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OceanAlbatros - Guests

POLAR BEAR EXPRESS - ARCTIC 2024

Longyearbyen- Longyearbyen

Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this "express" Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros - one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the Arctic pack ice.
Embark on an incredible journey as you traverse through icy waters and landscapes in six short days. Get ready to explore and discover the unique ecology of this mountain-clad and glaciated island - and get close to a vast array of majestic Arctic creatures. Spot the charismatic walrus, their long tusks and whiskers, and the ever-resilient Arctic birds. The crowning glory, of course, will be sightings of the beloved polar bear.

Treat yourself to a grand experience on this Ocean Albatros’ Arctic adventure cruise - onboard one of the few ships that are built to traverse through pack ice and polar seas. Get ready to share waters with whales, walruses, polar bears, and an abundance of birds while also witnessing the astonishing beauty of Svalbard at the peak of summer. With our fleet of zodiacs, you can explore the majestic glacial landscapes, get closer to the wildlife, and embark on fascinating landings on the shore.



 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sail aboard one of the world’s only ice-class expedition ships built to meet the North Pole pack ice.
  • Former Whaling Station At Smeerensburg And Ytre Norskøya
  • Amazing Birdlife At Alkefjellet, Polar Desert Landscape At Torrelnesset
  • Liefde Fjord With Monaco Glacier And Texas Bar
  • Ny Ålesund And Ny London

Please keep in mind, the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and operational conditions to ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings. Albatros Expeditions reserves the right to modify the landings and locations visited during a voyage based on weather and local conditions and climate to ensure a safe and delightful experience for all our guests and staff. Our trips are expeditionary in nature, and thus changes to timings are common place due to the environment we operate in as well as wildlife opportunities and locations.

DATES / RATES

Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD
Rates are listed per person
Start DateEnd DateFrom EURFrom USD

ITINERARY

DAY 1
LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN. EMBARKATION
Arrival at Longyearbyen, capital of Svalbard-possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town in the world.
After our initial onboarding and a celebratory toast from our Expedition Leader, you will be provided with all essential information regarding the voyage, the daily routine of the ship, and important safety protocols. We are all then required to partake in a safety drill, before our captain steers us away from Advent Fjord, and into the unknowns of our Arctic adventure.

DAY 2
FORMER WHALING STATION AT SMEERENBURG AND YTRE NORSKØYA
On entering North West Svalbard, declared a national park in 1973, we begin the day with a cruise through Danskergattet, in search of seals at Virgohamna. Then, we travel from Danskøya to Amsterdamøya, to visit Smeerenburg, the famous 17th century whaling settlement. It is said that during the peak of blubber production, over two-hundred men were living (and unfortunately dying) there.
This northwestern area of Spitsbergen contains many points of interest that we can visit, should the weather be accommodating-among them, Ytre Norskøya, a lookout post used by whalers in the past.

DAY 3
AMAZING BIRDLIFE AT ALKEFJELLET, POLAR DESERT LANDSCAPE AT TORRELNESSET

DAY 4
LIEFDE FJORD WITH MONACO GLACIER AND TEXAS BAR
During the night, we will venture to the Wood Fjord and its side arm, the Liefde Fjord. Our mission is to travel slowly alongside the sweeping glacier face of Monacobreen, giving us a rare perspective of the tremendous force of glacial activity and its varying iceberg creations. This glacier was dubbed after Albert I of Monaco, who heavily backed Svalbard's research pursuits.
This expanse was heavily traveled by trappers in the past, some even living here over winter and constructing cabins. A particularly renowned cabin, referred to as Texas Bar, is thought to be named after the US state of Texas and erected in 1927. Our plan is to take a tour around this area and enjoy the amazing scenery.

DAY 5
NY ALESUND AND NY LONDON
We enter the beautiful Kongs Fjord, renowned for its former mining settlement and captivating beauty. Our first destination is Ny Alesund-a scientific research centre situated even further north than Longyearbyen, though it can be argued whether this constitutes an actual town. Our Captain will do their best to bring the boat close to the shore, allowing us to explore the area on foot.
Our next destination is the abandoned marble mining settlement of Ny London. It experienced a brief but eventful existence, beginning in a flurry of mining activity reminiscent of the Klondike Gold Rush before being crippled by wars and financial losses just nine years later. We can still see the remains of workshops, locomotives, and cranes that tell the story of the ambitious yet failed enterprise.
Finally, we will return southbound to the entrance of the Isfjord and onwards to Longyearbyen, hopefully with one last glimpse of the amazing wildlife and unparalleled landscapes of Svalbard.

DAY 6
LONGYEARBYEN, SPITSBERGEN. DISEMBARKATION
By the morning, our vessel will arrive back at the place where it started, Longyearbyen. After a goodbye to the team and crew and after breakfast, people will begin disembarking the boat. Travel to the airport is provided.

(Click image to view Ship details)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 6-day/5-night cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private bathroom in the category chosen
  • Fights: Oslo-Longyearbyen-Oslo
  • Local transport in Longyearbyen on days 1 and 6
  • English-speaking expedition staff
  • Guided walks with the expedition team
  • Nature hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
  • Information briefings and lectures by the expedition team
  • Special photo workshop
  • Full board on the ship
  • Dinner drink package
  • Free coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
  • Welcome and farewell cocktails
  • Taxes, tariffs, and landing fees
  • Digital visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list, and more

EXCLUSIONS
  • Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Single room supplement and cabin upgrades
  • Meals not on board the ship
  • Beverages (other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
  • Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel, cancellation, and senior insurance
  • Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’

LECTURES
Our primary focus is knowledge, and we apply this to every aspect of a journey. From the staff that forms our expedition team, to the routes our ship follows, and of course, the program onboard.

PHOTOGRAPHY
We always have a dedicated expedition photographer onboard to document the voyage and share their passion for photography through lectures and during landings and zodiac cruises.

WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS
One of the greatest pleasures of our expeditions, is being able to experience the Polar regions' wildlife from a safe distance, respectfully enjoying their beauty in their natural habitat.

ZODIAC
Essential for expedition cruises, Zodiacs are robust boats that can go up on a beach, a rocky outcrop, a river bank or even an ice floe push through bergy bits of ice floating in the water. This is definitely one...

 
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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time