Expedition Sailing; Svalbard, Greenland & Iceland

All voyages for Valiente

Valiente

Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff

She spends her summers sailing in Norway, Svalbard and offering expedition sailing adventures to Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen and the Faroe islands.

Deck plan

LIFE ON BOARD VALIENTE

Your ticket price will include the skipper and first mate (co-skipper) Along the way, sailing or on motor, Valiente will include all participants in the sailing. Generally, she sails at all times of the day, and everyone onboard will be running watches of 4 hours on and 8 hours off. When on anchor, there will be rotation shifts with one anchor guard awake, so that the rest can sleep.

Life on board a sailboat is social and pleasant, but for some it can be perceived as quite intimate and crowded, which one should be prepared for. On our trips everyone participates in the operation of the sailboat and everyone is considered crew. We would like to get to know you well and hope that you will get to know everyone else on the boat as soon as possible. It requires some patience, generosity, and an open mind to thrive, but the new acquaintances and completely raw nature experiences will take your focus as soon as you become comfortable with life at sea.

Accommodation on the boat is part of the fun. The accommodation is generally in shared cabins, some of which have a double bed and some of which have bunk beds. Figuring out who sleeps where can be a bit of a puzzle, but we do believe we’ve gotten quite good at it. Let us know if you have any special needs or reservations.

We have plenty of heating and good food on the boat, but not always abundance of fresh water. This means it will not be possible to shower every day, but more or less every other day we are either in a harbour with fresh water or we sail through a place where we can borrow showers or enjoy a sauna. A morning swim in the sea is free and is available all year round!

Sample Menu for Valiente

This is an example of what could be served while sailing with Valiente. There is not a dedicated cook on board Valiente. Guests all take it in turns on a rotation basis to cook for the boat. This is an enjoyable part of sailing with Valiente as you make firm friends and experience recipes from around the world!

Breakfast

• Eggs, bacon, beans and toast
• Pancakes with jam and spreads
• Oatmeal with various toppings
• Bread and spreads
• Yoghurt and/or milk with cereal

Lunch

• Cauliflower or onion Soup
• Fish soup (using fish we’ve caught from our lines!)
• Cream porridge with cured meats
• Tomato soup and omelette
• Pancakes

Dinner

• Fish or veggie burgers
• Pasta with smoked salmon
• Chilli con carne
• Tacos
• Vegetable lasagne
• Bali chicken stew
• Salmon with root vegetables and sour cream
• Pasta bolognese with salad
• Sautéed reindeer stew
• Self-caught cod with pea puree

Dessert

• Fruit salad with vanilla sauce and firkløver chocolate
• Cream buns
• Sweet biscuits or chocolate

We usually have fish burgers on the first evening, as this is a simple meal to make on the first night, and it has been a SeilNorge tradition to start the trip with fish burgers for many years. Sometimes we go out for dinner on land (each guest pays for themselves) on the final evening of the trip, if we are back in harbour in time. But this is up to the individual group of guests. Other times we might also go out for a dinner on land the day the trip has ended, if people are still in town!

Snacks

We provide a small amount of snacks for the trip, but we usually suggest that guests bring some of their own snacks as well, especially for trips on land (nuts, cookies, chocolate, chips, dried fruit, crackers, etc.). It is always fun when people bring a little something from their home country to share with the rest of the crew. Guests are also welcome to supplement with other food items if they have very specific wishes or needs that we are not able to cater to.

What’s included

• All inclusive (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. soft/hot drinks)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet) and wash towel
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Fishing equipment
• Use of the on board small sailing dinghy for extra practice!

What’s not included

• Alcohol
• Wetsuits
• Waterproofs > Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK per trip, per person
• Swim towel
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Any meals ashore

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals and soft drinks are included. Guests work on a rotation basis to cook together onboard.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew!

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes - please specify at time of enquiry

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English/Norwegian

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  3x double cabins, 1x twin bunk cabin, 1 x quad bunk cabin

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  5

• Is there WIFI?

  No

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  12v charging under sail, 220 EURO 2pin when connected to shore power/generator

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  Guests can rent oilskins from us for 500NOK per trip, per person.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is bedding included?

  Yes, all bedding and a towel is provided

Travel Planning

From: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

To: Isafjordur, Iceland

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

BY AIR:

Fly into Oslo or Tromsø to get a connecting flight to Svalbard. There are several flights a day into Longyearbyen airport from Oslo and Tromsø in Norway. Your easiest route from the UK to Longyearbyen (LYR) Airport for Svalbard is from London Heathrow via Oslo with airline SAS.

Taxis and buses meet each incoming /outgoing flight, even the ones in the middle of the night and will stop at the marina on request, and the airport shuttle service stops at all hotels in the centre.

STAY IN SVALBARD:

There are plenty of places to stay in Svalbard. Try Gjesthuset 102, Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg or Funken Lodge.

Please note that you need a guide to travel anywhere outside the town of Longyearbyen due to the risk from polar bears.