Embark on a 12-day expedition cruise aboard the SH Diana, offering the adventure of a lifetime roundtrip to Tromso. The trip commences in the city of Tromso. Traverse the isolated wilderness of Bear Island. Encounter the icy landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago, where the polar bear reigns. Explore the glacial Monacobreen, witness the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, and take in the vistas of Svingeldalen. Cruise around Cape Lee and Dolerittneset before venturing to Koefoedodden on Hopen Island. Upon returning to Norway, a stop will be made in the charming village of Skarsvag before proceeding to Alta, famously known as 'the city of the Northern Lights.' The expedition concludes in Tromso.
Highlights
Explore the soft glow of the midnight sun in Tromso, the Arctic gateway
Discover the greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea on Bear Island
Experience the varied polar landscapes and spot polar bears in Svalbard
Visit Alta, the city of Arctic light, and see the Northern Lights Cathedral
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
In the morning, join the group and transfer to the port. Afterward, embark on SH Diana for your adventure.
Known as the Arctic gateway, Tromso is a remote Norwegian city at 69° north, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, where you can take in the soft glow of the midnight sun. Learn more about early polar explorations at the Polar Museum. Famed for the Northern Lights on winter nights, you can find out more about this natural spectacle at the Science Center.
The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjornoya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Thousands of breeding seabird colonies—Atlantic puffin, northern gannet, glaucous gull, great skua, black-legged kittiwake, little auk, common guillemot, and Brünnich’s guillemot colonies—nest on the steep cliffs south of Sorhamna around Kapp Kolthoff. Only Zodiacs can come alongside, where distinctive sea stack rock columns, impressive sea caves, and tunnels, such as Perleporten, have been created by the battering seas.
Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the Kingdom of the Polar Bears, hop to spot some of its subjects as you explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in your Zodiac boats, get close to the gargantuan glaciers, which are rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice, along with vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 600 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, the ringed seal, the arctic fox, and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.
Day 10: Skarsvag (Nordkapp) | Cruising the North Cape
North Cape is located just a little further north from Skarsvag, the northernmost point of Europe above the Arctic Circle. From here, the only thing standing between you and the North Pole, 2,100 kilometers away, is the Svalbard archipelago. If you have some energy to burn, the hike to Cape Knivskjellodden, the northernmost point on Magreoya, is worth the effort for the incredible cliff-face views of the North Cape Plateau.
North Cape is a headland in northern Norway commonly known as the northernmost point in Europe. Cruising the North Cape is an experience that offers breathtaking views of the Arctic Ocean and the surrounding landscapes.
Included Excursion
GUIDED TRANSFER TO NORTH CAPE
Catch a film showcasing the area’s different seasons and changing scenery throughout the year
Weather permitting, get panoramic views overlooking the Arctic Ocean from the Globe near the edge of the cliff
Don't miss the "stone-wheels" displaying children's drawings from around the world
Alta, or the city of Arctic light, sits above the Arctic Circle at 70° N. From mid-May to the end of July, as with many places north of here, the midnight sun glows and it never gets dark. Even with long summer days, the temperature rarely reaches above 10° C. Stop by the distinctive Alta Church, or Northern Lights Cathedral, that represents the waving aurora borealis. Nearby, at the head of the Alta Fjord, learn about the thousands of UNESCO-listed prehistoric rock carvings and paintings found here.
Included Excursion
ALTA MUSEUM, PETROGLYPHS & NORTHERN LIGHTS CATHEDRAL
Visit The World Heritage Rock Art Centre, Alta Museum, and see some of the roughly 6,000 UNESCO-listed rock art paintings
Browse exhibits that describe the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis
Day 12: Tromso | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Known as the Arctic gateway, Tromso is a remote Norwegian city at 69° north, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, where you can take in the soft glow of the midnight sun. Learn more about early polar explorations at the Polar Museum. Famed for the Northern Lights on winter nights, you can find out more about this natural spectacle at the Science Center.
On this day, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Take the group transfer to the airport and catch your flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$12,5372-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
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Oceanview D4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony M5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony D6
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Junior Suite
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
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Suite
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 20% (30% for Suite bookings), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Room Service
Wifi
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Excluded
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
We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.