HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

• With featured guest Ian Dawson, British Photo Ambassador.
• The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalised advice to improve your photographic skills.
• An absolutely unprecedented PONANT journey above the Arctic Circle, from the northern coastlines of Norway in the dusk and in the fjords of Spitsbergen at the beginning of the long polar night, featuring mineral splendours and encounters with Nordic communities.
• Outings and shore visits in a Zodiac® dinghy (only in Spitsbergen) with a reinforced team of naturalist-guides.
• Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a warm and refined cocoon opening to the exterior enjoy a unique experience in complete communion with the surrounding scenery.
• Bid farewell to the sun in the fjords of Spitsbergen, at the beginning of the long polar night.
• Reach the North Cape, an emblematic site and the northernmost point of Europe.
• Activities* during the unique winter season: encounters and discovering Sami culture and communities, visiting a fishing village, chasing the Northern Lights, and more.
• The possibility of admiring the unique colours of the Northern Lights rippling across the sky.
• Varied landscapes, coastal panoramas, tundra, dolomite cliffs, majestic fjords and ancient glaciers.

*Activities subject to weather conditions, to be pre-booked before the cruise. More information available soon.

ITINERARY

Tromso
OCTOBER 18, 2024 - TROMSO

Embarkation 10/18/2024 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure 10/18/2024 at 7:00 PM

In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.

Alta
OCTOBER 19, 2024 - ALTA

Arrival 10/19/2024
Departure 10/19/2024

Beyond the Arctic Circle, Alta, in the far north of Norway, is the biggest city in Finnmark county. Renowned for the beauty of its Northern Lights, the town will reveal itself in the hollow of the eponymous fjord, ”Altafjord”. Between the forest scenery and immaculate landscapes, you will have the opportunity to experience unique moments meeting the Sami people, reindeer herders with ancestral traditions. Chasing the Northern Lights is also an activity on the programme.

2 available excursions to this stopover

Tromso
OCTOBER 20, 2024 - TROMSO

Arrival 10/20/2024
Departure 10/20/2024

In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.

Hammerfest
OCTOBER 21, 2024 - HAMMERFEST

Arrival 10/21/2024
Departure 10/21/2024

Hammerfest, located on the north-western coast of the island of Kvaloya, beyond the 70th parallel north, is often considered the northernmost town in the world. Conserved in an immaculate natural setting, this charming fishing port enjoys a rich history, as is evidenced by various vestiges dating back to the Stone Age, Napoleonic wars or the Second World War. During your port of call, you will have the opportunity to discover the Struve Geodetic Arc, a chain of triangulations stretching across Europe from Hammerfest to the Black Sea, and the first technical and scientific object to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Reconstruction Museum, meet the Sami people, or visit the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, an emblematic spot in Hammerfest.

Sailing along Bjornoya (Bear Island)
OCTOBER 22, 2024 - SAILING ALONG BJORNOYA (BEAR ISLAND)

Arrival 10/22/2024
Departure 10/22/2024

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the coastlines of Bjørnøya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjørnøya shelters  ameteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds during summer.

Hornsund
OCTOBER 23, 2024 - HORNSUND

Arrival 10/23/2024
Departure 10/23/2024

Considered Spitsbergen’s southernmost fjord, Hornsund is famous as one of the first places to have been visited in the region. In 1610, the British explorer Jonas Poole named it thus, after one of the members of his crew brought him a reindeer antler. Shortly afterwards, the first whalers settled in the region and contributed to shaping its history. As you move deeper into this fjord, whose total length is 30 kilometres (19 miles), you will find yourselves immersed in the beauty of the surrounding mountains, in the mystery emerging from these small drifting icebergs, and in the glory of this gigantic glacier standing proudly before you.  

Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
OCTOBER 24, 2024 - LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN

Arrival 10/24/2024
Departure 10/24/2024

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.

Bellsund, Spitsbergen
OCTOBER 25, 2024 - BELLSUND, SPITSBERGEN

Arrival 10/25/2024
Departure 10/25/2024

You will head towards the Bellsund fjord, to follow the traces of the first explorers, arriving from the Norwegian coasts, or those of the many trappers in search of game and trophies. Surprisingly rich in wildlife, the branches of the fjord separate to form two distinct valleys. Give free rein to your imagination in the heart of this majestic natural environment, where time seems to stand still.

Sailing along Bjornoya (Bear Island)
OCTOBER 26, 2024 - SAILING ALONG BJORNOYA (BEAR ISLAND)

Arrival 10/26/2024
Departure 10/26/2024

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the coastlines of Bjørnøya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjørnøya shelters  ameteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds during summer.

Honningsvag
OCTOBER 27, 2024 - HONNINGSVAG

Arrival 10/27/2024
Departure 10/27/2024

If you feel like you have arrived at the end of the world in Honningsvåg, it is because this is the case. Halfway between Oslo and the North Pole, it competes with Hammerfest for the status of “the northernmost town in Continental Europe”. Colourful houses light up this charming and typically Norwegian fishing port nestled in the hollows of the region’s mountainous terrain. Travellers come to stay in the village to go to the North Cape. At the end of the road, you will see the globe that indicates that you are at the very end of Europe. At this point, only the Svalbard archipelago separates you from the North Pole. There is sea as far as the eye can see. The Northern Lights, the view of the immense cliff plunging into the sea, the thousands of puffins, gannets and cormorants that spin around you: everything here is grandiose.

3 available excursions to this stopover

Reinoya Island
OCTOBER 28, 2024 - REINOYA ISLAND

Arrival 10/28/2024
Departure 10/28/2024

The small Reinoya Island, measuring scarcely 3.35 km2 (1.3 square miles), will welcome you for an unforgettable moment in the very heart of the Porsangerfjorden. Although this nature reserve is not very big, it boasts many treasures. Here, wild nature can be discovered in the greatest tranquillity. Contemplate the island’s geology, rendered so particular by the whiteness of the dolomite, and the thousand-year-old traces of the last ice age during a hike or a Zodiac outing.

Lakselv
OCTOBER 28, 2024  OCTOBER 29, 2024 - LAKSELV

Arrival 10/28/2024
Disembarkation 10/29/2024 at 8:00 AM

Discover Lakselv, whose name means “Salmon River”, lying at the end of the immense Porsangerfjorden. As its name indicates, this small village is renowned for the salmon fishing in the waters of its river, which are brimming with this fish and others. The village is ideally located, offering privileged access to the surrounding magnificent nature. In particular, it retains traces of the last ice age in Trollholmsund, where dolomites with dreamlike silhouettes can be seen. Do not miss this extraordinary sight!

3 available excursions to this stopover

WHAT'S INCLUDED

FLIGHT PARIS/TROMSO + TRANSFERS + FLIGHT LAKSELV/PARIS
For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in your cruise fare.

Embarkation day Paris/Tromso

Flight Paris/Tromso selected by PONANT.

Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30.

We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.

We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.

Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.

Transfer to the pier for embarkation.

 

- Cruise aboard your cruise ship -

 

Disembarkation Day - Lakselv/Paris

Disembarkation.

Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT.

Flight Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT.

Approximate flight duration: 5 h 30.

We highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight

 

This programme includes:

• Flight Paris/Tromso and Lakselv/Paris selected by PONANT in economy class.
• Transfers mentioned in the programme.
• English-speaking assistance.

This programme does not include:

• Personal expenses.
• Any other service not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

• Flights included in the programme are as of today, operated in economy class, on a European airline.
• Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
• For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris before and after these flights.
• Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.