Included
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel 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; free use of rubber boots and snow shoes; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; AECO fees and governmental taxes; comprehensive pre-departure material.
Exclusions
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post-cruise land arrangements; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage and cancellation insurance; personal insurance (mandatory); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; ground transfers between Reykjavik and Akureyri for embarkation and disembarkation; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 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 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 60 days – 50% 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 9-day Scoresby Sund Aurora Borealis cruise begins in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF), where you’ll be picked up and transferred by scenic bus through North Iceland. The ship embarks and disembarks in Akureyri, Iceland (AEY), with a transfer back to Reykjavik on Day 9. Plan flights to arrive Reykjavik at least one day prior to embarkation. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on the day after disembarkation. The bus transfer is not included and must be pre-booked; 2023 USD cost is $130 one-way, $220 round-trip (2024 pricing TBA). Contact AdventureSmith for more details. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Activities
Various additional activities may be available on your 9-day Scoresby Sund Aurora Borealis voyage. Added-cost activity fees are as follows: kayaking $450 (2024) (4-28 kayakers on Hondius); polar diving $580 (2023) or $590 (2024) (8-24 divers and you must be experienced in dry suit and cold-water diving). A photo workshop is included, requiring a minimum of 20 guests, and must be booked in advance. Please contact AdventureSmith for details on which activities are available on your specific departure date and to reserve space with your booking.
The September 9, 2023 departure offers a special Kayak Skills Progression camp for an exclusive group of 4-8 kayakers. Participants will be split into two groups of four people, and each group will be offered one outing per day (morning or afternoon) of one to two hours, for five total activity days, depending on local conditions. The $450 (2023) per person supplemental fee for this activity covers your use of industry-leading TRAK single-seater kayaks and dry suits for the duration of your trip, but if you have your own dry suit, we recommend using that instead. For kayakers who bring their own TRAK kayak and dry suit, no supplemental fee will be charged. Basic kayaking experience is helpful but not a requirement; physical fitness, however, is essential. Contact AdventureSmith for further details on this programming.
Guided shore excursions, hiking, snowshoeing, wildlife spotting and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during each voyage. Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take 3 to 6 hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers’ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x the per-person Twin or Superior listed rates. Single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in Twin, Triple or Quadruple categories upon availability.
Families & Children
Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 years old with parents may receive a 40% discount in the following cabins: Grand Suite, Superior, Triple (1 child sharing with 2 parents/adults) and Quadruple (1 child sharing with 3 parents/adults, or 2 children sharing with 2 parents/adults). Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.
Travel Insurance
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. 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.
