E-mail a friendShip: Professor Molchanov
Itinerary: Around Spitsbergen
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Polar bears relaxing on the icePhoto by: Rinie van Meurs
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Superior | Suite | ||
| 11 | Jun 23, 2009 Jul 5, 2009 Jul 15, 2009 Jul 25, 2009 Aug 4, 2009 Aug 14, 2009 |
$4,920 | $5,700 | $6,870 | $7,650 | $8,550 |
| Jun 23, 2009 - WAITLIST ONLY Jul 5, 2009 - WAITLIST ONLY Jul 15, 2009 - WAITLIST ONLY Aug 4, 2009 - WAITLIST ONLY Aug 14, 2009 - WAITLIST ONLY |
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| Destinations : Arctic, Svalbard Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Day 1 : Embark in Longyearbyen
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounds of Longyearbyen, more than 100 species of plant have been recorded. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2 : Birdwatching at Krossfjorden and visit to Ny Alesund, the World's Most Northerly Settlement
Heading north along the west coast, we arrive by morning in Krossfjorden, where we take to the Zodiacs for an exhilarating cruise along the sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier. On the surprisingly green slopes near the glacier, a colourful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of Kittiwakes and Brünnich's Guillemots nest on the nearby cliffs. There is also a good chance of spotting opportunistic Arctic Foxes, who patrol the base of the cliffs in case a hapless chick falls from its nest, and Bearded Seals, who cruise this scenic fjord. In the afternoon we sail to Ny Alesund, the world's most northerly settlement. Once a mining village - served by the world's most northerly railway, which can still be seen - Ny Alesund is now a research centre. Close to the village is a breeding ground for Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and Arctic Terns. Visitors interested in the history of Arctic exploration will want to walk to the anchoring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in the airship Norge in 1926 and Nobile in the airship Italia in 1928 before their flights to the North Pole.
Day 3 : Whaling Station at Smeerenburg
At Smeerenburg on Amsterdamoya, we visit the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station, the blubber pots now surrounded by hundreds of tree trunks washed ashore after floating from Siberia. Our voyage continues around the north coast of West Spitsbergen as we head for the Hinlopen Strait.
Day 4 : Hinlopen Strait
Before turning south into Hinlopen Strait (if the pack-ice allows us) we will have reached our most northerly position. On and around the ice at the entrance to the strait, which divides West Spitsbergen from ice-clad Nordaustlandet, there is a good chance of seeing Bearded and Ringed Seals, Polar Bears and Ivory Gulls. On the eastern side of Lomfjordshalvoya we take a Zodiac cruise through the ice floes to the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, where thousands of Brünnich's Guillemots nest in a spectacular setting. The basalt pillars, rising hundreds of meters, and the overhanging ice cap with its waterfall are an awe-inspiring sight. Finally, on the eastern side of Hinlopen Strait we intend to make an evening landing in Augustabukta on the island of Nordaustlandet, the most northerly of the major Spitsbergen islands. Spitsbergen Reindeer graze the sparse vegetation of this largely ice-covered island, where Pink-footed Geese, Walrus and a rare Ivory Gull colony are also found.
Day 5 : Polar Desert of Svarknausflya
Today we go ashore at Svartknausflya, a 'polar desert,' an area of Nordaustlandet that gets so little precipitation that not even hardy tundra plants can survive. The bare, sandy hills are a strong contrast to the world's third largest ice cap, which plunges into the sea not far away.
Day 6 : Polar Bear and Whale Watching
Cruising south-east we pass just north of Svenskoya, the westernmost island in the totally protected Kong Karls Land, which is the most important denning area of Polar Bear in the Arctic. There may be patches of pack-ice and, if so, there is a good chances we will see Polar Bears, Harp and Ringed Seals, Ivory Gulls and Pomarine Skuas. Sailing south-west through Olgastreet, we may encounter the magnificent, but rare, Greenland Whale, which was hunted to near extinction in the 19th century.
