turquoise waters at the base of dramatic glaciated peaks and fjords - landscapes that will take your breath away. Watch for passing orca, minke and sperm whales as we explore narrow fjords and zodiac cruise beneath steep bird cliffs alive with razor bills and guillemots.
Day 6 : Bear Island
We'll be at sea this morning and then hope to explore remote and mysterious Bear Island. Rarely visited, Bear Island is known for both its stark beauty and unpredictable weather and if conditions allow we hope to zodiac around lofty sea stacks, hike amid tundra wildflowers and encounter Arctic fox.
Days 7-9 : Spitsbergen & Polar Desert
We approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape and we sail along the east coast and we enter a different world - a polar desert. On our walks we'll seek eider ducks, Arctic foxes and beautiful ivory gulls. We may hike on shore to visit nesting guillemots or cruise past a very active glacial front. As we pass Barents and Edge Island we cross polar bear migration routes.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.
Days 10-11 : Arctic Glaciers
We will push into Arctic Ocean pack ice, where we'll search for walrus and seals. Fulmars and kittiwakes plunge into the ocean, chasing prey in the ship's wake. In the coastal mountains, we'll visit trapper huts and stay alert for polar bears. We may enjoy magnificent views of sweeping glaciers from Andoyana or cruise along the snout of Monaco Glacier.
Days 12-13 : Western Coast
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.Making our way south along the mountainous west coast where glaciers calve into beautiful Magfjord and adjacent bays. We take long walks on spongy permafrost summer flowers and observe remarkable bird cliffs. As the sunsets we make our way along beautiful Isfjorden.
Day 14 : Disembark Longyearbyen
We arrive in Longyearbyen and bid farewell to our fellow expeditioners and ship's crew.We make the most of our time, without rushing.
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 surroundings for your Antarctica travel.
This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, maneuverability 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 SharedTriple 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. |
Twin PrivateTwin 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 SuiteMini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
Mini SuiteMini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
SuiteThe 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. |
