Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Longyearbyen
You'll arrive at Svalbard Airport and transfer to Longyearbyen, the archipelago's main settlement. After getting to the Ocean Albatros expedition ship at the dock, there's a safety briefing and ship orientation. Then you'll head topside for welcome champagne as the ship departs into the Arctic waters.
- Meals
- Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Boarding Ocean Albatros expedition cruise ship
- Safety briefing and daily routine orientation
- Welcome champagne on outer deck as ship departs
Optional Activities
- Optional transfer package: flights Oslo-Longyearbyen-Oslo and group transfer between Svalbard Airport and vessel (must be booked 11 months prior to departure)
Landmarks/POIs Svalbard Airport Longyearbyen - Days 2 - 3
North West Svalbard Exploration
Over two days you'll explore North West Svalbard's open terrain, checking out old Dutch whaling settlements and other traces of early exploration. You'll keep an eye out for polar bears and other Arctic animals during nature hikes and Zodiac boat trips. This section combines wilderness exploration with history from the region's past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package), Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Nature hikes in North West Svalbard
- Zodiac cruises exploring coastal areas
- Wildlife observation (polar bears, Arctic fauna and flora)
- Visit historic Dutch whaling settlement remnants
- Information briefings and lectures by expedition team
Landmarks/POIs North West Svalbard - Day 4
Northeastern Svalbard
The ship heads into northeastern Svalbard with its rocky landscape and tall glaciers. Even though the terrain looks bare, Arctic foxes and seabirds nest on the cliff faces here. You'll cruise the coastal waters and watch for walruses in this remote area. Keep in mind that actual landing spots shift based on sea conditions, wind, and ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises exploring northeastern Svalbard waters
- Wildlife observation (Arctic foxes, seabirds, walruses)
- Glacier viewing
- Information briefings by expedition team
Landmarks/POIs Northeastern Svalbard - Day 5
Nordaustlandet and Northern Islands
You'll reach some of Earth's most northern land areas, traveling toward Nordaustlandet and the smaller Sjøyane islands. If weather cooperates, you can get out and walk through these harsh landscapes. Birdwatching is excellent here with flocks of geese and uncommon gull species. By evening the ship sets course toward the Arctic ice pack extending toward the North Pole.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Landing on Nordaustlandet (weather permitting)
- Landing on Sjøyane islands (weather permitting)
- Birdwatching and flora/fauna observation
- Landscape exploration of extreme northern terrain
- Information briefings by expedition team
Landmarks/POIs Nordaustlandet Sjøyane - Day 6
Arctic Ice Pack
Cruising through the Arctic ice pack, you'll navigate floating ice and frozen channels stretching from Svalbard toward the North Pole. Look for seals, beluga whales, and possibly polar bears among the ice. The ice pack changes significantly each year, so where you'll go depends on current conditions and your expedition leader's decisions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Zodiac cruises through Arctic ice pack
- Wildlife observation (seals, beluga whales, polar bears)
- Ice formation viewing
- Information briefings and guidance by expedition leader
Landmarks/POIs Arctic Ice Pack - Day 7
Kongsfjord and Ny Alesund
After passing Prins Karls Forland's jagged mountains overnight, you'll arrive at Kongsfjord. Morning brings calm water views with mountains on either side and Kongsbreen and Kongvegen Glaciers in view. You'll stop at Ny Alesund, Earth's northernmost human settlement, where you can see research stations, mail a postcard at the post office, and browse a small shop stocked with local items.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full board with dinner drink package)
Included Activities
- Landing and exploration of Ny Alesund historic settlement
- Guided walks in Ny Alesund
- Viewing of Kongsbreen Glacier
- Viewing of Kongvegen Glacier
- Information briefings on settlement history and exploration legacy
Landmarks/POIs Kongsfjord Prins Karls Forland Kongsbreen Glacier Kongvegen Glacier Three Crowns Mountains Ny Alesund - Day 8
Return to Longyearbyen and Departure
Your expedition wraps up as the ship returns to Longyearbyen. Have a final breakfast onboard the Ocean Albatros before heading ashore. From there, you'll make your own way to Svalbard Airport for your flight back to mainland Norway, or you can use the optional transfer if you arranged it beforehand.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Final breakfast onboard Ocean Albatros)
Included Activities
- Final breakfast onboard Ocean Albatros
- Disembarkation from cruise ship
Optional Activities
- Optional group transfer from port to Svalbard Airport
- Optional return flight to Oslo (if transfer package booked)
Landmarks/POIs Longyearbyen Svalbard Airport
