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Cruise narrow arctic fjords, past the towering faces of massive glaciers
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Visit arctic research stations and historic settlements
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Travel to within 540 miles of the North Pole
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Experience thronging seabird colonies and walrus haul outs
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Watch the solitary arctic hunters—polar
bears, ringed and bearded seals and arctic fox
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Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
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All breakfasts, lunches and dinners on board throughout your voyage. (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
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All shore landings per the daily program
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Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader, including shore landings and other activities
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All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
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Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled
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Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
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A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
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An official expedition parka to keep
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Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
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Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
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Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
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All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
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All luggage handling aboard ship
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On disembarkation day, group transfer from the ship to the airport or other local designated drop-off location
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Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person
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“No fuel surcharge” guarantee. Prices will not increase regardless of fluctuations in the price of marine fuel
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If arrival is the day prior to embarkation, group transfer to a Longyearbyen hotel, then to the ship on the day of embarkation
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If arrival is on the day of embarkation, group transfer to the town of Longyearbyen, then an afternoon group transfer from a pre-arranged location to the ship
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Day 1
Embarkation: Longyearbyen
The islands of Svalbard, including the largest, Spitsbergen, are glacier-topped mountains that rise from Arctic waters sprinkled with ice floes. Your first view will be from the air as you fly into Longyearbyen to embark.
Days 2-4
Western Spitsbergen
On the west coast of Spitbergen, we'll cruise in Zodiacs, near a magnificent ice cliff, the 14th of July Glacier. We'll also visit Ny Alesund, an international Arctic research station. Birders should add to their life list, as this is a known habitat for Arctic Terns, Arctic Skua, Purple Sandpipers, Common Eiders, Barnacle Geese and Snow Buntings.
Days 5-8
Smeerenburg
At Smeerenburg, we’ll visit relics of the whaling industry, blubber ovens and whalebones. While you visit the former whaling station, the Expedition Team recounts the Dutch and Basque influences on the local community, which relied on the harvesting of bowhead whales for survival.
Norway’s Arctic Islands of Svalbard are so numerous that certain areas within the archipelago have names that reflect the profusion, Tusenoyane (Thousand Islands) for example. We’ll go ashore on Aekongen to seek Red-throated Divers and a whale skeleton.
The temperature drops as we continue northward. We cross 80° N, 965 km (600 miles) from the North Pole, when ice conditions permit. Polar bear and walrus are known to inhabit the waters around this small archipelago, the most northerly in Svalbard!
Days 9-10
Bourbonhamna
The narrow sound near Bourbonhamna is a favored route of beluga whales. We’ll search for the white whales. Ashore, we’ll learn about hunting and whaling, as we stand amidst thousands of whale skulls left by whalers.
Day 11
Longyearbyen—Disembarkation
We'll transfer you from the ship to the airport for your flight home. Those who wish to extend their stay will be dropped at the Radisson Hotel on the way.
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PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of expedition cruising, itineraries are subject to change due to weather, ice conditions, natural and cultural events, wildlife viewing opportunities and other logistical considerations. In general, a ship's crew will endeavor to complete the itinerary provided, but the ultimate decision lies with the ship's captain and expedition leaders.
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06/14/11-06/24/11
| $3,890 | $5,390 | $5,990 | $6,590 | $7,190 | $7,490 | $8,190 |
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06/24/11-07/04/11
| $4,490 | $5,890 | $6,390 | $6,890 | $7,390 | $7,690 | $8,390 |
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07/17/11-07/27/11
| $4,490 | $5,890 | $6,390 | $6,890 | $7,390 | $7,690 | $8,390 |
The sister ships Akademik Sergey Vavilov and Akademik Ioffe are exceptional vessels for  Arctic and Antarctica cruises. There are many good reasons why these ships have fast become favorites among many of our clients. With a maximum of 110 passengers, they possess a nearly-ideal combination of utility and comfort.
The Vavilov and Ioffe offer several unique—and we might add, noteworthy—features relative to passenger cruising. First, they are fast. That means you will spend less time at sea—a distinct advantage when making long sea crossings such as the Drake Passage in Antarctica. The next feature is a pleasant result of the ships’ original purpose: hydro-acoustic listening. Because these ships were built for silent “listening” underwater, they run very quietly relative to other ships, making for a very pleasant onboard environment. Finally, both ships are equipped with external stabilizers, built-in trimming, and bow and stern thrusters—fancy ways of saying that the ships are very stable on rough seas (among the most stable of all expedition/research ships carrying passengers in polar waters) and can maneuver well in tight spots.  This combination of features make the Vavilov and Ioffe excellent, practical ships for polar cruising.
All cabins on the Vavilov and Ioffe are outside with some offering portholes and others offering windows that open. They are tastefully furnished, with plenty of storage space for your gear and clothing. You can choose between cabins with either shared or en suite facilities. And, with seven cabin categories, you can choose cabin prices and amenities to fit your particular needs and budget.
The lounges on the Vavilov and Ioffe are nicely appointed, inviting passengers to relax, get acquainted and share stories and photos from their adventures. Drinks and snacks are available in the lounge throughout the day.
Each ship’s bridge is almost always open to passengers and offers excellent locations for viewing scenery and wildlife. Crew and passengers intermingle on the bridge and impromptu lectures from naturalists often take place here.  There are also extensive outside viewing areas on several decks, as well as the bow and stern.
On select Vavilov and Ioffe cruises kayaking and camping are offered at an additional cost. For more adventurous passengers, these activities are quite popular, providing a unique and exciting perspective on the polar regions visited.
The ships’ spacious theaters are ideal for enjoying presentations from the staff lecturers and conducting briefings before going ashore.
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TRIPLE Shared
| Bunk beds, sofa bed, shared facilities, washbasin and desk in cabin. |
| CABIN PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE |
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TWIN Shared
| Bunk beds, shared facilities, washbasin and desk in cabin. |
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TWIN Semi-private
| 1 lower berth, 1 sofa bed, semi-private (one bathroom shared between two cabins) facilities and desk. |
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TWIN Private
| 1 sofa bed, 1 lower berth, private facilities and desk. |
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SUPERIOR Private
| 2 lower berths, private facilities, sofa and desk. |
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SHAKLETON SUITE Private
| 1 double berth, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, private facilities, upgraded bedding, fridge, TV/VCR and desk. |
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ONE OCEAN SUITE Private
| Double berth, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, private facilities, upgraded bedding, fridge, TV/VCR and desk. |
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TWIN Private
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