Get ready for an 8-day trip on the Rembrandt van Rijn to explore Svalbard's landscapes and history. Start in Longyearbyen, visit the parish church and Svalbard Museum, then sail through Isfjorden, watching for minke whales. Explore Trygghamna's old whaling and hunting stations. Head to Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden for snowshoeing and visit historic sites like Ny London and Ny Ålesund. Look for walruses at Poolepynten and seals in St. Johnsfjorden. Hike in Ymerbukta and Ekmanfjorden, seeing glaciers and geological formations. Return to Longyearbyen with memories of your Arctic adventure.
Highlights
Explore Longyearbyen’s Svalbard Museum and parish church
Spot minke whales as you sail from Isfjorden
Hike Alkhornet’s seabird cliffs
Visit Ny Ålesund, the world’s northernmost community
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.
You land in Longyearbyen, the main town on Spitsbergen, the biggest island in Svalbard. Check out this old mining town, where you can visit the parish church and Svalbard Museum. The landscape might look bare, but there are over a hundred types of plants here. In the early evening, the ship heads out of Isfjorden, and you might catch a glimpse of your first minke whale.
Later, you sail to Trygghamna, where you’ll find the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and an 18th-century Pomor hunting station. You can explore these sites the next morning.
Walk from Trygghamna to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where birds search for breeding spots. Arctic foxes are often seen below the cliffs, and reindeer may be grazing on the vegetation if snow isn't too heavy.
You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter; the crags and slopes are still blanketed with snow.
Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing (snowshoes are provided) and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Ålesund, the northernmost community in the world.
There are also research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska, in 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately, the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.
Cutting south between the main island of Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland, you may encounter walruses at Poolepynten, a common haul-out site.
You also have views of St. Johnsfjorden, near Gaffelbreen. The winter ice may not have loosened its grip on the water here, and seals (ringed and bearded) could be numerous in the area.
You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find an expansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast.
Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminate near or in the sea. In Gipsvika, you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous period, around 290 million years ago.
Day 8: Longyearbyen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Every adventure, no matter how grand, comes to an end. The journey concludes in Longyearbyen, with memories in tow to carry into your next adventure.
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.
$1,671
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Triple Private Porthole
Main deck, upper and lower berths, private bath facilities and porthole.
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Twin Private Inside
Lower deck, upper and lower berths, inside cabins with private bath facilities.
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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.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 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
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 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.
AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) to and from Longyearbyen.
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.
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!
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