Polar Bear Special
« All MV Plancius cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||
| Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin with Porthole | Twin with Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | |
| Aug 18 '13 |
$3,850 | $4,650 | $5,300 | $5,500 | $5,900 | $6,500 |
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share price
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Deposit & Payment - Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share price
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Day 1 Longyearbyen / Embark
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounding area of Longyearbyen. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Day 2 Raudfjord or Liefdefjord
Visit Raudfjord or Liefdefjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, beautiful fjords dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seal and where Polar Bear are often seen. In the evening sail by the island of Moffen where a big herd of Walrus can be found.
Days 3-4 Laagøya
At Laagøya, a haul-out place for Walrus, make a landing. Later sail through Beverleysundet named by Parry in 1827 and also sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition in 1898. Push east to reach the area of Nordaustlandet, where the Nobile expedition drifted around in 1928 and where the Italian Sora tried to come to the rescue. There hope to get to Alpinøya, reached by Sora in 1928, and then to the mouth of Finn Malmgrenfjord, and Albertinibukta and to climb Soraberget (205 M) from where you will have a fantastic view on the icecap of Nordaustlandet. Alternatively you will land at Storøya, where again you may meet a group of Walrus.
Day 5 Phippsøya
Today reach your northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet. Here you will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar Bear inhabit this region, along with Ivory Gull.
Days 6-7 Sailing West
Retrace your voyage to the west, all the time through and along the pack-ice north of Spitsbergen, looking for polar bears and northwest of Spitsbergen, looking for whales.
Day 8 Disembark in Longyearbyen
Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.
Itinerary Notes
The ice conditions will determine the sailing plan, either the North or around Spitsbergen itinerary. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.Fares include:
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
- 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.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes on Plancius
- On Spitsbergen voyages: Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure materials
Not included:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; 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; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Please note: It is agreed that if fuel prices will exceed US Dollar $120 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Antarctic Dream reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 25% cruise cost, 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 70 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx, cards subject to a credit card fee.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | 25% cruise cost |
| 89-60 Days | 55% cruise cost |
| 59-0 Days | 100% cruise cost |
MV Plancius
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 112
M/V “Plancius” started her life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. In June 2004, the vessel was taken out of active service for rebuilding.
The vessel was completely rebuilt in 2009 as a 112-passenger polar expedition ship, complying with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea), is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and will fly the Dutch flag.
The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxurious vessel. Our cruises in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel fully meets our demands to achieve this.
M/V “Plancius” can accommodate 112 passengers in 54 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 Quadruple private cabins , 40 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).
The vessel is manned by 30 international crew members (inc. 10 stewardesses/cabin cleaners), 6 hotel staff (4 chefs, 1 purser and 1 steward-barman), 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Quadruple Porthole 4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Triple Porthole 2 cabins with private facilities, 1 bunk bed and 1 lower berth. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin with Porthole 9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin with Window 26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin Deluxe 2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed(ca. 15 m2) |
 | Superior 10 twin superior cabins. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed (ca. 21 m2) |
