Included
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board; select beer and house wine during dinner; coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock; leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leaders, including shore landings and other activities; all Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program; formal and informal presentations by the expedition team and special guests as scheduled; photographic journal documenting the expedition; a pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions; official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep; hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; all luggage handling aboard the ship; emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US $500,000 per person; Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax.
Exclusions
Mandatory Transfer Package (approximate package price for 2024 is $1,495 and includes charter flights between Reykjavik and Narsarsuaq, group transfers between the Narsarsuaq airport and the ship, group transfer from the Reykjavik airport (Keflavik) to the hotel on disembarkation day, one night’s post-expedition airport hotel accommodation in Keflavik, and shuttle transfer to Keflavik airport on last day of itinerary); international airfare; arrival and departure transfers, except where listed in the Mandatory Transfer Package; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above; meals ashore unless otherwise specified; baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance (strongly recommended), or insurance of any kind; excess baggage fees on international flights; mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, and any gear not mentioned; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified; phone and internet charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew; additional overnight accommodation; any adventure options or excursions.
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 180 days – $1,250 fee
179 to 120 days – 100% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 75% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Greenland Explorer cruise begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). Plan flights to arrive to the Reykjavik-Keflavik airport by 3:00pm on Day 1 of the itinerary, and make your way to the included hotel. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues.
On Day 10 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00am and 8:00am local time. The aim is to explore the area around Narsarsuaq, returning to the ship for lunch. Disembarkation is later in the day, followed by a mid-afternoon Farewell to Greenland meal at a local hotel, then a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Reykjavik. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on Day 11. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Internal Flights
Group charter flights between Reykjavik and Narsarsuaq are required on this trip’s itinerary; see the Mandatory Transfer Package information listed above under Exclusions. The flight to Narsarsuaq is expected to depart in the late afternoon on Day 2 of the itinerary. There is a luggage limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 11 lbs (5 kg) cabin baggage on the flights between Reykjavik and Narsarsuaq. There is no option to leave or pay for additional luggage. On Day 10 of the itinerary, the ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7:00 and 8:00am local time, with an exploration of the Narsarsuaq area and lunch on board before a later disembarkation and mid-afternoon farewell meal ashore, with a transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Reykjavik.
Activities
Various optional activities may be available on your Greenland Explorer cruise. The heli hiking program and Greenland camp experience must be reserved in advance. One-time paddling excursions are included (one per guest, per voyage); no experience is necessary. Also included are optional hiking, Zodiac cruising, daily presentations, photography guides, community visits, northern lights viewing, the polar plunge and the two following weather-dependent helicopter-assisted excursions: an exclusive heli landing and a transfer to explore the Greenland Ice Sheet. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking. For the 2024 season heli-hiking is $395, the culinary Tundra to Table experience is $125; and the Greenland camp experience is $795.
Room Configuration
Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you will be guaranteed the double rate. Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x (2x for Premium cabins) the per-person listed rate in select cabins based upon availability. Premium Cabins are as follows:
Ultramarine: Deluxe Balcony Suite, Terrace Suite, Penthouse Suite, Owner’s Suite & Ultra Suite
Families & Children
At date of embarkation, a minimum age restriction of 8 years and minimum height and weight requirements (weight of 64lbs or 29kg and 48 in. or 1.2 m. tall) must be met. Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times, and may not participate in adventure options.
Travel Insurance
Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of up to $500,000 USD per paying traveler provides coverage between the first and last day of ship-based travel and is included in the cost of this trip. For ship- and land-based trips, additional days of travel pre- and post-expedition are not covered. Travelers are responsible for having adequate international medical coverage prior to embarkation, with a minimum benefit of $50,000 USD. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers also protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.