This is a 16-day voyage onboard the MS Nordstjernen exploring Norway's stunning coastline from the south to the north continuing to the high Arctic: Bergen - Flam - Geirangerfjord - Trondheim - Lofoten - Bjarkoy - Honningsvag - Longyearbyen - Magdalenefjord - Ny-Alesund - Longyearbyen

Day 1: Depart the U.S. (or arrange your flights and receive air credit)
This evening, depart from the U.S. on your transatlantic flight to Bergen. (If you want to join tour at Bergen hotel, contact us and we will subtract airfare from rates).

Day 2: Bergen
Arrive in Bergen. Transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 3: Bergen-Flam
Check-in and registration onboard MS Nordstjernen in Bergen. Depart Bergen. Information meeting onboard before sailing toward Flam where you will make your first stop during your cruise. [B/L/D]

Day 4: Flam-The Sognefjord
Arrival in Flam. Beautiful Flam is situated in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary 127 miles long and up to almost a mile deep, Sognefjord. We recommend you to try the Flam Railway-an incredible train journey from the mountain station at Myrdal on the Bergen Railway, down to Flam station. On the 12-mile train ride you'll see rivers that cut through deep ravines, and waterfalls that cascade down the sides of steep, snow-capped mountains. Departure from Flam. You sail toward Gudvangen in Naeroyfjorden, the most beautiful and spectacular arm of Sognefjorden. The fjord is 10 miles long, and the width is only 224 yards at its most narrow. After visiting Naeroyfjorden, you head for Geirangerfjord. [B/L/D]

Day 5: The Geirangerfjord
You arrive in Geirangerfjord. The Geirangerfjord is called the most beautiful fjord in the world. Among other sights, you will see the famous waterfalls named "The Seven Sisters." Your next stop will be in Alesund. Alesund's beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is known far and wide. The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation that give the town its distinctive character are like something from a fairy tale. Then, go on a guided tour in the city, or spend the time on land on your own. You are sailing out from Alesund, leaving the coast of More, heading for Trondelag and the regional capital of mid-Norway-Trondheim. [B/L/D]

Day 6: Trondheim
Trondheim holds a special place in Norwegian history and culture. It was the first capital of Norway, and is still the city where new kings receive their ceremonial blessing. Today Trondheim is a modern city, a center of knowledge with a highly respected university, many popular colleges and a research community ranking among the best in Europe. The well-known cathedral, Nidarosdomen, is only one of many sights well worth visiting in Trondheim. Time on your own. You are leaving the coast of Trondelag, heading for the Lofoten Islands. [B/L/D]

Day 7: Lofoten Islands
Beautiful Reine is the first place you arrive at in Lofoten. Reine is a traditional fishing village in the municipality Moskenes, farthest out on mainland Lofoten. After visiting Reine, see the 62-mile-long Lofoten Wall rising from the sea. This seemingly solid, jagged mountain range shelters the many fishing stations, including Stamsund and Svolvaer, from the sea to the west. You arrive in Svolvaer in the afternoon for sightseeing or time on your own. You head north toward the beautiful Trollfjorden and the Vesteralen region. In addition to the dramatic geography, Trollfjorden is well known for the battle between fishermen using the new steamboats and the fishermen still using the traditional boats built in 1880. [B/L/D]

Day 8: Bjarkoy
Early in the morning, you arrive at Bjarkoy, just outside Harstad. This municipality consists of 365 islands. The nature on the islands varies from great mountains to hills, woods and bare rock faces. In the summer you can enjoy one of the beautiful white beaches out here. At the northern side of Bjarkoy you find the bird cliffs named Krykkjeberg with up to 10,000 birds nesting. On your way toward Tromso, you sail along the second largest island of Norway, Senja. This is a lush island in the mouth of the fjord, with former fishing villages and places with lots of traditions. You spend the afternoon on a guided tour, or you may discover the city on your own. The famous cathedral, Ishavskatedralen, is a must, and so is the Arctic experience centre Polaria. Your journey continues north. In the east you can enjoy the view of the spectacular mountains of Lyngsalpene. [B/L/D]

