Spitsbergen Highlights: Ultramarine

Svalbard

Pack in all the excitement of an epic long arctic cruise into only seven days with the Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief itinerary. In just a week, you’ll cruise through the pack ice up to 80°N along the west coast of Spitsbergen like an explorer of long ago, on a constant search for wildlife. Though this rocky island is covered in mountains and glaciers, the towering cliffs and fjords play host to a surprisingly thriving and varied ecosystem. Exploring as much of the area as possible will provide optimal opportunities to spot the most iconic of arctic wildlife, the polar bear

View arctic wildlife, such as polar bears, walrus and reindeer
Enjoy all the adventure of an arctic expedition in less than a week
Cruise in a Zodiac to get up close to glaciers, fjords, icebergs and more
Hike the colorful tundra
Take advantage of kayaking option

Special Offers

May 3 – 9, 2022: Save 15% for Standard cabins* (Excludes triple and single occupancy cabins.) or 20% for Premium cabins** - Use Promocode XXQ15 or XXQ20.

May 16 – 22, 2022: Save 15% for Standard cabins* (Excludes triple and single occupancy cabins.) or 20% for Premium cabins** - Use Promocode XXQ15 or XXQ20.

Jun 22 – 28, 2022: Save 20% for Standard cabins* (Excludes triple and single occupancy cabins.) or 20% for Premium cabins** - Use Promocode XXQ20.

(*Standard Cabins: Explorer Suite; **Balcony Suite, Deluxe Suite, Terrace Suite, Penthouse Suite, Owner's Suite and Ultra Suite)

Stewart's Take

Join the amazing new Ultramarine and explore the jewel of the Arctic in the exciting early season!

Overview

Pack in all the excitement of an epic long arctic cruise into only seven days with the Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief itinerary. In just a week, you’ll cruise through the pack ice up to 80°N along the west coast of Spitsbergen like an explorer of long ago, on a constant search for wildlife. Though this rocky island is covered in mountains and glaciers, the towering cliffs and fjords play host to a surprisingly thriving and varied ecosystem. Exploring as much of the area as possible will provide optimal opportunities to spot the most iconic of arctic wildlife, the polar bear.

Day 1 — Arrive in Oslo, Norway Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before retiring at your included airport hotel. Day 2 — Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen, Svalbard This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, where you’ll have some time to explore before embarkation. As your ship sets sail, enjoy great vistas of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this historic town. Days 3 to 6 — Exploring Spitsbergen You’ll sail around the shores of this magical island, constantly searching for polar bears and other natural wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, your expedition will afford ample opportunities to view immense glaciers, deep fjords, soaring mountains and unique flora and fauna. Krossfjord Sailing north into Krossfjord, have your camera handy, ready to capture some of the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Deep in the fjord, the highly active Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the growling as big chunks break off into the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion to nearby Ny London, an abandoned mining settlement, provides an ideal place for a guided walk. Encounters with wildlife, such as the indigenous Svalbard reindeer, are possible here. Monaco Glacier and 80°N After cruising overnight, wake up to the stunning sight of the magnificent Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg producer. To make this even more thrilling, help your Expedition Team to scan the shorelines and ice edge for marine mammals. Possible landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and the Andoyane Islands (where polar bears have been known to roam). At 80°N, you’ll reach a walrus sanctuary on the tiny, crescent-shaped Moffen Island. Watching from the water as large groups of these lumbering giants jockey for space is an unforgettable experience, so be ready with your binoculars. Smeerenburg At Smeerenburg you can see the remains of an abandoned settlement that was established by Dutch whalers nearly 400 years ago. Here, at one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, you’ll have time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s whaling history. Afterwards, cruising to Magdalenafjord rewards you with panoramic vistas of snow-capped mountains and massive glaciers reflected in the crystal-clear waters. Barentsburg and Alkehornet During your last full day of your arctic adventure, you may visit the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, home of the world’s northernmost brewery. We hope to round out the day in Alkehornet, taking in the towering cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Encounters with reindeer might be possible here too. Later, in the evening, swap stories with your shipmates and crew one last time, at the captain’s dinner. Day 7 — Disembark in Longyearbyen & fly to Oslo The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo. MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE: The transfer package from Oslo is extra and includes: - One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Oslo airport hotel, with breakfast - Charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen - Arrival and departure transfers in Longyearbyen - Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo PACKAGE PRICE: $995 USD Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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Luxury Expedition Vessel: Ultramarine

Ultramarine, is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. With all this and more, Ultramarine is set to deliver the ultimate polar expedition experience - voyages start in 2021!

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks on board throughout your voyage
All shore landings per the daily program
Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists
All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special
Guests as scheduled
Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative
Arctic Reader
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard ship
Arrival transfer from Longyearbyen airport to your hotel if you arrive one day prior to embarkation
On embarkation day transfer from your hotel or Longyearbyen airport to the ship
On disembarkation day group transfer from the ship to airport or local designated drop-off location
Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of US$100,000 per person

Excluded

International airfare
Passport and any applicable visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel
Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance
Excess baggage charges
Laundry and other personal charges
Telecommunications charges
The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
Any overnight accommodation required due to flight connections
Optional sea-kayaking activities

Rates and Share Bookings Prices shown are per person in US Dollars on a shared basis. We can on request also quote for you in Euros, British Pounds, Australian Dollars or Swedish Crowns. If you are travelling alone and wish to share, we can match you with someone of the same gender at share rate. If desired, Single occupancy is available at 1.7 times the twin share rate for standard cabins (or twice the share rate for premium cabins or suites). Deposits Reservations require a deposit of 20% (minimum $1000 per person) 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 Balances are due 90 days prior to departure and may be paid by bank transfer. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Cancellations received 365 days or more prior to departure, are refundable less an administrative fee of US$300/€250/AUD400/GBP250/SEK2750 per person - or a US$400/€350/AUD550/GBP350/SEK3750 per person for future travel credit within the next twelve (12) months of date of cancelled voyage. If cancellation is received between 364 days and 91 days, the deposit is forfeited. If cancellation occurs 90 days or less 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. To protect your investment, we highly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions for Expeditions Online (link at the bottom of this page). This voyage is operated by Quark 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.