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Snowshoeing with other passengers

North Spitsbergen: Arctic Summer

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard Rembrandt van Rijn
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Join the crew of the Rembrandt van Rijn and cruise along the pack-ice of North Spitsbergen for a great chance of spotting Polar Bears. Sail into beautiful fjords found on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, a fantastic destination with spectacular glaciers and home to Ringed and Bearded Seals. The shorelines and cliffs support thriving seabird colonies that in turn provide fertilizer that supports a surprisingly rich array of vegetation.
A humpback whale lifts its fluke Hiking through the arctic tundra.Little AuksA quiet moment in the ArcticSnowshoeing with other passengers
Highlights
  • Sail through Forlandsundet watching for walruses and harbor seals
  • Explore Raudfjord, a fjord with great glaciers and home to the bearded seal
  • Land on the northern-side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra in Spitsbergen
  • Tour Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world
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: Embark in Longyearbyen | Whaling Station at Tryghamna

After arriving in Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ (actually the administrative center) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry, and polar exploration. In the afternoon sail to Trygghamna to visit the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and an 18th-century Russian Pomor station.

Day 2: Alkhornet

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Leave Trygghamna early in the morning, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with arctic foxes which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. Continue and sail through Forlandsundet, the sea passage that divides the island of Prins Karls Forland from the mainland, and hope to see walruses and harbor seals. 

Day 3: Ytre Norskøya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today sail into Fuglefjorden with views on Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, and where there are breeding places for great skuas and good chances to see bears. In Birgerbukta find the blubber ovens of the Basques. Try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. Follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th-century blubber ovens can be found, while arctic skua and common eider breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers.

Day 4: Raudfjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favorite fjord of ringed and bearded seal, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting polar bear and beluga whales. Jermaktangen, at the fjord’s eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea.

Day 5: Reindyrsflya

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
If sea-ice conditions allow, land on the northern-side of Reindyrsflya, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area’s lakes offer good chances of spotting red-throated diver and king eider.

Day 6: Fuglesangen | Magdalenafjorden

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, land at Fuglesangen, where you can sit near the little auks. Sailing southwards, visit Magdalenafjorden, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier faces. During a shore visit view the remains of 17th-century English whaling activities. Also visit some big seabird colonies - particularly noteworthy are the colony of little auks.

Day 7: Ny Ålesund

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a center for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). Barnacle goose, pink-footed goose, common eider, arctic tern and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The reindeer here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds.

Day 8: 14th of July Glacier

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th of July Glacier where you cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier, see a breeding site for Brünnich’s guillemot, auk and puffin. The guano of these bird colonies, combined with the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants.

Day 9: Forlandsundet

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Heading south, your ship attempts a landing on the coast of the Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen, where walruses are often hauled out. The tundra offers some great walking in a beautiful setting.

Day 10: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark the Rembrant van Rijn and depart by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.

Ship/Hotel

Rembrandt van Rijn

Exterior image of the Rembrandt van Rijn.
Relax at the bar aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn.
Lounge area aboard the Rembrandt van Rijn.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,450
Rembrandt van Rijn's Triple Private Porthole Cabin.
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Triple Private Porthole
Main deck, upper and lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
Rembrandt van Rijn's Twin Private.
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Twin Private Inside
Lower deck, upper and lower berths, inside cabins with private bath facilities.
Rembrandt van Rijn's Twin Private Porthole.
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Twin Private Porthole
Lower deck, upper and lower berths or two lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 receive a 40% discount in triple cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Rembrandt Van Rijn - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

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