Spitsbergen Explorer – Ioffe June, 2017

Spitsbergen Explorer – Ioffe June, 2017

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Trip Summary

Dates: Jun 26, 2017 – Jul 7, 2017
Duration: 12 Days
Ship: Ioffe
Adventure Options: Kayaking, Photography
Starting at $5,895.00View Prices

About the 7-day Spitsbergen Highlights Itinerary

A Spitsbergen Classic trip provides you with the opportunity to get a taste of everything the Arctic has to offer, from polar bears and walrus to spectacular mountains and glaciers.  You will have the opportunity for hiking on shore as well as exploring and enjoying the beauty of Svalbard from zodiacs and your vessel. Pack in […]

Itinerary Map

Pricing Information

$6,895 - Main Deck Triple
$7,495
Limited - Twin Semi-Private
$9,695
Limited - Twin Private
$10,995
Limited - Superior
$12,195
Limited - Shackleton Suite
$13,495 - One Ocean Suite

About the 7-day Spitsbergen Highlights Itinerary

A Spitsbergen Classic trip provides you with the opportunity to get a taste of everything the Arctic has to offer, from polar bears and walrus to spectacular mountains and glaciers.  You will have the opportunity for hiking on shore as well as exploring and enjoying the beauty of Svalbard from zodiacs and your vessel. Pack in all the excitement of an epic long arctic cruise into only seven days with the Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief itinerary. In just a week, you’ll cruise through the pack ice up to 80°N along the west coast of Spitsbergen like an explorer of long ago, on a constant search for wildlife. Though this rocky island is covered in mountains and glaciers, the towering cliffs and fjords play host to a surprisingly thriving and varied ecosystem. Exploring as much of the area as possible will provide optimal opportunities to spot the most iconic of arctic wildlife, the polar bear. The Arctic has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and our expeditions offer the chance for you to discover why.

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1 - Arrive in Oslo, Norway

Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel.


Day 2 - Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town.


Day 3-6 Exploring Spitsbergen

You’ll sail around the shores of this magical island, constantly searching for polar bears and other natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna.

Sailing north into Krossfjord, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny London, an abandoned mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Encounters with wildlife, such as the indigenous Svalbard reindeer, are possible here.

After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the magnificent Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg producer. To make this even more thrilling, help your Expedition Team to scan the shorelines and ice edge for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and the Andoyane Islands (where polar bears have been known to roam). At 80°N, you’ll reach a walrus sanctuary on the tiny, crescent-shaped Moffen Island. Watching from the water as large groups of these lumbering giants jockey for space is an unforgettable experience, so be ready with your binoculars.

At Smeerenburg you can see the remains of an abandoned settlement that was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, at one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, you’ll have time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. Afterwards, cruising to Magdalenafjord rewards you with panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers reflected in the crystal-clear waters.

During your last full day of your arctic adventure, you may visit the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, home of the world’s northernmost brewery. We hope to round out the day in Alkehornet, taking in the towering cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Encounters with reindeer might be possible here too. Later, in the evening, swap stories with your shipmates and crew one last time, at the captain’s dinner.


Day 7 - Disembark in Longyearbyen & fly to Oslo

The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo.


Welcome Aboard the Ioffe


Built for polar research, the Akademik Ioffe is a modern, comfortable and safe vessel that carries a maximum of 96 passengers. The ship underwent extensive renovation of cabins and the bar in 2011, giving it a new feel.

She has public spaces ideally suited for small group lectures to full ship briefings. The bar or the lounge are great places to have a drink and take in the scenery, and the library provides a spot to relax or catch up on some reading. The Ioffe and her sister ship, the Akademik Vavilov are two of the most stable, advanced vessels in the expedition cruise business.

Technical Specs

  • Guests: 96
  • Staff & Crew: 65
  • Length: 117 m
  • Breadth: 18.2 m
  • Draft: 6 m
  • Propulsion: 5,000 KW diesel twin engine
  • Ice Class: Lloyds 1A
  • Hull Classification: Ice Strengthened
  • Cruising Speed: 13.5 knots in open water/ Max Speed: 14.5 knots
  • Electrical Supply: 220 volts/ European pin
  • Registered: Russia
  • Zodiac boats: 10

Cabins & Amenities

  • All cabins have exterior views
  • Cabins have either shared, semi-private or private facilities (see deck plan)
  • One dining room with unreserved seating
  • Theater-style presentation room
  • Lounge and bar with 180-degree views, open late afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits
  • Library with excellent outdoor viewing and a collection of polar-themed books
  • Ship-to-shore communications via satellite
  • Clinic with licensed doctor
  • Gym, sauna and swimming pool
  • Wellness centre with registered massage therapist, fitness trainer and yoga instructor (on selected departures)
  • One elevator between passenger deck levels and to the Bridge level

Join us on the Bridge

There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.

An expedition gear package is included

An expedition cruise requires a fair bit of planning and some special items of clothing and equipment are needed. You will have use of an expedition wet weather gear package free of charge, which includes a quality waterproof/windproof jacket and bib-pants as well as insulated, comfortable rubber boots designed for extended walking. A set of expedition binoculars and a walking pole are also available for the duration of your voyage. This saves you buying expensive items you may only ever use once and eliminates the need to carry such cumbersome gear all the way to the ship. If you do have your own gear, of course you are welcome to bring it. Make sure it is wind and waterproof. If you have questions about gear, feel free to ask.

 

Notes

  • Camping is offered free of charge to all passengers.
  • Photography – Free of Charge
  • Kayaking – $795
  • Rates are per person, based on twin-share.
  • The Single supplement is 1.5x the published twin rate for twin-semi private, twin private and superior cabins. Single supplement is 2x the published twin rate for suites. Single supplement is not available in triple cabins. No single supplement applies for passengers willing to share.
  • Voyages commencing/ending in Stanley (Falkland Islands) or King George Island (Antarctica) include flights from Punta Arenas (Chile).
  • Voyages ending in King George Island (Antarctica) include one night hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas at the end of the trip.
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation insurance is required on all trips.
  • All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.

Costs for standard adventure options:

  • Photography – Free of charge
  • Snowshoeing – Free of charge
  • Camping – Free of charge [Please note – camping is less likely to happen on the longer voyage to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica itinerary or on March voyages.]
  • Kayaking (must be pre-booked, maximum 16 participants) – $795.

Costs for Off the Beaten Track adventure options (must be pre-booked):

  • Standard Kayaking (maximum 16 participants) – $795
  • Overnight Kayaking – Additional $300 add-on to standard kayaking program (maximum 6, minimum 4 participants)
  • Ski Touring (maximum 16, minimum 6 participants) – $750
  • Expedition Snowshoeing (maximum 12 participants) – free
  • Expedition Field Photography (maximum 18 participants) – $45.
  • Additional options (No pre-booking/no fee): Overnight Camping, Hiking, Classic Snowshoeing.

Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.

 

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