SPITSBERGEN,
SVALBARD NEAR THE NORTH POLE
Explore Svalbard's Arctic landscapes under the midnight sun on board the
luxurious expedition ship Prince
Albert II. Spitsbergen is part of the
archipelago in the Arctic Ocean woven between the North Pole and Norway.In
Spitsbergen massive glaciers cover 60 percent of the land, and fjords are
lined with steep cliffs and rugged mountains. Polar bears, wild reindeer,
Arctic foxes, walrus, whales, seals and many species of migratory birds are
encountered in this wonderland.
WHAT
YOU WILL SEE IN SVALBARD
Svalbard is the archipelago located between the North Pole and Norway.
Svalbard is one of the last major European wilderness areas with pristine
mountains, fauna, deep fjords, picturesque icebergs, and massive ice sheets.
The goal is to explore the islands of Edgeøya and Barentsøya, as well as
the northwestern sections of Svalbard plus the dramatic Spitsbergen. We will
discover wildlife as we spend the maximum amount of time possible hiking on
the tundra. Svalbard is home to approximately 5,000 polar bears and we plan
to encounter a good number of them during the trip.
We
will travel along the same routes as famous polar explorers such as Andrée,
Nordenskiold, Amundsen and Nobile. We will trek along beaches blanketed with
walruses, get to know the indigenous reindeer, and maybe even spot the
Arctic fox or Bearded seal. Seabirds, such as Ivory gulls, auks and puffins,
will be our constant companions as we admire their playfulness and grace. We
might even encounter a few whales. A variety of known species frequent the
area, in particular the Minke and Beluga.
The
flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favourable ice and weather
conditions. We will search for walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes and
polar bears. Shore walks and Zodiac landings will bring us up close to the
mystical settings and passing icebergs. Each day our Expedition Leader and
Captain will determine our best course, depending on changing weather, ice
conditions and the wildlife we encounter. In the true spirit of adventure
cruising, the Expedition Leader will provide daily updates. Here is a list
of places we may visit:
•
Edgeøya – Enter the realm of the polar bear on the third largest island
in the Svalbard archipelago. Conditions permitting, we will go ashore at the
hard to get to Diskobukta, where we will discover interesting fauna and
flora and take a walk amongst thousands of Kittiwakes and Arctic foxes. The
coastal waters often provide fantastic opportunities to see walrus and polar
bear on the ice flow.
•
Barentsøya – Just north of Edgeøya lies the fourth largest island in
Svalbard. Here we are immersed in a wide tundra and distinctive landscape,
perfect for long hikes and short walks. We may encounter polar bears and
discover the ruins of 15th-century Russian Pomors
•
Hornsund – The southernmost fjord on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen
Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Listen for
the crash of white thunder as huge chunks of ice fall into the fjord. Amidst
floating icebergs jewels, watch for bearded seals, the rare Beluga whale and
the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as
the polar bear’s favourite food, the Ringed seal, breeds in the fjord. The
surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting Little
auks. We may visit the Polish research station or the remains of whaling
stations and trappers’ huts.
•
Liefdefjorden – Basement rocks south and west of Liefdefjorden feature
scenery with high, jagged mountains and strong glaciations, which culminate
in the large calving front of the Monacobreen (Glacier of Monaco).
•
Ice Cruising – With the strengthened hull of the Prince Albert II, we have
the perfect platform to search for walrus and polar bears as we devote at
least one day to exploring the pack ice around Spitsbergen. Conditions
permitting, our Expedition Leader may choose to take us out in the Zodiacs
for an even closer look.
•
Kongfjord or Kings Bay – Cutting into the west coast of Spitsbergen and
reaching inland about 15 miles (24 kilometres) and spanning up to 6 miles
(10 kilometres) wide, Kongfjord is a splendid place to behold. Together with
our onboard geologist, we will explore its complicated geological formations
and visit the 14th of July glacier. We also hope to land at Blomstrand, a
name not referring to a flower-covered Svalbard beach, but rather in memory
of a Swedish chemist.
•
Magdalenafjord – This majestic fjord is normally accessible year-round
because of the influence of the West Spitsbergen Current or Gulf Stream.
Landing via Zodiac, we discover the alluring fjord and search for wildlife.
