Title
Arctic Ocean - Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice edge, Spitsbergen, Birding
Start – End
Tripcode
HDS01C27
Language
English
Ship
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Vlissingen - Longyearbyen
Nights / Days
11 nights
North Sea - Vlissingen to Aberdeen
Cross the North Sea to the picturesque and historic Scottish city of Aberdeen, enjoying local wildlife and fascinating lectures
Search for whales, seals, and seabirds on a scenic voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to culturally rich Aberdeen, the "Granite City" of northeast Scotland. White-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, orcas, and various species of seabird are all possible sights.
| Dates: | 21 May - 23 May, 2027 |
| Ship: | m/v Hondius |
| Embarkation: | Vlissingen |
| Disembarkation: | Aberdeen |
| Total nights/Days: | 2 nights |
Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding Special
Sail the East Greenland ice edge north of Spitsbergen in search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife
Sailing between the Scottish port of Aberdeen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure explores the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen as well as the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you the chance to search for whales, and other animals of the land, sea, and air.
| Dates: | 23 May - 1 Jun, 2027 |
| Ship: | m/v Hondius |
| Embarkation: | Aberdeen |
| Disembarkation: | Longyearbyen |
| Total nights/Days: | 9 nights |
Voyage overview
Search for whales, and other Arctic wildlife of the land, sea, and air on an adventurous voyage from our home port of Vlissingen to our favorite Arctic island group.
Day 1: Northward bound
You board the vessel at midday in Vlissingen, headed north. Far north.
Day 2: Sea life on the move
Crossing the North Sea and sailing by Dogger Bank, we hope to be lucky enough to spot such species as white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, and orcas.
Day 3: Sights of the Granite City
Passengers who boarded in Vlissingen will be offered an excursion by bus to Fowlsheugh, a seabird cliff south of Aberdeen. Over 100,000 pairs of seabird of different species can be seen here. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the Ythan Estuary, where the beaches are teeming with harbor seals, grey seals, and birds that keep to the shorelines. Both outings are included in the price of booking.
Birding: -
We will have at least one dedicated expedition guide in our 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.
Day 1: Sights of the Granite City
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: 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: Jan Mayen 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: 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: 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: Journey’s end 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.
What Our Travelers Say
m/v Hondius
Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel and was built from the ground up for expedition cruising.
Full ship info »
Activities you can participate in
Birding
HDS02-27We will have at least one dedicated expedition guide in our team who will share their expert knowledge about bird species and who will be available to help you identify, photograph and learn more about the birds that we see.
Cabins & Prices
Prices are displayed per cruise with discounts applied if you book berths or cabins on all cruises included in combination.
Each leg of combination has it‘s own label:
Quadruple Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 15,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
1400 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
350 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 15,9 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
1050 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
350 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 13,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen 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
Complete cabin
700 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
595 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
350 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
Early Bird Discount
More photos
- Cabin size between 12,1 m² and 14,3 m²
- 1 window
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen 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
Complete cabin
800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
680 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
400 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 19,4 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 single beds
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
765 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
450 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 20,7 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
765 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Junior Suite
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 19,2 m² and 20 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
1000 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
850 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Grand Suite with private balcony
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size 26,7 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private balcony
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
1160 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
986 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Quadruple Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 15,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
13200 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
3300 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 15,9 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Complete cabin
11700 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
3900 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 13,3 m² and 16 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen 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
Complete cabin
9400 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
7990 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
4700 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
Early Bird Discount
More photos
- Cabin size between 12,1 m² and 14,3 m²
- 1 window
- 2 single beds
- Small sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen 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
Complete cabin
9900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
8415 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
4950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 19,4 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 single beds
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
10700 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
9095 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
5350 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 20,7 m² and 21,3 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
11900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
10115 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Junior Suite
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size between 19,2 m² and 20 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
15400 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
13090 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Grand Suite with private balcony
Early Bird Discount
- Cabin size 26,7 m²
- 1 double window
- 1 double bed
- Sofa
- Private balcony
- Private shower & toilet
- Flatscreen TV
- Desk & chair
- Telephone and WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Cabinet
- Safe deposit box
- Wardrobe
Complete cabin
17400 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
14790 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
