Board the MV Polar Star for nine days exploring Spitsbergen’s pristine, fierce, and remote northern and eastern regions— home to seals, whales, walruses, and the “king” himself, the Polar bear. Led by an expedition leader and guides, you’ll go ashore once or twice a day by Zodiac tender to take in extreme Arctic sights such as the ice-choked Hinlopen Strait, the glacier-covered island of Nordauslandet, and historical, near-polar settlements such as Barentsburg and Ny-Alesund.

Day 1: Depart Oslo for Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Depart Oslo by air, bound for Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen; transfer to the Spitsbergen Hotel upon arrival.

Day 2: Longyearbyen–Barentsburg
Free time in morning, followed by lunch at the Spitsbergen Hotel and sightseeing in Longyearbyen, including a visit to the Svalbard Museum. Embark the MV Polar Star at 3:30 p.m., sailing for Barentsburg at 4 p.m. Upon arrival in Barentsburg, enjoy sightseeing and free time on your own. Take in a folklore show at the Culture House (tickets included) before returning to the ship. We sail from Barentsburg at 9 p.m. By night, we sail out of the Icefjord, northbound along the coast of Prins Karls Forland.

Day 3: Ny-Alesund
We arrive at Ny-Alesund at 9 a.m. Depart on guided town walk, focusing on the history of coal mining and Arctic exploration, followed by free time. We sail from Ny-Alesund at 11:30 a.m., passing the “Seven Icebergs” before reaching Spitsbergen’s northwestern corner. We arrive at the Magdalenefjord and Smeerenburgfjord in the afternoon.

Day 4: At sea (Woodfjord–Moffen Island– Hinlopen Strait)
Reaching the Woodfjord, we can see Nordauslandet (the second-largest island in the Svalbard archipelago) on the horizon. Crossing the 80th Parallel North, we sail by Moffen Island before heading farther east towards the Hinlopen Strait and more remote parts of Spitsbergen.

Day 5: Hinlopen Strait–Lomfjord/Austfonna
Depending on ice and weather conditions, we sail south through the Hinlopen Strait, which is lined by fjords on each side. We aim to visit the astonishing “birds cliff” of Alkefjellet by the Lomfjord and to land by Zodiac launch for shore excursions at interesting sites, including, if possible, Vibebukta near the Austfonna glacier.

Day 6: Nordauslandet–Wahlenbergfjord–Murchinsonfjord–Sorkapp
We have entered the realm of the Polar bear. A possible alternate route early in the season is north along the Nordauslandet, via the Wahlenbergfjord or Murchinsonfjord, and then on in the direction of Sjuoyane. Another possible routing later in the season is via Sorport, toward Storfjord and Edjeoya—where we make Zodiac landings—and farther on around the Sorkapp, or South Cape.

Day 7: Hornsund
Reaching the very south of Spitsbergen, we sail northbound along the island’s western coast and into the beautiful fjord of Hornsund, where we embark on yet more Zodiac landings.

Day 8: Icefjord
We return to the Icefjord in the afternoon, making possible landings near the Billefjord and Skansebukta. Come evening, celebrate your Svalbard adventure and reminisce with the crew at the captain’s farewell party.

Day 9: Longyearbyen–Departure for Oslo
We cruise into Longyearbyen at 2 a.m., with 2:15 a.m. airport transfers for passengers departing on early morning flights to Oslo. If you have a later departure or are staying on in Spitsbergen, you may disembark by 8 a.m. for a transfer from the harbor to the Spitsbergen Hotel for breakfast on your own and/or luggage storage.

Departure Dates: June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Aug. 5, 12, 2010. Plus August 19, 2010. (This variation on the traditional Kingdom of the Polar Bear itinerary includes the opportunity to visit Kvitoya along the island of Nordauslandet, Svalbard’s second largest island.)

Rates: From US$4995 per person

Rates include: Transfers in Spitsbergen; One night accommodation at Spitsbergen hotel including breakfast; Accommodations in select cabin category; Three meals daily shipboard; Port charges; Services of the expedition guides; Lectures and Zodiac landings. (Rates do not include air fare and possible fuel surcharge.)

MS Polar Star's deckplan

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