Polar Bear Special - North Spitsbergen - M/V Plancius
View Trip Notes
50 Degrees North offers unique, small-group expedition voyages to the Arctic that allow you to enjoy the natural wildlife and scenery of some of the world’s most spectacular and pristine shorelines.
Deckplan
Click here to view deck plan for the Plancius
Arrive in Longyearbyen
Walrus and Polar Bears are in our sights today.
We make a landing in Zodiacs near Laagøya
Fantastic view on the ice-cap of Nordaustlandet
Visit Kvitøya, close to the Russian Border
Return to Phippsøya
Whale Watching on the northwest coast.
Longyearbyen
Countries visited
Places visited
Transportation
M/v Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy, and sailed for the Navy until 2004. She was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009. M/v Plancius accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower. All cabins offer comfortable lower berths (except for the 4 quadruple cabins). The vessel has a restaurant/lecture room, a spacious observation lounge (with bar), large open d 2000 eck space (with full walk-around possibilities), and is equipped with 10 zodiacs for off ship and shore excursions. M/v Plancius was built for ice conditions, and has a strengthened bow and stern.
Included In Price
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 on Plancius
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Meals Included
This tour includes 20 meals; 7 breakfasts 6 lunches 7 dinners
Not Included In Price
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel outside Spitsbergen; 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; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 18 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.
2013: It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 120 per Barrel Brent 120 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of EURO 25 per passenger per night, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.
Important Information
Children from the ages of 12 are able to join these voyages and travel at adult prices. Children younger than 12 can join the voyage at the discretion of the captain.| Start | End | Quad pp | Twin Private Porthole | Twin Private Window | Superior | |
| 19 Aug 2012 | 26 Aug 2012 | AU$ 3510 | AU$ 4550 | AU$ 4730 | AU$ 5630 | |
| NOTE: Prices listed are 1AU$ = 1US$. We honor the US$ price. | ||||||
Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen
Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Spitsbergen archipelago of which West Spitsbergen is the largest island. Before embarking there is an opportunity to stroll around this former mining town, whose parish church and Polar Museum are well worth visiting, while in the surrounding area of Longyearbyen. In the early evening the ship will sail out of Isfjorden.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x DinnersDay 2: Walrus and Polar Bears are in our sights today.
We visit Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favoured by Ringed and Bearded Seals and where we often sea Polar Bears. In the evening we will sail by the island of Moffen where a big herd of Walrus can be found.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 3: We make a landing in Zodiacs near Laagøya
At Laagøya a haul-out place for Walrus we make a landing. Later we sail through Beverleysundet named by Parry in 1827 and also sailed by the Swedish-Russian Arc-of-Meridian Expedition in 1898. Today we will reach our northernmost point at Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet.
Here we will be at 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 4: Fantastic view on the ice-cap of Nordaustlandet
We push east to reach the area of Nordaustlandet, where the Nobile expedition drifted around in 1928 and where the Italian Sora tried to come to the rescue. There we hope to get to Alpinøya, reached by Sora in 1928, and then to the mouth of Finn Malmgrenfjord, and Albertinibukta and to climb Soraberget (205 M) from where we have a fantastic view on the ice-cap of Nordaustlandet. Alternatively we will land at Storøya, where again we may meet a group of Walruses.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 5: Visit Kvitøya, close to the Russian Border
Today we hope to get to the rarely visited Kvitøya farthest to the east, close to the Russian territory. The island is dominated by an ice-cap, which leaves a small area bare of ice and snow. We will land at the western tip at Andréneset, where the Swedish explorer André and his companions perished in 1898. We will also try to get to Kraemerpynten in the east, where an enormous group of Walruses resides.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 6: Return to Phippsøya
We retrace our voyage to the west, but now all the time through and along the pack-ice north 1556 of Spitsbergen. We may sail north of Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands, 81 degrees north, just 540 miles from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, along with ivory gulls.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 7: Whale Watching on the northwest coast.
We are still at the ice, northwest of Spitsbergen and later turn south, where we get to a good area for whales.
Accommodation
m/v PlanciusMeals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x Lunches1 x DinnersDay 8: Longyearbyen
Return to Longyearbyen and disembark for the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.