Nice to know before departure

The ship

The cruise ship is called M/S Ocean Nova – formerly M/S Sarpik Ittuk. Ocean Nova was originally built in 1992 for coastal navigation in Greenland, and has since then been rebuilt several times, latest in 2006, when 43 spacious cruise cabins were established, all with ocean view and private bathroom facilities. Moreover, the ship comprises a restaurant, an aft saloon and a beautiful panorama lounge on the upper deck, in which all passengers can enjoy the fabulous, Greenlandic scenery float by. There is no pool, spa or golf lessons, but there is plenty of breathtaking scenery and we provide an appropriate high level of comfort and service – a policy, which is rooted deeply in Albatros’ Polar Cruises concept, and which, we believe, conveys authenticity. Enjoy full board with free tap water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the panorama lounge. Other drinks and beverages are not included, but the prices are reasonable according to Greenlandic standards.

The ship has been approved by the Norwegian Veritas for sailing in ice-filled waters. It has a length of 73 metres and is 11 metres wide, and the 2,000 horsepower engine will push the ship forward doing 12 knots at regular speed. The ship is fitted with zodiac crafts used for some of the landings.

The bridge is open, and the passengers are welcome to visit the bridge and watch the captain and the crewmembers work. Please remember that the bridge is a working area, and always ask permission from the tour guide before visiting the bridge. Be prepared, that the crew might need the bridge to be cleared by heavy sea or at landings.

Cabins

43 cabins with ocean view have recently been established in the ship, all with private bathroom, a chair and a small table. The following categories of cabins are based on their furnishing and location on the ship:

Cabin category A

Large deluxe cabin with ocean view at deck 3. Two separate beds, two unfoldable berths and a window facing the ship’s side.

Cabin category B

Deluxe cabin with ocean view at deck 3 or 4. Two separate beds, two unfoldable berths and a large window.

Cabin category C

Cabin with ocean view at deck 3. Upper and lower berth. Window.

Cabin category D

Cabin with ocean view at deck 2. Two separate beds, two unfoldable berths and a porthole.

Cabin category E

Cabin with ocean view at deck 2. Bunk bed with room for two people and a porthole. Some noise from crew propeller may occur.

(Please, find an outline of the decks and cabins on the next page)

Deposit

For this cruise a deposit of EUR 500 is charged.

Single cabin

A single cabin is available at extra charge.

Prolongation/changes

The tour is sold as a complete package and changes, abridgement or prolongation is not possible.

Number of participants

The cruise will take place with a minimum of 70 and a maximum of 90 guests.

M/S Ocean Nova and her crew

Apart from Albatros Travel’s tour guides, two groups of crew on board will cooperate to make your cruise a special experience. The captain, mates and sailors are in charge of the operation and steering of the ship and of the outdoor areas, while the hotel manager and staff are in charge of the cabins and the meals. All personnel will do their best to meet your needs on board and make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Key cards

You gain access to your cabin by using a key card. You will find your key card in the cabin at arrival. If you loose your card or it doesn’t work, please contact the hotel manager or purser.

Adjustment of temperature

The valve in the ceiling adjusts the ventilation in the cabin. The radiator regulates the temperature.

Toilets

The ship’s toilets and drains are very delicate. Please, don’t flush things that don’t belong in a toilet.

Water

Tap water in the cabins is drinkable. The water supplies are filled up when the ship is in port. Moreover, there is the possibility of converting seawater into drinking water. Normally, the water is not rationed, but we do advise our guests to pay attention to their water consumption.

Towels

A towel placed on the floor means, “Please replace my towel”. A towel hanging on the towel hook means, “I would like to reuse my towel”.

Emergency

In case of emergency, please activate the alarm placed at the entrance next to the light switch. The button must be pressed for 4-5 seconds.

Restaurant

The restaurant is situated at deck 3. In the restaurant, breakfast, lunch and dinner is served every day. The times may vary depending on weather, excursions and arrivals. Normally, the mealtimes are:

Breakfast buffet:       08.00-09.00

Lunch:                     12.30-13.30

Dinner:                    19.30-21.00

Other than these meals, there will be served

Light breakfast in the panorama lounge at deck 5: 06.30

Coffee in the panorama lounge: 16.00-17.00

Bar

The bar in the panorama lounge at deck 5 is open 11.00-13.00 and 17.00-24.00. The bar is closed while dinner is served. Please, do not bring your own drinks in the bar and restaurant.

