North Norway, Aurora Borealis & Whales

Day 1: Paris of the North

Your adventure begins in Tromsø, nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” located in an area rich with Norse and Sámi history. Enjoy exploring this sub-Arctic Norwegian town, said to have been inhabited since the last ice age.

Day 2: In search of Norway’s whales

Early in the morning, you depart from Tromsø. The itinerary depends largely on the weather conditions, the amount of daylight during the voyage, and the expected location of the whales. You might sail clockwise or counter-clockwise around the island of Senja.

Day 3 – 6: Whales of the shelf

You spend the next several days along the north coasts of Senja and Andfjorden, areas where many whales have been spotted in recent years.  Keep a look out for sperm whales and other whale species here. Near Andenes, along the edge of the continental shelf, whales dive particularly deep to feed on giant squid. You may also see white-tailed eagles, one of the largest birds of prey in Europe, vying for their share of the herring. In the afternoon, you find a place for the night in one of the scenic fishing villages nearby, such as Skrolsvik, Andenes, Gryllefjorden, or Sommarøy. Once the sun has set, you can make small hikes along the coast – and maybe even catch sight of the aurora.

Day 7 – 8: Under the northern lights

Continuing your circumnavigation of Senja, you sail to the small island of Sommarøy. Here there are good opportunities to see the northern lights as well as embark on pleasant hikes. You spend the last morning of the cruise exploring the island’s small bays and white beaches. You can even climb the 211-meter-high (692 feet) Mount Hillesøya, the summit of which affords panoramic views of the rugged coastline. That afternoon you sail back to Tromsø. After spending the night on board, you disembark the following day with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

CABINS & PRICES

Triple Private Porthole

• One porthole
• 1 upper / lower berth
• Private shower and toilet
• Ample storage space

€2050 Sharing berth
Share your cabin with others for the best price

€6150 Complete cabin
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Twin Private Inside

• 1 upper / lower berth
• Private shower and toilet
• Ample storage space

€2200 Sharing berth
Share your cabin with others for the best price

€3740 Single cabin
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

€4400 Complete cabin
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Twin Private Porthole

• 1 porthole
  
• 1 upper / lower berth
  
• Private shower and toilet
  
• Ample storage space
  

€2550 Sharing berth
Share your cabin with others for the best price

€4335 Single cabin
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

€5100 Complete cabin
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Included in this voyage

• Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
• AECO fees and governmental taxes.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Excluded from this voyage

• Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
• Pre- and post- land arrangements.
• Transfers to / from the vessel.
• Passport and visa expenses.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Meals ashore.
• Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).
• Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
• The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board a historic sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: The boat is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or the other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests must follow the safety instructions of the team. The average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6 knots.

Perfect for expedition cruises to remote islands

The ship is ideal for expedition cruises to Arctic islands and for whale safaris. It offers a lot of deck space with good viewing possibilities, also under sail. 

Comfort and features

The Rembrandt van Rijn is 49.50 meters long, 7m wide and has a draft of 2.8 meters. The average speed on both engines is 6.5 knots. She is manned by an experienced crew of 12 people including 2 guides. The ship can accommodate up to 33 passengers, in 16 cabins: 1 triple cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), six double cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole) and 9 double cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole) .

Get out & Go ashore

Excursions are planned every day on land when the weather and ice conditions permit. The walks will take an average of 3 to 6 hours and are about unspoiled terrain, there are few hiking trails in the polar region. A flexible attitude is important on board; regularly the program and the walks are adapted to, for example, the weather conditions, the ice situation or the wishes of the passengers. Plenty of time is spent on fauna, vegetation, geography and history. On board, lectures are given or documentaries are shown.

Ages and nationalities on board

The passengers on the Rembrandt van Rijn are usually between 30 and 80 years old. The Rembrandt expeditions attract travelers from all over the world, on many trips there are travelers with different nationalities on board. They are characterized by a strong interest in nature and the desire to explore remote areas. The friendships and team spirit that develop on board are an important part of the expedition experience.