Voyage Overview
Venture into the Arctic Ocean to view rugged volcanic landscapes and an array of wildlife sightings.
Venture into the Arctic Ocean on your way to Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, the first known for its knitwear and the second for its stark volcanic scenery. Wildlife sightings may include grey seals, various seabirds, and whales such as minke, fin, orca, and blue.
Birding: There will be at least one dedicated expedition guide on 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, our guide will focus on species and related information on the birds of the Arctic in re-caps and lectures onboard.
Trip Details
Duration: 10 Days
Ship: Hondius, Premium Ship, 170 passengers
Start at: Aberdeen, Scotland
End at: Longyearbyen
Trip Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Embark Aberdeen
Day 2: Fair Isle
Day 3-4: At Sea
Day 5: Jan Mayen
Day 6-8: At Sea
Day 9: Spitsbergen
Day 10: Disembark Longyearbyen
Tour Dates
Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Aberdeen, Scotland
You arrive in Aberdeen, the Granite City, frequent winner of the Britain in Bloom competition. This is the true start of your trip. Several cetaceans, including orcas (killer whales), are native to these seas. To the south you see the lighthouse on Girdle Ness that was designed by the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, the famed Scottish writer who gave us such classics as Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. More passengers join you in Aberdeen.
Day 2: Fair Isle – Birds, seals, and world-famous knits
We plan 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 3 – 4: At Sea – 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 5: Jan Mayen – 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 6 – 8: At Sea towards – 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 9: The Arctic island of Spitsbergen
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 10: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies. But if you’re still craving additional chances to spot the Arctic’s most iconic apex predator, stay on board for our seven-night North Spitsbergen Explorer – Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife voyage.
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.
Trips & Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime
Voyage Ship
Hondius
Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 passenger vessel, making her among the most structurally fortified and technologically advanced polar cruise ships on the seas. Using some of the latest sustainable technology, the ship employs LED lighting, steam heat, biodegradable paints and lubricants, and flexible power management systems to keep fuel efficiency high and CO2 emissions low. Hondius is also equipped with stabilizers that make her highly suitable for swift, safe, and nimble exploration of the polar waters.
Hondius Cabins & Deck Plan
Grand Suite with private balcony
DECK 7
The six Grand Suites are the only cabins on the ship with a private balcony. Grand Suites have 1 double window, private balcony, a sofa which can be setup as a single bed, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
291 sq. ft. (27 m2)
1-3
1 double bed + sofa bed
Junior Suite
DECK 7
The eight Junior Suites are on Deck 7, close to the bridge. Cabins have 1 double window, 1 double bed, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
205 to 215 sq. ft. (19 to 20 m2)
1-2
1 double bed
Superior
DECK 6
Eight Superior cabins featuring 2 windows, 1 double bed, sofa which can be setup us a single bed, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
215 to 226 sq. ft. (20 to 21 m2)
1-3
1 double bed + sofa bed
Twin Deluxe
DECK 6
The eleven Twin Deluxe cabins feature 2 windows, 2 single beds, sofa, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
205 to 226 sq. ft. (19 to 21 m2)
1-2
2 single
Twin Window
DECK 4
The fourteen Twin Windows are the only cabins on deck 4. Cabins feature 1 window, 2 single beds, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe. Please be aware that the view from some windows might be partially obstructed due to the design requirements of the ship. Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos.
129 to 151 sq. ft. (12 to 14 m2)
1-2
2 single
Twin Porthole
DECK 3
Twin Portholes are the entry level twin occupancy cabin and the most abundant on the ship. Features: 2 portholes, 2 single beds, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe. Please note that all cabins will not necessarily have the same layout and surface area, nor will they be identical to the examples used in the photos.
143 to 172 sq. ft. (13 to 16 m2)
1-2
2 single
Triple Porthole
DECK 3
There are just two Triple cabins onboard. Triples are reserved for a party of 3 traveling together or solo travelers booking into a share cabin with guests of the same gender. Cabins feature 2 portholes, 1 upper & 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
172 sq. ft. (16 m2)
3
3 single
Quadruple Porthole
DECK 3
Quad cabins are for a group of four traveling together or solo passengers looking for the lowest priced share cabin. Quad cabins feature 2 portholes, 2 upper & 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flat screen TV, desk & chair, telephone and WiFi (supplemented), hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box & wardrobe.
165 to 172 sq. ft. (15.3 to 16 m2)
4
4 single
Inclusions/Exclusions
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 ship and airport only for those passengers on the group flights 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).
Adventure Options
Solo Travelers
An expedition cruise to the Polar regions is a fantastic trip for solo travelers. On most ships, there is the option to share a cabin with another guest of the same gender to keep the pricing down. Solo occupancy cabins are also an option for guests who prefer to have their own space. Please reach out for more information and pricing for solo travelers.