Library

There is a library in the aft saloon at deck 4. Please, remember to return the books after use, out of consideration for the other guests.

The tour guides will also bring a number of books for reading in the library.

Lounge/sitting room

There is a panorama lounge at deck 5, and an aft saloon/library at deck 4. Both are spacious and have self-service tea and coffee.

Vending machine

In the vending machine at deck 2 you can buy water and soft drinks. Tokens for the vending machine are sold in the hotel manager’s office.

Laundry

If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, please put your laundry in the bag, fill out the slip of paper and place it inside the bag with your clothes. The laundry will be returned to you within 48 hours. Laundry bag and slip are found in the cabin.

Gymnasium

There is a gym at deck 2. In case of bad weather, the gym will be locked.

Outside deck (deck 5)

You have free access to the outside deck at deck 5. However, some parts of the deck may be roped off for short periods. Please respect this. The ship’s movements are more powerful on the upper decks, so you may want to hold on to the railings while staying on the deck. If the deck is wet, it may get very slippery, so watch your step.

The bridge

The bridge on board M/S Ocean Nova is a work area used by the ship’s officers and crewmembers. You may access the bridge by using the outside access door only. Please do not stand in the control area (centre). We appreciate that no more than 8 passengers are on the bridge at the same time to allow space for bridge operations, and that all passengers leave the bridge on the captain’s request.

Hotel manager

You can find the hotel manager in his office at deck 3, next to the restaurant. In the office, you can purchase souvenirs and batteries.

Valuables

If you wish to keep valuables in the ship’s safety box, please contact the hotel manager. Neither Albatros Travel nor the ship’s owners are responsible for valuables left in the cabins or elsewhere on the ship.

Smoking

Smoking is only permitted on the outside decks. Please do not smoke inside the vessel, in your cabin or near the zodiacs.  Dispose of your cigarette butts carefully.

Electricity

The ship has a 220v / 50 Hz cycle system. Please check your appliances before use. 110-volt appliances require a step down adapter before connected to the ship’s system.

Communication

Communication on the ship is based on satellite connection of limited volume. It is possible to send and receive short e-mails. You will receive the ship’s e-mail-address shortly before departure.

Lost and found

Please hand in found objects in the hotel manager’s office.

Used batteries

We do recycle the rubbish on board the Ocean Nova. So please, hand in your used batteries at the hotel manager’s office instead of throwing it in the dustbin.

Life jackets

In Kangerlussuaq, when the cruise begins, we sail by zodiac crafts a few hundred metres from the harbour to the cruise ship. From the zodiacs the ship is accessed by a platform by deck 2. A member of the ship’s crew will assist with the embarkation. Compulsory lightweight life jackets are distributed at the harbour. The life jackets inflate automatically by contact with water. On board the cruise ship, the life jackets are stored in the cabins. Throughout the whole cruise, all guests must wear a life jacket when on board the zodiacs. In case of an accident, everybody will receive the appropriate rescue equipment. At the compulsory safety briefing at the beginning of the cruise, information will be given on all rescue procedures.

Passenger embarkation lists

It is important, that everybody who goes ashore in harbours also embarks after the visit. To make it easier for the crew to keep track of everybody, all guests must sign up on the passenger list at both disembarkation and embarkation.

Rules at landings and excursions in Greenland

1.               Please inform the tour guide in case you wish to go ashore by yourself.

2.               Don’t enter a house / building, unless you have been specifically invited.

3.               Don’t walk alone in uninhabited areas. Always keep in sight of the group, and remember that the weather may change suddenly and thereby reduce visibility considerably.

4.               Keep your distance to animals and birds (min. 5 metres).

5.               Keep track of time and remember the ship’s departure time. Make sure, that your watch match the time of the ship’s clocks.

Payments

All your expenses from the bar, telephone, laundry and the like are put on your shipboard account. Prices on board are stated in Danish kroner, while the final bill is converted into American dollars. The day before departure, payments can be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners or American Express) or cash. If you wish to pay by credit card, an imprint of your card will be made in advance. Questions concerning the bill can be addressed to the hotel manager.

