HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the wild raw beauty of the Arctic Ocean on this one-of-a-kind expedition cruise onboard Ocean Albatros. Venture off the edge of the map into the icy Arctic Ocean - the home of the King of the Arctic, the mighty polar bear.
Join a new and exciting voyage onboard Ocean Albatros, exploring the northernmost region of planet Earth - the Arctic Ocean. Departing from the world's northernmost town, Longyearbyen, this unique voyage will visit the northern region of the fascinating archipelago of Svalbard, before spending two full days exploring the frozen wilderness of the pack ice. The nurtient-rich waters of the northern Barents Sea nourish a plethora of wildlife, much of which can be found in the Arctic pack ice and nowhere else.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | Cat. F | Cat. G | Cat. E | Cat. D | Cat. C | Cat. B | Cat. A | Freydis
Suite | Brynhilde
Suite |
Jun 21, 2024 | Jun 26, 2024 | 4,990 | 7,290 | 6,590 | 5,990 | 7,290 | 7,990 | 8,990 | 9,990 | 11,990 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Cat. F | (Mid-range) Cat. C | (High-end) Brynhilde
Suite |
Jun 21, 2024 | Jun 26, 2024 | 4,990 | 7,290 | 11,990 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD - EMBARKATION
Board
your flight in Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard - the
world's northernmost... everything! This remarkable little city is not
only the northernmost town in the world (if one excludes the tiny
research community of Ny-Ålesund, slightly further north on
Svalbard), but also hosts the world's northernmost civilian airport,
schools, bank and supermarket. The town's rugged frontier edge belies a
core of warm Nordic hospitality and coziness - hyggligt, as we say in
Denmark!
Immediately
after landing in Longyearbyen, you find yourself in a different world.
The chilly Arctic breeze can be felt as soon as you step onto the
tarmac, and the famous signpost outside the terminal reminds visitors
how far north they really are; as well as to keep watch for bears! The
snow-capped mountain Hjorthfjellet looms over the airport on the far
side of Adventfjorden, and off in the distance can be seen the
saw-toothed peaks and languid glaciers of northern Spitzbergen.
After
arrival, you will board the awaiting Ocean Albatros. After our
mandatory safety briefing and lifeboat drill, head onto the outer decks
to enjoy a glass of champagne while watching your expedition vessel
leave civilisation behind... And set a course for adventure!
DAY
2: NORTHWEST SVALBARD - THE WILDERNESS OF THE HIGH ARCTIC
One
of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe, North West
Svalbard was declared a national park in 1973. The area is famed for
its history, which documents some of the earliest human arrivals on
Svalbard. While Norse explorers may have sighted these icy shores
during the Viking Age, the first definite arrival was the expedition of
William Barents, the legendary Dutch explorer for whom the Barents Sea
is named. While now protected from human distruption, when Barents
arrived in 1596, he noted the vast numbers of whales and seals which
were soon prey to English and Dutch whalers, who arrived within a
decade of Barents to pillage the area's wildlife. The area occupied the
triple point between land, sea and ice, and as such was the perfect
location from which to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans. Sites
used to dismember whale carcasses and render them for their precious
oil include the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where the remains of
16th Century blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen.
Other sites such as nearby Ytre Norskøya record the darker
side of this industrialised slaughter, where hundreds of young men who
hoped to make their fortunes are buried thousands of miles from home.
Today,
all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant
remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic
nature, the region is now a anture lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies
and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the brief
summer, while geese, eider ducks and other seabirds return to the
island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches,
and we must always be on careful lookout for wandering polar bears in
this now again wild region.
DAYS
3-4: INTO THE PACK ICE
An
icy breeze touches your exposed cheeks. The scent of snow and sea fills
your nostrils. Sunlight reflects off the floating ice, illuminating the
clouds overhead. Enter an environment like no other, the vast
shape-shifting realm of floating ice which crowns our planet. The vast
ever-changing ice pack to the north of Svalbard stretches from this
already isolated archipelago to the North Pole, and onwards across the
Arctic Ocean towards the northern shores of Chukotka and Alaska.
