Hoping for the perfect picture of a polar bear!

Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge Best of Svalbard

Arctic

Participate in polar bear photo cruise in continuous Arctic daylight. Discover seals and whales amongst the Arctic pack ice as we explore far above the Arctic Circle – only 600 miles from the North Pole. The mountains of Svalbard provide a continuous, spectacular backdrop and the expedition reaches all the way to seldom-visited, glacier capped White Island. All this in exclusive comfort on board the luxurious M/V Sea Spirit

  • Spectacular coasts, fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen
  • Reach the Polar pack ice of the North and Northeast coast
  • Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, walrus and seals
  • Huge concentrations of birdlife
  • The luxury expedition vessel Sea Spirit
I am still watching again and again at thousands of pictures and videos, I share it with my friends and family, I can speak about white picks of mountains, about purity of the air, about sleeping seals on the big ice-floe about icebergs, but I know that no pictures I can show, no stories I can tell will never express the depth of emotions, feelings and mood. You just have to see it.

Early Booking Offer 2025

*Super Early Bird Prices 2025 Season (15% reduced for Triple, Main Deck, Single and Classic Suites; 20% for Superior, Deluxe, Premium, and Owner’s Suites) are now in place for all new bookings confirmed by June 30, 2024. Discounted prices as shown.

Stewart's Take

A perfect peak-season Svalbard expedition cruise!

Overview

Participate in polar bear photo-safari cruise in continuous Arctic daylight. Discover seals and whales amongst the Arctic pack ice as we explore far above the Arctic Circle – only 600 miles from the North Pole. The mountains of Svalbard provide a continuous, spectacular backdrop and the expedition reaches all the way to seldom-visited, glacier capped White Island. All this in exclusive comfort on board the luxurious M/V Sea Spirit
Day 1. Oslo Welcome to Oslo, which in 2019 was awarded the prestigious title “Green Capital of Europe”. We’ve arranged a comfortable stay for you at an Oslo Airport hotel so that you’re conveniently close for your flight to Longyearbyen on Day 2. If you’re adventurous and have the time, take the handy airport train into central Oslo – it’s a 20-minute ride and trains depart and arrive frequently during the day. Near Oslo Central Station are shops, cafes, the Botanical Garden, cultural attractions and the attractive waterfront area. Day 2. Fly to Longyearbyen and Welcome aboard. Today you have a flight to Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Svalbard and starting point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. Once underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. This is not just any cruise, but a photo cruise, designed specifically for amateur photographers of all skill levels. It will be a cool and unforgettable journey. You will have the opportunity to photograph some of the most pristine and remote wilderness areas in the world, and to develop your photography skills in the company of like-minded fellow travellers. Days 3-11: Svalbard and Polar Ice Edge The goal for this voyage is a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Along the way, we hope to experience the many facets of this incredible High Arctic territory. Our exact schedule and route will be shaped by weather and ice. During this mid-summer voyage, we hope ice conditions will be favorable for a circumnavigation, though we expect there will still be plenty of sea ice around to support ice-dependent animals such as polar bears and walrus. In addition to seeing Spitsbergen from every angle, this itinerary offers the appealing possibility of setting foot on all four of Svalbard’s main islands. As you cruise along the coastline of Spitsbergen, you will have the opportunity to capture breathtaking images of snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers, and rugged coastlines. The first of many pristine natural areas on this itinerary is South Spitsbergen National Park, a vast region of varied landscapes including polar deserts and impassible mountain ranges. The centerpiece of this park is Hornsund, a picture-perfect fjord where countless mighty glaciers cascade from soaring mountaintops into icy inlets. The park also includes the southern shores of Bellsund, a picturesque bay where we find the remains of historical whaling operations, including cabins, wooden boats and thousands of whale bones—a scene from the distant past, literally frozen in time. Throughout the park, there is always a high probability of wildlife sightings. There are also plenty of possibilities for world-class hiking through wild polar landscapes with fascinating geology. Wildflowers are especially abundant during this time. Next along our route is the wildlife-rich Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve, a pristine and rarely visited wilderness containing hundreds of uninhabited islands. On the large islands of Edgeøya and Barentsøya, we discover broad tundra valleys supporting the territory’s densest population of endemic Svalbard reindeer. We may see newborn reindeer calves at this time of year. The valleys are also important breeding areas for ground-nesting birds such a geese, eiders and sandpipers. Arctic foxes prowl the vast landscape, seeking to provide food for their growing cubs. Shallow, murky seas are ideal feeding grounds for walrus, which can be seen resting in large numbers on gently sloping beaches. Historical sites throughout the islands provide glimpses into the region’s bygone era of trapping and hunting. During this voyage, we expect to encounter the densest concentrations of sea ice in the enormous Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve. In this remote and isolated region, ice can persist very late into the summer, giving it a truly polar character. This reserve covers the rugged northwestern parts of Spitsbergen and the entirety of Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard. Here we find the massive Austfonna ice cap, part of which meets the sea along the 45-kilometer ice cliff known as Bråsvellbreen—one of the great wonders of the Arctic world. The polar desert environment supports little in the way of vegetation but hosts prodigious numbers of seabirds at breeding sites such as the spectacular sea cliffs of Alkefjellet. The probability of encountering polar bears and walrus in this icy wilderness is very high. At this time of year, the edge of the polar pack ice will likely be close to Nordaustlandet. We hope to sail along this dynamic boundary between sea and ice, where we have an unparalleled opportunity to witness the dramatic interplay between polar bears and seals. We will take the ship as close as safely possible to the jumbled and constantly shifting ice floes in the hope of observing polar bears in their preferred habitat. Finally, we reach Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, the crown jewel of Svalbard’s scenic wonders. Here we find deep fjords flanked by serrated mountain ranges and immense tidewater glaciers calving icebergs into turquoise waters. During our voyage, the seabird breeding season is in full swing and the skies are filled with millions of murres, guillemots and little auks. This is also a great time to encounter marine mammals, including beluga whales and various Arctic seals. Set among this incredible scenery and wildlife activity, we also find evidence of Svalbard’s earliest sealers and whalers. Human habitation along our route can be found at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town and airship base that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly settlements where we find a museum, gift shop and post office. The ambitious Svalbard and Polar Ice Edge route offers a comprehensive view of the Arctic’s many faces. Every day offers something new and exciting. We will not miss a single opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, to witness incredible polar scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of historic expeditions that came before. Day 12. Disembarkation and return flight to Oslo After breakfast we say farewell in the town of Longyearbyen, where we started. We provide a transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Oslo. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Svalbard, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!

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
  • 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;
  • Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • All port fees;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log;
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of US 100,000 per person (for those 85 years of age and younger).
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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