HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
the the excellent Svalbard Museum in Longyearbyen on day one.
- Admire
the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the
wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden
- Go
around Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago
- Visit
the northeastern most part of the archipelago - Kvitøya
- Explore
the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park - the crown jewel of
Svalbard’s scenic wonders
- Encounter
marine mammals, including beluga whales and various Arctic seals
- Explore
Kvitøya (White Island), the most rarely visited and closest
island to Franz Josef Land
- Visit
the Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve - truly a pristine and rarely
visited wilderness containing hundreds of uninhabited islands
- Explore
South Spitsbergen National Park - a vast region of varied landscapes
including polar deserts and impassible mountain ranges
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple Classic | Main Deck Suite | Single Suite | Classic Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Premium Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 28, 2024 | 10,695 | 14,895 | N/A | 15,895 | 16,195 | 18,195 | 19,895 | 25,495 |
| Jul 27, 2024 | Aug 09, 2024 | 10,695 | 14,895 | N/A | 15,895 | 16,195 | 18,195 | 19,895 | 25,495 |
| Jul 05, 2025 | Jul 18, 2025 | 10,495 | 14,495 | 21,595 | 15,395 | 15,695 | 17,695 | 19,295 | 24,795 |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Jul 30, 2025 | 10,495 | 14,495 | 21,595 | 15,395 | 15,695 | 17,695 | 19,295 | 24,795 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple Classic | (Mid-range)
Superior Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 28, 2024 | 10,695 | 16,195 | 25,495 |
| Jul 27, 2024 | Aug 09, 2024 | 10,695 | 16,195 | 25,495 |
| Jul 05, 2025 | Jul 18, 2025 | 10,495 | 15,695 | 24,795 |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Jul 30, 2025 | 10,495 | 15,695 | 24,795 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard (hotel night)
Welcome
to Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian
territory of Svalbard and starting point of our expedition. After
arriving via scheduled flight, you are free to explore this small but
fascinating settlement. Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum
and enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants in the town center. Your
hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the
price of the voyage.
Day
2: Embarkation in Longyearbyen
In
the afternoon we welcome you aboard the expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit;
transfers from the hotel are included. Explore the ship and get
comfortable in your home-away-from-home for the extraordinary adventure
to come. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate our surroundings
as we slip our moorings and sail into a true wilderness where wildlife
abounds. The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening
is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal
encounters.
Day
3-5: Arctic adventures begin
The
goal of this voyage is a circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago.
We will make an attempt to go to the northeastern most part of the
archipelago – the island of Kvitøya, famous for
its polar bears. Along the way, we hope to experience the many facets
of this incredible High Arctic territory.
Much
of the pristine nature of Spitsbergen is protected by a system of
national parks, and the first one on our way will be the Northwest
Spitsbergen National Park, which is the crown jewel of
Svalbard’s scenic wonders. This area is well-known for its
deep fjords flanked by serrated mountain ranges and immense tidewater
glaciers calving icebergs into turquoise waters. The skies are filled
with millions of murres, guillemots and little auks, whose eggs are
just now hatching at countless breeding colonies located on small
islands, mountainsides and sea cliffs within the park. This is also a
great chance to encounter marine mammals, including beluga whales and
various Arctic seals.
This
wildly beautiful area contains many enchanting locations like
Signehamna Bay and Kongsbreen Glacier (“Kings
Glacier”). Human habitation – rare along our route
– can be found at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town
and airship base that is now home to an international community of
Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly
settlements where you can find a museum, gift shop and post office.
Day
6: The Polar Ice Edge is straight ahead!
The
Svalbard Archipelago is located halfway between the top of Norway and
the North Pole, which means the Polar Ice Edge can be found to the
north of the islands! This corner of Svalbard is full of stunning
scenery and wildlife as well as rich history from the age of
exploration. Our plan is to navigate along the ice edge towards the
island of Nordaustlandet and further to the east towards
Kvitøya (White Island). However, remember, our
route and research opportunities are heavily dependent on the weather.
But rest assured, we’ll take the best possible advantage of
the circumstances presented to us by nature in this wild and remote
corner of the world.
