Best of Svalbard

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of our expedition. After arriving via scheduled commercial flight service, you are free to explore this fascinating Arctic settlement. Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and take advantage of quality shopping and dining opportunities in the town center. Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.

Day 2: Embarkation in Longyearbyen

In the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away fr om home for the extraordinary adventure to come. Savor the anticipation of your Arctic dreams coming true as we slip our moorings and sail into a true wilderness where wildlife abounds. The scenery as we sail through Isfjorden on our first evening is spectacular and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

Day 3-11: Exploration in West Spitsbergen

This is a real expedition in a true High Arctic wilderness. As such, our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.

Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. We exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of the historic polar expeditions that came before us. We anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the northwestern part of Svalbard. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters.

On ice floes and on fast ice several species of seals watch vigilantly for polar bears. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight.

And over it all presides the polar bear, monarch of the North. This wild corner of Svalbard is one of the best places in the world to observe polar bears hunting in their preferred habitat: the pack ice. We take the ship as close as safely possible to the jumbled and broken edge of the polar ice cap, where polar bears stalk the frozen sea in search of seals. To complete the Arctic experience we also explore places rich with history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station.

Human habitation in this area can be found only at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly settlements, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

Day 12: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard

After breakfast we say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where we started. We provide a transfer to the airport or to the town centre if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Svalbard, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!

• Flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo;
• 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen in Longyearbyen;
• Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on day 1;
• Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
• Shipboard accommodation;
• All meals on board throughout the voyage;
• Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
• All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
• Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
• Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
• Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
• All port fees;
• Group transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
• Pre-departure materials;
• Digital Voyage Log;
• Wi-Fi on board.

• Airfare to Longyearbyen;
• Transfers from the airport to the hotel if arriving prior to Day 1 of the program;
• Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
• Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
• Personal expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
• Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
• Kayaking;
• The cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions before, during or after the cruise;
• Staff gratuities.

Optional Activities:

Kayaking: US$655 per person