Ocean-wide’s newest and most advanced expedition ship that will enter service in 2019. The Hondius will be the first ship built according to the ‘LR PC6’ class and thus complies with the latest and strictest rules of the ‘Lloyd’s Register’ for ‘Polar Class 6’ ships.
Day 1-2: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Transfer to the hotel. 1 night stay based on accommodation and breakfast. Note: all routes are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather and nature conditions. The expedition leader on board determines the final route.
Day 3: Cruising Krossfjorden. Arrival in the morning in Krossfjorden. Here you can board the zodiacs for a cruise near the towering blue-white glacier. On the green slopes near the glacier, colourful flowers bloom. You have a chance to see polar foxes, or a seal paddling through the fjord.
Day 4: Monaco Glacier. Depending on the weather we enter the Liefdefjorden with a view of the 5 km long steep Monaco Glacier. The waters before this glacier are a favourite feeding ground for thousands of kittiwakes and the ice floor is a popular hunting ground for polar bears. Note: If ice conditions here prevent sailing early in the season, an alternative route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be followed.
Day 5-6: Seven Islands. The northernmost point of your journey is north of Nordaustlandet, on the Seven Islands. Here we reach 80° north, only 850 km from the geographical North Pole. This region is inhabited by polar bears, the ship will park between the pack ice for a few hours before we sail west.
Day 7: Hinlopen Strait is home to bearded and ringed seals and polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue fin whales. After sailing between the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, we see the Alkefjellet cliffs with thousands of common guillemots. On the east side of the Hinlopen street you can try a landing on Nordaustlandet. Most probably reindeer, small reed geese and walruses can be seen here. Depending on the ice conditions, an alternative western Spitsbergen route may be followed.
Day 8: Barentsøya. The plan is to make landings in Freemansundet, although polar bears sometimes make this impossible. Potential stops at Barentsøya are Sundneset, Kapp Waldburg, and Rindedalen. On Kapp Lee is a walrus-trip, Pomor ruins and there are walks along Edgeøya.
Day 9: Hornsund area. Early Dutch explorers called this island Spitsbergen, which means ‘pointy mountains’. There are 14 large glaciers in this area, as well as opportunities to spot seals, beluga whales and polar bears.
Day 10: Bel Sund, Svalbard. The sea currents make this area slightly warmer than other areas in the archipelago, which can be seen in the relatively lush vegetation. While cruising the side fjords of Bellsund, you can explore tundra where reindeer love to feed.
Day 1 1: Longyearbyen. Every adventure, no matter how great, comes to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen.
11-day cruise holiday with the m/v Hondius Departure dates 4th, 13th, 22th and 31th of July 2019
Port charges and gratuities on board
Beirut Executive Lounge access
Transfers before the cruise
1 night stay before the cruise in a luxurious hotel in Longyearbyen based on accommodation and breakfast.
9 night stay on board the m/v Hondius based on full board in a outside cabin with window.
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