Day
7-8: Following the trails of great Arctic explorers
On
this part of the journey, we will make an attempt to go to the eastern
and northern regions of the Svalbard Archipelago –
infrequently visited aboard expedition ships – experiencing
the isolation and beautiful remoteness of Svalbard’s Arctic
wilderness areas. Kvitøya (White Island) is one of the most
rarely visited and closest islands to Franz Josef Land. This place,
almost completely covered by ice, became the final resting place of the
balloon expedition of the Swedish polar explorer Salomon August
Andrée. Kvitøya is not always accessible to
expedition ships, but it may provide another opportunity to observe
polar bears in their natural habitat.
Day
9-10: Great wonders of the Arctic world
During
this voyage, we expect to encounter significant sea ice concentrations
in the enormous Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve, which covers the
rugged northwestern parts of Spitsbergen and the entirety of
Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard. In this remote
and isolated region, ice can persist very late into the summer. The
massive Austfonna ice cap rises above the stunning landscapes of the
High Arctic. Part of it meets the sea along the 45-kilometer ice cliff
known as Bråsvellbreen—one of the great wonders of
the Arctic world. The polar desert environment supports little in the
way of vegetation, but hosts a prodigious number of seabirds. The
cliffs of Alkefjellet are home to thousands of pink-footed geese,
glaucous gulls, little auks, black-guillemots, snow buntings and
(probably) barnacle geese. Historically, this icy wilderness has proven
a good location for spotting polar bear and walrus.
Day
11: The picture-perfect nature of Svalbard
The
Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve is a truly pristine and rarely
visited wilderness containing hundreds of uninhabited islands. On the
large islands of Edgeøya and Barentsøya, broad
tundra valleys support the territory’s densest population of
endemic Svalbard reindeer. The valleys are also important breeding
areas for ground-nesting birds such as geese, eiders and sandpipers.
Arctic foxes prowl the vast landscape, seeking to provide food for
their young cubs, who are just now emerging from their dens. Shallow,
murky seas are ideal feeding grounds for walruses resting in large
numbers on gently sloping beaches. Historical sites throughout the
islands provide glimpses into the region’s bygone era of
trapping and hunting.
South
Spitsbergen National Park is a vast region of varied landscapes,
including polar deserts and impassible mountain ranges. The centerpiece
of this park is Hornsund, a picture-perfect fjord where countless
mighty glaciers cascade from soaring mountaintops into icy inlets. The
park also includes the southern shores of Bellsund, a picturesque bay
where the remains of historical whaling operations can be found,
including wooden boats, cabins and thousands of whale bones —
a scene from the distant past, literally frozen in time. Throughout the
park, there is always a high probability of wildlife sightings.
Wildflowers will be at their peak during this time.
Because
of its extended length, this ambitious and in-depth Svalbard
circumnavigation expedition cruise is a great chance to get a
comprehensive view of the Arctic’s many faces. Every day
offers something new and exciting. We will not miss a single
opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, witness incredible
polar scenery and walk in the footsteps of historic expeditions
Day
12 -13: Back to the West Coast
Our
circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago is coming to an end. We
are back to the West Coast of the Spitsbergen archipelago, with its
beautiful locations like Alkhornet Mountain (which is also known as
bird heaven because its cliffs support over 10,000 breeding pairs of
seabirds).
Day
14: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
After
filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell
in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport and flight to
Oslo. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next
amazing trip with us into the polar world!
Sea Spirit (Luxury Expedition, 114-guests)
The ice-strengthened small all-suite expedition ship Sea Spirit (originally Renaissance V) was built in 1991 in Italy. From that time she has changed several operators and regions of navigation, cruising in Singapore, Alaska, Pacific Basin, Arctic and Antarctica. The vessel was modified in late 2010. Providing spacious suites for accommodation of maximum of 114 passengers (the smallest suite is 20 sq. meters) the Sea Spirit at the same time features maneuverability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Round
trip Oslo - Longyearbyen - Oslo air transportation (regular flight);
15-Jul-24:
OSL - LYR SK4490 (direct)
28-Jul-24:
LYR - OSL SK4499 (direct)
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel in
Longyearbyen;
- Group
transfer from the airport to the hotel on the day prior to embarkation;
- Group
transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
- Group
transfer upon disembarkation;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions parka;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
RATES
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- International
Airfare;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Fuel
surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Mandatory
Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per
person;
- Kayaking;
- The
cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations
required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions
before, during or after the cruise;
- Staff
gratuities.
ADVENTURE OPTIONS - Sea Kayaking: USD 655
- Photography: FREE
