Gane and Marshall offers discount on new 2015 Arctic cruise if booked by 31 October 2014

Gane and Marshall has announced early bird savings on a new Arctic cruise itinerary ‘Voyage to the Frozen North’. Newly launched for 2015, the six-day cruise provides an overview of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago.

If the weather is favourable, passengers will venture to the 80^th Parallel, as far north as it is possible to get on open water. There will be regular departure dates from 7 June - 24 August 2015, but early bird bookers can take advantage of a 10% discount by booking via Gane and Marshall before 31 October 2014.

Currently £1,345pp, including early bird booking discount until 31 October 2014, for travel in June – August 2015. The cruise begins in Longyearbyen and continues to visit Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund and Magdalenefjord. October price is £1,445 if booked after 31 October 2014. 

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Canadian Arctic Adventures with The Cruise People.

Canadian Arctic adventures in the northern Candadian islands on board the 118-passenger Sea Adventurer are one of  the adventure options on offer from The Cruise People.

They represent well-known expedition and adventure companies offering voyages to the Antarctic, South Georgia and the Falklands, the North Pole, Alaska, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage and Hudson Bay, the Amazon, the Galapagos, the South Pacific and many other destinations polar and tropical. 

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Exodus’s extended Spitsbergen in Depth expedition

Wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein will be leading Exodus’s extended Spitsbergen in Depth expedition this summer,  encompassing Spitsbergen, the Seven Islands, Nordaustlandet, and smaller outlying islands. 

Exodus say this itinerary is the most comprehensive voyage in Spitsbergen available - no other trip anywhere gives as much time in this intoxicating land of ice and tundra. Combining a great variety flora and fauna with stunning remote landscapes, Spitsbergen is a must for wilderness and wildlife enthusiasts. Situated high above the Arctic Circle, with 24 hours of daylight, the chance of outstanding wildlife sightings is greatly increased. This 14 day trip departs on 14 June (12 June from London) and is priced from £3,839 per person including full board on the ship Valivov.

More info  0845 863 9601 and www.exodus.co.uk. 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

Be a Polar Pioneer at 78 degrees North in Svalbard

Spaces Still Available on NEW Arctic 7-Day Adventure – Svalbard Explorer, 10^th – 17^th June 2013

The Svalbard Explorer is a new type of expedition from Wildlife & Wilderness, designed to fulfil the wishes of customers who want to discover the Arctic, enjoy the ultimate in flexibility for wildlife spotting and learn more about photography and the environment. At seven days long, the itinerary is a new addition to the existing portfolio of expeditions to the Arctic and across the world from the leading, specialist tour operator.

The Svalbard Explorer will take 50 passengers on a seven-day polar expedition in June 2013 (10^th – 17^th) and is to be hosted by Andy Rouse, the award-winning, professional photographer, Svalbard expert and conservationist and a professional polar guide. Spaces are still available on the trip, which will focus on offering guests complete flexibility to spot wildlife whenever and wherever the best opportunities arise as well as allowing guests to immerse themselves in the knowledge of Andy.

Zodiacs will also take small groups out to the pack-ice to get up close and personal with wildlife, as well as touch and feel this icy wonderland. Standing 78 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane, way beyond the Arctic Circle and only 500 miles from the North Pole, there's no better place for would-be polar explorers than Svalbard. Here 2,500 inhabitants of the main Norwegian island of Spitsbergen are outnumbered by 3,000 polar bears – one of the largest populations on the planet. There are few roads in this land of extremes, so best explored by boat.

In addition to Polar Bears, numerous walrus, seals, Arctic foxes and Brunnich guillemots will also be visible, having returned to their nesting spots to breed during June when there is 24 hours of daylight. The presence of the midnight sun again offers further prospects for wildlife observation and guests will be awoken during the night if animal encounters arise, especially with polar bears.

