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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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.

Silver Explorer sails into 2013 at the bottom of the Earth

The luxury expedition ship Silver Explorer sails into 2013 at the bottom of the Earth, offering a series of cruises to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Spring and Summer are highlighted by adventures along the west coast of Africa, Western Europe, the British Isles, and Svalbard's frozen Arctic landscapes. First-ever expedition voyages in Canada's Hudson Bay highlight August. In September, Silver Explorer heads south to offer a series of Caribbean and Central America explorations before arriving in Ushuaia in November to conclude the year with Antarctic expeditions.

For more information or to book a Silversea cruise, call 0844 251 0833, or visit www.silversea.com. Terms and conditions apply.

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.