North Norway Whale Safari & Aurora Borealis
DEPARTING FROM:TromsoFINAL DESTINATION:Tromso
DURATION:8 Days/ 7 NightsREGION:ArcticSHIP:Rembrandt Van Rijn
Rembrandt Van Rijn's Whale Safari voyages take place in the Arctic winter, when the days are short in Northern Norway. Whale watching (Orcas) is highly dependent on herring cycles in the area. Voyages will be adapted by the Expedition Leader according to best chances to see whales. Norway has a spectacular coastline, its fjords and mountains are renowned for their beauty. In the far north, about 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, lays the island of Kvaløya, the whale island. In early winter enormous
schools of Herring from the Barents Sea come together here in the fjords, attracting large numbers of whales to gorge themselves. On an exploratory voyage in 2015 about 100 Orcas and 60 Humpback Whales were seen in one single fjord at Kvaløya. Whilst this expedition will be dedicated to meeting these giants of the sea, there will also be ample time to discover the beautiful coastal scenery of Norway, and of course the Northern Lights.
Rembrandt Van Rijn
Operated by: Oceanwide Expeditions
S/V Rembrandt Van Rijn was built as a herring lugger early last century. Later, she was rebuilt as a three-mast passenger sailing schooner in the Netherlands in 1994 and sailed in Spitsbergen (1994 – 1996) and the Galápagos Islands (1998 - 2001). After joining the Oceanwide Expeditions fleet she underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment program during 2011. The communication and navigation equipment has been completely renewed according to the latest SOLAS regulations. She is well suited for expedition cruising among small islands and offers good open deck viewing areas, also when under sail. The two inflatable zodiacs enable landing and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.
Key Facts
Your cruise price includes:
- Seven night voyage aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
- AECO fees and governmental taxes
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
Your cruise price does not include:
- Airfares to and from the cruise
- Pre- and post- land arrangements
- Transfers to / from the vessel
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory)
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
- Gratuities - the cruise line states "The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)"
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended - SAVE 20% when purchased with your expedition)