• Expert expedition staff and sailing staff
• All accommodation as described
• All meals on board
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac

• Travel insurance
• Visas (if applicable)
• Tips for staff
• Kayking excursions *select Ortelius/Hondius departures Meals other than those on board the ship
• Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

A group transfer to/from Longyearbyen Airport is provided: Usually x1 main flight on arrival day, and x2 main flights on departure day.

On arrival day, passengers are transferred from the airport to city center where they can spend some time on their own behalf. Your luggage will be taken to the ship with a separate luggage truck.

If you are purchasing your own flights you must provide the KE office with full details of your flights. Emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals on board the ship are included, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10.

On board the ship a diverse range of international dishes are available. Meals are prepared and catered by professional chefs and all meals are included in the holiday price. Special dietary requirements, including vegetarianism, can be accommodated with advance notice (please advise at the time of booking). Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are not included and can be purchased in the dining room or the lounge areas.

Water is drinkable from the taps on this holiday. Please fill your personal bottles for your day in the morning. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Depending on departure, you will either board the M/V Ortelius, M/V Plancius or M/V Hondius for the duration of your trip. Each are 100+ passenger vessels originally designed as ice-strengthened polar science expedition ships with re-inforced hulls and comfortable living quarters. Standard accommodation is quad berth cabin with porthole. All cabins have en-suite facilities. All accommodation is on a sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will share a cabin with other clients of the same sex. Upgrades are available to triple or twin berth with porthole, twin berth with window, and superior/ suite. Depending on availability, it is also possible to arrange a single cabin. Please contact the office for upgrade and single cabin prices. Please note that if you wish to upgrade ensure that you book early to avoid disappointment.

A carefully chosen professional and qualified team will lead your voyage. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. The expedition staff will work conscientiously with you, on deck and in the field, to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table.

It is not practical to set a recommended amount for personal spending money on a holiday like this. All meals while on board and the daily Zodiac excursions, are included in the trip price. The main extra spend on board will be on drinks and this will vary greatly from person to person. On board ship, bar bills can be put on a tab and paid at the end of the cruise by credit or debit card or in cash Euros. You will also need some money for any meals taken in Longyearbyen and for tips.

Please note - You will not be able to exchange your foreign money to Norwegian krone in Svalbard. Many of Longyearbyen’s stores and restaurants will however accept almost any debit or credit card. You will find an ATM in the post and bank building, in the middle of the pedestrian street.

The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution in one envelope at the end of the voyage which is divided among the crew and staff. You will receive detailed guidelines aboard. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. It is better for the crew and staff, if you can give them cash, either US Dollars or Euros. You may give individually and / or communally as a personal ‘thank you’ to one or more of the ship’s personnel. As a guide, we recommend you allow $15 - 20 per day for tips to your crew and expedition staff.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will be kept in your cabin with you and there is a finite amount of space, a soft bag is the most suitable as they are easier to store in the cabin. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.  Please note that you should be able to carry your own luggage.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.