•
Prins Karls Forland – Off the West coast of Spitsbergen, we encounter the
island home of Forland National Park with cragged mountains, massive
glaciers and remarkable wildlife. The entire island and the surrounding seas
make up Forland National Park. Members of our Expedition Team take us a
shore at Poolypnten, a well-known walrus haul out, where our marine
biologist explains the habits and habitat of these amazing creatures. |
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SAILING DATES: Click on the links to view itinerary and rates |
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June 5-22, 2010: 17-day
voyage from London (Tower Bridge) to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway |
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June 22-29, 2010: 7-day
voyage roundtrip Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway |
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June 29 - July 9, 2010:
10-day voyage from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Tromso, Norway |
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August 2-12, 2010: 10-day
voyage from Tromso, Norway to Longyearbyen, Svalbard |
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August 12-22, 2010: 10-day
voyage from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Tromso, Norway |
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August 22 - September 7,
2010: 16-day voyage from Tromso, Norway to Reykjavik, Iceland |
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September 7-25, 2010: 18-day
voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to St. John's, Newfoundland |
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ITINERARIES
June 5-22, 2010: 17-day voyage from London (Tower
Bridge) to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
05 Jun 2010 Sat London (Tower Bridge), U.K.
06 Jun 2010 Sun London (Tower Bridge), U.K. 6:00 PM
07 Jun 2010 Mon Day At Sea
08 Jun 2010 Tue Newcastle, England, United Kingdom
09 Jun 2010 Wed Aberdeen, Scotland
10 Jun 2010 Thu Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
10 Jun 2010 Thu Mousa, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
10 Jun 2010 Thu Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
11 Jun 2010 Fri Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
11 Jun 2010 Fri Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
12 Jun 2010 Sat Day At Sea
13 Jun 2010 Sun Trondheim, Norway 7:00 AM
14 Jun 2010 Mon Cruise Norwegian Fjords
15 Jun 2010 Tue Cruise/Explore Lofoten Islands
16 Jun 2010 Wed Andøya Island, Norway
17 Jun 2010 Thu Magerøy Island, Norway
17 Jun 2010 Thu Skarsvag (North Cape), Norway
18 Jun 2010 Fri Cruise & Explore Bear Island
19 Jun 2010 Sat Hornsund, Svalbard, Norway
20 Jun 2010 Sun Svalbard, Svalbard, Norway
21 Jun 2010 Mon Svalbard, Svalbard, Norway
22 Jun 2010 Tue Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway 7:00 AM
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 6172 per person
plus $300 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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June 22-29, 2010: 7-day voyage roundtrip
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
22 Jun 2010 Tue Longyearbyen, Svalbard 6:00 PM
23 Jun 2010 Wed Exploring Svalbard
24 Jun 2010 Thu Exploring Svalbard
25 Jun 2010 Fri Exploring Svalbard
26 Jun 2010 Sat Exploring Svalbard
27 Jun 2010 Sun Exploring Svalbard
28 Jun 2010 Mon Exploring Svalbard
29 Jun 2010 Tue Longyearbyen, Svalbard 7:00 AM
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 4636 per person
plus $125 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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June
29 - July 9, 2010: 10-day voyage from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to
Tromso, Norway
29 Jun 2010 Tue Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway 6:00 PM
30 Jun 2010 Wed
Exploring Svalbard
01 Jul 2010 Thu
Exploring Svalbard
02 Jul 2010 Fri
Exploring Svalbard
03 Jul 2010 Sat
Exploring Svalbard
04 Jul 2010 Sun
Exploring Svalbard
05 Jul 2010 Mon Hornsund, Svalbard
06 Jul 2010 Tue Cruise & Explore Bear Island
07 Jul 2010 Wed Magerøy Island, Norway
07 Jul 2010 Wed Skarsvag (North Cape)
08 Jul 2010 Thu Tromsø, Norway Noon
09 Jul 2010 Fri Tromsø, Norway
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 4936 per person
plus $175 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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August 2-12, 2010: 10-day voyage from Tromso, Norway to
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
02 Aug 2010 Mon Tromso, Norway 5:00 PM
03 Aug 2010 Tue Magerøy Island & Skarsvag (North Cape)
04 Aug 2010 Wed Cruise & Explore Bear Island
05 Aug 2010 Thu Cruise & Explore Svalbard
06 Aug 2010 Fri Exploring Svalbard
07 Aug 2010 Sat Exploring Svalbard
08 Aug 2010 Sun Exploring Svalbard
09 Aug 2010 Mon Exploring Svalbard
10 Aug 2010 Tue Exploring Svalbard
11 Aug 2010 Wed Exploring Svalbard
12 Aug 2010 Thu Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway 6:40 AM
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 4936 per person
plus $175 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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August 12-22, 2010: 10-day voyage from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to
Tromso, Norway
12 Aug 2010 Thu Tromso, Norway 6:00 PM
13 Aug 2010 Fri Exploring Svalbard
14 Aug 2010 Sat Exploring Svalbard
15 Aug 2010 Sun Exploring Svalbard
16 Aug 2010 Mon Exploring Svalbard
17 Aug 2010 Tue Exploring Svalbard
18 Aug 2010 Wed Exploring Svalbard
19 Aug 2010 Thu Exploring Svalbard, Norway
20 Aug 2010 Fri Cruise & Explore Bear Island
21 Aug 2010 Sat Tromsø, Norway 2:30 PM
22 Aug 2010 Sun Tromsø, Norway
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 4936 per person
plus $175 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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August 22 - September 7, 2010: 16-day voyage from Tromso, Norway to
Reykjavik, Iceland
22 Aug 2010 Sun Tromsø, Norway 5:00 PM
23 Aug 2010 Mon Day At Sea
24 Aug 2010 Tue Cruise & Explore Bear Island
25 Aug 2010 Wed Exploring Svalbard
26 Aug 2010 Thu Exploring Svalbard
27 Aug 2010 Fri Exploring Svalbard
28 Aug 2010 Sat Exploring Svalbard
29 Aug 2010 Sun Exploring Svalbard
30 Aug 2010 Mon Longyearbyen, Svalbard
31 Aug 2010 Tue Day At Sea
01 Sep 2010 Wed Day At Sea
02 Sep 2010 Thu Jan Mayen Island
03 Sep 2010 Fri Day At Sea
04 Sep 2010 Sat Husavik
05 Sep 2010 Sun Vigur Island, Iceland
06 Sep 2010 Mon Grundarfjordur, Iceland
07 Sep 2010 Tue Reykjavik, Iceland 6:30 AM
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 6951 per person
plus $300 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
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September 7-25, 2010: 18-day voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to St.
