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Some Arctic view may make you feel like you are standing on top of the world!

Iceland - Jan Mayen - Spitsbergen

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard Sea Spirit
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Join the crew of the m/v Sea Spirit on this exciting 12-day Arctic cruise! This expedition includes 3 iconic destinations. It begins with exploring the fantastic Western Fjords of Iceland. Then cross the Arctic Circle and stop at Jan Mayen Island, with its landscapes of breathtaking beauty and northernmost active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The last port of call is Spitsbergen, which is a must for those who want to see the Arctic in all its splendor.
The breathtaking scenery of IcelandEnormous tabular icebergs dominate the Arctic landscapeExplore the mysterious and beautiful Arctic seas on your voyageView of LongyearbyenSome Arctic view may make you feel like you are standing on top of the world!
Highlights
  • Zodiac to Vigur Cliffs and view puffins, arctic terns, and eiderducks
  • Visit the weather station on Jan Mayen
  • Explore the tundra and arctic birds of Andoya Island
  • Cruise along 14th of July Glacier for up-close views
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Depart from Reykjavik

Begin your Arctic journey in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. In spite of the fact that Iceland lies below the Arctic Circle, Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. However it is not the only feature that makes this city special. Not far from Reykjavík one can find geysers and waterfalls, mountains and glaciers. You may also visit a vast selection of restaurants, museums, and shops.

Embark the Sea Spirit in the afternoon and keep an eye open for your first whales (humpback and minke whales are most common) as the ship sails out of the picturesque bay.

Day 2: Ísafjörður | Vigur Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning explore the Ísafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country. Then visit the small town of Ísafjörður, honored to be the capital of the Western fjords. The local old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port. Get a glimpse of the traditional everyday life in Ísafjörður.

Accompanied by a guide, walk around Ísafjörður to experience the town’s true spirit and meet the locals in their element. The towering steep mountains of the Western Fjords provide a perfect shelter for the lively harbor which is the heart of the town. For centuries, Ísafjörður has been the largest fishing town in the area and the center for export and trade. Colorful houses decked with corrugated iron give the bustling center a friendly and almost mythical aura. The main industry is fishing and the townsfolk rely heavily on that for their financial security. Through time, Ísafjörður has also played a significant role in Iceland’s national history and is still one of the most vibrant cultural centers in the country.

In the afternoon, take a Zodiac trip to Vigur cliffs nested by eiderducks, puffins, arctic terns, black guillemots, and various other birds in large numbers.

Day 3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A day at sea doesn’t mean idleness and bore. Participate in the expedition team and invited speaker's lectures and presentations, socialize with new friends in the cozy lounge of the ship, or stay on the open decks to watch seabirds and probably whales that escort the ship.

Day 4: Jan Mayen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Crossing the Arctic Circle, the ship stops at Jan Mayen Island, with landscapes of breathtaking beauty and the northernmost subaerial active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The island is wild and uninhabited not including members of Norwegian military and weather stations. There is not any touristic infrastructure: no accommodation or transport facilities (neither from the outside world to Jan Mayen and back nor within the island) available to the public.

Land at the southern coast to visit the weather station. The signboard at the entrance door says (translated from the Norwegian): “Theory is when you understand everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but nobody understands why." On this station, combine theory and practice in a way that "nothing works and nobody understands why” by stepping inside and checking out how it works.

Then walk across the Jan Mayen to Kvalrossbukta at the island’s northern part. Here, observe the remnants of the island’s whaling past. The Dutch whalers came here in the 17th century to exploit the biological treasures of the Arctic seas. A few remains of whaling stations can still be seen at two sites on the northern side of the island, including Kvalrossbukta.

The birdlife of Jan Mayen is represented by northern fulmars, kittiwakes, and Brünich’s guillemots breeding on steep cliffs and slopes. Observe the numerous bird colonies as you pass by Kokssletta.

Day 5: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The lectures of invited speakers prepare you for meeting with the unique Arctic wildlife and awesome landscapes of Spitsbergen.

Day 6: Gashamna, Hornsund (Spitsbergen)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, take your first landing at a rocky beach of Gashamna in the area of Hornsund, Southern Spitsbergen. Go for a walk across the vast tundra, watching tiny Arctic flowers and unusual geological formations. There is a lot of history at Gashamna. Whaling activities dating back to 17th century, Russian and Norwegian trappers who overwintered here, and members of the Swedish-Russian Arc-de-Meridian Expedition of 19th century – all have left their mark at Gashamna. You may have the opportunity to see the evidences of human activities – buildings’ ruins, whale blubber ovens, barrels, whale bones and others.

