9-day Svalbard Explorer

You’ll depart Oslo by air, bound—via Tromso — for Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen; transfer to Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen upon arrival.

Free time in morning, followed by a welcome meeting and lunch at the Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen. After lunch, we sightsee in Longyearbyen, including a visit to the Svalbard Museum. You embark the MS Fram at 5:30 p.m.; we sail for the Russian outpost of Barentsburg at 6 p.m. Upon arrival at 8:30 p.m., enjoy sightseeing and free time on your own. Take in a folklore show at the Culture House (tickets included) before descending the 263 steps back down to the harbor. We sail from Barentsburg at 11 p.m. By night, we sail out of the Icefjord, then head south along the western coast of Spitsbergen.

We arrive at the beautiful Hornsund fjord, where we make landings at either Gashamna or Gnalodden before lunch. On board the ship, lectures will be given. After lunch, we enjoy the scenery of Brepollen, or cruise in the Hamburgerbukta. In the afternoon, we sail south toward Bjornoya, or Bear Island.

Before lunch, we arrive at the southern tip of Bjornoya. The famous cliff Stappen is home to hundreds of thousands of Brunnich’s guillemots, birds that nest here during the high Arctic summer. Enjoy a lecture about Svalbard’s birds. On our way north, we are on the lookout for whales. The most common species here are the Fin, Humpback, and Minke whale. The Fin whale is the largest of these, measuring up to 80 feet long.

When you wake up, we are in the Bellsund sound. We make a landing, on either the Ahlstrands Peninsula or in Calypsobyen. After lunch, we sail towards the beautiful Varsolbukta. In the afternoon, we cruise north towards the Magdalenefjord.

We arrive in the Magdalenefjord, a famous fjord at the northwestern corner of Spitsbergen, and make a landing on Gravneset, with its interesting whaling history. During lunch, we depart towards Moffen Island and the ice edge, depending on ice conditions. If we’re successful, we celebrate as we cross the 80th Parallel North. We arrive on Moffen in the afternoon; alternatively, we spend time close to the ice edge, looking for wildlife.

We arrive in the Krossfjord by night. After breakfast, enjoy a possible Polarcirkel boat cruise, with a lecture, to the Lilliehook glacier. We sail into the harbor at Ny-Alesund, the world’s northernmost settlement, at 4 p.m. Embark on a guided walk, touching on the history of coal mining and Arctic exploration. After the tour, enjoy free time. At 6:30 p.m., we set sail again, southbound.

In the morning, we cruise the Forlandssund, with lectures on the St. Jonsfjord and Poolepynten. By 3 p.m., we arrive at Skansbukta in the Billefjord. We go ashore for a farewell dinner.

We cruise into Longyearbyen at 2 a.m. Direct airport transfers are provided for passengers with early morning flights to Oslo. Passengers with later departures or additional nights in Spitsbergen may disembark by 8 a.m. Transfers from the harbor to the Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen to buy breakfast and store luggage.

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Discount per person for 3 or 4 passengers in cabin On Request
Single Supplement 75%
USD Rates valid for North, Central and South American residents only. Rates are pp double occuppancy, capacity controlled and subject to withdrawl without notice. Cruise fuel surcharge is additional and will be advised at time of booking. Restrictions apply. Ships' registry: Norway
*Early Booking Rates are valid for bookings received by Dec. 1, 2009

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