$750 Air Credit for all bookings except Triples or Kids ages 10 -17 receive a 25% discount on this family friendly departure. Minimum age for children is 10 years old. Offer expires April 30, 2012.

We're betting that no youngster will turn a nose up at photography lessons, tundra hikes and wildlife watches. Seeing a polar bear in the wild will be a big thrill for children and parents alike.

Families learn to identify animal tracks and scat: This family-focused adventure takes advantage of a child's natural curiosity and interest in all things gross. Hands-on, child-centered, the educational content was designed by professional outdoor educators who are also polar specialists. They know that fun is essential for learning.

Arrive early in the morning, because there is a northern frontier town to be explored before embarking Akademik Sergey Vavilov. The Expedition Team conducts an orientation briefing aboard, so you learn the ins and outs of shipboard life.

You'll awake on the rugged coast of Alkhornet. The towering rock face reverberates with the call of thousands of seabirds that build nests on craggy outcroppings. Arctic foxes may be patrolling the area, hunting for chicks that fell from a nest. Svalbard reindeer, unique to the islands, could be grazing nearby. The wildlife highlight of your first full day of expedition cruising could be a walrus sighting at Poolepynten. The mammoth beasts weigh more than 3,300 pounds (1500 kg). They can eat as much as 110 pounds (50 kilos) of shellfish every day!

Smeerenburg - aka Blubber Town - was a whaling center. You'll go ashore to learn about the lives of 17th century whalers - men who defied death to harvest whales from the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. In the afternoon, at Fuglesangen, the resident photographer will conduct the first of many photography workshops. Whether you travel with a point and shoot disposable camera or a sophisticated digital SLR, you will find something new to learn. On the ship, photographers can begin to build a voyage gallery.

On this polar bear safari, we will be always alert for the presence of polar bears. At Alkefjellet, however, we will be particularly watchful. Polar bears are known to patrol the cliffs where seabirds nest, hunting for an easy meal. While cruising Hinlopen Strait, you'll learn about navigating in polar waters, then practice your newly acquired photography skills at Torellneset, a walrus haul out.

The Expedition Team glacial specialist will explain the marvels of big ice at Monaco Glacier. The frozen rock is constantly on the move, changing the landscape and calving icebergs. The focus of the afternoon's activity is the human history of Svalbard. The islands had no native peoples, only Europeans intent on whaling, sealing and mining.

Zodiac cruising is another of the exciting activities in store for families enjoying this polar bear safari. The inflatable landing craft are flat bottomed, allowing them to pull up on a beach for disembarkation when we go ashore. While cruising and ashore, you'll learn about animal behavior. A hike to the summit of a hill to take spectacular landscape photos is also planned.

Near the magnificent, but oddly named, 14th of July Glacier, you explore the tundra for vibrant wildflowers to photograph. Arctic flowers make up for their short stature with fluorescent colors. Ny Alesund is a research community where scientists from 15 different countries study Arctic weather, biology, and glaciology. You'll be able to mail a postcard from the most northerly post office in the world!

Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.