Expedition Svalbard: M/S Sjøveien

Svalbard

It is Arctic summer and the ice has slowly started to loosen its grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts. During the month of July the midnight sun reigns supreme and Arctic flowers are in bloom. Later in August the sun is closer to the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light perfect for photography. With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature experiences and wildlife encounters. 2024 departures now include a pre-cruise hotel night in Longyearbyen

  • Sail on board an intimate, charming and historic expedition ship with just 12 fellow travellers
  • See the spectacular mountains of Spitsbergen
  • Sail through amazing fjords and see impressive glaciers
  • Search for wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and whales
  • Incredible birdlife including eiders, vast numbers of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots
  • Explore seldom-visited parts of eastern Svalbard such as White Island.
  • Possible circumnavigation of Spitsbergen.

GUIDES

Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides are the key to a successful expedition. On these expeditions you will meet guides with long experience of the Polar Regions and a genuine love of the Arctic. Several of them have been commuting between the Arctic and the Antarctic for many years. All guides are highly qualified guides when it comes to safety.

There are two guides on board the M/S Sjøveien. Few passengers per guide increase the flexibility on board as well as enable a smooth Zodiac operation. The guides also entertain and educate you with interesting talks in between landings, where you learn more about the flora, fauna and history of Svalbard.

Stewart's Take

Small is best on this fantastic Arctic expedition

Overview

It is Arctic summer and the ice has slowly started to loosen its grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts. During the month of July the midnight sun reigns supreme and Arctic flowers are in bloom. Later in August the sun is closer to the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light perfect for photography. With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature experiences and wildlife encounters. 2024 departures now include a pre-cruise hotel night in Longyearbyen.
Day 1: Longyearbyen Arrive Svalbard and relax at the included hotel (2024 departures only) in Longyearbyen. Day 2: Longyearbyen Embark our expedition ship in the afternoon and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden. Day 3 - 11: Svalbard We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with our Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places we may visit: Northwest Spitsbergen The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish balloonist Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site. Magnificent fjords Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity. Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet. Eastern Svalbard The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. There are huge glacier fronts here, intersected by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here. Southwest Spitsbergen The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice. Day 12: Longyearbyen Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home. Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

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Expedition Vessel: M/S Sjøveien

M/S SjøveienBoard the M/S Sjøveien for a Svalbard journey of a lifetime. The M/S Sjøveien has been used as a hotel for the past few years and has now been completely renovated as a passenger ship, ready to set sail in the Svalbard archipelago. The key is in the detail of this stunning ship; with wooden decks and interiors, vintage elements and private bathrooms, one does not have to compromise on comfort while experiencing the icy waters of the Arctic. A more luxurious 12-passenger ship renovated with classic styling and necessary facilities for your Svalbard expedition.  The M/S Sjøveien has been renovated with a range of accommodation options. Choose from twin and double rooms and upper and lower deck cabins with either windows or portholes. There is a large mess area, communal lounge and dining area where you will enjoy meals and lectures by your on-board guides. Dining aboard the M/S Sjøveien is an all-inclusive affair with breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea and coffee being served each day. The M/S Sjøveien is certified with an ice class of 1C which means she is ice-strengthened and can deal with ice up to 40cm thick.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included
  • 10 nights on board the M/S Sjøveien
  • all meals on board, cofee and tea
  • an experienced Expedition Leader
  • lectures and guiding on board and ashore
  • all excursions by Zodiac
  • The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew
  • Comprehensive information material before the expedition
  • illustrated post-expedition log
Excluded
  • Flight to and from Longyearbyen
  • travel and cancellation insurance
  • Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges
Deposits Reservations require a deposit of 25% at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A secure payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card alternatively bank transfer. Bookings within 60 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments Balances are due 60 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by bank transfer. Balance payments by credit card are subject to a 2% surcharge. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. For cancellation received more than 60 days prior to departure there will be a full refund of the program cost less 20%. For cancellation received between 60 days prior to departure and departure date there will be no refund whatsoever. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Polar Quest 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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