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Reservation
and Deposit
To
confirm your reservation, a $500-per-person deposit is required.
Deposit is required within 24 hours of booking. Booking information
must include passenger's full name, nationality, date of birth and
gender. Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure. American
Express, Visa, MasterCard are accepted for deposits. A bank wire is
accepted for the final payment
Air
Transportation
Travel
is in Economy Class via IATA carriers according to the route of the
published itinerary. All airfares are subject to change without
notice. SAS, Finnair, Icelandair, or other IATA carriers are
responsible only for the air travel portion of the program in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the airline ticket.
Group
Bookings
Group
bookings are welcome. Special booking conditions apply. Please inquire
with our reservations department for further details.
What
are the ships like?
The
MS Polar Star was built in 1969. She underwent major rebuilding and
modernization in 1988. In the autumn of 2000, she was extended and
upgraded to meet new SOLAS and IMF regulations on safety and
environment for passenger ships. She is the first icebreaker to be
fully converted for expedition cruising, and therefore rank highly
among the small fleet of Arctic expedition cruise ships. She is
specially equipped for expedition cruising in Arctic waters. The ship
has a comfortable restaurant, a large lounge, a lecture room, a
library and a bar. The MS Nordstjernen, Ice Class C, was built in
1956. She was modernized extensively in 2000, but still has the
special atmosphere of the old Atlantic cruisers. The MS Lofoten was
built in 1964 and modernized in 2003, while keeping the classic feel
onboard. Both ships are equipped with a bar, dining room, a library,
café and a panoramic lounge. There are no elevators on the ships. All
ships have a fleet of Zodiacs and PolarCirkel boats for excursions.
What
are the cabins like?
Cabins
aboard the ships are comfortable and cozy. onboard the MS Polar Star,
all cabins are outside and have a window or porthole. The majority of
double cabins have two lower berths with private facilities. Two
suites and four junior suites with queen-size
berths are also available. A limited selection of double and triple
cabins have upper/lower berths with shared facilities. Onboard the MS
Nordstjernen and the MS Lofoten the majority of cabins have
upper/lower berths. Cabins are not wheelchair accessible.
What
if I prefer a single cabin?
A
limited selection of double cabins is available for single occupancy.
Do
you have triples?
A
limited selection of double cabins is available for single occupancy.
Is
the ship suitable for physically challenged passengers?
The
ships are not equipped for physicallychallenged guests.
Is
smoking permitted onboard?
There
are designated smoking areas out on deck.
Is
there a doctor onboard?
There
is no doctor onboard. There is access to rescue helicopter or ship in
case of an emergency or serious illness.
Are
there tour guides onboard?
We
consider it a priority to have well-qualified tour leaders and guides
onboard who coordinate every aspect of the tour and share their
knowledge of Svalbard and Arctic conditions during shore excursions
and onboard lectures.
What
will the climate be like?
The
average temperature is approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit with
daylight round the clock. There is normally very little rain, but fog
and low clouds can occur, especially early in the season. Even if
there is very little rain the ground is often wet
because
of melting snow. Chilly winds are common, and early in the season
there are still snow-covered areas at North-Spitsbergen.
Will
I experience the midnight sun?
Yes,
as long as the weather is clear, the Midnight Sun can be seen in
Spitsbergen from late April-August.
What
clothes should I bring?
There
is no dress code onboard. To be adequately dressed on shore
excursions, you should pack a pair of hiking boots, waterproof and
windproof jacket and pants, a warm hat, a pair of windproof gloves,
inner-gloves (we recommend wool), two sets of long underwear, a warm
woolen sweater, warm socks. In addition, we suggest two or three
changes of indoor clothing, a pair of regular shoes to wear onboard
ship,
a
warm jacket (down), and a pair of solid rubber boots.
Any
special tips regarding items to bring?
A
small backpack for shore excursions is recommended. And since it
seldom rains around Spitsbergen during the summer, make sure you pack
your sun glasses. There are limited goods in the gift store onboard so
you should bring whatever toiletries you might need during the voyage,
as well as a supply of any medications you take. If you plan to use
any electrical equipment, an adapter and converter are required.
Should you suffer from seasickness, don’t forget your remedies. And
last but not least, binoculars and a camera are a must! (A limited
supply of film is sold onboard.)
Are
there laundry facilities onboard?
The
MS Polar Star is equipped with laundry facilities, while the MS
Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten are not.
How
demanding are the tours?
Most
of the landings (approximately twice a day) are by Zodiac of
PolarCirkel boats, and the terrain on shore may be fairly rugged, so
you should be reasonably sure-footed. Other than the landings, the
tour does not make any special physical demands on the participants.
What
are the flora and fauna like?
To
protect and preserve the environment and animals on Svalbard, around
60 percent of the archipelago has been designated as national parks,
nature reserves or as bird or plant sanctuaries. There are only three
land mammals on Svalbard—polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and the
Arctic fox, but there are a number of sea mammals, including walruses,
ring seals, bearded seals, Greenland seals, hooded seals, white-nosed
dolphins and various whales such as narwhal and killer whales. More
than 100 species of birds have been identified in the area, and the
number of plants is far higher than might be expected so far north.
What
should I know about polar bears and safety?
Polar
bears are perhaps the principal symbol of Svalbard as a wilderness
area, and it is quite something to see a polar bear in its natural
habitat. Polar bears normally do not attack humans, but they can be
extremely dangerous. Our tour guides have rifles and also carry safety
equipment, such as signal pistols, for scaring away bears. (It is very
rare for tour leaders to have to chase away bears.)
What
is the tipping policy?
On
our Spitsbergen programs NOK 50 (approx. $9) per day will
automatically be debited your Cruise Card. Should you wish to change
the amount or not tip, contact the reception staff at the start of
your cruise.
How
about luggage handling?
Luggage
handling is available at embarkation and disembarkation.
How
about transfers?
Bus
transfers are included in Spitsbergen between the ship/hotel and the
airport. In Oslo, you’ll get vouchers for the airport Express Train
taking you between the airport and downtown.
Is
the onboard voltage 110 or 220?
The
ships have an electrical supply of 220 volts. An adapter and converter
are required. Electrical outlets in Norway and onboard ships are
recessed and with round prongs.
Can
you accommodate special dietary requirements?
We
do our best to meet special dietary requirements. All requests for
special meals should be passed on to us well in advance of departure.
What
documents are required?
A
current passport and a visa is required for Indian citizens to enter
Norway.
What
inoculations do I need?
Inoculations
are not necessary for travelers to Spitsbergen.
What
currency is accepted onboard?
American
Express, Visa and MasterCard. The gift shop onboard also accepts U.S.
dollars and Norwegian kroner.
What
about travel insurance?
We
strongly encourage passengers to purchase travel insurance.
Are
there any special savings?
Yes,
please visit www.cruisenorway.in/specials.html
Are
there any helpful travel guides I can read before my trip?
Most
travel guide books on Norway have a section regarding Spitsbergen.
You’ll also find a list of suggested reading material on our
website.
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