Norwegian Coastal Voyage increases choice of expedition voyages to remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen under the midnight sun
Norwegian Coastal Voyage has increased the choice of soft-adventure expeditions to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen by adding a 14- and 15-day special departure on August 2 and 12 to the summer schedule of eight- and 11-day air-inclusive programs on the MS Nordstjernen (North Star), a 114-berth traditional coastal vessel, and the MS Polar Star, a 100-berth ice breaker. AARP members receive a discount of $100 per cabin. Departures are from New York to Oslo and Spitsbergen from June 7 to August 19.
Midway between Norway and the North Pole, Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. With no roads linking communities, a small-ship cruise under the Midnight Sun on the Nordstjernen or the Polar Star is ideal for viewing Arctic landscapes with cliff-lined fjords, massive glaciers, rugged mountains and abundant wildlife such as polar bears, reindeer, Arctic foxes, whales, walruses, seals and migratory birds.
A fleet of Zodiacs is used for landings on shore with excursions led by naturalist guides.
After overnighting in Oslo and Longyearbyen, the Svalbard capital and the ships’ departure point, passengers spend four days on the Nordstjernen or eight, 11 or 12 days on the Polar Star sailing along Spitsbergen’s northwest coast to the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, Prins Karl Forland Island National Park, the Ny-Alesund research center, Monaco Glacier in Woodfjord, old whaling sites, spectacular fjords and, weather and ice permitting, cross the 80 degree N.L. line.
More comprehensive Polar Star voyages, which include lectures by expedition leaders, continue along the coast to fjords in the archipelago’s isolated northern and eastern regions where landing sites and the ship route are dependent on weather and ice conditions adding Hinlopen Strait, glacier-covered Nordaustlandet Island, the land of polar bears and may return via Edgeoya and Spitsbergen’s Southern Cape.
The two special departures spend additional time exploring the archipelago’s remote eastern islands, circle Spitsbergen and return along the southwest coast where the Hornsund fjords are surrounded by towering mountain peaks and 14 glaciers. Zodiac landings are made at numerous islands including Nordauslandet, Barentsoya and Edgeoya. The August 12 expedition adds ice-capped Kvitoya, the easternmost Svalbard island.
NCV Expedition Voyages, which feature naturalist guides and Zodiac landings, combine round-trip flights from New York to Oslo and Spitsbergen, hotel and breakfast in each capital, cabin category selected and all meals on the cruise, shore excursions, transfers, port charges, air taxes and gratuities. Eight-day Nordstjernen voyages cost $3,615 to $4,420 per person, double occupancy. Polar Star expeditions are priced at $6,070 to $7,575 for 11days and $9,205 to $11,820 for 14 and 15 days; the top rates are for suites. Add-on airfares are available from other U.S. cities.
March 31, 2005
Posted in: Cruise Ships