HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail
through deep fjords and narrow channels flanked by jagged snowy
mountain peaks
- Explore
the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen which contains the
archipelago's most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic's best
wildlife
- Witness
fields of flowering tundra, home to grazing reindeer and the playful
Arctic fox
- Spot
Polar bears anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard
- Head
southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland
- Remain
vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as seals, and the
majestic polar bear
- Explore
the Northeast Greenland coastline and fjords
- Attend
presentations and workshops by our expert staff during days at sea
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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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 commercial 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 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 polar 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 sightings.
Day
3-5: Exploration of Svalbard
Svalbard
is a true High Arctic wilderness and flexibility will be the key in our
ability to maximize your experiences. Our route and exploration
opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice
conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader
decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and
opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage
will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this
wild and remote corner of the Arctic. We anticipate exploring in the
northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the
archipelago's most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic's best
wildlife viewing. We will try to reach the entrance of the Hinlopen
Strait and see the beautiful fjords.
Jagged
snowy mountain peaks flank deep fjords and narrow channels. Immense
tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of
flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox.
Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of
marine mammals. Polar bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and
around Svalbard.
Also
in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now
home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with
museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for
historic attempts to discover the North Pole.
Day
6-7: Across the Greenland Sea
From
Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East
Greenland. In these far northern latitudes, it is possible to encounter
sea ice any time of the year. All along the way, we remain vigilant for
sightings of marine mammals such as seals, and the majestic polar bear.
In previous eras, a large number of different species of whales,
especially bowhead whales, lived in the Greenland Sea. But due to
hunting which lasted into the 20th centur, the whales were on the verge
of extinction. Now, fortunately, the populations are recovering, and
sometimes we can see these majestic animals passing by.
Day
8-11: East Greenland Adventure
This
is expedition cruising at its most authentic and it brings us new
opportunities to explore. We will go on a true arctic adventure and
feel the real breath of the Arctic. Our itinerary and exploration
opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice
conditions. Again, you can be sure that our experienced captain and
expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity so that you
can experience excellent wildlife viewing, discover incredible scenery
and go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar
Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the
world's largest and perhaps most remote. This whole area contains some
of the Arctic's most magnificent scenery. Deep fjords and narrow
channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far
into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create
colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord
system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen
and Arctic hare. The landscape — vast, open, and seemingly
untouched since the beginning of time—is a hiker's paradise.
Throughout this area, we also find ancient Thule archeological sites,
historical trappers' huts, and modern Inuit hunters' cabins. To provide
you with the best experience possible, Days 3-5 and 8-11 might be
reversed. This allows our captain and expedition team to monitor the
weather and sea conditions; remember: flexibility is the key to polar
expedition cruising!
Day
12-13: Across the Greenland Sea
Following
our exploration of the Northeast Greenland coastline and fjords, we
head back across the Greenland Sea toward Svalbard. Presentations and
workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not
idly spent; but that's up to you! Seabird viewing and whale sightings
can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom
windows and balconies.
Day
14: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen
After
you enjoy one final buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in
Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center
in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may
already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the
polar world!
Rates
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen in
Longyearbyen;
- Group
transfer from the airport to the hotel on day 1;
- Group
transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
- 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;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
Rates
Do Not Include:
- Airfare;
- Transfers
from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
- Visa
and passport fees;
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- 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
Workshop: Free
