Exploration of Svalbard
« All Ocean Nova (PQ) cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Cabin | Twin Cabin | Twin Cabin | Twin Cabin Plus | Dedicated Single | |
| Jul 6 '13 |
$6,090 | $6,990 | $7,590 | $9,190 | $9,890 |
| Jul 5 '14 |
$6,590 | $7,690 | $8,190 | $9,490 | $11,490 |
Day 1 Embark in Longyearbyen
Arrive in Longyearbyen and embark your expedition ship in the afternoon. Sail out through the spectacular Ice Fjord.
Days 2-10 Svalbard
You are now in a part of the world where you will be totally dependent on ice and weather conditions. The exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife encountered. The goal is to make daily landings with Zodiac craft – here are some examples of places you may visit:
Northwest Svalbard
In the scientific village of Ny Alesund, Arctic terns nest by the main street. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. On the islands of Danskoya, Amsterdamoya and Ytre Norskoya find remnants from the bustling activity during the 17th century whaling period. Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on Danskøya. Swedish balloonist Andree made an attempt with hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started out with airship. The site is still littered with interesting remnants from these expeditions.
Fantastic fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During your journey explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “the fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and at its base hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area and if lucky we see the rare king eider. In Krossfjorden delight in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large numbers of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers it is also a favorite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with life.
Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of melt-waterfalls. Even further east is Kvitøya (White Island). In very favorable ice and weather conditions, you may land on this ice-capped island where few people have set foot. Here Andrée and his men were found 33 years after their unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole with a hydrogen balloon. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances are good to encounter walrus, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer here.
Hinlopen and Alkefjellet
If the ice allows enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet (Auk Mountain), a sheer, basaltic cliff, which is the home to some 200 000 Brünnich`s guillemots. Continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta in Nordaustlandet.
Southwest Svalbard
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks. This is a favorite haunt for some of Svalbard's polar bears.
Day 11 Longyearbyen
Early morning reach Longyearbyen and begin your journey home.
Itinerary Notes
Please note: Your exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned above are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. Your crew will always strive to maximize your experience, but remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!Rates includes: 10 nights on board the Ocean Nova (PQ), all meals, an experienced expedition leader and knowledgeable naturalist guides/lecturers, lectures on board and ashore, all shore excursions and activities by Zodiac, a detailed post-expedition log.
Not included: Flight to/from Longyearbyen, travel and cancellation insurance, customary gratuity to the ship’s crew, personal expenses such as bar and shop charges.
Fuel Surcharge Policy:
The Quest reserves the right to change prices due to exceptional changes in costs for transports, fuel prices, taxes, fees or any other unforeseen cost incurred. The expedition price is based on a fuel price of USD $110 per barrel. 30 days prior to date of final payment an assessment of the fuel price will be performed, and a possible surcharge will be invoiced in conjunction with this.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 30%, 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. 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 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 70+ days | 15% cruise cost |
| 69-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Ocean Nova (PQ)
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 73
The expedition vessel Ocean Nova is a sister ship to the popular Quest. She was built in Denmark in 1992 and in 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition ship.
Ocean Nova Accommodations
Ocean Nova takes 73 passengers in Svalbard and 84 in Antarctica in single, twin and triple cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The triple cabins and some of the twin cabins on upper deck have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths. In your cabin you also find a desk with a chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment.
Life on board
In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy a drink with a breathtaking view of the surrounding polar landscape. This is where the Ocean Nova's on board specialists entertain and educate you with lectures on the area`s flora, fauna and history.
Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for from the spacious observation decks.
There is a friendly and informal atmosphere on board. Traveling with this small expedition ship offers an entirely different experience and perspective than you can get on a larger and more conventional cruise ship.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Triple Cabin Triple cabin (2 lower and 1 upper bed). Upper Deck. |
 | Twin Cabin Twin cabin (1 upper and 1 lower bed). Upper Deck. |
 | Twin Cabin Twin cabin (2 lower beds). Bridge/Upper Decks. |
 | Twin Cabin Plus Twin cabin Plus (2 lower beds). Upper Deck. |
| Dedicated Single Dedicated single. Upper Deck. | |