The
Arctic ice pack is one of Earth's largest habitats, although unlike
most it varies hugely year on year, expanding in winter and retreating
in summer. The location of the sea ice around Svalbard can also vary
wildly - however, with two full days planned to explore this icy
wilderness, we maximise our chances of finding and exploring this
impossibly remote environment. At first glance, this stark white
wilderness seems barren, empty and lifeless. This icy wilderness holds
on to its mysteries, and of course wildlife sightings are at the whims
of Mother NatureWith a little perseverance however, the ice reveals its
secrets.
As
Ocean Albatros pushes through the narrow channels in the ice, tiny
cod-like fish can be seen silhouetted against the ice in the clear
water. Kittiwakes and Gloucous Gulls follow the vessel as it distrubs
the water. Further out on the ice, black dots appear; moving closer,
they resolve into seals, basking on the ice. A plume of water reflects
the sunshine - a pod of belugas perhaps, or maybe even the vast gentle
bowhead whale crushing this ice from below as its massive body
surfaces. There, beyond the banks of rucked ice - a yellowish dot pads
along the ice, the head swinging from side to side: the King of the
Arctic continues his never-ending quest for prey. This is the kingdom
of the polar bear, the vast icy wastes at the top of the world - a
remarkable place which is the goal of this expedition.
DAY
5: RETURN TO LAND - NORTHWEST SVALBARD
As
we retreat from the icy wastes of the north, we return to the
(relatively) hospitable shores of northwest Spitzbergen. Once the haunt
of whalers and sealers, these shores have an equally fascinating role
in the modern history of Svalbard.
These
islands' geographical location has made them the staging post for
exploratory and scientific expeditions for centuries - a proud legacy
which continues to this day. The names of these pioneers and their
ships still loom large in world history - the Nobile, the Norge and the
Fram, Amundsen, Nansen and Nordenskiöld, all legends of polar
exploration who passed this lonely outpost seeking to push the
boundaries of humanity. Nearby stands the tiny settlement of
Ny-Ålesund, the world's northernmost community, once a coal
mining town, Ny-Ålesund is today a research settlement,
hosting permanent research stations from 12 countries. Where whalers
once slaughtered, now researchers study in an effort to conserve the
precious biodiversity of the region.
Look
closely and signs of this courageous history can still be seen. On
Danskøya, rusting remains hint at the hot air balloon and
airship attempts at the pole by Salomon Andrée and Walter
Wellman. In Ny-Ålesund, the airship mast to which Amundsen's
Norge was moored still stands proud over the barren landscape. Follow
in the footsteps of the explorers of yesteryear and learn how
researchers persevere to preserve this high Arctic paradise.
Explore
the fascinating little research town of Ny-Ålesund as Ocean
Albatros pulls into Kongsfjorden, and see modern Arctic scientists in
action in the northernmost settlement on Earth.
DAY
6: LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD. DISEMBARKATION
During
the evening, the Ocean Albatros will reposition to return to the port
of Longyearbyen. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after
days of isolation in the sea ice!
Longyearbyen
is a fascinating town to explore, and offers excellent amenities to
visitors. Visit the peerless Svalbard Museum and see relics of the
whaling era, perfectly preserved in the frigid permafrost, alongside
exhibits on the natural history of this remarkable archipelago. Shop
for memories in the many excellent boutiques of the town, selling
locally produced souvenirs, artworks and homewares, or simply relax on
a sunny cafe terrace and watch this remarkable little town in action.
After
enjoying exploring Longyearbyen, return to Svalbard Airport and join
your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a
lifetime.
Ocean Albatros (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 6-day/5-night
cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private
bathroom in the category chosen
- Flights:
Oslo-Longyearbyen-Oslo
- Local
transport in Longyearbyen on days 1 and 6
- English-speaking
expedition staff
- Guided
walks with the expedition team
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
- Information
briefings and lectures by the expedition team
- Special
photo workshop
- Full
board on the ship
- Free
coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Dinner
drink package
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Taxes,
tariffs, and landing fees
- Digital
visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list, and more
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Travel,
cancellation, and senior insurance
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking
(optional)
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Photography
- Lectures
- Hiking