HIGHLIGHTS
Workshop:
Sounds of whales and seals
In
this engaging audio workshop, we will provide you the theoretical
background of various acoustic tools that we will help you use to
locate and interpret the songs of whales and seals. This fun and
informative workshop covers both the theory and practice of analyzing
marine mammal sounds, requiring you to bring no additional equipment.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | Junior Suite | Grand Suite |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Quadruple Porthole | (Mid-range) Twin Deluxe | (High-end) Grand Suite |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Northward bound
You
board the vessel in Vlissingen in the afternoon, and we depart on our
voyage that evening.
Day
2: Wadden Sea Islands
The
Frisian Islands (Friesland in German and Dutch), also known as the
Wadden Sea Islands, lie between western Denmark and the northwestern
reaches of the Netherlands. Large areas of the Wadden Sea, where these
islands are located, become dry during low tide, and much of the
Frisian Islands comprise an international wildlife reserve of
environmentally protected areas. You will be able to see these islands
from a distance, and in the late evening or early hours of the
following day, the vessel will arrive in Bremerhaven.
Day
3: Bremerhaven, Germany
Passengers
who joined us in Vlissingen will have some free time on this day,
enjoying the opportunity to roam about town on their own. There are
several fine museums and attractions (Klimahaus, Schifffahrtsmuseum,
Zoo am Meer, etc.) in addition to walks along the shoreline. You then
board the vessel by midday, departing in the afternoon and sailing
about five hours to the small island of Helgoland. The ship will not
make landings here, but we will sail as close as possible to the island
in the hopes of getting some good views of the steep seabird cliffs on
its west side. These cliffs are known for their many breeding seabirds
(gannets, kittiwakes, and guillemots), a winning sight for any bird
lover. We’ll then continue our voyage across the North Sea.
Day
4: Sea life on the move
Crossing
the North Sea and sailing by Doggersbank, you stand an excellent chance
of spotting minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
Several other cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are also
native to these seas.
Day
5: Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
At
Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, the roughly seventy inhabitants (renowned
for their knitwear) welcome you for a walk to the local bird
observatory. This location is a haven for sea birds, though you may
also spot grey seals.
Day
6 – 7: Jan Mayen marine life
You
sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, 300 nautical miles
northeast of Iceland. Your two days at sea do not pass idly, however.
Keep a close lookout for any spouts of water from the surrounding seas,
heralding the arrival of a minke, fin, orca, or blue whale.
Day
8: Snow-capped seaside volcano
Jan
Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of
Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high
(7,545 feet) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea.
With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the
weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th- century
Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic
landscape.
Day
9 – 11: Under the midnight sun & along the ice edge
Basking
in the midnight sun, you sail north along the edge of the sea ice in
search of bowhead whales, harp seals, polar bears, and a variety of
seabirds. You then change direction after about 79° north,
cutting west to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west
Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and
– near the glacial mouths of the gaping Spitsbergen fjords
– surfacing minke whales.
Day
12: The Arctic island of Spitsbergen
German
whalers sailed from Hamburg to Spitsbergen in the middle of the 17th
century. They established whaling stations, for instance in
Hamburgbukta, south of Magdalenefjorden. We are in the area and time
allowing we may stop there. Otherwise the focus is on Forlandsundet,
between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls
Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses
sometimes haul out here. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns
Fjord or head south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet.
Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen
eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
Day
13: Journey’s end in Longyearbyen
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You
disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen,
taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next
adventure lies. But if you’re still craving additional
chances to spot the Arctic’s most iconic apex predator, stay
on board for our seven-night north Spitsbergen voyage, "in search of
polar bears & pack ice."
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 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.
- 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 programme.
- AECO
fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
-
Birding
- FREE
- Acoustic
Workshop - FREE