Svalbard Adventure: M/S Sjøveien

Svalbard

The midnight sun reigns supreme, the bird colonies are teeming with life and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are beautifully snow-covered. The ice still keeps the islands in its grip and we can admire the ever-changing ice formations. Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. This Arctic pearl has fascinated explorers for centuries, starting with Willem Barentzs, who discovered the main island Spitsbergen in 1596

  • 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

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

Exploring Svalbard’s magical coastlines in search of wildlife.

Overview

The midnight sun reigns supreme, the bird colonies are teeming with life and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are beautifully snow-covered. The ice still keeps the islands in its grip and we can admire the ever-changing ice formations. Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. This Arctic pearl has fascinated explorers for centuries, starting with Willem Barentzs, who discovered the main island Spitsbergen in 1596.
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel. Day 2 - 8: Expedition We start our adventure in Svalbard by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark the expedition ship and sail out through Isfjorden. 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: Prins Karls Forland This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbour seals. Virgohamna, Danskøya Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer 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. Fantastic 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 and if lucky we could see the rare king eider. 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. 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. North Spitsbergen North of Spitsbergen we might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many ships venture here and we can marvel at the silence and grandeur of this icy landscape. Chances of meeting polar bears increase as we sail along the ice floes. 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 9: 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 maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

View Around Spitsbergen in a larger map

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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
  • 7 nights on board the M/S Sjøveien, 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
  • all meals on board, tea and coffee
  • 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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