Svalbard & NE Greenland National Park: Sea Spirit

Arctic

This comprehensive voyage starts and ends in Longyearbyen Svalbard. Experience the stark beauty of Spitsbergen’s mountainous northwestern coast while searching for polar bears, marine mammals, and other quintessential Arctic wildlife. Continue to East Greenland for a rare opportunity to explore part of the vast and unspoiled Northeast Greenland National Park

  • Spectacular coasts, fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen
  • Remote coast of Greenland
  • Zodiac cruising
  • Tundra hiking
  • Optional kayak adventure option on selected expeditions
  • Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and seals
  • The luxury expedition vessel Sea Spirit

Spitsbergen

The northwestern part of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, offers dramatic scenery along with some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. This High Arctic wilderness is home to polar bears, a variety of whales and seals, a great abundance of nesting seabirds, and land mammals such as Arctic fox and reindeer. In this multifaceted landscape of glaciers, mountains, and flowering tundra we also find historical sites and the Arctic research community of Ny Ålesund, complete with gift shop, museum, and post office. You may even get a chance to swim in the Arctic Ocean.

East Greenland

Northeast Greenland National Park offers some of the finest scenery in the world. Extensive fjord systems provide access to the mountainous interior of Greenland where tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs. Coastal plains are home to prehistoric-looking musk oxen and other wildlife. Throughout this area we find ancient archeological sites and historical huts. We also have the chance to visit a modern Inuit village complete with Greenlandic sled dogs.

Stewart's Take

A rare and wonderful combination in the Arctic - a real explorer's voyage!

Overview

This comprehensive voyage starts and ends in Longyearbyen Svalbard. Experience the stark beauty of Spitsbergen’s mountainous northwestern coast while searching for polar bears, marine mammals, and other quintessential Arctic wildlife. Continue to East Greenland for a rare opportunity to explore part of the vast and unspoiled Northeast Greenland National Park.
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard (hotel night) Welcome to Longyearbyen, the Arctic adventure capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of our expedition. After arriving via scheduled commercial flight, you are free to explore this small but fascinating settlement. Be sure to see the excellent Svalbard Museum and enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants 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 expedition ship Sea Spirit; transfers from the hotel are included. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home-away-from-home for the extraordinary adventure to come. The long days of summer sunlight illuminate our surroundings as we slip our moorings and sail into a true polar 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 sightings. Day 3-5: Exploration of Svalbard Svalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and flexibility will be the key in our ability to maximize your experiences. 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. We anticipate exploring in the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing. We will try to reach the entrance of the Hinlopen Strait and see the beautiful fjords. Jagged snowy mountain peaks flank deep fjords and narrow channels. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole. Day 6-7: Across the Greenland Sea From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes, it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way, we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as seals, and the majestic polar bear. In previous eras, a large number of different species of whales, especially bowhead whales, lived in the Greenland Sea. But due to hunting which lasted into the 20th centur, the whales were on the verge of extinction. Now, fortunately, the populations are recovering, and sometimes we can see these majestic animals passing by. Day 8-11: East Greenland Adventure This is expedition cruising at its most authentic and it brings us new opportunities to explore. We will go on a true arctic adventure and feel the real breath of the Arctic. Our itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. Again, you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity so that you can experience excellent wildlife viewing, discover incredible scenery and go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest and perhaps most remote. This whole area contains some of the Arctic’s most magnificent scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape — vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hiker’s paradise. Throughout this area, we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. To provide you with the best experience possible, Days 3-5 and 8-11 might be reversed. This allows our captain and expedition team to monitor the weather and sea conditions; remember: flexibility is the key to polar expedition cruising! Day 12-13: Across the Greenland Sea Following our exploration of the Northeast Greenland coastline and fjords, we head back across the Greenland Sea toward Svalbard. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent; but that’s up to you! Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies. Day 14: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen After you enjoy one final buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar world!

Luxury Expedition Ship M/S Sea Spirit

MS Sea Spirit, luxury, small expedition ship

Sail aboard the remarkably comfortable Sea Spirit and experience the polar regions in grand style with spacious suites. Carrying a maximum of 112 passengers this outstanding vessel, approved for polar waters, is equipped with rubber inflatable boats - called Zodiacs- for shore transfers and cruising. Kayaking and camping options are available on select departures. All suites have facilities en suite and exterior views. Deluxe Suites, Premium Suites and the Owner's Suite have private balconies for viewing the breathtaking landscapes of the Arctic, Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. Cruise with all the comfort of home - king-size beds (twin beds for those who prefer them), an open bar, balconies and a hot tub. Plus enjoy the amenities of a fine hotel, while a resident photographer helps you take brag-worthy photos.

For full information about this vessel click here...

Included
  • OSL-LYR-OSL flights included;
  • 1 pre-voyage hotel night;
  • Group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation;
  • Shipboard accommodation;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions (other than optional);
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
  • All meals on board throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • A pair of rubber boots on loan for shore landings;
  • Expedition parka;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation
Excluded
  • Airfare;
  • 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;
  • Staff gratuities.
  • Special conditions: In case fuel price increases significantly fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings.
Rates and Accommoation Expedition Cruise rates are quoted per person and based on passengers sharing a cabin. Cabin share is available only in the following categories: Triple Classic, Main Deck, Classic and Superior Suites. Single accommodation in Main Deck Suite, Classic Suite and Superior Suite: 1.7x the shared rate; Single accommodation in Deluxe Suite, Premium Suite and Owner’s Suite: 2x the shared rate. Triple-share accommodations are restricted to either individual travellers of the same gender or parties of three. Those who booked shared accommodations aboard the ship – on either triple- or double-occupancy basis – will also share accommodations at the pre-cruise hotel, if applicable. Payments Reservations require a deposit of 20% at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card or you may pay by bank transfer in the currency chosen. Bookings within 90 days of departure require full payment. Balance payments are due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Reservations cancelled more than 120 days prior to departure are subject to a USD 750 per person cancellation fee (or equivalent currency). Reservations cancelled from 119 to 91 days prior to departure are subject to 20% per person cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled 90 days or less prior to departure are subject to full fare forfeiture (cancellation fee is 100%). We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Fuel Surcharge Rates are based on anticipated fuel costs (MGO – Marine Gas Oil) at the time of departure multiplied by a maximum daily usage. Due to constant price fluctuations in the fuel market, the shipping operator reserves the right to apply a fuel surcharge. The surcharge is determined based on a significant increase of more than 20% per 1 mt MGO (mt MGO/$) of the average market value within 45 days prior to departure, compared to MGO cost per 1 mt at the date of the official publication of the cruise rate. In case the surcharge is considered necessary by the shipping operator, it applies even if your cruise has been paid in full, subject to notification in writing no later than 30 days before cruise departure. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of the Passenger’s holiday (excluding any amendment charges), the Passenger will be entitled to cancel the booking without any cancellation fees. Booking Terms Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Poseidon Expeditions and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking.
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