Natural Wonders of Svalbard: MV Vikingfjord

Svalbard

The ultimate Svalbard cruise on a small, capable expedition vessel with just 12 guests. The focus on this adventure is to explore the beautiful natural wilderness of Svalbard during the summer months with 24 hours of daylight. We will encounter calving glaciers, witness an abundance of wildlife, visit historical places, and spend time exploring ashore. All this with 2 expert guides and just 12 guests

Exploration of the Svalbard Archipelago
Expert Svalbard guides
Arctic wildlife such as walrus and polar bears
Impressive seabird cliffs
Spectacular glaciers and towering mountains
Zodiac cruising, hiking and photography opportunities

On board each Svalbard expedition there will be an experienced Captain, friendly crew and at least two naturalist guides on hand to offer advice and information throughout your trip. With a range of backgrounds, all of our expedition leaders have years of experience working aboard ships in Svalbard. Whether they focus on photography, wildlife, history, culture or a mixture of all these things, they are fascinating people who will greatly add to your Arctic experience.

En route to the pack ice - when you’re not looking out for whales and seabirds from the deck - your expedition leaders will host informative lectures on various local

topics. These informal lectures will range from the history of whalers in the Spitsbergen archipelago, to the effects of climate change on the habitats of Arctic wildlife offering you a greater understanding of the areas you will visit throughout your trip.

Stewart's Take

An intimate experience for great wildlife encounters!

Overview

The ultimate Svalbard cruise on a small, capable expedition vessel with just 12 guests. The focus on this adventure is to explore the beautiful natural wilderness of Svalbard during the summer months with 24 hours of daylight. We will encounter calving glaciers, witness an abundance of wildlife, visit historical places, and spend time exploring ashore. All this with 2 expert guides and just 12 guests.

Day 1 - Longyearbyen Your expedition begins in the most Northerly town in the world, Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark our expedition vessel at the port of Longyearbyen. After an introduction from our expedition leader and a safety briefing from the Captain, we set sail out through the majestic Adventfjord. As Longyearbyen disappears astern, we wave goodbye to civilisation for the next 9 days. As we sail out through the Isfjord we will spend time on deck watching for the whales that frequent the waters. Days 2-3 - Prins Karls Foreland & Sea Ice In the morning we approach Prins Karls Foreland, an uninhabited island of beautiful scenery off the west coast of Spitsbergen. We will drop anchor and launch the Zodiac landing craft to go ashore and visit an area where walruses haul out. In the afternoon we will do a wilderness hike. We frequently see Svalbard reindeer here. If the conditions allow we will sail up to the edge of the sea ice which extends all the way to the North Pole. In calm conditions, we will cruise the edge of the sea ice keeping a sharp lookout for wildlife including polar bears that hunt on the ice. Days 4-7 - Exploring the North-West Coast Every voyage we undertake to Svalbard involves an element of exploration. A part of our Svalbard experience is to have a few days with no set itinerary. Under the guidance of our expedition leader, we will work with the weather and sea ice conditions to show you the best that the north-west coast has to offer. Over the next 3 days we will cruise around the coast with regular shore landings to visit different natural and historical sites including glaciers, do wilderness hikes and spend some time enjoying the raw nature of the Arctic. Days 8-9 - Lilliehook Fjord & Kongsfjorden As we sail back south we explore the area in and Kongsfjorden. Expect majestic glaciers, some of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords and scenery from the decks. Here we encounter one of Svalbard’s most breathtaking sites, the Lilliehook glacier, one of Svalbard’s largest calving glacier fronts. We will spend time here witnessing nature’s beauty in its rawest form with the option of doing a wilderness hike to a neighbouring fjord. Day 10* - Longyearbyen In the morning we arrive back at the port of Longyearbyen. After breakfast we say our goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure together. Notes * On 9 day voyages we return to Longyearbyen on day 9. On 11 day voyages we spend extra time exploring the north and return to Longyearbyen on day 11. The above itinerary is a guide only. A part of any Arctic adventure is the flexibility to take advantage of the weather and ice conditions. Our expedition leader will make sure you see as much a possible.

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Expedition Vessel: M/V Vikingfjord

MV Vikingfjord enters service in Svalbard for low impact expeditions in May 2023. She offers cruise ship comfort on a small ship with just 12 passengers, an open plan saloon with rear facing windows, and on on deck hot tub and sauna. The most environmentally friendly small ship in the polar regions with a 95% reduction in NOX emissions. The comfortable lounge located at the stern with sofas and large rear facing windows to enjoy the view. Nine Spacious cabins with modern decor, comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms with a choice between doubles, twins or singles. Enjoy a sauna or outdoor hot tub on the upper deck. Lounge area on the bridge with a great view. Ice strengthened hull with 1B rating for exploring the polar regions.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

Voyage as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage
Programmed lectures and leadership by experienced staff
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the voyage
Pre-departure material.

Excluded

Any airfares, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre and post land arrangements
Transfers to/from the vessel, passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended)
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar beverage charges and telecommunication charges
Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).

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. Bookings within 90 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments are due 90 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by bank transfer. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Cancellations received 90 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less the deposit. If cancellation occurs less than 90 days prior to departure, all payments are forfeited. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. 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 Secret Atlas 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.