North Spitsbergen
Sailing along the pack-ice of North Spitsbergen, will give us the best opportunities to spot the King of the Arctic. We sail to Raudfjord on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a beautiful fjord dominated by spectacular glaciers and favored by Ringed and Bearded Seal. The cliffs and shoreline of the fjord also support thriving seabird colonies and a surprisingly rich vegetation, which flourishes in sheltered spots. Polar bear are often seen here.
Day 1 | Embarkation and departure from Longyearbyen |
Day 2 | Route to Raudfjorden |
Day 3 | The massive Monaco Glacier |
Day 4 | Highlights of Hinlopen |
Day 5 | Stop at the Seven Islands |
Day 6 | Sailing the continental shelf |
Day 7 | Reindeer, foxes, and so many seabirds |
Day 8 | Arrival and disembarkation in Longyearbyen |
Tour Dates
Day 1 — Embarkation and departure from Longyearbyen
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2 — Route to Raudfjorden
Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.
Day 3 — The massive Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 3.1 mi (5-km) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.
Day 4 — Highlights of Hinlopen
Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights.
Day 5 — Stop at the Seven Islands
The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 540 mi (870 km) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again.
Day 6 — Sailing the continental shelf
While retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.
Day 7 — Reindeer, foxes, and so many seabirds
Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, your next stop. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. You arrive in Longyearbyen later at night.
Day 8 — Arrival and disembarkation in Longyearbyen
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
* Itinerary may be subject to change
Per Person USD Rates Arctic 2019 |
Quadruple Private
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Triple Porthole
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Twin Porthole
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Twin Window
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Twin Deluxe
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Superior
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Snowshoe | $4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,600Full | $6,100Full | $6,500Full | $7,350 |
Snowshoe Bilingual trip: English - German! | $4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,6001 Berth | $6,100Limited | $6,500Full | $7,350Full |
Snowshoe | $4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,600Full | $6,100Limited | $6,500Full | $7,350 |
Snowshoe Bilingual trip: English - German! | $4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,600Full | $6,100Limited | $6,500Full | $7,350 |
Bilingual trip: English - German! | $5,000Full | $6,250Full | $7,300Full | $7,800Limited | $8,350Full | $9,400Limited |
$5,0001 Berth | $6,250Full | $7,3001 Berth | $7,800Limited | $8,350Full | $9,400Full | |
$4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,600Full | $6,100Full | $6,500Full | $7,350Full | |
Bilingual trip: English - German! | $6,5501 Berth | $7,9501 Berth | $9,300Full | $10,150Full | $10,750Full | $12,100Full |
$4,050Full | $5,000Full | $5,600Full | $6,100Full | $6,500Full | $7,350Full |
All rates are quoted per person in US Dollar, based on twin occupancy.
Single travelers can choose between "single occupancy" at a supplement of 1,7 x the Twin or Superior cabin rate , or "sharing basis" in Twin, Triple or Quadruple category at no additional cost.
Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 with parents may receive 40% discount in Superior, Triple (sharing with 2 parents / adults) and Quadruple Cabins (sharing with 3 parents / adults).
Kayaking: $410 & must be pre-booked.
Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between Akureyri (ship) and Reykjavik hotel (6 hours): $90 one-way or $180 return & must be pre-booked.
Mandatory Emergency Evacuation insurance is required on all trips.
All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
Superior 2 windows • 1 double bed • 1 sofa bed • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Refrigerator • Coffee & tea maker • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
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Twin Deluxe 2 windows • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space • These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins |
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Twin Window 1 window • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
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Twin Porthole 1 porthole • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
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Triple Porthole 1 porthole • 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space Suitable for families traveling with children |
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Quadruple Porthole 1 porthole • 2 upper & lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space Suitable for families traveling with children |