Day 7 : Reindeer and Birdwatching on Barentsoya Island
In Freemansundet we plan to land at Sundneset on the island of Barentsoya to visit an old trapper's hut and then take a brisk walk across the tundra in search of Spitsbergen Reindeer and Barnacle Geese. Later we cruise south to Diskobukta on the west side of Edgeoya. After a Zodiac cruise through the shallow bay, we land on a beach littered with tree trunks, which have drifted here from Siberia, and whale bones. We can also climb to the rim of a narrow gully which is inhabited by thousands of Kitttiwakes, together with Black Guillemots and piratical Glaucous Gulls. During the breeding season, the base of the cliffs is patrolled by Arctic Foxes and Polar Bears, especially females with young cubs, searching for young birds that have fallen from the nesting ledges.
Day 8 : Whale Remains at Bolscheoya and Aekongen
In the morning we land on the attractive island of Bolscheoya, in the archipelago of Tusenyane, to the south of Edgeoya. Here too we see the remains of Walrus and Greenland Whales, but on a happier note we may also spot a variety of interesting birds, among them Grey Phalaropes, Arctic Skuas, Red-throated Divers and, if we are lucky, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a sub-species found only on Spitsbergen, Franz Josef and, occasionally, in Greenland. In the afternoon we hope to land on Aekongen where there is a complete Greenland Whale skeleton. There are also spectacular basalt rock-columns here, and we may also see Common Eiders with chicks. At night we sail to Sorkap, the southern tip of Spitsbergen.
Day 9 : Hornsund area
We start the day quietly cruising the side fjords of the spectacular Hornsund area of southern Spitsbergen, enjoying the scenery of towering mountain peaks. Hornsundtind rises to 1,431m while Bautaen shows why early Dutch explorers gave the name 'Spitsbergen' - pointed mountains - to the island. There are also 14 magnificent glaciers in the area and very good chances of encounters with seals and Polar Bears. We may visit the Polish research station where the friendly staff will give us an insight into their research projects. Behind the station the mountains are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little Auks.
Day 10 : Beluga Whales of Ahlstrandhalvoya and Reindeer of Recherchefjorden
Today we land on Ahlstrandhalvoya at the mouth of Van Keulenfjorden. Here piles of Beluga skeletons (the Beluga is a small white whale), the remains of 19th century slaughter, are yet another reminder of the consequences of thoughtless exploitation. Fortunately, Belugas were not hunted to the edge of extinction and may still be seen locally. Indeed, there is a good chance that we will come across a pod. Cruising into Recherchefjorden during the afternoon we can explore an area of tundra at the head of the fjord where many reindeer feed.
Day 11 : Disembark in Longyearbyen
Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.
DISCLAIMER!
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.
Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
- Additional fuel surcharge of $20/night on ship, per person, for Antarctica departures
- Arctic Fuel Surcharge: $25/night for the 2009 season. If, 2 months before departure, the cost per barrel exceeds $130, we reserve the right to levy an additional fuel surcharge of $25/night.
- Sea Kayaking Option: US$700 per person
- 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 1.8 times the shared price. Superior cabins and suites available for single occupancy at 2 times the shared price.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Professor Molchanov
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Professor Multanovskiy safely traveling through ice-filled water
Small, ice-strengthened vessel offering an experience more like a private expedition than a conventional cruise during your polar travels.
The 72 metre, 1753 ton Professor Molchanov was built in Finland in 1983 for polar and oceanographic research. Continuously refurbished since its conversion for passenger use, the vessel is ideally suited for expedition cruising, carrying a maximum of just 49 passengers in comfortable twin and triple cabins, all outside and each with a desk and ample storage space.
Public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary (there is a doctor on board) and a sauna. Views are excellent from the large, open decks and the navigation bridge, where we are almost always welcome. The European chefs produce a varied menu and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine.
The ship is staffed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized as the world experts in polar operations.
The atmosphere aboard the Professor Molchanov is relaxed and informal, more like a private expedition than a cruise. To explore such a region with just a small number of fellow passengers is a real luxury, and will help make your polar travel of discovery and adventure a truly unforgettable experience.
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Triple Shared 2 Triple cabins on deck 3 with two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck. |
Twin Shared9 Twin non private cabins with two lower berths, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck. |
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Twin Private 12 Cabins with a private bathroom with shower,washbasin and toilet,upper and lower berths (2 cabins have lower berths),a desk,ample storage space and windows. |
Superior 2 Superior cabins with a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A sitting area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator, and windows. |
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Suite The large Suite has a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A large lounge area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and large forward and side facing windows. |
