Voyage from the volcanic shores of Iceland to the icy fjords and snow-capped peaks of Spitsbergen, crossing the Arctic Circle, visiting remote Jan Mayen with its rich seabird life, and following the edge of the ice as you go. Watch for whales, seals, and polar bears on the journey north.
Solstice: -
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer, when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen falls on 21 June, when the sun reaches its highest altitude of the year above the northern horizon at midnight. It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again, and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this fascinating phenomenon during our voyage through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.
- Jan Mayen is a 55 kilometres long volcanic island set in the North Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Iceland and Spitsbergen
- Mt Beerenberg - Earth’s northernmost active volcano and the first sight of approaching Jan Mayen
- Minke Whale - Though the smallest of the fin whales, these migrating mammals can let out a cry as loud as a plane taking off
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
In the late afternoon, you board m/v Hondius in the port city of Akureyri, a historical fishing port known as the Capital of North Iceland. We sail north through Eyafjordur, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, where we may see our first whales as we reach the open sea.
At the Arctic Circle
We land on the small island of Grimsey, which straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey has a friendly fishing village and is home to vibrant colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. In the evening, we pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited island, on our way north. From this point onwards, we will experience daylight around the clock.
Sailing northward
Sailing toward the isolated Jan Mayen, we will look for humpbacks, fin, minke, blue whales, and even orcas. During the crossing, the ship will alter course to provide better viewing opportunities when wildlife is spotted.
Volcanic rock and ocean air
We found ourselves before Jan Mayen, 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 tumble 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. This historic place is tied deeply to the Dutch whaling industry of the past and is intensely atmospheric.
Beneath 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.
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. These cliffsides are crucial for nesting birds. Many species build their nests here, while Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks. On the surrounding slopes, reindeer graze sparse vegetation, creating superb photographic opportunities.
With Arctic memories that will last a lifetime and cameras full of fantastic images, you disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, once more. While your journey is at an end, the pioneering spirit of Arctic adventure will stay with you, whatever comes next!
Itineraries are subject to change.
Plancius
| Length | 89 metres |
|---|---|
| Speed | 10-12 knots |
| Crew | 37 |
| Expedition staff | 8 |
| Doctor | 1 on board |
M/V "Plancius" was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman". The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 when she was converted into an expedition cruise ship..The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 114-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v "Plancius" is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
"Plancius" accommodates 114 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 quadruple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).All cabins offer lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed), except for the 4 quadruple cabins (for 4 persons in 2x upper and lower beds).The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view.
Plancius has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.M/v "Plancius" is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible.
The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 - 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.M/v "Plancius" is manned by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards / cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
Ice class: Plancius was built for Ice conditions. To reach these ice-conditions she has a strengthened bow and stern. The hull is thicker and the whole construction on the waterline of the vessel is reinforced by using extra frames. Where the normal frame spacing is 65cm, we have on the bow-line and stern also frames in between so there the frame spacing is approx 30cm. Because Plancius was built to do surveys she has a special six blade bronze propeller, the shape of the propeller makes Plancius a very silent ship. Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters (which is our waterline).Vessel Type: Expedition
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Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
