Arctic Ocean Expedition: Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge & Spitsbergen – Hondius, June 2023
Arctic Ocean Expedition: Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge & Spitsbergen – Hondius, June 2023
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Trip Summary
About the Fair Isle, Jan Mayen & Spitsbergen Itinerary
From the Netherlands to Scotland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard, get to the know the seas navigated by Vikings and hunters of past centuries.
Itinerary Map

Pricing Information
About the Fair Isle, Jan Mayen & Spitsbergen Itinerary
From the Netherlands to Scotland, Jan Mayen and Svalbard, get to the know the seas navigated by Vikings and hunters of past centuries.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Vlissingen (Netherlands)
In Vlissingen passengers will board the ship at mid-day.
Day 2: At sea towards Aberdeen
We cross the North Sea
Day 3: Granite City: Aberdeen
We arrive in Aberdeen, famed as the Granite City and many times a winner of the Britain in Bloom competition, and embark on our trip. As we reach the North Sea, we see the lighthouse on Girdle Ness to the south, designed by the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson.More passengers will board the ship in Aberdeen.The Scottish waters offer excellent possibilities to spot Minke Whale, White-beaked Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise. Several other cetaceans, including Orca (Killer Whale), are also native to these waters.
Day 4: Fair Isle, haven for sea-birds
At Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, we are welcomed by the 70 or so inhabitants (famed for their knitwear, examples of which we will see) to be followed by a walk to the bird observatory. Fair Isle is a haven for sea-birds, which are very accessible. We may also see Grey Seals.
Day 5 - 6: We sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen
We sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, situated 300 nautical miles north-east of Iceland. During our two days at sea there will be plenty of time to watch for the blow of a Minke, Fin or Blue Whale, which could herald a rewarding encounter with these gentle giants. Perhaps we might run into a pod of Orca, who can often be quite curious about boats such as ours.
Day 7: Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island of breath-taking beauty and mystique dominated by Mt Beerenberg. From the slopes of the 2300m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea. Until recently, the island was off-limits as it is a military base, and was rarely visited by tourists, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities we hope to visit the weather station. We will also walk across the island to Kvalrossbukta to look at the remains of a 17th century Dutch whaling station and a substantial colony of Fulmar.
Day 8 - 10: Looking out for Whales, Harp Seals, Polar Bears and a variety of seabirds
In the midnight sun, we sail north along the edge of the sea-ice, looking out for Bowhead Whales, Harp Seals, Polar Bears and a variety of seabirds, until about 79 North, then we will sail west to the edges of the continental shelf off West Spitsbergen, where we have good chances to meet Finn Whales and near the mouths of the big Spitsbergen fjords, Minke Whales.
Day 11: Poolepynten

We will look for Walrus at Poolepynten. In the evening we could land at Alkhornet another seabird colony, where at the slopes we can find reindeer and Arctic Fox.
Day 12: Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Svalbard

We disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Svalbard, for flights south to Oslo and onward home.
Welcome Aboard the Hondius

The all-new Hondius, launched in 2019, is designed from the ground up for rapid response to polar weather and wildlife conditions that exist nowhere else in the world. Hondius sets a standard as a structurally and technologically advanced polar cruise ship that not only meets the challenges of the polar regions but optimizes their opportunities for adventure.
As a Hondius passenger, you will enjoy cuisine, surroundings, and service that starkly contrast the rugged world just outside your window. An entire deck is dedicated to (multi-language) lectures and presentations in the presentation theater or the sizable observation lounge, and in combination with a fully provisioned bar and separate library room, provide ample opportunities to socialize and guarantee that what time you spend on board will be spent comfortably entertained. Take your pick of numerous cabins and suites, all custom-designed and impeccably outfitted in stylish mid-century modern décor.
Hondius is one of the first civilian vessels in the world to receive a Polar Class 6 notation, the most advanced category of polar cruise ship to date. When you set foot on Hondius, you are indeed choosing the best of modern marine science. Furthermore, Hondius exceeds the latest green requirements imposed by the International Maritime Organization, using only bio-degradable paints, LED lighting, steam heat, and flexible power management systems to keep fuel consumption and CO2 emission at the absolute minimum.
Highlights:
• Flexible, fast, and fortified. Capable of swift and safe response to fluctuating polar conditions.
• Ideal for land-based excursions. Sheltered Zodiac boarding zone for easier entry into the boats that will shuttle you to shore.
• Elegant, cozy, and surprising. Public areas, passenger lodgings, and cuisine that will fuel your exploration and stimulate your senses.
• Interactive, experiential, and informal. Activities that will engage and entertain you on the ship and off.
• Environmentally friendly technology to help ensure your cruise is higher impact for you, and lower impact for nature
Technical Specs
Length: 353 ft / 107.6 meters
Breadth: 25 ft / 17.6 meters
Draft: 17.4 ft / 5.30 meters
Ice class: Polar Class 6 (equivalent 1A-Super)
Displacement: 5,590 tonnes
Propulsion: 2 x ABC main engines; total 4,200 kW
Speed: 15 knots
Passengers: 176 in 83 cabins
Staff & crew: 72
Registered: The Netherlands
New build 2019
Cabins & Amenities
- Large observation lounge
- Fully provisioned bar
- Library room
Notes
- All rates are quoted per person based on twin occupancy.
- Single travelers can chose between “single occupancy” at a supplement
of 1,7 x the Twin or Superior cabin rate , or “sharing basis” in Twin, Triple
or Quadruple category at no additional cost. - Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.
- Camping – From $210 per night, max 30 people. (2022- 2023)
- Kayaking – From $475 per voyage, max 14 people. (2022- 2023)
- Snowshoe – No charge but sign up required
- All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
