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Glass-still waters around Spitsbergen

Circumnavigating Svalbard: The Ultimate Expedition

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard MS Fram
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Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1 : Oslo | Longyearbyen
Day 2 : Longyearbyen | Embark
Days 3-5 : North West Spitsbergen National Park
Days 6-8 : Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve
Days 9-10 : South Spitsbergen National Park | Bellsund
Day 11 : Isfjord
Day 12 : Longyearbyen | Disembark

Ship

MS Fram

Places Visited

Activities

Trip Type

  • Small Ship

Activity Level

Relaxed

Trip Snapshots

Glass-still waters around Spitsbergen Bearded seal in Svalbard, Norway Svalbard reindeer in spring A polar bear climbs glacial ice in the Arctic Walruses coming ashore in the arctic Colorful houses of Svalbard A sow and her cubs
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Day 1 Oslo | Longyearbyen

Begin your trip with a flight from Oslo in the evening. Before your flight, enjoy the museums, parks and cafés of the Norwegian capital.  Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, set foot in an entirely different world: a tiny town perched on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Transfer to your hotel and overnight.

Day 2 Longyearbyen | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After an overnight stay, join an excursion to get to know this unique town after lunch. The mighty Arctic wilderness dominates life here, but Longyearbyen maintains a lively cultural life and serves as a prime destination for adventure travelers. Enjoy the atmosphere of this colorful frontier outpost before boarding your ship in the afternoon.

Day 3-5 North West Spitsbergen National Park

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
The North West Corner is scattered with lovely islands, fjords and beaches, but such majestic sights can be blocked by some heavy sea ice. The expedition team will use all their expertise and years of experience in these waters to try and navigate the ice in order to access areas for you to explore. One such site is Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers calving icebergs into the sea, framed by stunning mountain formations. Plan to also call on the former mining settlement of Ny-Alesund, now an international center for research, with a picturesque mix of old and new buildings. There will likely be many other exciting landings and scenic kayaking opportunities if ice conditions permit navigation further north.

Day 6-8 Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Eastern Svalbard boasts the highest population of polar bears in the archipelago. You will also be exploring the area in summertime, which is when polar bears and their cubs will be out hunting for seals on the ice floes. You can have high hopes that you’ll spot one or more during this journey.

The Arctic Ocean in this part of Svalbard is also full of drifting ice and its frozen seascape changes constantly. Being modern-day explorers, the captain and the expedition team will be carefully analyzing the density and movements of the sea ice using advanced sonar and live satellite imagery. They will then discuss together and decide where they can safely sail or land. This is what makes this cruise an expedition: it is a true, suspense-filled adventure into the Arctic’s great wilderness, negotiating and adapting to whatever elements nature presents. Ultimately, it is the sea ice that will determine whether the ship can cross the 80th parallel and head further north to Sjuøyane (Seven Islands) at the extreme of the Svalbard archipelago. Again, depending on sea and weather conditions at the time, the ship will sail east of Nordaustlandet to Kvitøya, before continuing toward Edgeøya, the third largest island in the archipelago.

Day 9-10 South Spitsbergen National Park | Bellsund

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The goal for these days is to navigate any sea ice and reach the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen. The varied geology here at Hornsund has created a dramatic and photogenic landscape. Ice pushed into the fjord early in the season also attracts polar bears that hunt on the floes, so with a bit of luck, you may spot this magnificent predator.

Day 11 Isfjord

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day exploring the Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard. In the inner parts of Isfjorden, the landscape changes constantly. The immense U-shaped valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers that covered the area some ten thousand years ago, are home to large populations of the Svalbard reindeer.

Day 12 Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Return to the colorful town of Longyearbyen at the end of a remarkable voyage that brought you just a few hundred miles from the Geographical North Pole. A transfer vehicle will take you to the airport for your flight back to Oslo.
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MS Fram

Explore the region via zodiac as you sail on the MS Fram
MS Fram
The MS Fram was built in 2007 and offers numerous lounges in which to relax, a well-equipped gym, and several Jacuzzis on deck.

Longyearbyen

Admire the colorful houses of Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
Take a scenic cruise towards the Arctic when heading to Longyearbyen with Adventure Life. You'll get the opportunity to see a diverse and surprising variety of wildlife, gorgeous fjords and glaciers, and the Northern Lights depending on the time of year you come to Longyearbyen.
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Deals

Save 15%
Expedition Savings - Book before October 31, 2020 and save 15% per person. Valid on all cabin types. Select departures only. For new reservations made after September 10, 2020. Contact us for more details.
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Flexible New Booking Policy
Book a cruise by October 31, 2020 and if canceled for any reason in the future receive a FULL refund--including deposit--within 14 days, minus a small cancellation fee. Applicable to new bookings for sailings in 2021 and 2022.

Some restrictions may apply. Contact us for details.
 
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Per person starting at
$9,639
Cabin I MS Fram
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Polar Inside I
113-140 square feet. Inside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc
Cabin FJ MS Fram
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Polar Outside FJ
172-226 square feet. Outside cabin: Double bed, seating area, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc, limited or no view. (FJ 503 with twin beds).
A comfortable twin cabin on the MS Fram
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Polar Outside N
113-140 square feet. Outside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, table, TV, refrigerator, shower/wc. (N-352 with upper/lower berths).
Cabin U MS Fram
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Arctic Superior U
118-252 square feet. Outside cabin: One bed, one sofa bed, table, TV, refrigerator, kettle, shower/wc. (U-526 with upper/lower berths).
Cabin F MS Fram
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Arctic Superior F
183-248 square feet. Double bed, seating area, TV, refrigerator, kettle, shower/wc.
Cabin M MS Fram
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Expedition Suite M
172-215 square feet. One room with seating area, TV, mini-bar, kettle, double bed, shower/wc.
Cabin MG MS Fram
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Expedition Suite MG
260-420 square feet. One room with private balcony, seating area, TV, mini-bar, kettle, double bed, shower/wc.

Notes

Included
  • Return flights in economy class between Oslo and Longyearbyen
  • Overnight in Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise, including breakfast and lunch
  • All transfers in Longyearbyen, including an excursion before the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
  • Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurant Aune
  • À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with very limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
  • Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
  • English-speaking expedition team who organize and accompany activities on board and ashore
  • Range of included excursions
Onboard Activities
  • Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
  • Use of the ship’s Science Center, which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
  • Citizen Science program allows guests to assist with live scientific research
  • Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
  • Use of the ship’s hot tubs, sauna with floor-to-ceiling window, and indoor gym
  • Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come
Landing Activities
  • Escorted landings with small expedition boats
  • Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
  • Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
  • Expedition photographers help with your camera settings before landings
Excluded
  • International flights
  • Travel protection
  • Luggage handling
  • Optional shore excursions with our local partners
  • Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Payment & Cancellation Policies
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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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