Gratuities

The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made at the end of the voyage and divided among the crew. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest USD 10-12 per guest per day. Gratuities can be made by cash, credit card or traveller’s cheques.

What to pack

A cruise along the coast of Greenland requires gloves, T-shirts – and everything in between! On shore, temperatures may raise to 10-15°C (50-60°F) in the sun, while at sea wind and waterproof clothing; woollen cap and gloves are necessary. It is a good idea to bring clothes that can be combined into several layers. A pair of solid shoes is recommended for onboard stay, while hiking shoes are better for town visits and nature hikes.

On this voyage, Ocean Nova is used exclusively for Albatros Travel’s guests. This means that there is no dress code, and practical and informal clothing is the order of the day.

The most indispensable piece of equipment is mosquito repellent and a mosquito net for your face. At sea, mosquitoes will not be a problem, but on shore an encounter with Greenland’s flies and mosquitoes is inevitable at summer time. With the right preparations, it won’t be a problem, though.

Binoculars

A pair of binoculars is recommended. Without them you will miss a lot of the Greenlandic nature and wildlife.

Seasickness

Some heavy sea may occur in the Davis Strait, despite the fact that we sail between the coast and the rocks as much as possible. Seasickness patches (for example Scopoderm) may provide some or full relief. Otherwise seasickness pills might work.

Tax-free shopping

Because Greenland is not a member of the European Union you are allowed to bring:

200 cigarettes

1 litre of spirits

3 bottles of wine (2,25 litres)

2 litres of beer

You can do tax-free shopping in Copenhagen Airport, on the flight or upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq.

Passport

Please make sure your passport is valid and the name in the passport is identical to the name in the documents.

Currency

In Greenland the currency is Danish kroner.

Credit cards – most common are accepted in all bigger cities in Greenland and onboard Ocean Nova.

Midnight sun and Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis

Midnight sun occurs north of the Arctic Polar Circle for different periods of time depending on how far north you are. In Disko Bay, for example, midnight sun occurs from May 25 to July 25. In the weeks before and after this time span, the nights are also considerably light.

Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights occur all year round, but are only visible in the dark (i.e. from late august).

Sledge dogs

The Greenlandic sledge dog is found from Sisimiut and to the north. The Greenlandic sledge dog is a separate breed and perfectly built to Greenlandic conditions. The dogs are not pets, but serve as indispensable working tools for whalers. When travelling in Greenland, you will often witness a dog being punished by the dog sledge driver for not obeying or for acting aggressively towards other dogs. This is quite normal and a necessary means for maintaining the respect between dogs and driver.

Special requests on board the aeroplane

Albatros Travel tries to seat the passengers on board the aeroplane in such a way that fellow travellers sit next to each other. But because the airline is completely in charge of the seating, Albatros Travel cannot guarantee specific seating in the aeroplane. We do, however, pass passengers’ requests on to the airline, which will then decide if it is possible to comply with the request.

  Tour leaders

Depending on the circumstances the tour guide will accompany the group all the way from the airport or meet the group at the destination. In the latter case, a representative from Albatros Travel will meet the group at the airport and make sure that everybody is send off properly. All tour guides are experienced, fully trained and specifically chosen by Albatros Travel. Only a few of our tour guides are employed full-time in the travel industry, because many experts work in education, at universities or other places that is compatible with this special occupation.

Reservations

We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary. Albatros Travel and our local collaborators always try to stick closely to the itinerary, but opening hours, weather and other circumstances may cause changes in the route.

The tour is depending on local conditions, and forces of nature as well as modes of life may be different from what we are used to. This means that force majeure situations may occur, resulting in delays, cancellations or changes in the itinerary.

Finally, we try to revise and improve all our tours based on responses from tour guides and guests. This may mean that the itinerary have been changed since the purchase. Before departure all guests will receive the latest itinerary.

Travelling with the weather

On tours in Greenland, changes due to weather and infrastructure occur so frequently, that this must be regarded as a part of the experience. For this reason, we don’t compensate for changes and delays within 24 hours.

The tour is subject to Albatros Travel’s general provisions, which the guests are presumed to have accepted.