The Polar Arctic is one of the last pristine wildernesses left on the planet and the frontier of the known world. This new expedition allows guests to discover this stunning landscape, its wildlife and the culture of Svalbard from the comfort of the M/S Quest and in a relaxed and yet informative environment.

Details of Svalbard Explorer: This seven day voyage through the Svalbard archipelago on the M/S Quest on a full board basis with the services of Andy Rouse and a Swedish Polar Guide as your expedition leaders starts from £3,400. The cost does not include flights at this stage as SAS have yet to publish their 2013 schedules. Demand for this trip is expected to be high.

For more information on this trip to Svalbard checkout Wildlife & Wilderness at: www.wildlifewilderness.com and click on Arctic in the left hand menu or call 0845 00 44 599.

Exodus to Spitspergen

With Exodus operating in 90 countries with over 450 tours from the Arctic to Antarctica and everywhere in between, why not take your savings off ice and take that trip of a lifetime?

Spitsbergen in Depth: An extended expedition encompassing Spitsbergen, the Seven Islands, Nordaustlandet, and smaller outlying islands. 13 days trip (ship-only) from £4,290 next departing 19 June and 11 July 2012.

The most comprehensive voyage in Spitsbergen available - no other trip anywhere gives as much time in this intoxicating land of ice and tundra. With 24 hours of daylight, the chance of outstanding wildlife sightings is greatly increased. Wildlife is worked for in Spitsbergen; binoculars and scopes are permanently trained on the ice and glaciers searching for bears, walrus, foxes and birdlife. It is also worth remembering that a voyage to Spitsbergen is not just about the wildlife. The archipelago also offers excellent trekking, outstanding ice formations and usually very calm seas. The 19 June departure is a Photographic Special led by photographer Paul Goldstein.

www.exodus.co.uk

Two New Expeditions From Lindblad

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is introducing two new Arctic expeditions this summer, Impressions of Northern Norway: Arctic Norway to the Northern Fjords, and Heart of the Arctic: Norway to Greenland via Scotland, The Faroes & Iceland, along with two repeating itineraries, Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard and Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard. All feature a selection of special offers ranging from free airfare to savings of up to $1,000 on select cabin categories.

The expeditions are set during the Arctic summer when the tundra experiences a warm awakening carpeted with wildflowers and the thunderous sound of glacial ice crashing to the sea. Polar bears, seabirds, reindeer, arctic fox, seals and great pods of walrus are out for up-close viewing, and with temperatures averaging from 30° to 45°F, the weather is good for walks, hikes, kayaking and Zodiac forays under the sun that never sets.

All departures are aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, a state-of-the-art, ice-strengthened expedition Arctic cruise ship with the best Ice Team on earth, plus a National Geographic Photographer and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor.

The two NEW itineraries and special offers are:

· Impressions of Northern Norway: Arctic Norway to the Northern Fjords: The new 13-day voyage is two expeditions in one, starting in Arctic Svalbard, a wilderness region of massive icebergs, deep fjords and ice-capped mountains, and the best place on earth to observe polar bears in their natural habitat — on the pack ice. Then sail southward to Nordland to a land of brilliant greens, warm temperatures, tiny hamlets clinging to steep fjord walls and a radiant profusion of birds, wildflowers and reindeer. Save up to $1000 on select cabin categories, plus receive complimentary roundtrip economy airfare (New York/Oslo) and free charter airfare (Oslo/Longyaerbyen and Tromso/Oslo). Rates begin at $9,990 per person based on double occupancy. Departure is July 13, 2012.

· Heart of the Arctic: Norway to Greenland via Scotland, The Faroes & Iceland: The brilliance of this new 26-day itinerary lies in its many facets and its setting. Hike, kayak and Zodiac cruise amid the classic landscapes of the Norwegian fjords; discover the fairytale villages & jagged peaks of the Lofoten Islands; experience the culture, history & archaeological sites of Northern Scotland; follow the Viking trail to the remote Faroe Islands; see Iceland’s geological wonders: active volcanoes & icy landscapes; explore the Greenland ice sheet, its wildlife and its people, and search for Svalbard’s arctic wildlife. Complimentary roundtrip economy airfare (New York/Oslo) and charter (Oslo/Tromso, Longyearbyen/Oslo). Rates begin at $19,990 per person based on double occupancy. Departure is July 22, 2012.

· Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard: A wildlife-packed, 11-day expedition, traveling into the world of Arctic Svalbard. Complimentary roundtrip charter airfare on select departures (Oslo/ Longyearbyen). Rates begin at $8,240 per person based on double occupancy. Departures are June 8, 15, 22, 29 and July 6, 2012.

· Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard: Follow the length of Norway's majestic fjord-carved coast from Bergen to the glaciers and polar bears of the Arctic Svalbard archipelago on this 16-day voyage Complimentary roundtrip charter airfare on select departures (Oslo/ Longyearbyen). Rates begin at $11,470 per person based on double occupancy. Departures are May 27 and August 13, 2012.

In addition to the natural wonders an Arctic voyage promises, there is the extra advantage of exploring with guest speakers providing global perspectives. Travel with Keith Bellows (May 27, 2012) editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine; Boyd Matson, Host of Nat Geo’s Wild Chronicles (June 15 & 22); Polar Captain Alfred S. McLaren (June 29); Prof. Paul Arthur Berkman, Oceanographer & Arctic Specialist (July 22), and filmmaker David Wright (Aug. 13, 2012), who shot The Great White Bear in Svalbard for National Geographic.

All offers are valid for new bookings only and must be booked by March 31, 2012. For reservations contact your travel agent, or for additional information on Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth, visit the specialist Lindblad page at The Cruise Line

Hurtigruten deploys extra ship to meet growing demand in Spitsbergen

Captivated by the BBC’s Frozen Planet documentary that everyone is talking about? Fancy a trip to the frozen north next summer to see more of the landscape and wildlife of Spitsbergen? Polar experts Hurtigruten have just announced that they will be sending an extra ship to Spitsbergen next summer to meet the substantial increase in interest it is experiencing in the region which has been given a high profile recently following Prince Harry’s Arctic expedition and current Frozen Planet TV programme.

Between June and August 2012, Hurtigruten will send MS Nordstjernen up to Spitsbergen to travel the west coast of the island for a total of 21 five and six day itineraries. This nostalgic ship is well known in the Svalbard Archipelago having sailed there between 1994 and 2009 and for many, exploring this frozen landscape and reaching the 80th parallel on a traditional ship is a perfect combination. Between 2009 and spring 2012 Nordstjernen has sailed along the Norwegain coast. Hurtigruten’s newest ship MS Fram will continue to sail the summer in Spitsbergen also.

Spitsbergen lies just 1200km from the North Pole and is home to the King of the Arctic – the Polar Bear. On the journey through the light polar night in the north of the archipelago guests visit interesting settlements including the Russian coal mining town of Barentsburg and the Ny Ålesund research station, as well as excursions to fascinating glaciers and landscapes. In favourable weather conditions, the ship reaches the 80th parallel. An encounter with polar bears is one of the highlights of the trip alongside walruses, arctic sea birds and of course the Midnight Sun.

POLAR ENCOUNTERS VOYAGE – From £1614pp - A five-night ‘Polar Encounters’ voyage to Spitsbergen on selected dates in June, July and August costs from £1614 per person including four night’s full board on the ship, one night’s b/b in a Longyearbyen hotel plus landings, sightseeing in Longyearbyen and accompanied by an expedition team. Based on two sharing. Flights are extra and can be booked via Hurtigruten from £844pp.

For more infor mation click this link to go to adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line.  Picture by Nina Bailey   Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine.    Picture by  Nina Bailey

Northern Lights with a Pool and Balconies!

