Pioneering small ship expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions (under-charter ship operator) released a new voyage named “In the Footsteps of Nordenskiold”, inspired by Swedish explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiold’s popular Vega Expedition of 1878-1880.
According to Heritage Expeditions Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ, the 19-day addition to the line's 2021 Russian Far East season was "aimed at true adventurers with an interest in the remarkable history, geography and wildlife of the uncompromising Northern Sea Route."
Retracing the first-ever Northern Sea Route's transit, and created in consultation with the Russian history experts of Heritage Expeditions, the voyage offers intrepid travellers the chance to explore some of the seldom visited and least known shores on the planet including Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, Novaya Zemlya (New Land), New Siberian Islands, Cape Chelyuskin, Nordenskiold Archipelago, De Long Islands (New Siberian Islands).
The voyage is on the ice-strengthened Russian research ship Akademik Shokalskiy. In 2017, the icebreaking vessel completed a double transit of the Northern Sea Route.
The new cruise follows minor amendments to the company's Russian Far East 2021 schedule which also sees Heritage Expeditions' popular “Sea of Okhotsk” trip now starting and ending in Port Magadan, allowing passengers to enjoy exploring the wildlife-rich waters in the region. Passengers joining the departure also have the option to stay onboard for a complimentary ocean sailing as Akademik Shokalskiy is transferred from port Magadan to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at the completion of the cruise – an extra 3 nights aboard free.
“In the Footsteps of Nordenskiold” departs from Murmansk on September 12, 2021, arriving in Pevek on September 30, 2021. Prices start from US$13,900 per person.
“Sea of Okhotsk”, Magadan return, departs June 17, 2021, and arrives June 27, 2021, or June 30, 2021, for passengers disembarking in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. Prices start from US$7,100 per person.