E-mail a friendShip: Polar Star
Itinerary: The Viking Trail to the Americas
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Bird close up
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Reykyavik, Iceland / Embark |
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| Days 2-3 : | Denmark Strait |
| Day 4 : | Nanortalik, Greenland |
| Day 5 : | Brattahlid |
| Day 6 : | Hvalsey & Qaqortoq |
| Days 7-8 : | Davis Strait |
| Day 9 : | Iqaluit, Canada |
| Day 10 : | Savage Islands |
| Day 11 : | Akpatok Island |
| Day 12 : | Torngat Mountains |
| Day 13 : | Cape Mugford & Hebron |
| Day 14 : | Hopedale |
| Day 15 : | Battle Harbour |
| Day 16 : | St. Anthony & L'anse Aux Meadows |
| Day 17 : | Bonavista |
| Itinerary continues - click for full itinerary | |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| K1-Triple | K1-Double | K2 | K3 | K4-Triple | K4-Double | K6 | K7 | ||
| 18 | Sep 19, 2010 | $6,895 | $8,355 | $9,810 | $10,295 | $8,840 | $11,265 | $11,850 | $12,920 |
| Please note an additional fuel surcharge listed below. | |||||||||
| Destinations : Arctic, Greenland, Iceland Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Set off to follow in the wake of the great Viking ships to discover these lands as they did. We will visit their settlement ruins, Inuit communities, the capital of the newly created Nunavut territory of Canada, the stunning coast of Labrador with tundra and fjords and on to Newfoundland, the island province steeped in a history of hardy fishing communities and resonating in music. These are lands of challenge, great natural beauty and a pristine environment where we watch for seabirds, seals, whales and perhaps the mighty Polar Bear.
Day 1 : Reykyavik, Iceland / Embark
We board the MV Polar Star in colorful Reykjavik to begin our Viking adventure.
Days 2-3 : Denmark Strait
As we head towards Greenland, we relax onboard and attend lectures. Our bridge and large deck areas are ideal lookouts for spotting whales, dolphins and seabirds.
Day 4 : Nanortalik, Greenland
This morning we navigate the narrow waters of Prins Christian Sund with its amazing array of glaciers, icebergs and melting rivers of ice. This is a scenic highlight of the cruise. In the picturesque town of Nanortalik, we visit the open air market and the local museum with Norse and Inuit relics.
Day 5 : Brattahlid
We land at Brattahlid, where Erik the Red's wife established the first Christian church in Greenland and today we can see a reconstruction of the village. In the afternoon we walk to the ruins at Igaliku, once the religious epicentre of the local Viking settlement.
Day 6 : Hvalsey & Qaqortoq
In Hvalsey, we see some of the best preserved Viking ruins (1300’s) including the church where the last religious ceremony was performed in 1408 before the people mysteriously vanished from the area. We visit Qaqortoq to wander the streets lined with stoned sculptures and brilliantly painted houses.
Days 7-8 : Davis Strait
We spend two days onboard as we cruise "iceberg alley" which separates Greenland from Baffin Island. Our lecture program continues as we look out for icebergs and wildlife.
Day 9 : Iqaluit, Canada
We make landfall at the capital of Nunavut on Baffin Island to embark on a community tour which includes displays of beautiful Inuit art, and enjoy an arctic luncheon.
Day 10 : Savage Islands
Today is a day in the wilderness with Zodiac cruising and perhaps a landing in Frobisher Bay. There is the possibility to see Polar Bears, seals and a variety of seabirds here.
Day 11 : Akpatok Island
A delight for geologists and naturalists alike, this limestone island is knows for its fossils, gigantic cliffs and a good opportunity for sightings of polar bear and peregrine falcon.
Day 12 : Torngat Mountains
Known to the Inuit people as "land of the spirits," these mountains were formed from rocks thought to be almost four billion years old. Black bear and Polar Bear live amongst the area's majestic network of fjords, cliffs and peaks. Zodiac landings are planned at Saglek and Nackvack.
Day 13 : Cape Mugford & Hebron
In Hebron, we explore the buildings that Moravian Brethrens left behind after bringing their mission to the area. The settlement was abandoned in 1959. We also visit Cape Mugford, home to unique volcanic rock formations.
Day 14 : Hopedale
This community was also settled by Moravian missionaries. We explore the ruins and see what is thought to be the oldest building east of Quebec.
