Svalbard Arctic Cruise

Experience Spitsbergens wild and beautiful north-westerly coast onboard the M/S Expedition. Take in the mighty summits and calving glaciers.

Spitsbergen is Svalbards largest island and due to the Gulf Stream the 400 km long western coastline is rich in animal and plant life. The island got its name from the Dutchman Willem Barents who, in 1596, touched land on the north-westerly tip of the island.

On August 1st 2008 we will experience a huge and rather spectacular solar eclipse in Norway. At Kvitøya northeast of Spitsbergen the eclipse will be total for almost one and a half minute from 11.50 a.m. Explore the eclipse on board MS Nordstjernen!

Please note that the itinerary below applies to Sunday departures. Wednesday departures are slightly different.

Itinerary

There are several options for flights to Longyearbyen:

9:20 AM, from Oslo via Tromso, arrives 1:55 PM (transfer not included).

10:00 PM, from Oslo direct, arrive 12:50 AM. Arrival transfer included

11:50 PM from Tromso, arrives 1:25 AM. Arrival transfer included

Breakfast is served until 10:00 AM. At 11:00 AM, we will have an informational meeting, followed by a transfer to the ship. After embarkation, we will sail at 1:00 PM. We arrive in Barentsburg at 4:00 PM and will have time for some sightseeing and an optional visit to the Pomor Museum. We will enjoy a folklore show at the cultural house, then return to the harbor in time for departure at 6:30 PM.

At night time we sail out of the Icefjord, then northbound along the coast of the Prins Karls Forland passing the Kongsfjord and the seven glaciers named Sjubre-flaket, before reaching Sptisbergenäs northwest corner.

Depending on the weather- and ice-conditions we sail to the Woodfjord area. In the Liefdefjord we can see the astonishing front of the Monaco glacier. Tender boat landing in the afternoon. When we have good ice-conditions we cross the 80° parallel and sail up to the Moffen Island.

In the late afternoon we sail pass the Raudfjord and south into the Smeerenburgfjord, where we at night time/early morning pass the well known Magdalenefjord and Wagonway glacier.

Alternatively cruising in the Krossfjord where we spend the day doing landings, visiting cultural interests, birdcliffs and glacierfronts.

We will arrive in Ny-Alesund around 8:30 PM and enjoy a guided walk around town with emphasis on the history of coalmining and arctic exploration. You will also have time to explore on your own and may visit the museum. We set sail at 10:30 PM and cross the Kongsfjord to Blomstrand, where we disembark and meet passengers joining us from the Spitsbergen Trekking Tour. At night, we continue southbound along the coast of Prins Karl Forland and return to the Icefjord.

We will arrive in Longyearbyen at 10:00 AM. We will enjoy a sightseeing tour and a visit to the Svalbard Museum and Gallery Svalbard. After a light lunch, we will check into the hotel. You wil have time to explore on your own in the afternoon. This evening, we will celebrate with a farewell dinner.

There are several options for flight to Oslo:

4:40 AM, direct, arrives 7:30 AM

5:05AM, via Tromso, arrives 10:30 AM

2:55 PM, via Tromso, arrives 7:05 PM (no transfer included).