Spitsbergen in Depth - Big Island, Big Adventure
14 Days - Ocean Adventurer
Spitsbergen in Depth: Big Island, Big Adventure itinerary offers the most extensive exploration of Spitsbergen while experiencing all the adventure the island has to offer. This is one of the best regions to see polar bears, walrus and reindeer; plus, the impressive 14th of July Glacier and Alkefjellet cliff are both birdwatching utopias. You’ll also get a glimpse of 16th-century whaling culture at secluded landing sites. This route may include visiting the northernmost Svalbard island of Nordaustlandet if conditions allow.
from NZD $21209 $10605pp
Home » 14 Day Ocean Adventurer: Spitsbergen In Depth – Big Island, Big Adventure ex. Helsinki
Itinerary Highlights:
- Encounter iconic arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer
- View numerous arctic bird species, like puffins, arctic terns and purple sandpipers
- Take advantage of continuous daylight
- Explore glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more with included Zodiac cruising
- Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking adventures
- Hike the tundra and polar desert
Itinerary in Brief:
- Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
- Day 2: Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and embark
- Day 3 - 13: Exploring Spitsbergen
- Day 14: Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki
Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark
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 your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from frigid waters.
Day 3 - 13: Exploring Spitsbergen
Expect a new adventure every day as we begin our journey by heading north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying islands. We plan to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a larger circumnavigation of the archipelago, including many of the outer islands in the Svalbard archipelago. Every expedition will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny-London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the seldom-visited Kvitøya.
These names may seem strange to you, but each site has its own unique appeal. There is no shortage of natural beauty in Spitsbergen, where colorful tundra meadows are complemented by immense glaciers. For birders, 14th of July Bay is home to puffins, purple sandpipers, black-legged kittiwakes, pink-footed geese, and barnacle geese, while Alkefjellet’s cliffs are teeming with nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thickbilled murres).
Always on the lookout for wildlife, be sure to have your camera ready to capture reindeer when we visit sites like Ny-London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. Searching for the iconic polar bear is a constant activity for your Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are often home to sea ice, the bears’ preferred habitat for hunting, which translates into great potential for you to view and capture them in action.
A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the history— not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see remains of outposts from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling at landing sites such as Smeerenburg.
Day 14: Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki
Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
10 Jul 2024 - 23 Jul 2024 | NZD $10605pp | Save 50% | |
Triple | NZD $10605pp | Save 50% | |
Lower Deck Twin Porthole | NZD $12363pp | Save 50% | |
Main Deck Twin Porthole | NZD $13791pp | Save 50% | |
Main Deck Twin Window | NZD $15165pp | Save 50% | |
Deluxe Cabin | NZD $16594pp | Save 50% | |
Superior Cabin | NZD $16594pp | Save 50% | |
Suite | NZD $21154pp | Save 50% | |
Owner's Suite | NZD $22693pp | Save 50% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple
12m², two lower berths, one upper berth, on main deck, private facilities, porthole, porthole with exterior views.
Lower Deck Twin Porthole
12m², two lower berths, on lower deck, private facilities, porthole with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Porthole
11m², has two lower berths, on main deck, private facilities, porthole with exterior views.
Main Deck Twin Window
13m², two lower berths, on main deck, private facilities, twin windows, exterior views
Superior Cabin
12.5m², two lower berths, private facilities, windows, exterior views.
Deluxe Cabin
15m², two lower berths, on captain's deck, private facilities, windows, exterior views
Suite
20m², double bed, located on captain's deck, private facilities, windows, exterior views, (cabin 403 has a bathtub other suites have showers)
Owner's Suite
22m², double bed, on bridge deck, private sitting room, private facilities, large panoramic window, exterior view of aft, port and starboard.
Ocean Adventurer Deckplan
Specifications
- Staff and Crew: 87
- Guests: 128
- Length: 101.1 meters
- Breadth: 16.2 meters
- Draft: 4.5 meters
- Propulsion: Diesel Twin Engines - 5,400 horsepower
- Ice Class: 1A
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots, in open water
- Registration: Bahamas
- Lifeboats: 4 partially-enclosed
Whats included?
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All shore landings per the daily program
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
What’s not included?
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure transfers in Helsinki
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
- Optional transfer package (see notes)
Notes
OPTIONAL TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Helsinki airport hotel, with breakfast
- Charter Flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen
- Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Helsinki
Package Price: USD 995
It is also possible to join the ship on embarkation day and opt out of the transfer package services at no additional cost. If you choose this option, your expedition will commence on Day 2.
Optional Adventure Activities
- Kayaking: US$695pp
- Paddling excursion: US$195pp