Day 9-10: Honningsvag-The North Cape
Honningsvag is a prominent fishing harbor and the capital of North Cape. Approximately 4,000 - 5,000 ships arrive here each year. The North Cape Museum contains local coastal culture and a very pleasant host and hostess. You sail around the cape, leaving the Norwegian coast, heading for Svalbard. The voyage to Longyearbyen takes approximately 2 days. If ice and weather conditions allow, you will land at Bjornoya (the Bear Island). [B/L/D]

Day 11: Longyearbyen
Arrival in Longyearbyen. A guided tour in town and the local areas will give you an introduction to the exciting history of Longyearbyen. You also visit Svalbard Museum and Gallery Svalbard. You will have lunch at Longyearbyen's historic hotel, Spitsbergen Hotel. Time on your own. You sail out of Adventfjorden from Longyearbyen, heading for Barentsburg, the Russian mining town in Gronfjorden. Sightseeing and an optional folklore show at the cultural house are offered while being on land in Barentsburg. At nighttime, you sail northward out from the Isfjord, then along the coast of the Prins Karls Forland. [B/L/D]

Day 12-13: Magdalenefjord
In the morning, you wake up alongside "The Seven Icebergs," and sail further on to the magnificent Magdalenefjord. At Gravneset you make your first landing with the tender boats. Gravneset is well known for its many visual, cultural monuments from the whaling period on Svalbard. The additional program for Monday and Tuesday is based on the existing weather and ice conditions. Most likely, you will get to see the walrus colony at Moffen Island. You'll cross the 80th parallel, visit Grahuken-the outermost in Woodfjorden and the trapper station in Mushamna. Tuesday: In the afternoon, MS Nordstjernen is sailing southward. [B/L/D]

Day 14: Ny-Alesund
Arrival in Ny-Alesund. Ny-Alesund has an exciting history based on both coal mining and polar exploration. Today the settlement is a modern research centre with facilities and a highly developed infrastructure. Guided walk in town, optional museum visit and souvenir shopping. Leaving Ny-Alesund, you cross the Kongsfjord and sail toward the former settlement, Ny-London, where a marble mine was established by Mr. Mansfield from England in the beginning of the nineteenth century. Structural traces from this adventurous business are still visible and interesting. Sailing out from Kongsfjorden you also go into the edge of the ice in the beautiful Krossfjorden. At night, you continue southward along the coast of Prins Karls Forland and return back to the Isfjord. [B/L/D]

Day 15: Longyearbyen
Arrival in Longyearbyen. Disembarkation from MS Nordstjernen. Time on your own before the anniversary cruise is rounded off with a lunch at the Radisson SAS Polar Hotel Spitsbergen. Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Depart for Oslo via Tromso. [B/L]

Day 16: Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. [B]

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, and may differ from one departure to another.

Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner

Rates: Rates from US$7300 per person based on double occupancy, including transatlantic air from the U.S.. AARP members enjoy a discount of $100 per cabin. If you are based outside the U.S., we will subtract air from rates. Contact us for cruise only rates and additional discounts.

Rates Include :
- Roundtrip Economy Class transatlantic airfare from New York
(or receive air credit)
- Roundtrip Economy Class airfare between Oslo and Longyearbyen
- Transfers in Spitsbergen as indicated in itinerary
- Transfers in Oslo by the Express Train between the airport and downtown
- Services of expedition guides
- Accommodations as indicated in itinerary, including breakfast
- Accommodations in select cabin category
- Three meals daily shipboard
- Port charges

Rates do not include:
- Add-on airfares for gateways other than New York
- Air taxes

MS Nordstjernen, 2568 tons, 164 berths, 79 cabins, modernized 2000 (photo courtesy: Norwegian Coastal Voyage). She has a dining room, library, bar, cafe and a panoramic lounge.

How To Book

MS Nordstjernen's deck plan

For the longer Spitsbergen grand expedition on MS Polar Star, click here

To view a Spitsbergen photo essay, click here.

To view a virtual tour of Spitsbergen, click here.

We offer the right Spitsbergen cruise at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book.