Hurtigruten has announced that MS Finnmarken, which has been charted in Australia for two years, is to return to sailing the Norwegian Coast from 16 February 2012. As one of the operator’s newest and largest ships, she will sail the traditional coastal voyage route from Bergen to Kirkenes, replacing MS Nordlys for a short time and then MS Nordstjernen which will head to Spitsbergen.

MS Finnmarken is currently undergoing a thorough refurbished so as to will be in peak condition when she resumes services for Hurtigruten. MS Finnmarken is one of the favourite ships amongst Hurtigruten guests. The ship is the only one with a pool and with various cabins with balconies. The ship has 283 cabins and 639 beds.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Exodus new Polar Exepdition Cruises

Spitsbergen Explorer: 12 days (11 days ship-only) from £3,120 including flights. Next departure dates are 1 July and 23 July 2012.

Part of the popular Polar Expeditions brochure is the great exploration of Spitsbergen - home to Polar bears, walrus, Arctic foxes and huge colonies of seabirds. There is 24-hour daylight this far north in the summer and Exodus plans to maximise this from the decks of the 100-berth Vavilov or Ioffe. Easily maneuverable around the ice, these ships are perfect for such adventures and have the added advantage that passengers can be in inflatable Zodiacs in the water at just a few minutes notice – catching a Polar bear and her cubs playing in the ice or perhaps sailing in the same space as a 150 ton whale. Any photographic or wildlife fan should seriously consider these departures which are guided by award-winning photographer and Polar enthusiast Paul Goldstein.

Antarctic Explorer - 15 days (12 days ship-only) from £4,130 land only. Next departure dates are 13 November, 19 November, 29 November 2011, 3, 9, 11, 21. 31 December 2011 and 10, 20, 24, 31 January 2012.

An expedition which will appeal to every naturist, explorer, photographer or ornithologist. This is an adventure that takes passengers to the heart of the Peninsula, exploring the ice wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the channels of the Antarctic. From towering icebergs to emperor penguins and leopard seals, this trip offers every part of Antarctica that you would want to see. Highlights include Iceberg Alley and Deception Island the 19th century refuge from icebergs and Polar storms. 

Journey to the North Pole - 15 days (12 days ship-only) from £14,260 land only. The next departures are 25 June and 6 July 2012

With only one departure a year and only one ship capable of offering this stunning itinerary – reaching the top of the world aboard the ’50 Years of Victory’ – this is a rare and rewarding trip which is worth every penny. Travel to the North Pole and en route, discover polar bears, stunning birdlife and the beautiful city of Helsinki. A trip that combines the raw power of the ship – cutting through ice metres thick – the use of helicopter flights for aerial viewing and Zodiac landings for intimate wildlife encounters, this is an expedition unlike any other.

For more information  visit www.exodus.co.uk or polar cruising specialists The Cruise Line.  Why not subscribe to World of Cruising magazine?      Image. Paul Goldstein Exodus     

My First Polar Bear

 

A cold morning and this polar bear was some distance away as it swam past our ship on our cruise with Hurtigruten in Spitsbergen and it's a sight I'll never forget. It was just too far away for me to get a good clear picture with my 300mm.

This one was swimming beside the ship as it crossed over the narrow straits. I’m not really sure who was looking at whom. The lecture the night before (There’s a different one every night) had told us that they hunt Ringed Seals and scavenge for birds eggs and chicks in this area.

You get a lecture on what to do if we encounter a bear on the landings and I have to say I was very impressed that the attitude is that this is the bears’ territory and we are just guests here. In many ways the bears’ lives are put before ours as they are frightened off by a series of steps including flares and loud bangs.

You can find out more at www.hurtigruten.co.uk or The Cruise Line.

