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Visit historical Arctic settlements on your voyage

Big Island, Big Adventure: Spitsbergen Circumnavigation

Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Nova
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Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Join the Ocean Nova on this 13-day voyage to attempt a circumnavigation of the island. Lying entirely within the Arctic Circle, Spitsbergen is unspoiled, wild, and utterly unforgettable. It is also one of the premiere locations to view Arctic wildlife, including the world's largest carnivore - the polar bear. Look out for whales, walruses, and numerous seabirds, all of which populate the icy waters around this island.
Icebergs float throughout the seas in the ArcticBright wildflowers liven up the mountainous Arctic landscapeReindeer roam along the Arctic tundraExplore Alkhornet on the Arctic island of SpitsbergenVisit historical Arctic settlements on your voyage
Highlights
  • Search for the largest land carnivore, the polar bear
  • Learn about the culture, history, and exploration of Spitsbergen
  • View whaling evidence at landing sites such as Smeerenburg
  • Visit 14th of July Glacier, home to purple sandpipers and common eiders
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: Longyearbyen, Norway | Embark

Your Spitsbergen expedition begins when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement, and a frontier-style town. Enjoy your first view of the island's rugged, glacier-topped mountains, rising majestically from icy Arctic waters.

Day 2-12: Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

  • Ship
  • 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners
Expect a new adventure every day, as you journey around the island of Spitsbergen and explore smaller, outlying islands. The variety of incredible wildlife and geological formations found here is astounding! Every expedition is unique, but a few of our favorite landing sites include the 14th of July Glacier, Ny London, Phippsoya, Alkefjellet, and Sundneset and if ice conditions allow, you may land on seldom-visited Kvttøya.

The names may seem strange to you, but they each have their own unique appeal. For birders, the 14th of July Glacier is home to purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese and Arctic terns; while Alkefjellet is home to nesting Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

If you want to prove that reindeer are real, then have your camera ready for visits to sites like Ny London, Sundneset and Alkhornet. As for the largest land carnivore in the world – searching for polar bears is a constant activity, with Phippsoya and Isbukta being two of their preferred places for hunting – meaning great potential for you to capture them in action.

A big part of appreciating Spitsbergen comes from understanding the culture, not just how people live today, but also how this land was first explored. Whaling was a key industry here and you can see blubber ovens and other whaling evidence at landing sites such as Smeerenburg. Colorful tundra meadow displays are complimented by glaciers, and the potential exists for spotting beluga whales.

Day 13: Longyearbyen, Norway | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Following breakfast on board, disembark in Longyearbyen where you began. From here, a transfer is provided to the airport for your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova library
Lecture lounge aboard the Ocean Nova
Dining room aboard the ship

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,495
Quad Cabin
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Quad
Averaging 157 sq ft. Equipped with 4 twin beds (two lower berths, two upper berths). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Triple Cabin
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Triple
Averaging 140 sq ft. Equipped with 3 twin beds (two lower berths, one upper berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Bridge Deck Twin Cabin
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Upper (Lower Berth) Deck Twin
Averaging 90 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds (one upper berth and one lower berth). Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Upper Deck Twin Cabin
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Upper Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 115 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Upper Deck with private facilities and exterior views.
Upper (Lower Berth) Cabin
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Bridge Deck Twin Cabin
Averaging 105 sq ft. Equipped with 2 twin beds. Located on the Bridge Deck with private facilities and exterior views.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged. Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate. 

Mandatory medical insurance: Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Available Around the Clock
  • Leadership throughout the expedition by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • Loan of Waterproof Boots for Landings
  • Official Expedition Parka to Keep
  • Select Beer and Wine During Dinner
  • Photographic Journal Documenting the Expedition
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage
  • All luggage handling aboard the ship
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
  • Internet & Phone Charges
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory Waterproof Pants for Zodiac Cruising & Any Other Gear Not Specifically Mentioned
  • Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
  • Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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