West Svalbard | 10 Days | Sea Spirit Cruise

Oslo was named the "Green Capital of Europe" in 2019. You'll be staying in a hotel near the Oslo Airport so you can easily catch your flight on Day 2 to Longyearbyen.

Take the airport train to central Oslo, if you are adventurous and have time. Trains depart and arrive throughout the day. Oslo Central Station is surrounded by shops, cafés, the Botanical Garden and cultural attractions.

You will fly to Longyearbyen today (regular flight), which is the administrative centre of Svalbard, and where we begin our Arctic Expedition! Our staff will greet you at the Longyearbyen Airport and transfer you to the dock where you will board the expedition ship. Set up your suite, and then explore your ship. This will be home for the next few days. Your expedition team will provide you with comprehensive briefings as well as introductions once the ship is underway. Step out on the decks after the first delicious dinner to enjoy the beautiful scenery and endless evening lights as we sail through Isfjorden - one of Svalbard's largest fjords.

This itinerary focuses on western Spitsbergen - the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago - and its spectacular coasts, islands, and fjords. The area is home to some of Svalbard’s most stunning scenery, as well as the best opportunities for viewing wildlife in the Arctic. The weather conditions and the ice will determine our exact itinerary and route. In our exploration area, we can see polar bears or other Arctic icons at any time.

South Spitsbergen National Park is one of the most pristine areas of this trip. It's a huge region with polar deserts, impassable mountain ranges, and countless glaciers. Hornsund is the centerpiece of the park, an idyllic fjord with countless glaciers that cascade down from mountaintops to icy bays. We are certain to see fast ice, which is sea ice fastened along the shore, at this time of year. It is possible to observe polar bears hunting for ringed sea seals. This park includes Bellsund's southern shores, where you can see the remnants of historic whaling operations. These include wooden boats, log cabins, and thousands of bones of whales. The area offers hiking trails through landscapes rich in Arctic birdlife and flora, as well fascinating geology.

On our way, we will also pass the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park - the crowning jewel of Svalbard. We find huge tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs in turquoise water, and deep fjords flanked with serrated mountains. This area is alive and teeming with Arctic seabirds. We are in the right place at the right time on this trip to see the millions of murres and guillemots returning to their breeding grounds, which include small islands, mountainsides and sea cliffs. It is also possible to see marine mammals such as various types of seals, Arctic whales and other species. In the midst of this amazing scenery, wildlife and activity we can also see evidence from Svalbard’s first sealers and whaling.

Forlandet National Park is also included in our exploration area. Prins Karls Forland is one of Svalbard's best spots to see walrus herds hauled on land. North Isforden National Park is also along this route, and we can see endemic Svalbard Reindeer grazing in the lush tundra.

Ny Alesund is a town that was once inhabited by a mining community and an airship base, but now houses arctic researchers from around the world. It is the most northern settlement in the world, with a post office, a gift shop and a museum.

We make an extra effort to get to the edge of the pack ice. We have a unique opportunity to observe the dynamic interplay of polar bears with seals at this boundary, which is a transition between sea ice and ocean. In order to observe polar bears, we will bring the ship as near as possible and safely the constantly moving and jumbled ice floes. The ice is close to mainland Spitsbergen at this time of the year and we will spend a short time on open waters.

West Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge offers an amazing variety of Arctic animals and landscapes with a minimum amount of sailing between excursions. Each day brings something exciting and new. The opportunity to see incredible Arctic scenery and wildlife as well as walk in the steps of historical expeditions will never be missed.

We will provide you with transfers to Longyearbyen after your last breakfast buffet onboard. You may be planning your next trip to the polar regions with us!