Day 15 : Battle Harbour
Battle Harbour, first settled by Europeans in 1770 was home to the Labrador Schooner Fishery. Today it is an excellent restoration giving insight into the rugged lifestyle of those days.
Day 16 : St. Anthony & L'anse Aux Meadows
In St Anthony, we visit the museum honouring Sir Wilfred Grenfell who dedicated his life to the fisherman living in these remote and challenging areas. We visit L'anse Aux Meadows where the series of mounds are the remains of the only authenticated Viking settlement in North America, and Norstead, a reconstructed Norse village.
Day 17 : Bonavista
We spend the day exploring Bonavista, where Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) is said to have first glimpsed North America (1497). We visit a replica of Cabot’s ship the Matthew, the restored historic lighthouse (1843) and reconstructed fishing village.
Day 18 : St. John's / Disembark
We enter the beautiful natural harbour of St John’s and disembark after breakfast.
-Additional fuel surcharge of $30/person/night for the 2008-2009 season (Nov-Nov). This surcharge is subject to possible increases depending on the price of fuel.
-A provisional fuel surcharge of $14/person/night has been set for the 2009-2010 season, subject to change depending on the price of fuel.
-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.
-Standard Twin Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.6 times the shared price.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$50,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
-All onboard gratuities are included for the 2008-2009 season.
15+ months prior to departure - SAVE 5%
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Polar Star
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Polar Star
The Polar Star was built in Finland and served in the Swedish Maritime Administration's fleet of icebreakers under the name of Njord. In 2000 she underwent complete retrofit and upgrades. She was renamed M/V Polar Star after her namesake that served Karlsen's Arctic cruise program. Karlsen Shipping, is an old Norwegian family business originally from the northwestern coast of Norway and now headquartered in Halifax, Canada. With over 100 years experience in many aspects of the marine industry, Karlsen has operated primarily in the Polar Regions.
The M/V Polar Star is one of the most safe and comfortable ice class vessels with safety standards exceeding requirements for several years to come. The ship is certified for worldwide international voyages, complying with the latest SOLAS and IMF regulations for safety and the environment. We take up to 105 passengers on expedition cruises that by definition are to remote destinations. For shore excursions, we are equipped with 10 16-man zodiacs.
The M/V Polar Star is large enough to voyage to remote areas in comfort and small enough to enter out of the way destinations that other vessels can only sail by. We explore nature's most breathtaking wonders up close and our voyages offer magnificent wildlife on a journey that is spirited with adventure.
Polar Star has some of the "industry bests" on board including a very spacious bridge with an open bridge policy, large observation lounge/lecture hall with seating for all passengers, one of the best standard cabins (our K3) and a superior amount of outside viewing areas. Additional common areas include a shop, sumptuous library, bar, fitness facility and a dining room that seats all passengers in one sitting. Our varied international menu is prepared fresh onboard. Our 45 cabins include 31 doubles, 4 superior cabins and 6 suites (all with private facilities), plus an additional 4 cabins with shared facilities.
Our Cabins
All cabins are outside cabins. K1 categories have shared facilities with the next cabin. Our K3s, K4s, K6s and K7s all have private facilities with sink, shower and toilet. Each cabin is equipped with a wardrobe for each person and a writing desk. (The figure in brackets below indicates the number of cabins in each category available for passengers.)
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K1-Triple Two lower and one upper berths sold as triple. Sharing toilet / showers shared with cabin next door. Approx.100 sq. feet/10 sq. meters. Windows or portholes. |
K1-Double Two lower and one upper berths sold as double. Sharing toilet / showers shared with cabin next door. Approx.100 sq. feet/10 sq. meters. Windows or portholes. |
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K2 Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx. 115 sq. feet / 11.5 sq. meters. Large windows. K2 cabins on deck 3 have a partially obstructed view and one window opens. K2 cabins on deck 4 have non-opening windows. |
K3 Two lower beds. Private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Approx. 115 sq. feet / 11.5 sq. meters. Large windows, one opens. |
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K4-Triple Double bed, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 140 sq. feet / 14 sq. meters. Side and aft facing windows. |
K4-Double Double bed, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 140 sq. feet / 14 sq. meters. Side and aft facing windows. |
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K6 Double bed in alcove, couch can be made up as bed. Approx. 180 sq. feet / 18 sq. meters. Large windows. |
K7 Sleeping area in separate room (double bed in 501 and 2-singles in 401), couch in living room can be made up as bed. Approx. 250 sq. feet / 25 sq. meters. Forward and side facing windows. |
