Lofoten, Bear Island & Svalbard
« All Quest cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Triple Cabin | Twin Cabin | Twin Cabin Plus | Double Cabin | Double Cabin Superior | Owners Cabin | Solo Twin Cabin | |
| May 25 '13 |
$4,590 | $5,490 | $5,890 | $6,590 | $6,990 | $7,590 | $8,990 |
| Deals, Discounts... Savings! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Savings | Dates | |
| 10% | May 25, 13 | |
| These special offers are applicable only to new bookings. Discounts are subject to availability, so contact us for more details. | ||
Day 1 Bodo, Norway
Arrive in Bodø, and board the Quest. Once installed in your comfortable cabins, you will be welcomed by the guides and crew and get to know your expedition ship. It is time to begin the sea voyage towards the dramatic Lofoten Islands.
Day 2 Lofoten / Nusfjord / Trolfjorden
After breakfast make a first trip in your sturdy Zodiac crafts around the spectacular island Vedøya with its tens of thousands of nesting sea birds, also often frequented by eagles. Sail along the southern side of Lofoten, a vast collection of rocky islands rising from the sea, towards Nusfjord. This is one of the most preserved and picturesque fishing communities in the area, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list of unique wooden structures. Go ashore and explore this historic little village with its distinct atmosphere of cod fisheries. Continue your cruise along the Lofoten wall and late in the evening arrive at the magically beautiful Trollfjorden.
Day 3 Trondenes
Visit the old Viking site made famous by Snorri Sturlason in his Icelandic Saga. Enjoy the wonderful nature and visit a nice little Viking museum. After lunch head out to sea and set course for Bear Island. After a few hours reach a good whale watching area that stretches along the continental shelf. During your journey you will have good chances to see sperm whales, humpback whales, killer whales and white-beaked dolphins.
Day 4 Barents Sea
Your sea journey to further northern latitudes continues. Interesting lectures on board introduce us to the rich wildlife and fascinating history of the Arctic. Of course, continue to look for whales.
Day 5 Bear Island
Withy our solid Zodiacs explore this fascinating rocky island in the middle of the Barents Sea. One of the largest seabird colonies of the North Atlantic is situated here, on vertical 400-meter cliffs that rise in the distance as we approach. Tens of thousands of guillemots nest here, as well as puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. Continue your journey into the Arctic waters and your next goal is Svalbard, a vast, glaciated archipelago dominated by wild, pointed mountain ranges.
Days 6-9 Svalbard
It is early in the season and your route will naturally depend on the weather and ice conditions. These are examples of places you might visit:
Edgeøya
The plan is to explore the island of Edgeøya. There are remnants here of the first Pomors who came to the area in the 1600s. These Russian trappers came here to hunt polar bears, seals and reindeer. Later, Edgeøya became the most important hunting ground of the Norwegian trappers, who came here solely to hunt polar bears. Edgeøya offers a landscape of Arctic tundra, where have good chances to see walrus, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.
Storfjorden
During this time of the year there is often ice in the vast Storfjorden between the islands of Edgeøya and Spitsbergen. Your crew will try to get as far north as possible along Spitsbergen’s east coast. Certainly keep your eyes open for polar bears.
Hornsund
Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers let go of shimmering blue ice floes. On the southern side of the fjord pass one of the highest mountains in Svalbard, Hornsundstinden. This is one of the favorite haunts for some of Svalbard’s many polar bears.
Bellsund
At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks nest by the tens of thousands. Go ashore and walk across the tundra to take a closer look at the mountain where also barnacle geese and Brünnich’s guillemots are nesting.
Isfjorden
At the entrance of Isfjorden is the giant cliff Alkhornet, several hundred meters high. Go ashore to enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Some Arctic foxes live in the rock crevices around the mountain and with some luck you might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food.
Day 10 Longyearbyen
Early in the morning arrive in the high Arctic capital of Longyearbyen. This is where you will leave the ship and begin your journey home.
Itinerary Notes
Please note: Your exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. Your crew will always strive to maximise your experience. Please keep in mind that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!Rate includes: 9 nights on board the Quest, all meals, an experienced Expedition Leader and knowledgeable guides, lectures on board and ashore, all shore excursions by Zodiac, harbour fees, a detailed post-expedition log.
Not included: Flights to Bodø and from Longyearbyen, travel and cancellation insurance, the customary gratuity to the ship’s crew, personal expenses such as bar and shop charges.
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 |
Quest
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 53
The Quest welcomes you to an exciting polar cruise. This ship was built in Denmark with the original purpose to serve as a ferry on Greenland's west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished in order to serve as a small and comfortable expedition ship.
Life onboard the Quest
The ship offers plenty of common areas to create a comfortable cruising environment. The dining room is found in the aft on Deck 2. Passengers are treated to delicious meals in between landings. It is comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate all passengers and expedition staff in one seating and the portholes offers a nice sea view. The breakfast and lunch are buffet style and the dinner is a combination of starters and salad buffet and served main course and desserts. The meals offer choice of fish, meat and vegetarian.
In the panorama lounge on top Deck 5 enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding
landscape. Listen to the expedition staff giving entertaining lectures about the area being explored. In the lounge find a well-stocked bar and a small library with fact books, novels, board games, music CDs and DVDs. From the panorama lounge the outdoor top observation deck can be accessed. These spacious observation decks are the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful vistas and search for exciting wildlife.
The Quest is an exceptional expedition ship with an easy accessible Zodiac gangway, full access to outer decks 360 degrees around the ship for convenient scenery and wildlife watching and a comfortable panorama lounge and bar at the top deck which offers 270 degrees of weather independent view. The open bridge policy contributes to the relaxed atmosphere on board.
Accommodations
The Quest accommodates 53 passengers in 26 cabins. All cabins are en suite, located on the outside and have large sea view windows. Windows on deck 4 can be opened. All cabins are equipped with separate air flow and temperature adjustment capabilities, hairdryers, personal safety box, writing desk, chair, large mirror, wardrobes with hangers, hooks for outer wear and an European 2-prong electrical outlet.
The triple cabins on deck three have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. The superior cabins on deck three and four are spacious and have a separate sitting area and TV/DVD. The Owner`s cabin, next to the Captain`s cabin, on deck four has a double bed, two large picture windows, a small sitting area and TV/DVD.
Traveling on this small expedition ship offers a more relaxed and informal atmosphere and a much greater focus on the destination than larger vessels are able to offer.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Triple Cabin Triple Cabin with upper and lower berths. Located on Deck 3. |
 | Twin Cabin Twin Cabin with two twin beds. Located on Deck 3. |
 | Twin Cabin Plus Twin Cabin Plus with two twin beds. Located on Deck 3. |
 | Double Cabin Double Cabin with one double bed. Located on Deck 3. |
 | Double Cabin Superior Double Cabin Superior with one large double bed. Located on Deck 3. |
 | Owners Cabin Owners Cabin with one large double bed. Located on Deck 4. |
 | Solo Twin Cabin Twin Cabin for solo use. Same cabins as the Twin Cabin, located on Deck 3. |
