Around Spitsbergen and Kvitøya
DEPARTING FROM:LongyearbyenFINAL DESTINATION:Longyearbyen
DURATION:10 Days/ 9 NightsREGION:ArcticSHIP:Plancius
Voyage around Spitsbergen and visit the remote island of Kvitøya. You will have chances to see the King of the Arctic, the polar bear, along with Walrus, Reindeer, various bird species and surprisingly beautiful flora. Cut through the ice to reach the rarely visited island of Kvitøya, located off Spitsbergen's east coast close to the
Russian territory. The island is dominated by an icecap, which leaves a small area bare of ice and snow. Land at the western tip at Andréneset, where the Swedish explorer André and his companions perished in 1898. Travel ashore at Kraemerpynten in the east, where an enormous group of Walrus resides.
Plancius
Operated by: Oceanwide Expeditions
M/V Plancius was launched in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy a role she maintained until June 2004, at which time she was purchased by current operator Oceanwide Expeditions. She was completely rebuilt and refurbished as a 116-passenger expedition vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations. Plancius is classed by Lloyd’s Register with an ice-rating of 1D and flies the Dutch flag. Limited to no more than 116 passengers and 53 cabins, her size ensures a flexible polar experience with maximum wildlife opportunities. She is equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation. Plancius is comfortable and well-decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Her voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible.
Key Facts
Your cruise price includes:
- 9 night North Spitsbergen voyage aboard the Plancius
- 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
- Transfer and baggage handling between ship and in Longyearbyen post cruise
- 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:
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended - SAVE 20% when purchased with your expedition)
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
- Gratuities at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard - The cruise line recommends $8-10 per passenger per day