Gap late season Expeditions to the Arctic

July may be the most popular month to cruise to the Arctic, but Gap Adventures is advising travellers to think again and consider journeying later in the season to see some stunning sights.
The leading adventure tour operator advises that while the daylight hours may be shorter, the sunsets and sunrises more than compensate for this, with lengthy displays overflowing with golds, pinks and purples – all reflected in the ice fields and the alpine mountain tops.
Meanwhile, the sight of the stars in the long clear nights is a magnificent display, only enhanced by the chance to see the aurora borealis. A truly unforgettable experience that can only be witnessed towards the end of the Arctic cruise season.
With Gap Adventures’ industry-first 100% bear-antee, travellers at the end of the season can also be confident the wildlife will live up to mid-season voyages. The company has such confidence in its Expedition Team’s ability to locate polar bears that it now guarantees at least one of our planet’s largest land predators will be spotted during each of its Arctic adventures.
Realm of the Polar Bear
Now: £2730 pp for a category 3 twin cabin (was £3639 – save 25% on this departure)
Trip Code: XVRPNX
Departs: 7 August 2011
Highlights: Spot whales and polar bears, explore incredible scenery, brave the Arctic waters swimming, encounter Ny-Ålesund, birdlife and glaciers, discover breathtaking ice-covered fjords and glimpse herds of Svalbard’s many species of reindeer.
Enjoy an eight day trip from just £2730 per person. Price includes seven nights onboard the M/S Expedition, all meals, Zodiac excursions with expert expedition team, lecture and educational programmes, Longyearbyen airport transfers depending on passengers flight details, live evening entertainment, waterproof boots supplied for men's USA sized 8-14 & women's USA sized 3-9 and Arctic destination guide.
For full details visit www.gapadventures.com

Noble Caledonia's Arctic Voyages

Svalbard is a remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant

wildlife. Let Noble Caledonia's small but comfortable sister expedition ships, the MS Quest and the MS Ocean Nova,

take you on a memorable journey into the realm of the polar bear. In Spitsbergen there are twice as many polar bears and walrus as there are people. The polar bear population is estimated at over 3000 and we hope to encounter some of them during our summer voyages.

We will witness a vast geological spectacle of soaring mountains and immense glaciers. A photographer’s paradise unfolds before us: black basaltic islands rise from shimmering waters punctuated with gleaming ice sculptures, and lush tundra blazes with purple saxifrage

and moss campion. Within this dramatic landscape resides a wealth of wildlife: seals, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes, and our ultimate goal, polar bears. The area is also home to hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds, including kittiwakes, murres, dovekies, puffins, and rare ivory gulls.

We will take full advantage of the long daylight hours and embark on numerous Zodiac excursions to view the profuse wildlife up close.

In the beginning of the season Spitsbergen’s flowers are in full bloom and the bird colonies are bustling with life. In the latter part of the season we have very good possibilities of exploring the eastern parts of the archipelago when the ice is slowly starting to lose its grip.

Our expedition ships have the highest ice class and can carefully break through the pack ice, home to seals, walrus and the king of the Arctic, the polar bear.

Log on to http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/sections/brochure_list.asp?section=brochure&id=589

Hurtigruten Spitsbergen Cruises

Further north than Siberia, Alaska and most of Greenland – you find the archipelago of Svalbard. Spitsbergen is Svalbard’s largest island. In this place you become part of the experience and it becomes a part of you.

The island is renowned for its magnificent fjords, calving glaciers and impressive mountains. In this wild and beautiful world animals like reindeer, seal, walrus, arctic fox and polar bears feel at home. You can enjoy all this in the ambience of the midnight sun.

These incredible voyages follow in the footsteps of Arctic pioneers and intrepid whalers, taking in remarkable towns like Longyearbyen, Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund and crossing the 80th Parallel to sail through the rich waters off Moffen Island.
Sailing beneath skies that echo to the cries of countless seabirds we cross ocean landscapes that can boast seal and walrus, whale and polar bear. These crusies explore gigantic ice sculptures and remote bays by nimble Polar Cirkel boats.

The  main voyages to Spitsbergen are relaxed and suitable for most people of reasonable fitness. Only a short flight from mainland Norway, Spitsbergen is a world apart and a wonderful escape from busy, bustling Europe.

