Arctic
North Atlantic Isles
Arctic
Arctic
Sail the East Greenland ice edge north of Spitsbergen in search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife
Duration: 13
Starts: Vlissingen
Ends: Longyearbyen
Language: English speaking voyage
Ship Cruise More info about this activity
Not only we travel from one point to another and find our shelter on board the ship we chose. We also enjoy from incredible scenery, landscapes and interactions that only our noble vessel can provide.
Everyday the Bridge Team navigates the ship to position ourselves on the best posible spots, looking for unique opportunities.
Many times, this includes sainig through narrow passages, on the vicinity of glaciers or entering bays and fjords only approachable from the ship.
Enjoy this incredible places from the comfort of the common areas on board, open decks or your own private balcony!
Shore Excursion More info about this activity
Shore excursions are the backbone of almost all itineraries, with most ships making landfall at least once every day once they reach their destination. The weather plays a huge role in your daily itinerary, although given the sheer array of fantastic landing sites all over there are plenty of options your Captain and Expedition Leader can choose from. On-shore excursions allow you to visit scientific research stations, communities, prominent wildlife colonies and take hikes to elevated viewing points for fantastic photography.
Zodiac cruising More info about this activity
On board the Zodiac you will discover a world of possibilities; accessing the most exclusive landing sites, cruising the coast in search of wildlife or simply enjoying a tour in the calm of the polar regions in search of marine wildlife or bird colonies.
The blue ice an its intimate presence is experienced at its best on zodiac tours.
It is not uncommon to meet curious seals, or humpback whales feeding.
Interactive Workshops More info about this activity
Explore the acoustics of polar wildlife
The polar regions are so visually stunning that it can be easy to forget there’s a whole other side to the environment that is equally stunning to the ear. Our Hondius acoustics workshop highlights this side of the polar experience. Using the latest technology and led by experts in their field, this activity helps you record and understand all the enchanting soundscapes of these unique wildernesses.
Capture your finest polar photos
What better excuse to indulge your inner photographer than a trip to the polar regions? On select Hondius voyages, you can partake in dynamic Hondius photography workshops that will encourage you to do just that. Whether you’re new to the artform or a seasoned veteran, this activity will allow you to shoot beautiful polar adventures under the guidance of a professional nature photographer.
Learn the basics of astronavigation with a sextant
If you’ve ever wondered how the historic explorers found their way around the high seas, this workshop will give you the chance to learn in some of Earth’s wildest regions. This fantastic activity is open to all participants and is led by an astronomical educator trained in the use of the sextant. Photographical lectures and hands-on workshops take place during cruise days, introducing you to the engrossing science of astronavigation.
Practice your polar movie-making skills
There is no question you will make many great memories during your expedition cruise, but how much better would it be to return home with movies to match? Select Hondius voyages include free videography workshops designed to help you shoot your finest mini-films, and all under the supervision of a professional videographer. This vibrant activity is open to all passengers and is a great way to preserve your polar experiences in the best way possible.
Enrichment Program More info about this activity
Expedition cruising must be one of the most incredible ways of travelling. Not only for the amazing places you visit and the unforgetable wildlife but for the wildlife, the sensory overload and the unimaginable memories.
But all of this needs a context in order to understand where you are and what you are experiencing.
On board your expedition vessell you will find a group of experts, naturalists, zodiac drivers and guides that that will translate the language of nature for you, telling you the stories of the places you are visiting, reviewing the historical, biological, ecological and geological aspects of your trips.
You will experience first hand what surrounds you and arrive back home wiser and loaded with new knowledge.
PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife of the land, sea, and air on an adventurous voyage from the home port of Vlissingen to the favorite Arctic island group.
Birding:
There will be at least one dedicated expedition guide in the team who will share their expert knowledge about bird species and who will be available to help you identify, photograph on deck and learn more about the birds that we see. In addition to outdoor sessions, your guide will focus on species and related information on the birds of the Arctic in re-caps and lectures onboard.
Workshop: Sounds of whales and seals
In this engaging audio workshop, you will be provided of the theoretical background of various acoustic tools that 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.
Day 1: Northward bound
You board the vessel in Vlissingen in the afternoon, and depart on your 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 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 you 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 your voyage across the North Sea.
Day 4: Sea life on the move
Crossing the North Sea and sailing by Doggersbank, it is hoped to be lucky enough to spot such species as white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, and orcas.
Day 5: Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
It is planned to stay the day on Fair Isle, an island in the Shetlands whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear. This is a fantastic location with accessible seabird breeding grounds, and you may even 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. You 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 1: Northward bound
You board the vessel in Vlissingen in the afternoon, and depart on your 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 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 you 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 your voyage across the North Sea.
Day 4: Sea life on the move
Crossing the North Sea and sailing by Doggersbank, it is hoped to be lucky enough to spot such species as white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, and orcas.
Day 5: Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
It is planned to stay the day on Fair Isle, an island in the Shetlands whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear. This is a fantastic location with accessible seabird breeding grounds, and you may even 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. You 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.
INCLUSIONS
• 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.
EXCLUSIONS
• 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).
* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
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