John's, Newfoundland
07 Sep 2010 Tue Reykjavik, Iceland 7:00 PM
08 Sep 2010 Wed Vestmannaey Island
09 Sep 2010 Thu Day At Sea
10 Sep 2010 Fri Day At Sea
11 Sep 2010 Sat Skjoldungen Fjord, Greenland
12 Sep 2010 Sun Prince Christian Sound, Greenland
13 Sep 2010 Mon Qaqortoq, Greenland
13 Sep 2010 Mon Hvalsey
14 Sep 2010 Tue Arsuk Brae
15 Sep 2010 Wed Day At Sea
16 Sep 2010 Thu Day At Sea
17 Sep 2010 Fri Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
18 Sep 2010 Sat Lower Savage Islands, Canada
19 Sep 2010 Sun Akpatok Island, Nuanvut, Canada
20 Sep 2010 Mon Saqlek Fjord
21 Sep 2010 Tue Day At Sea
22 Sep 2010 Wed Battle Harbour, Canada
23 Sep 2010 Thu L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada
24 Sep 2010 Fri Twillingate
25 Sep 2010 Sat St. John's, Newfoundland 7:30 AM
Early Booking Rates
Oceanview cabins from USD 7806 per person
plus $325 in taxes
Call us for details
at 1-800-345-3324
(India.) or
click
here to book online
Cruise
Norway - India Representation:
Toll
Free: 1 800 345 3324
Kolkata:
+91 98300 53005 Jaipur: +91 94140 70017
Chennai: +91 92831 90875
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PRINCE
ALBERT II DISTINCTIONS
* Superior accommodations in a large suite
* Superlative service and genuine hospitality
* Crew to guest ratio of nearly 1 to 1
* Expert naturalists and special guest lecturers
* Complimentary, hosted adventures ashore
* Complimentary parka
* Fares include all onboard gratuities
* Complimentary fine wines, champagnes and spirits served throughout
the ship
* In-room beverage cabinet stocked with your complimentary selections
* Casual/informal attire – no formal nights
* Open-seating dining
* Gourmet menus by Relais and Chateaux
* Complimentary 24-hour room service
* Spa, fitness centre, two top-deck whirlpools, live evening
entertainment
* Ship-wide Internet access and cellular phone service (fee applies) |
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ABOUT
PRINCE ALBERT II
Embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in
the world aboard Prince Albert II, a purpose-built expedition ship
unlike any other. Designed specifically for navigating waters in some
of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s
polar regions, the 6,072-ton vessel boasts a strengthened hull with a
Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger ships. With
eight Zodiac boats, her 132 privileged guests can visit even the most
off-the-beaten path locations. Experience the thrill of a true
expedition aboard Prince Albert II. Venture deep into regions where
other vessels cannot go whilst enjoying a privileged lifestyle that is
simply second-to-none.
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Onboard
Luxury
Savour a convivial cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities
usually found only on larger ships, including a spacious Library with
an Internet Café, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, beauty
salon, fitness centre, sauna, live evening entertainment and two
top-deck whirlpools. The Prince Albert II even features The Humidor,
where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs - a
diversion offered by no other expedition ship.
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Information
and photos of suites and public spaces on Prince Albert II
Sailings
in Greenland on Prince Albert II
Prince
Albert's deck plan and cabin/suite descriptions (pdf file)
Why
us and what we can offer groups and organizations (pdf file)
Other
Spitsbergen programs
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