Spitsbergen: Arctic Cruise and Svalbard Explorer Voyage

The beginning of your Arctic cruise begins with a connecting flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen on the western coast of Spitsbergen, high up in the Arctic regions. Longyearbyen is the largest town in the entire archipelago and it is here that you will spend the first night of your Arctic cruise.

Following a delicious breakfast, spend the first morning of your Arctic cruise enjoying a guided sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen. There will be plenty of time during the Arctic cruise to visit the renowned Svalbard Museum and the exquisite art gallery which is filled with spectacular paintings, photography and ancient maps. Next on the Arctic cruise, sail on to Barentsburg where you have the unique opportunity to go ashore and enjoy the Barentsburg folklore show.

Sailing around the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen, enter the 12 kilometre-wide mouth of Hornsund and voyage into the vast fjord. Its steep valley sides tower above the Arctic cruise ship, leaving you with a sense of awe. Glaciers punctuate the fjords and surrounding snow-capped mountains govern the landscape of an Arctic cruise. Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as the Arctic fox, reindeer and different species of birds.

Today we will endeavour to land either on Ahlstrands peninsula or in Calypsobyen depending on weather conditions. Later on our Arctic cruise, we may voyage to Vårsolbukta which can be found to the south of Longyearbyen where craggy islands are inhabited by impressive species of birds.

We arrive at Kings Bay today. The varied landscape is made up of mountainous peaks, tundra plains and great calving glaciers. Hopefully we will reach Moffen later in the day where you can spot the impressive bird sanctuary and walrus colony.

Today we visit the largest of north Spitsbergen’s fjords on the Arctic cruise. As we head towards the striking Monaco Glacier you will notice the diverse landscapes as we pass pretty islets where eider ducks dwell in the summer. Hopefully we can do a spot of polar bear watching on the Arctic cruise as these mighty animals hunt for eggs.

Magdalenefjorden is situated within the North West Spitsbergen National Park and is home to a significant whaling station that makes up much of the area’s cultural heritage, and is one of the highlights of an Arctic cruise. This particular fjord is an astounding sight and is arguably the most picturesque fjord in Svalbard.

Isfjorden is the greatest fjord system in Svalbard. Witness the mighty peak of Alkhornel mountain which is home to Brünnich guillemots and dominates the skyline.

Bid farewell to your ship and fellow travellers as you disembark the Arctic cruise ship before transferring to the airport. Take the scheduled flight from Svalbard to Norway’s mainland and arrive in Oslo where you can catch a connecting flight back to the UK.