HIGHLIGHTS
- Encounter
arctic wildlife: polar bears, walrus, reindeer
- View
numerous arctic bird species
- Explore
the polar desert
- Take
advantage of continuous daylight
- Hike
the tundra
- Cruise
in a Zodiac
- Enjoy
optional kayak adventure opportunities
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | Triple | Lower Deck Twin | Main Deck Twin Porthole | Main Deck Twin Window | Superior | Deluxe | Suite | Owner's Suite |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Triple | (Mid-range) Superior | (High-end) Owner's Suite |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Norway
Your
Spitsbergen arctic voyage begins when you board your ship in
Longyearbyen, the island’s largest settlement. Enjoy your
first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains,
rising majestically from icy waters.
Days
2 to 12: Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Expect
a new adventure every day as we begin our circumnavigation by heading
north and around the island of Spitsbergen, exploring smaller, outlying
islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations
found here is astounding. We plan to circumnavigate the island of
Spitsbergen, but if conditions are favorable, we will also attempt a
circumnavigation of the whole Svalbard archipelago. Every expedition
will be different, depending on the weather and ice, but we do hope to
visit a few of our favorite landing sites, including the 14th of July
Glacier, Ny London, Phippsøya, Alkefjellet and the
seldom-visited Kvitøya.
The
names may seem strange to you, but each has its own unique appeal. For
birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common
eiders, barnacle geese and arctic terns, while Alkefjellet is home to
nesting Bru?nnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
If
you’re looking for confirmation that reindeer are real, then
you’ll want to have your camera ready for visits to sites
like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. As for the largest land
carnivore in the world, searching for polar bears is a constant
activity for our Expedition Team. Phippsøya and Isbukta are
two of the bears’ preferred places for hunting, which
translates into great potential for you to capture them in action.
A
big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the
culture—not just how people live today, but also how this
land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry, and you will see
old blubber ovens from the 16th century, plus other evidence of whaling
at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. Colorful tundra meadows are
complemented by glaciers, and sometimes there is a rare chance to spot
beluga whales.
Day
13: Depart Longyearbyen
Your
adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From
here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks on board
- All
shore landings per the daily program
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Formal
and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and special guests as
scheduled
- Photographic
journal documenting the expedition
- Waterproof
expedition boots on loan for shore landings
- A
parka to keep
- Coffee,
tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Hair
dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
- Comprehensive
predeparture materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Arrival
transfer from Longyearbyen airport to your hotel if you arrive one day
prior to embarkation
- Transfer
from your hotel or Longyearbyen airport to the ship on embarkation day
- Group
transfer from the ship to Longyearbyen airport or a local designated
drop-off location on disembarkation
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Kayaking:
USD 695
Paddling
Excursion: USD 225 (2019 season only)
Hiking:
Included