Spitsbergen Family Adventure
« All Akademik Sergey Vavilov cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Main Deck Triple | Twin Share | Twin Semi-private | Twin Private | Superior | Peregrine Suite | Cook Suite | |
| Aug 2 '12 |
$3,690 | $4,790 | $5,190 | $5,590 | $5,990 | $6,290 | $6,790 |
| Sea Kayaking Option: $525 per person | |||||||
| Deals, Discounts... Savings! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Savings | Dates | |
| $750 | Aug 2, 12 | |
| 25% | Aug 2, 12 | |
| These special offers are applicable only to new bookings. Discounts are subject to availability, so contact us for more details. | ||
-Single Travelers: OPTIONAL single supplement of 70% for Standard Twins. There is no single supplement for travelers willing to share.
- All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Deposit & Payment - All of the Akademik Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking - rate varies per departure.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Day 1 Longyearbyen
Arrive early in the morning, because there is a northern frontier town to be explored before embarking Akademik Sergey Vavilov. The Expedition Team conducts an orientation briefing aboard, so you learn the ins and outs of shipboard life.
Day 2 Alkhornet and Poolepynten
You'll awake on the rugged coast of Alkhornet. The towering rock face reverberates with the call of thousands of seabirds that build nests on craggy outcroppings. Arctic foxes may be patrolling the area, hunting for chicks that fell from a nest. Svalbard reindeer, unique to the islands, could be grazing nearby. The wildlife highlight of your first full day of expedition cruising could be a walrus sighting at Poolepynten. The mammoth beasts weigh more than 3,300 pounds (1500 kg). They can eat as much as 110 pounds (50 kilos) of shellfish every day!
Day 3 Smeerenburg, Fugelsangen and Moffen Island
Smeerenburg - aka Blubber Town - was a whaling center. You'll go ashore to learn about the lives of 17th century whalers - men who defied death to harvest whales from the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. In the afternoon, at Fuglesangen, the resident photographer will conduct the first of many photography workshops. Whether you travel with a point and shoot disposable camera or a sophisticated digital SLR, you will find something new to learn. On the ship photographers can begin to build a voyage gallery.
Day 4 Alkefjellet, Torellneset
On this polar bear safari, we will be always alert for the presence of polar bears. At Alkefjellet, however, we will be particularly watchful. Polar bears are known to patrol the cliffs where seabirds nest, hunting for an easy meal. While cruising Hinlopen Strait, you'll learn about navigating in polar waters, then practice your newly acquired photography skills at Torellneset, a walrus haul out.
Day 5 Monacobreen, Worsleyneset
The Expedition Team glacier specialist will explain the marvels of big ice at Monaco Glacier. The frozen rock is constantly on the move, changing the landscape and calving icebergs. The focus of the afternoon's activity is the human history of Svalbard. The islands had no native peoples, only Europeans intent on whaling, sealing and mining.
Day 6 Raudfjorden, Hamiltonbreen
Zodiac cruising is another of the exciting activities in store for families enjoying this polar bear safari. The inflatable landing craft are flat bottomed, allowing them to pull up on a beach for disembarkation when we go ashore. While cruising and ashore, you'll learn about animal behavior. A hike to the summit of a hill to take spectacular landscape photos is also planned.
Day 7 14th of July Glacier, Ny Alesund
Near the magnificent, but oddly named, 14th of July Glacier, you explore the tundra for vibrant wildflowers to photograph. Arctic flowers make up for their short stature with fluorescent colors. Ny Alesund is a research community where scientists from 15 different countries study Arctic weather, biology, and glaciology. You'll be able to mail a postcard from the most northerly post office in the world!
Day 8 Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
Itinerary Notes
This expedition includes:- 7 nights shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Shore landings included in daily program
- Professional Expedition Leadership
- All Zodiac excursions and transfers included in daily program
- Formal and informal family-focused educational presentations by the Expedition Team
- Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the trip
- Loan of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage
- An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
- Coffee, tea, and cocoa
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin
- Comprehensive pre-departure package including a map and meticulously researched Reader
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- All shipboard luggage handling
- Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person
- Day 1: Group transfer from a pre-arranged location in Longyearbyen to the ship on embarkation day
- Day 8: Group transfer from the ship to the airport
- When arrival is the day before embarkation, group transfer from the airport to a hotel
This expedition excludes:
- Airfare to and from your hometown
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance
- Excess baggage charges
- Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges
- Shipboard or land telecommunication charges
- Gratuities for ship's crew, Hospitality and Expedition Team members
- Any overnight accommodation required due to flight connections
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 20% (minimum $1000), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 130 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | $1000 per person |
| 179-120 days prior to departure | deposit |
| 119 Days or less | 100% total cost |
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 110
Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort for Antarctic and Arctic cruises - in her appointment, stability and strength.
As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov forms the ideal platform from which to explore during your Polar travels. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.
The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.
All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. In addition, there is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Share Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 8 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Semi-private One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Porthole Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category. |
 | Twin Private A typical superior twin cabin arrangement. One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category. |
 | Superior 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category |
 | Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category. |
 | Cook Suite The Cook Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category. |
