Icebergs, Fjords, Polar Bears and Arctic Wildlife

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo (hotel night)

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: Embarkation in Longyearbyen

Today you have a flight to Longyearbyen (regular airline flight), the administrative center 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 our expedition vessel, the 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. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in endless evening light as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden, one of the largest fjords in Svalbard.

Day 3-5: Exploration of Svalbard

In the High Arctic wilderness of Svalbard, our itinerary is flexible to maximize your experience. Weather and sea ice conditions determine our route and exploration opportunities. Our experienced captain and expedition leader adapt plans accordingly. Majestic mountains, deep fjords, and turquoise waters create a stunning backdrop. Spot grazing reindeer, playful Arctic foxes, and diverse marine mammals. Keep an eye out for polar bears throughout Svalbard. Visit Ny Ålesund, a former mining town now occupied by Arctic researchers. Discover its museum, gift shop, and post office. This area also played a role in historic North Pole expeditions.

Day 6-7: Across the Greenland Sea

From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes, it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way, we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as seals, and the majestic polar bear. In previous eras, a large number of different species of whales, especially bowhead whales, lived in the Greenland Sea. But due to hunting which lasted into the 20th centur, the whales were on the verge of extinction. Now, fortunately, the populations are recovering, and sometimes we can see these majestic animals passing by.

Day 8-11: East Greenland Adventure

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic and it brings us new opportunities to explore. We will go on a true arctic adventure and feel the real breath of the Arctic. Our itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. Again, you can be sure that our experienced captain and expedition leader will take advantage of every opportunity so that you can experience excellent wildlife viewing, discover incredible scenery and go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest and perhaps most remote. This whole area contains some of the Arctic’s most magnificent scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape — vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hiker’s paradise. Throughout this area, we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. To provide you with the best experience possible, Days 3-5 and 8-11 might be reversed. This allows our captain and expedition team to monitor the weather and sea conditions; remember: flexibility is the key to polar expedition cruising!

Day 12-13: At sea

Following our exploration of the Northeast Greenland coastline and fjords, we head back across the Greenland Sea toward Svalbard. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent; but that’s up to you! Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

Day 14: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen and provide transfer to the airport and a regular flight to Oslo. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar worlds!

• 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Oslo;
• Round trip Oslo - Longyearbyen (regular flight);
• Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
• Shipboard accommodation;
• All meals on board throughout the voyage;
• Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
• All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions);
• Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team;
• Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka;
• Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
• Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
• All port fees;
• Group transfer to Longyearbyen airport;
• Pre-departure materials;
• Digital Voyage Log;
• Wi-Fi on board;
• Flight to Oslo included for 2024 dates.

• 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;
• Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
• Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
• Kayaking;
• The cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions before, during or after the cruise;
• Staff gratuities.