For more information click on www.hurtigruten.co.uk

FROM THE WORLD’S LARGEST YET LEAST VISITED NATIONAL PARK TO A TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING

Hurtigruten lines up new voyages for 2012/13

Fancy exploring the rarely visited North East Greenland National Park, the largest in the world and yet the least visited with approximately 500 visitors each year? Or how about exploring Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated town in Greenland? Or why not experience an Equator Baptism by King Neptune on a cross-hemispheric journey from the Canary Islands to Buenos Aires? All this and much more is possible with Hurtigruten whose latest dedicated programme of ‘Explorer’ voyages for 2012/13 in Spitsbergen, Greenland, Antarctica and Europe features new itineraries, experiences and the chance to visit some of the most remote places in the world.

New itineraries introduced, all on board MS Fram, include:

National Park Expedition- This voyage takes in three Arctic islands - Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland. Seven days are spent within the North East Greenland National Park, which is the largest in the world and the least visited with approximately 500 visitors each year. It is one of the most isolated places on earth and hikes, small boat trips, lectures and briefings can all be enjoyed. A day is spent at Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated town in Greenland and the trappers living here are the only ones allowed to hunt within the National Park. The 14 day voyage from Spitsbergen to Greenland and then onto Iceland departs on 6 September 2012 in the Arctic autumn and before the winter closes in and makes this corner of the planet uninhabitable. Prices are from £4535pp full board, cruise only.

Trans-Atlantic Crossing – This is a completely different, cross-hemispheric offering from Hurtigruten and the first time it has been offered travelling south. This is the main leg of MS Fram’s winter repositioning journey from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands to Buenos Aires. With the famous Equator Baptism by King Neptune and his wife for those crossing the Equator for the first time and BBQ’s on deck this voyage is all about enjoying life on the ocean wave in a relaxed atmosphere with the ships crew. The19 day voyage departs on 14 October 2012 and is priced from £1292 pp full board, cruise only. Just £68 per day.

Autumn Adventure – This new eight-day North Atlantic Islands voyage begins in Reykjavik, Iceland and sets off across the North Sea toward Torshavn on one of the 18 Faroe Islands and one of the smallest capitals in the world. Next stop is Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, by far the northernmost town in Scotland and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands with a population of just 8,500. The voyage also calls at Leith/Edinburgh before crossing the North Sea to Bergen. Departing on 19 September 2012 costs from £872pp full board, cruise only.

Hurtigruten has also doubled the number of departures on its most popular Antarctica voyage, ‘The Classic Expedition’. For 2012/13 there are now six departures. New International Maritime Authority (IMA) fuel rules ban the use of heavy fuel oils from use and carriage from 1 August 2011. MS Fram uses Marine Gas Oil (MGO) rather than the heavy fuel oils used by some other ships. A 10 day Classic Expedition costs from £3443pp including flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back, full board.

For more information call Hurtigruten on 020 8846 2666 or http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/

Charity Auction on The Polar Seas

Guests on board Hurtigruten voyages in Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica this season will be offered the opportunity to raise money in support of the areas of the Arctic and Antarctic they have just sailed through. At the end of every expedition voyage a charity auction will now takes place with all funds raised being donated to local preservation organisations.

Trialed last year, these auctions have now become a permanent fixture on MS Fram expedition voyages. The usual beneficiaries are institutions that look after the preservation and further development of areas visited such as the Antarctica South Georgia Heritage Trust, Birdlife International or the Ocean Foundation. However, the auctions can also help local people such as Greenland’s children who also receive support from the money raised.

“We want to give something back to the regions we have visited.” Said Expedition Team Leader Karin Strand. “Our guests respond very positively to the auctions. They too recognise the privilege of being able to travel to these remote areas and they like to say thank you by giving something back.”

Items coming under the hammer include the sea chart for the voyage in question, expedition team jackets and donated items from the research stations and localities visited during the voyage. On one voyage alone last year, the operator raised 6000 euro.

For more information visit Hurtigruten http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or The Cruise Line.