Spitsbergen, Iceland & Greenland

Day 1
Embarkation Day
Embark in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, either August 9, 2012 or September 4, 2012. The August 22, 2012 departure embarks in Reykjavik. This itinerary reflects embarkation in Reykjavik. The itinerary will be operated in reverse when embarking in Longyearbyen.

Day 2
Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
Named long ago for Irishmen (Westmen) enslaved by the medieval Norse-Gaels, this small archipelago is one of Iceland's gems. Here you'll learn of the area's fascinating history and famed volcanic geology while touring the town of Heimaey. There's also a good chance you'll spot large colonies of puffins on one of the outlying islands.

Day 3-4
At Sea in the Denmark Strait
Sail through the Denmark Strait en route to Greenland's mysterious eastern shore. Your onboard Expedition Team keeps you informed and entertained with presentations about area wildlife- especially the seabirds you'll see soaring above your ship.

Day 5-9
Scoresbysund, Eastern Greenland
During your tour of Greenland's remote eastern coast, you'll enjoy sea-level Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Sail the ice edge searching for walrus and polar bear. Visit the remains of ancient Thule settlements, and keep an eye out for grazing musk oxen, because 40% of the world's population of this fascinating mammal lives on the east coast of Greenland. Finally, sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, birthplace of many icebergs, and - some say - the most beautiful fjord system in the world.

Day 10-11
Greenland Sea
While sailing the historic Greenland Sea, you'll learn about the wildlife and history of Spitsbergen, your next stop. On deck you'll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Share photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar—watch a movie—there are many things to do at sea.

Day 12-13
Exploring Spitsbergen
Largest of the Norwegian-ruled Svalbard islands, Spitsbergen is famed for its abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here you'll visit spectacular glacier fronts, steep-walled fjords and the tiny international research community of Ny Ålesund. Wildlife-viewing opportunities include walrus, polar bear and the unique Spitsbergen reindeer. Birders will thrill to see Arctic Terns, skuas, Long-tailed Ducks, kittiwakes and Glaucous Gulls. As an added bonus, when conditions are right, you could sail within 10° of the North Pole!

Day 14
Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
If you board the ship in Reykjavik, you will disembark in Longyearbyen. If you embark in Longyearbyen, you will disembark in Reykjavik.

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.

Dining room	Library	Lounge
Theater	Mud room	Lobby