Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear

Upon arrival in Oslo, meet a representative for a transfer to the group hotel. Once at the hotel, visit the hospitality desk to collect cabin luggage tags and consult the ground operations team regarding pre-embarkation details. They can also provide recommendations on dining, withdrawing cash, or purchasing last-minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with all meals at personal expense.

This morning, ensure cabin luggage bears tags clearly labeled with your name and cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for the charter flight to Longyearbyen. Keep all valuables and personal items on your person throughout the day. Upon arrival in Longyearbyen, explore the town on a guided tour. Afterward, transfer directly to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon. Settle into the cabin before attending mandatory safety briefings, then enjoy the thrill of departure as the ship casts off and sets sail.

Note: The excursion is contingent on the arrival time of your charter flight to Longyearbyen. 

The island of Spitsbergen is the largest in the Svalbard Archipelago and offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of your experienced Expedition Team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor your day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions, and the possibility of encounters with wildlife.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountain ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walruses hauled out on sea ice or beaches. On land, you stretch your legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly colored wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots, puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. The most memorable thing will be encountering the majestic polar bear on pack ice.

If you have chosen an optional activity, such as kayaking, you can enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those enthusiastic about participating in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you can hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you can savor for years to come.

During the early morning, cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your Expedition Team upon disembarkation and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for your return charter flight to Oslo to continue your journey. 

Note: The arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated flight slot of your charter flight to Longyearbyen.