Day 7: Bellsund, Ahlstrandhalvøya Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The crew plans to land on Ahlstrandhalvøya Island, just inside the entrance to Bellsund fjord. On the beach, not far from where you land, there are hundreds of beluga whale skeletons – the signs of a brutal industry past. Go for a walk along the tundra plain covered with the flowering purple saxifrage. Here, you have good chances to watch reindeer. The return route goes through the higher hillside offering spectacular views of Bellsund and the surrounding mountains.

Day 8: Ny Ålesund settlement | Krossfjorden, 14th of July Glacier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, visit the most northerly settlement in the world, Ny Ålesund. Founded in 1917 by a mining company, the town now houses several research stations of different countries. The mooring mast used by Amundsen and Nobile in their airship flights to the North Pole embodies the great history of Arctic exploration.

In the afternoon, the ship enters the picturesque Krossfjorden. Hop in a Zodiac and cruise along the Glacier of 14th of July. This place is remarkable for the beautiful view: blue ice, green slopes near the glacier, a colorful variety of wildflowers, and bird colonies on the nearby cliffs. An arctic fox is also here – it patrols the base of the cliffs in case a chick falls from its nest.

Day 9: Liefdefjorden, Andøya Island | Monaco Glacier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The landscape of Liefdefjorden may be used as a demonstration material for the “Different forms of water” lecture. It is formed by glacier and snow, by rain, clouds and slushy water, by pack and sea ice. On Andøya Island, go for a walk to observe tundra landscapes and various species of Arctic birds. Then cruise along the face of the picturesque Monaco Glacier. You may even see polar bears on the glacier!

Day 10: Smeerenburg (Amsterdamøya) | Danskoya | Magdalenafjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The ship drops anchor at Amsterdamøya Island surrounded by fjords, tall glacier fronts, and steep, rugged mountains. This landing takes you to the ruins of one of the largest 17th-century whaling stations in Spitsbergen — Smeerenburg. The name is translated as “Blubber Town” and you can see the large cement-like remains of whale blubber from ovens where the blubber was boiled. Whale bone sights contrast dramatically with beautiful nature surroundings reminding of times, described by Nansen with the following words: “And all this to provide oil to Europe; though even more to provide the ladies with hoops so they can ruin their bodies with corsets and hoop skirts”.

Another historic place you may visit today is Danskøya Island, known for its important role in several unsuccessful attempts to reach the North Pole. It was a starting point for Solomon Andree's air balloon expedition departing from the island in 1897 to fly over the North Pole. He was never seen alive again.

Jagged mountains inhabited by birds, blue glaciers crisscrossed by crevasses, walruses relaxing on the beaches – this is a picture of Magdalenafjorden, where you may Zodiac cruise in the early evening.

Day 11: Fuglehuken | Poolepynten (Prins Karls Forland)

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, land at Fuglehuken on Prins Karls Forland Island. This island was the first Spitsbergen land sighted by the discoverer of the archipelago Willem Barents. It was him who gave Fuglehuken its name which means “Bird point”. To do justice to the name large numbers of Brunnich’s guillemots, kittiwakes, glaucous gulls and other birds breed on steep cliffs; while harbor seals, the only population found in Spitsbergen, rest along the coast.

Poolepynten is a headland on the southeastern side of Prins Karls Forland, known as a walrus haul-out. During your landing here get your camera ready — Poolepynten is a great place for walrus photography.

Day 12: Disembark in Longyearbyen

  • 1 Breakfast
Your adventures finish in the port of Longyearbyen. Disembarkation in the morning is followed by the transfer to the airport and the flight to Oslo and home.

Ship/Hotel

Sea Spirit

Travelers board a Zodiac to get a closer look at the terrain and wildlife
Sea Spirit
Outdoor Bistro at the Jacuzzi area of the Sea Spirit

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$5,795
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Triple Classic
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds (convert to a King) and a sofa bed, picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities.
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Main Deck Suite
Averaging 248 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, minimum two portholes, and en suite facilities.
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Single Suite
Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a king-size bed.
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Classic Suite
Averaging 226 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window, two wardrobes, and en suite facilities.
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Superior Suite
Averaging 215 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, picture window overlooking outside walkway, and en suite facilities.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 258 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, walk-in closet or wardrobe, and en suite facilities.
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Premium Suite
Averaging 323 sq ft. Two twin beds or a King Size bed, private balcony, lounge area, and en suite facilities.
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Owner's Suite
Averaging 463 sq ft. King size bed and sofa bed, separate living room with game and meeting area, private deck, and en suite facilities with jetted bathtub.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
All rates posted are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: 1.7 for Main Deck and Classic, Superior Suite; twice the posted price for Deluxe, Premium and Owner's Suite.
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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